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It’s not too soon to begin planning for next year: If you’re keen to book a Parks Canada camping experience for 2025, Martin says you need to be on the reservation system at as soon as it launches, starting in January. Exact booking dates, which vary by park, are already listed, so you can set calendar reminders. If you’re looking for impressive yet lesser-known parks to visit, Martin recommends the following five:

Pukaskwa National Park, Ont.

“This is the place for a great wilderness adventure. Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, there are stunning hiking trails, including an overnight coastal hiking trail, complete with a suspension bridge over a roaring river. There are also much shorter hikes that go through beautiful sand beaches and offer views over the lake,” says Martin, who got his start with Parks Canada in 2000 as a park interpreter at . “I thought I had won the lottery with that job.”

Terra Nova National Park, N.L.

“This park has a mix of boreal forest and rocky landscape that extends these long fingers into the ocean. You get these nice, protected bays that are home to a lot of beautiful sea life, but also a fairly high relief with trails offering dramatic views towards the Bonavista Peninsula,” says Martin. One of his favourite things about is that it’s the home of the Newfoundland marten, a member of the weasel family that is on the species-at-risk list. “I’ve had many sightings just minutes outside of the main campground.”

Grasslands National Park, Sask.

“So few people visit this absolute gem, where you can truly understand what the prairie was like before it was cultivated. It’s an amazing landscape and so colourful. You can see pronghorn, prairie dogs and bison, and the night skies are incredible,” says Martin. In fact, is one of Canada’s largest and darkest Dark Sky Preserves. “Most people driving across the country don’t turn off the Trans-Canada Highway, but if you do, within 90 minutes you’re right in the middle of this beautiful park, which is one of my favourite places in Canada.”

Kouchibouguac National Park, N.B.

“We affectionately call this park ‘’ and feel like it is very much underappreciated because it offers so much. There are beautiful dunes and beaches, hiking trails through Acadian forest, salt marshes and estuaries, and the people there are just so friendly. I’ve eaten the best seafood of my life in nearby Acadian communities, and that’s just a chef’s kiss after spending a day exploring along that coast.”

Riding Mountain National Park, Man.

“Most people think of Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise as parks with townsites, but Wasagaming in Riding Mountain is a charming place to stroll the streets, eat an ice cream, and maybe watch a film at the log cabin movie theatre. also has great wildlife viewing, lots of trails, and gorgeous lighting for photography, with a dramatic landscape that descends from the hills to the flat prairie surrounding the park.”