Top 15 Photography Spots in Canada
Canada is home to many natural and cultural wonders, and perhaps one of the most photographed countries in the world. From the fierce wilderness of Yukon and Northwest Territories to the fabled coasts of Pacific Rims National Park, northern light-streaked night skies, and the spectacular Atlantic storms- Canada encompasses uncountable natural curiosities, often unparalleled in their kinds.
Besides nature, the country portrays a rich history of humans in the course of time; such as the prehistoric Ice Age dwelling tribes, heritage of the First Nation tribes, cultural sites of the European settlers, and the later medieval Canadian royal monuments. All these natural, cultural, and historic elements, put together unique sceneries to capture.
Whether you are a professional photographer or a novice visual learner, here is a list of the top 15 landscape photography locations in Canada with extremely picture-worthy attributes.
1. Moraine Lake
Canadian Rocky Ranges are noted for their captivating vistas and spectacular sceneries, including Moraine Lake. Encircled by the towering summits and woodland-covered slopes, the lake resembles a turquoise gem amid the rocky’s rugged beauty. Vivid shades of blue, dramatic peaks with vertical slopes, and the abundant wildlife have turned this lake into a photographers-popular destination.
Located in Banff National Park, there are plenty of stunning lakes and scenic valleys at a short hike from Moraine Lake. Lake Louise is described by most as Canada’s prettiest lake, comparatively twice bigger. Rockpile Trail wreaths around the lake, providing various photogenic viewpoints of the lake and surrounding peaks.
From the scenic Icefields of Banff National Park flows the Saskatchewan Glacier River, lining the tundra landscape of Alberta with its crystal blue waters. Furthermore, it sweeps into Manitoba plains, best known for the perspectives of interminable Canola flower fields in July – and flat prairie of Saskatchewan, and reaching Abraham Lake.
The man-made reservoir illustrates one of the most dynamic and astonishing photography destinations in Canada, enclosed by boreal forests and cragged summits of Elliott Peak and Mount Abraham. Although the azure waters and the enfolding nature only complements the park’s striking feature; the decaying organic life at the bottom of the lake releases methane gas. While bubbling up to the surface, it freezes in time and space, creating vertical chains of bubbles.
2. Tofino
Vancouver Island marks an ever peculiar landscape, boasting from heritage sites to cliff and sandy beaches, kilometers of forests, waterfalls, and rivers in between. The scalding waterfalls of Hot Springs Cove sit on the sea-ward cliffs of Maquinna shores that rise from the thermal depths of the earth and sweep into the cold ocean.
Kayaking, fishing, and hiking are among the popular recreational activities- and a delightful spot for sports photography. Victoria Bug Zoo for capturing the short-lived life of insects, Petroglyph of southern Nanaimo, and the renowned unusual accommodations across the Island- all provide unmatching photography subjects. Amid the notable modern attractions is the forest art collection at Wacky Woods, displayed in a surrealist location where art mingles with wilderness
3. Okanagan Valley
Among the many marvels of Kootenay National Park, such as Sinclair Canyon or flower embedded Healy Pass Trail, Okanagan valleys embrace from scenic winemaking villages to the picturesque Paint Pots and Spotted Lake- recognized as one of the country’s wonders.
If interested in photographing the mysterious mineral blotches of the Spotted Lake, vineyards and orchards of Kelowna, and the remarkable Haffner Glacier Creek. Hemmed in by spectacular summits of Canadian Rockies, the valley offers several hiking trails with panoramic viewpoints, overlooking the natural and civilized life of the valley.
4. Vulcan
Titled as Canada’s queerest town- and conceivably the world’s- Vulcan is the official Star Trek Capital of the country and a popular destination for stark trek fans and stock photographers. Direction panels reveal signboards written in English and extraterrestrial languages, rebuilt models of spaceships, celestial mural arts, and Star Trek memorabilia collections there is no township on earth more alien than Vulcan. For commercial photographers or conceptual composition artists, this town presents a vast array of otherworldly subjects to capture.
5. Parc National des Pingualuit
Beneath the limitless Arctic sky, the barren lands of Nunavik conceal the grand meteoritic crater, called Pingualuit- a landscape much resembling the lunar tundras. While casual photography on the moon is rather implausible, Parc National des Pingualuit provides an opportunity to photograph the celestial crater.
A few other picturesque interests remain at a short hike from the meteorite depression; the rippled cavern, the Inuit village of Kangiqsujuaq, and archeological remains at the proximity of Qajartalik. Dating back to Paleo-Skimo tribes, the surrounding caves and rocks are adorned with the most northern example of ingenious art in the continent. Displays include face carving on soapstones, petroglyphs, and other tangible findings, belonging to Dorset Culture.
6. Saint Lawrence River
One of the largest draining streams fed by the Great Lakes of North America is the colossal Saint Lawrence River. After crossing Lake Ontario and flowing in between the Thousand Islands’ magnificent landscape, the river becomes uneasy around Quebec City- where lies the striking collection of Le Grand Rassemblement or the great gathering statues.
The wooden figurines are sarcastically crude and disappear and appear with the playful tides around Quebec’s shores. The Gulf of Saint Lawrence stands as an archaeological dock of the Norsemen, surrounded by exceptional islands and marine life. Each summer, the gulf presents the vista of rare Whale species such as the fair Beluga whale or endangered blue whales.
7. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls has long been a popular place for landscape photographers, accompanied by rather challenging factors; because of harsh weather conditions using a tripod is virtually impossible, leaving the photographers with particle dense air, the most rapid torrent of Canadian waterfalls, and forceful blows of misty winds.
The park itself indicates the way to the best vantage points in several spots. Using the connective trails, visitors can shoot all three of Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls, including Niagara Falls State Park; although the view from the Canadian side is often favored. The encircling forests around these fierce waterfalls house numerous natural attractions and bio-diverse wildlife- abundant in photo-worthy attributes.
8. Caledon Conservation Areas
The small town of Caledon sprawls in the municipality of Ontario, flanked by the jaw-dropping landscape nearby. Debris of an ancient sea eroded rocks, and large deposits of soft red clay create the “Badlands”, remarked as a true geological treasure.
The badlands are connected to Bruce Trail and Niagara fall’s biotope from the south. Albion Hills Conservation Park offers a recreation supporting natural reserve- and 26 kilometers of curated hiking trails ladened with thriving wildlife at Palgrave forests for landscape, wildlife, and sports photography.
9. Watson Lake
The forest trails around Liard Canyon lead to the extraordinary shores of Watson Lake in Yukon, presenting one of the most memorable sights in the country.
If you are interested in capturing signposts in all sizes, colors, and languages, visit the Sign Post Forest. As the name indicates, the tradition of hanging signposts has been carried after an American soldier’s creative expression of his longing for home, who hung the signs from his hometown, Illinois, besides the highway’s indicative panels. People from around the world hang their signposts when crossing the trails of Watson Lake.
Northern Lights Space and Science Centre lounges at a stone’s throw from the strange forest, concealing the Nordic heritage, legends, and folklore of indigenous tribes and the splendid northern lights. The center offers a facilities photography space and a must-visit for all astrophotography fans.
10. Prince Edward Island
Although small, Prince Edward Island is rich in culture, heritage, and nature. From the Victorian Green Gables Heritage House, historic quarters of Charlottetown, and the fabled Victoria Row to the archeological sites of the indigenous Mi’kmaq- there are myriad cultural attractions across this Island province. The most surprising locality, surely unmatched in its demeanor, lies at the Bottle House village. Built entirely of recycled bottles, houses, chapel, and shop structures represent a blend of recycling science, architecture, and design.
The most distinctive landscape of the Island is concealed within the boundaries of Prince Edward Island National Park; covering from red sand shorelines, heaps of rouge sand dunes in Greenwich reserve, and a thriving population of the native Harp Seals.
11. Peggy’s Cove
Whether in sunny summer days or stormy grey winters, the lighthouse of Peggy’s Cove provides a surreal composition throughout the year. The vivid colors of the lighthouse contrast with the deep blue of the Atlantic’s and grey facade of Nova Scotia’s cliffs, creating a magical backdrop.
Besides the iconic lighthouse and wave-washed cliffs, the village itself suggests a distinct charm, combining an urbanscape of century-old houses built on the narrow alleys, idyllic passages on small bridges, and fishing harbors.
12. Iceberg Alley
Each spring, large chunks of the glaciers of Greenland and Arctic plains travel towards the eastern Canadian shores, forming the phenomena of traveling icebergs. Coast of Labrador to the islands of Newfoundland is veined by the major iceberg stream, known as the Iceberg Alley. From the shores of Newfoundland southeastern shores, by guided tour boat- as it requires high skills to sail soundly on stream- and helicopter tours are the favorite viewpoints of the icebergs
13. Quebec Old Town
The country has captured its medieval European heritage in numerous locations, although best seen at the historic quarters of Quebec City. Victorian houses lined graciously around the cobblestone alleys, gothic cathedrals, and artistically adorned piazzas- hinting strongly to the sentiment of a French or English antiquated district.
While it holds the Canadian elements such as the occasional maple leaf logos or the country’s flag dangling off the monumental buildings. The odd composition of Canadian and European elements gives plenty of room to creative photographers. The most prospective points to view the city are Terrasse Dufferin extending to Promenade des Gouverneurs, or the Governor’s Walk, over Québec’s colossal citadel.
14. Churchill
There is no better place to capture the white-furred bears, than the Polar Bear Capital of the World, at Churchill. The stretch along the Hudson Bay hosts these majestic creatures every winter for seasonal seal hunting. While some bears are shy, most of the Hudson’s Bay bear population has grown accustomed to the Nordic safari spectators and may even pose for the camera.
Churchill pinpoints a great destination for viewing and photographing the northern lights, comprising a few aurora centers such as Tundra Lodge and Natural Habitat’s Aurora Pod. Dog sledding is a long-standing tradition in the regions and a unique subject to photograph.
Waters of Hudson Bay shelters an eminent marine life. For the fans of underwater photography, there are several tours and snorkeling facilities that permit the close sight of endangered beluga whales, or perhaps snapping the white hump of these magnificent sea mammals while kayaking.
15. Indigenous People of Manitoulin Islands
Therewithal an extensive network of over a hundred lakes and the inundating native flora, Manitoulin Islands are a home to over seven First Nation Reserves and their thriving community. The remote position of this island has savored the centuries-old legacy of these fascinating tribes, through the local folklore, traditional crafts, and recipes; hence an ever-enthralling destination for tribal and portrait photography.
Great Spirit Circle Trail is a comprehensive guided tour that comprises all the seven reserves, the ancient dwellings, authentic diners, and a great wealth of nature. The regional trails that lead to the aboriginal tribe inhabitants walk the visitors through the footpaths of the ancient residents, often accompanied by native tour guides.
There are countless ranges and valleys with exceptional landscape and rock formation across Canada. Amid the barren and frozen wilderness of Auyuittuq National Park, in Baffin Island, rises the colossal figure of Mt. Thor. Large tundra valleys that ascend to vertical cliffs and soaring summits set forth a truly exceptional vista, particularly to Canadian terrain. Professional boulder climbers, mountaineers, and photographers hold high regards for this remote destination.
