Canadian natural wonders not far from the city

Canada is a vast country filled to the brim with incredible natural wonders that will leave any lover of the outdoors awe-struck. You don’t have to fly to the far corners of the country to enjoy them. There are amazing wonders within close proximity to Canada’s biggest cities.

Here’s a look at a handful of Canadian natural wonders you can experience within two hours of a major urban centre.

Waterfalls

Less than a two-hour drive from Toronto sits Canada's most renowned natural wonder: Niagara Falls. Seeing them once means you'll want to see them again. Picture this: the sound of rushing the water as you approach the falls, the mist on your ski as you look up at a torrent of blue and white 50 metres above and the sheer power you can feel through your entire body... Once you've taken the falls, enjoy the surrounding region. It's full of fantastic attractions and entertainment, terrific dining and wonderful wines.

Many people are surprised to discover that a waterfall one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls sits just minutes from Quebec City. At 83 metres, the Montmorency Falls are a sight to behold, both from within the city, and up close and personal in the Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency in French). Hang out near the base or ride the gondola up to the top for a spectacular view. More adventurous visitors might choose to hike one of the three Via Ferrata trails, stopping at viewpoints along the way for some Instagram-worthy shots, or even zipline across the falls.

Then there's Shannon Falls, a beautiful waterfall less than an hour's drive from Vancouver. Located next to the Sea-to-Sky Gondola, the falls originate 300 metres above sea level and steadily tumble down between granite cliffs. This waterfall is incredibly accessible and well worth the drive along the picturesque Sea to Sky Highway.

Northern Lights

Thanks to its northern latitude and vast, open landscapes, Canada offers some of the best northern lights viewing in the world.

The Northwest Territories are widely considered one of the world’s top destinations for the northern lights, or ‘aurora borealis’. In Yellowknife—known as the Aurora Capital of North America—the lights are so bright and frequent you can often see them right from your hotel window. For a more adventurous experience, watch the aurora while dog sledding or admire the northern lights from a cozy teepee beneath the stars.

Yukon is another standout. Its capital city, Whitehorse regularly finds itself beneath shimmering green, purple, and pink skies. Just 20 minutes outside the city, the landscape opens up to quiet wilderness settings where the aurora feels bigger, brighter, and closer—often paired with remote stays like prospector-style tents designed for comfort in the cold.

Manitoba is also one of the very best places on the planet to see the northern lights, with up to 300 nights of aurora activity each year. Churchill, in particular, is known for its flat horizons, clear skies, and frequent solar activity, making it a global hotspot for both first-time viewers and seasoned aurora chasers. Manitoba also offers unique northern lights experiences, including Dan’s Diner, a pop-up restaurant designed with panoramic windows and skylights that allow guests to watch the aurora while enjoying a gourmet meal.

While Canada’s northern regions offer the most reliable viewing, strong solar activity can occasionally push the lights farther south. On rare nights, the aurora has appeared in places like Edmonton, in Ontario’s Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve, and even Prince Edward Island National Park—proof of just how far-reaching this natural spectacle can be.

Learn more about where and when to see the northern lights in Canada.

Beaches

Often called the best beach in Canada, Singing Sands in Basin Head Provincial Park, just 75 minutes from Charlottetown, is a 14.5-kilomtre white sand beach with some of the warmest waters in Prince Edward Island. In fact, the beach is said to have some of the warmest waters north of Florida, occasionally exceeding 21 degrees celsius The beach's name is a result of its fine sand, which squeaks as your feet press into it--the result of a high concentration of silica and quartz. There are 23 beaches on Prince Edward Island, and all of them are within a couple of hours of one another, so you can enjoy a handful of these natural wonders in a day.

Forget near the city--how about directly within it! Vancouver has nine beautiful beaches within its boundaries, so you never have to stray far from your hotel to enjoy soft sand beneath your feet. In fact, National Geographic named Vancouver one of the 10 best beach cities in the world. The standout of the bunch is probably Wreck Beach, a 6.6-kilometre, clothing-optional beach near the campus of the University of British Columbia. If you prefer to keep your kit on, English Bay with its volleyball courts, diving platform, and peerless people watching in the heart of the city's West End neighbourhood comes a close second.

You only need to travel 10 minutes from the city of Toronto to enter a completely different, beachy world. Hop on a ferry and journey to Toronto Island and their three beautiful beaches. Lay down your towel and enjoy the best of nature with beautiful views of the city.

Finally, about an hour north-east of Winnipeg, Manitoba, sits Grand Beach, often named one of the best beaches in Canada. There, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, you'll find dunes reaching nearly 12 metres in height, and ample opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and even camping.

Other natural wonders

Every single year, thousands upon thousands of skiers and snowboarders take to the mountains of Whistler to enjoy some of the best snow conditions anywhere. In the summer, these mountains become a world-class mountain biking and hiking destination. Throw in the area's incredible lakes and rivers, and it isn't hard to figure why people flock to this village 90 minutes north of Vancouver to immerse themselves in nature.

While on the topic of mountains, the Rocky Mountains are undoubtedly a natural wonder, and they can be enjoyed after just a short, 90-minute drive from Calgary. That quick jaunt will bring you into the unmatched Banff National Park, home to glaciers, forests, rivers, valleys, and of course, mountains, all of which will dazzle you with their scale and beauty. It's in this park that you'll find the picturesque Lake Louise, with its jaw-dropping turquoise blue waters set perfectly in front of the Victoria Glacier. Then there's the beautiful Moraine Lake, equally photo-worthy and a great place for a hike or paddle. (Please note that Banff and Lake Louise areas are highly visited areas that require advance planning and booking).

About two hours east of Calgary is Dinosaur Provincial Park, one of the biggest dinosaur graveyards in the world. Fossils of nearly 500 species of animals and a remarkable 40 dinosaurs have been found amidst the park's spires, pinnacles, and other formations.

Across the country, both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick host an internationally-known natural wonder: the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. The daily tides, resulting 12-metre change in water level, has shaped the unique landscape of the coastline and entire region, but is displayed most impressively at the unique Hopewell Rocks--only 30 minutes from Moncton, the second biggest city in New Brunswick.

Last but not least is Canada's own tiny little Dead Sea, Little Manitou Lake. Located just over an hour's drive from Saskatoon, this unique lake is filled with briny water rich in mineral salts that are said to  possess natural skin and body care properties. The perfect place to go for a rejuvenating float!