Alberta
- Banff National Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water from rivers and lakes, diverse plant life for foraging, and numerous natural shelters (caves, forest cover).
- Jasper National Park
- Similar to Banff with rich natural resources and vast wilderness.
- Kananaskis Country
- Close to major water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Wood Buffalo National Park
- Largest national park in Canada with plentiful resources and fewer human disturbances.
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Combination of prairie, forest, and mountain ecosystems provides diverse survival resources.
- Elk Island National Park
- Rich in wildlife and plant life, though smaller in size.
- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
- Good water sources and dense forests.
- Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
- Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
- Lesser Slave Lake
- Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest for shelter.
- Cold Lake
- Similar to Lesser Slave Lake but with less forested area.
British Columbia
- Great Bear Rainforest
- Extremely rich in biodiversity, abundant fresh water, and extensive forest cover.
- Vancouver Island (northern regions)
- Rich marine and terrestrial resources, ample fresh water, and mild climate.
- Glacier National Park
- Dense forests, fresh water sources, and high wildlife density.
- Pacific Rim National Park
- Coastal resources, freshwater streams, and dense forests.
- Yoho National Park
- Ample water from rivers and lakes, forest cover, and diverse wildlife.
- Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and good wildlife presence.
- Kootenay National Park
- Rich in natural resources with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
- Mount Robson Provincial Park
- High water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Strathcona Provincial Park
- Rich in fresh water, dense forests, and wildlife, though rugged terrain.
- Okanagan Valley (remote areas)
- Rich agricultural land, water sources, and mild climate.
Manitoba
- Whiteshell Provincial Park
- Abundant lakes and rivers, dense forests, and diverse wildlife.
- Riding Mountain National Park
- Rich in wildlife, ample water sources, and varied terrain.
- Duck Mountain Provincial Park
- Dense forests, fresh water, and diverse plant life.
- Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
- Coastal resources from Lake Winnipeg, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Nopiming Provincial Park
- Numerous lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Grass River Provincial Park
- Freshwater rivers and lakes, forested areas, and wildlife.
- Atikaki Provincial Park
- Remote wilderness with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
- Spruce Woods Provincial Park
- Varied terrain with forest cover and water sources.
- Birds Hill Provincial Park
- Proximity to water sources and forested areas.
- Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
- Abundant lakes, forest cover, and wildlife.
New Brunswick
- Fundy National Park
- Rich coastal and forest resources, abundant water, and diverse plant life.
- Kouchibouguac National Park
- Coastal resources, fresh water sources, and dense forests.
- Mount Carleton Provincial Park
- High freshwater availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
- Miramichi River (remote areas)
- Abundant water, forest cover, and fishing opportunities.
- Grand Manan Island
- Coastal and marine resources, fresh water sources.
- Lepreau Falls
- Rich freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Restigouche River (remote areas)
- Abundant water, dense forests, and fishing opportunities.
- Saint Croix Highlands
- Forest cover, water sources, and wildlife.
- Chiputneticook Lakes
- Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Acadian Peninsula (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Gros Morne National Park
- Rich in natural resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Torngat Mountains National Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and rugged terrain.
- Terra Nova National Park
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Avalon Peninsula (remote areas)
- Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Bay of Exploits
- Rich marine resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Northern Peninsula
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Central Newfoundland (remote areas)
- Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
- Labrador Coast
- Marine and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Gander River
- Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Bonavista Peninsula (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
Nova Scotia
- Cape Breton Highlands
- Rich in wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Kejimkujik National Park
- Dense forests, freshwater lakes, and diverse wildlife.
- South Shore (remote areas)
- Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Cape Chignecto
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Tobeatic Wilderness Area
- Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
- Bras d’Or Lake
- Rich marine and freshwater resources, forest cover.
- Bay of Fundy (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Guysborough County
- Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
- Shelburne County (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Annapolis Valley (remote areas)
- Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.
Ontario
- Algonquin Provincial Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Quetico Provincial Park
- High water availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
- Temagami
- Freshwater resources, forest cover, and abundant wildlife.
- Pukaskwa National Park
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Wabakimi Provincial Park
- Freshwater lakes and rivers, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Killarney Provincial Park
- Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Bruce Peninsula National Park
- Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
- Lake Superior Provincial Park
- Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Missinaibi Provincial Park
- Freshwater rivers and lakes, forest cover.
- Point Pelee National Park
- Rich terrestrial and freshwater resources, though smaller in size.
Prince Edward Island
- Prince Edward Island National Park
- Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Greenwich
- Rich coastal resources and fresh water.
- Points East Coastal Drive (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- Cabot Beach Provincial Park
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- Kings County (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- St. Peters Bay
- Rich marine and freshwater resources.
- Wood Islands
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- North Cape Coastal Drive (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- West Point
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- Central Coastal Drive (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
Quebec
- Gaspé Peninsula
- Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
- Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
- Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Charlevoix
- Rich in natural resources and fresh water.
- Mont-Tremblant National Park
- Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
- La Mauricie National Park
- Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Northern Quebec (Nunavik)
- Remote wilderness with abundant natural resources.
- Côte-Nord
- Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
- Estrie (Eastern Townships)
- Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.
- Outaouais
- Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
Saskatchewan
- Prince Albert National Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
- Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
- Meadow Lake Provincial Park
- Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
- Lake Athabasca
- Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest.
- Grasslands National Park
- Varied terrain with fresh water sources and wildlife.
- Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
- Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
- Narrow Hills Provincial Park
- Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Duck Mountain Provincial Park
- Fresh water, dense forests, and diverse plant life.
- Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
- Fresh water and forested areas.
- 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:
Alberta
- Banff National Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water from rivers and lakes, diverse plant life for foraging, and numerous natural shelters (caves, forest cover).
- Jasper National Park
- Similar to Banff with rich natural resources and vast wilderness.
- Kananaskis Country
- Close to major water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Wood Buffalo National Park
- Largest national park in Canada with plentiful resources and fewer human disturbances.
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Combination of prairie, forest, and mountain ecosystems provides diverse survival resources.
- Elk Island National Park
- Rich in wildlife and plant life, though smaller in size.
- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
- Good water sources and dense forests.
- Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
- Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
- Lesser Slave Lake
- Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest for shelter.
- Cold Lake
- Similar to Lesser Slave Lake but with less forested area.
British Columbia
- Great Bear Rainforest
- Extremely rich in biodiversity, abundant fresh water, and extensive forest cover.
- Vancouver Island (northern regions)
- Rich marine and terrestrial resources, ample fresh water, and mild climate.
- Glacier National Park
- Dense forests, fresh water sources, and high wildlife density.
- Pacific Rim National Park
- Coastal resources, freshwater streams, and dense forests.
- Yoho National Park
- Ample water from rivers and lakes, forest cover, and diverse wildlife.
- Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and good wildlife presence.
- Kootenay National Park
- Rich in natural resources with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
- Mount Robson Provincial Park
- High water sources, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Strathcona Provincial Park
- Rich in fresh water, dense forests, and wildlife, though rugged terrain.
- Okanagan Valley (remote areas)
- Rich agricultural land, water sources, and mild climate.
Manitoba
- Whiteshell Provincial Park
- Abundant lakes and rivers, dense forests, and diverse wildlife.
- Riding Mountain National Park
- Rich in wildlife, ample water sources, and varied terrain.
- Duck Mountain Provincial Park
- Dense forests, fresh water, and diverse plant life.
- Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
- Coastal resources from Lake Winnipeg, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Nopiming Provincial Park
- Numerous lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Grass River Provincial Park
- Freshwater rivers and lakes, forested areas, and wildlife.
- Atikaki Provincial Park
- Remote wilderness with rivers, forests, and wildlife.
- Spruce Woods Provincial Park
- Varied terrain with forest cover and water sources.
- Birds Hill Provincial Park
- Proximity to water sources and forested areas.
- Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
- Abundant lakes, forest cover, and wildlife.
New Brunswick
- Fundy National Park
- Rich coastal and forest resources, abundant water, and diverse plant life.
- Kouchibouguac National Park
- Coastal resources, fresh water sources, and dense forests.
- Mount Carleton Provincial Park
- High freshwater availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
- Miramichi River (remote areas)
- Abundant water, forest cover, and fishing opportunities.
- Grand Manan Island
- Coastal and marine resources, fresh water sources.
- Lepreau Falls
- Rich freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Restigouche River (remote areas)
- Abundant water, dense forests, and fishing opportunities.
- Saint Croix Highlands
- Forest cover, water sources, and wildlife.
- Chiputneticook Lakes
- Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Acadian Peninsula (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Gros Morne National Park
- Rich in natural resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Torngat Mountains National Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and rugged terrain.
- Terra Nova National Park
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Avalon Peninsula (remote areas)
- Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Bay of Exploits
- Rich marine resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Northern Peninsula
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Central Newfoundland (remote areas)
- Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
- Labrador Coast
- Marine and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Gander River
- Freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Bonavista Peninsula (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
Nova Scotia
- Cape Breton Highlands
- Rich in wildlife, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Kejimkujik National Park
- Dense forests, freshwater lakes, and diverse wildlife.
- South Shore (remote areas)
- Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Cape Chignecto
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Tobeatic Wilderness Area
- Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
- Bras d’Or Lake
- Rich marine and freshwater resources, forest cover.
- Bay of Fundy (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Guysborough County
- Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
- Shelburne County (remote areas)
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and forest cover.
- Annapolis Valley (remote areas)
- Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.
Ontario
- Algonquin Provincial Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Quetico Provincial Park
- High water availability, dense forests, and wildlife.
- Temagami
- Freshwater resources, forest cover, and abundant wildlife.
- Pukaskwa National Park
- Coastal resources, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Wabakimi Provincial Park
- Freshwater lakes and rivers, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Killarney Provincial Park
- Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Bruce Peninsula National Park
- Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
- Lake Superior Provincial Park
- Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Missinaibi Provincial Park
- Freshwater rivers and lakes, forest cover.
- Point Pelee National Park
- Rich terrestrial and freshwater resources, though smaller in size.
Prince Edward Island
- Prince Edward Island National Park
- Coastal and terrestrial resources, fresh water.
- Greenwich
- Rich coastal resources and fresh water.
- Points East Coastal Drive (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- Cabot Beach Provincial Park
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- Kings County (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- St. Peters Bay
- Rich marine and freshwater resources.
- Wood Islands
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- North Cape Coastal Drive (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- West Point
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
- Central Coastal Drive (remote areas)
- Coastal resources and fresh water.
Quebec
- Gaspé Peninsula
- Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
- Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
- Abundant freshwater resources, forest cover, and wildlife.
- Charlevoix
- Rich in natural resources and fresh water.
- Mont-Tremblant National Park
- Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
- La Mauricie National Park
- Freshwater lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Northern Quebec (Nunavik)
- Remote wilderness with abundant natural resources.
- Côte-Nord
- Coastal and forest resources, fresh water.
- Estrie (Eastern Townships)
- Rich agricultural land, fresh water, and mild climate.
- Outaouais
- Rich in forest and freshwater resources.
Saskatchewan
- Prince Albert National Park
- Abundant wildlife, fresh water, and dense forests.
- Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
- Varied terrain with good hunting and foraging opportunities.
- Meadow Lake Provincial Park
- Dense forests, fresh water, and wildlife.
- Lake Athabasca
- Large water body for fishing and surrounding forest.
- Grasslands National Park
- Varied terrain with fresh water sources and wildlife.
- Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
- Abundant freshwater lakes and dense forests.
- Narrow Hills Provincial Park
- Rich in freshwater resources and forest cover.
- Duck Mountain Provincial Park
- Fresh water, dense forests, and diverse plant life.
- Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
- Fresh water and forested areas.
- 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.