1. Banff National Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water from rivers and lakes, diverse plant life for foraging, and numerous natural shelters (caves, forest cover).
  2. Jasper National Park
    • Similar to Banff with rich natural resources and vast wilderness.
  3. Kananaskis Country
    • Close to major water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  4. Wood Buffalo National Park
    • Largest national park in Canada with plentiful resources and fewer human disturbances.
  5. Waterton Lakes National Park
    • Combination of prairie, forest, and mountain ecosystems provides diverse survival resources.
  6. Elk Island National Park
    • Rich in wildlife and plant life, though smaller in size.
  7. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
    • Good water sources and dense forests.
  8. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
    • Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
  9. Lesser Slave Lake
    • Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest for shelter.
  10. Cold Lake
    • Similar to Lesser Slave Lake but with less forested area.

British Columbia

  1. Great Bear Rainforest
    • Extremely rich in biodiversity, abundant fresh water, and extensive forest cover.
  2. Vancouver Island (northern regions)
    • Rich marine and terrestrial resources, ample fresh water, and mild climate.
  3. Glacier National Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water sources, and high wildlife density.
  4. Pacific Rim National Park
    • Coastal resources, freshwater streams, and dense forests.
  5. Yoho National Park
    • Ample water from rivers and lakes, forest cover, and diverse wildlife.
  6. Garibaldi Provincial Park
    • Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and good wildlife presence.
  7. Kootenay National Park
    • Rich in natural resources with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
  8. Mount Robson Provincial Park
    • High water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  9. Strathcona Provincial Park
    • Rich in fresh water, dense forests, and wildlife, though rugged terrain.
  10. Okanagan Valley (remote areas)
    • Rich agricultural land, water sources, and mild climate.

Manitoba

  1. Whiteshell Provincial Park
    • Abundant lakes and rivers, dense forests, and diverse wildlife.
  2. Riding Mountain National Park
    • Rich in wildlife, ample water sources, and varied terrain.
  3. Duck Mountain Provincial Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water, and diverse plant life.
  4. Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
    • Coastal resources from Lake Winnipeg, forest cover, and wildlife.
  5. Nopiming Provincial Park
    • Numerous lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  6. Grass River Provincial Park
    • Freshwater rivers and lakes, forested areas, and wildlife.
  7. Atikaki Provincial Park
    • Remote wilderness with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
  8. Spruce Woods Provincial Park
    • Varied terrain with forest cover and water sources.
  9. Birds Hill Provincial Park
    • Proximity to water sources and forested areas.
  10. Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
    • Abundant lakes, forest cover, and wildlife.

New Brunswick

  1. Fundy National Park
    • Rich coastal and forest resources, abundant water, and diverse plant life.
  2. Kouchibouguac National Park
    • Coastal resources, fresh water sources, and dense forests.
  3. Mount Carleton Provincial Park
    • High freshwater availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
  4. Miramichi River (remote areas)
    • Abundant water, forest cover, and fishing opportunities.
  5. Grand Manan Island
    • Coastal and marine resources, fresh water sources.
  6. Lepreau Falls
    • Rich freshwater resources and forest cover.
  7. Restigouche River (remote areas)
    • Abundant water, dense forests, and fishing opportunities.
  8. Saint Croix Highlands
    • Forest cover, water sources, and wildlife.
  9. Chiputneticook Lakes
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  10. Acadian Peninsula (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.

Newfoundland and Labrador

  1. Gros Morne National Park
    • Rich in natural resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  2. Torngat Mountains National Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and rugged terrain.
  3. Terra Nova National Park
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
  4. Avalon Peninsula (remote areas)
    • Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  5. Bay of Exploits
    • Rich marine resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  6. Northern Peninsula
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
  7. Central Newfoundland (remote areas)
    • Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
  8. Labrador Coast
    • Marine and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  9. Gander River
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  10. Bonavista Peninsula (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.

Nova Scotia

  1. Cape Breton Highlands
    • Rich in wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
  2. Kejimkujik National Park
    • Dense forests, freshwater lakes, and diverse wildlife.
  3. South Shore (remote areas)
    • Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  4. Cape Chignecto
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  5. Tobeatic Wilderness Area
    • Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
  6. Bras d’Or Lake
    • Rich marine and freshwater resources, forest cover.
  7. Bay of Fundy (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  8. Guysborough County
    • Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
  9. Shelburne County (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  10. Annapolis Valley (remote areas)
    • Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.

Ontario

  1. Algonquin Provincial Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
  2. Quetico Provincial Park
    • High water availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
  3. Temagami
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and abundant wildlife.
  4. Pukaskwa National Park
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
  5. Wabakimi Provincial Park
    • Freshwater lakes and rivers, forest cover, and wildlife.
  6. Killarney Provincial Park
    • Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
  7. Bruce Peninsula National Park
    • Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
  8. Lake Superior Provincial Park
    • Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  9. Missinaibi Provincial Park
    • Freshwater rivers and lakes, forest cover.
  10. Point Pelee National Park
    • Rich terrestrial and freshwater resources, though smaller in size.

Prince Edward Island

  1. Prince Edward Island National Park
    • Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  2. Greenwich
    • Rich coastal resources and fresh water.
  3. Points East Coastal Drive (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  4. Cabot Beach Provincial Park
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  5. Kings County (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  6. St. Peters Bay
    • Rich marine and freshwater resources.
  7. Wood Islands
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  8. North Cape Coastal Drive (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  9. West Point
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  10. Central Coastal Drive (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.

Quebec

  1. Gaspé Peninsula
    • Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
  2. Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
    • Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  3. Charlevoix
    • Rich in natural resources and fresh water.
  4. Mont-Tremblant National Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
  5. La Mauricie National Park
    • Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  6. Abitibi-Témiscamingue
    • Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
  7. Northern Quebec (Nunavik)
    • Remote wilderness with abundant natural resources.
  8. Côte-Nord
    • Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
  9. Estrie (Eastern Townships)
    • Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.
  10. Outaouais
    • Rich in forest and freshwater resources.

Saskatchewan

  1. Prince Albert National Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
  2. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
    • Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
  3. Meadow Lake Provincial Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
  4. Lake Athabasca
    • Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest.
  5. Grasslands National Park
    • Varied terrain with fresh water sources and wildlife.
  6. Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
    • Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
  7. Narrow Hills Provincial Park
    • Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
  8. Duck Mountain Provincial Park
    • Fresh water, dense forests, and diverse plant life.
  9. Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
    • Fresh water and forested areas.
  10. Qu’Appelle Valley
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
This list considers the availability of food (wildlife and foraging), water sources (rivers, lakes), and natural shelter (forests, caves) to provide a comprehensive guide for surviving off the land in each province.  
Surviving off the land requires access to fresh water, fertile soil, abundant natural resources, and a supportive environment for hunting, fishing, and foraging. Below is a list of the top 10 places by Province in Canada that meet these criteria. You can also click on the following map to view these geographically: bestplaces-to-survive-off-landcanada
Alberta
  1. Banff National Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water from rivers and lakes, diverse plant life for foraging, and numerous natural shelters (caves, forest cover).
  2. Jasper National Park
    • Similar to Banff with rich natural resources and vast wilderness.
  3. Kananaskis Country
    • Close to major water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  4. Wood Buffalo National Park
    • Largest national park in Canada with plentiful resources and fewer human disturbances.
  5. Waterton Lakes National Park
    • Combination of prairie, forest, and mountain ecosystems provides diverse survival resources.
  6. Elk Island National Park
    • Rich in wildlife and plant life, though smaller in size.
  7. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
    • Good water sources and dense forests.
  8. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
    • Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
  9. Lesser Slave Lake
    • Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest for shelter.
  10. Cold Lake
    • Similar to Lesser Slave Lake but with less forested area.

British Columbia

  1. Great Bear Rainforest
    • Extremely rich in biodiversity, abundant fresh water, and extensive forest cover.
  2. Vancouver Island (northern regions)
    • Rich marine and terrestrial resources, ample fresh water, and mild climate.
  3. Glacier National Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water sources, and high wildlife density.
  4. Pacific Rim National Park
    • Coastal resources, freshwater streams, and dense forests.
  5. Yoho National Park
    • Ample water from rivers and lakes, forest cover, and diverse wildlife.
  6. Garibaldi Provincial Park
    • Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and good wildlife presence.
  7. Kootenay National Park
    • Rich in natural resources with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
  8. Mount Robson Provincial Park
    • High water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  9. Strathcona Provincial Park
    • Rich in fresh water, dense forests, and wildlife, though rugged terrain.
  10. Okanagan Valley (remote areas)
    • Rich agricultural land, water sources, and mild climate.

Manitoba

  1. Whiteshell Provincial Park
    • Abundant lakes and rivers, dense forests, and diverse wildlife.
  2. Riding Mountain National Park
    • Rich in wildlife, ample water sources, and varied terrain.
  3. Duck Mountain Provincial Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water, and diverse plant life.
  4. Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
    • Coastal resources from Lake Winnipeg, forest cover, and wildlife.
  5. Nopiming Provincial Park
    • Numerous lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  6. Grass River Provincial Park
    • Freshwater rivers and lakes, forested areas, and wildlife.
  7. Atikaki Provincial Park
    • Remote wilderness with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
  8. Spruce Woods Provincial Park
    • Varied terrain with forest cover and water sources.
  9. Birds Hill Provincial Park
    • Proximity to water sources and forested areas.
  10. Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
    • Abundant lakes, forest cover, and wildlife.

New Brunswick

  1. Fundy National Park
    • Rich coastal and forest resources, abundant water, and diverse plant life.
  2. Kouchibouguac National Park
    • Coastal resources, fresh water sources, and dense forests.
  3. Mount Carleton Provincial Park
    • High freshwater availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
  4. Miramichi River (remote areas)
    • Abundant water, forest cover, and fishing opportunities.
  5. Grand Manan Island
    • Coastal and marine resources, fresh water sources.
  6. Lepreau Falls
    • Rich freshwater resources and forest cover.
  7. Restigouche River (remote areas)
    • Abundant water, dense forests, and fishing opportunities.
  8. Saint Croix Highlands
    • Forest cover, water sources, and wildlife.
  9. Chiputneticook Lakes
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  10. Acadian Peninsula (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.

Newfoundland and Labrador

  1. Gros Morne National Park
    • Rich in natural resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  2. Torngat Mountains National Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and rugged terrain.
  3. Terra Nova National Park
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
  4. Avalon Peninsula (remote areas)
    • Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  5. Bay of Exploits
    • Rich marine resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  6. Northern Peninsula
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
  7. Central Newfoundland (remote areas)
    • Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
  8. Labrador Coast
    • Marine and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  9. Gander River
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  10. Bonavista Peninsula (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.

Nova Scotia

  1. Cape Breton Highlands
    • Rich in wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
  2. Kejimkujik National Park
    • Dense forests, freshwater lakes, and diverse wildlife.
  3. South Shore (remote areas)
    • Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  4. Cape Chignecto
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  5. Tobeatic Wilderness Area
    • Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
  6. Bras d’Or Lake
    • Rich marine and freshwater resources, forest cover.
  7. Bay of Fundy (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  8. Guysborough County
    • Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
  9. Shelburne County (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
  10. Annapolis Valley (remote areas)
    • Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.

Ontario

  1. Algonquin Provincial Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
  2. Quetico Provincial Park
    • High water availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
  3. Temagami
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and abundant wildlife.
  4. Pukaskwa National Park
    • Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
  5. Wabakimi Provincial Park
    • Freshwater lakes and rivers, forest cover, and wildlife.
  6. Killarney Provincial Park
    • Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
  7. Bruce Peninsula National Park
    • Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
  8. Lake Superior Provincial Park
    • Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  9. Missinaibi Provincial Park
    • Freshwater rivers and lakes, forest cover.
  10. Point Pelee National Park
    • Rich terrestrial and freshwater resources, though smaller in size.

Prince Edward Island

  1. Prince Edward Island National Park
    • Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
  2. Greenwich
    • Rich coastal resources and fresh water.
  3. Points East Coastal Drive (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  4. Cabot Beach Provincial Park
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  5. Kings County (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  6. St. Peters Bay
    • Rich marine and freshwater resources.
  7. Wood Islands
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  8. North Cape Coastal Drive (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  9. West Point
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.
  10. Central Coastal Drive (remote areas)
    • Coastal resources and fresh water.

Quebec

  1. Gaspé Peninsula
    • Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
  2. Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
    • Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
  3. Charlevoix
    • Rich in natural resources and fresh water.
  4. Mont-Tremblant National Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
  5. La Mauricie National Park
    • Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
  6. Abitibi-Témiscamingue
    • Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
  7. Northern Quebec (Nunavik)
    • Remote wilderness with abundant natural resources.
  8. Côte-Nord
    • Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
  9. Estrie (Eastern Townships)
    • Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.
  10. Outaouais
    • Rich in forest and freshwater resources.

Saskatchewan

  1. Prince Albert National Park
    • Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
  2. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
    • Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
  3. Meadow Lake Provincial Park
    • Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
  4. Lake Athabasca
    • Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest.
  5. Grasslands National Park
    • Varied terrain with fresh water sources and wildlife.
  6. Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
    • Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
  7. Narrow Hills Provincial Park
    • Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
  8. Duck Mountain Provincial Park
    • Fresh water, dense forests, and diverse plant life.
  9. Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
    • Fresh water and forested areas.
  10. Qu’Appelle Valley
    • Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
This list considers the availability of food (wildlife and foraging), water sources (rivers, lakes), and natural shelter (forests, caves) to provide a comprehensive guide for surviving off the land in each province.  
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