Condé Nast Traveller named Banff National Park in Alberta to its list ranking the 17 most beautiful national parks in the world.
The travel publication noted that including the Canadian destination comes as “no surprise.”
Established in the 1880s, the national park was formed after the discovery of hot springs at Cave and Basin prompted the Canadian government to create protected lands around the area.
Banff National Park welcomed a record 4.51 million visitors in 2025, supported by natural features and amenities including hiking trails, glaciers, Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake, and a historic mountain hotel, according to an article by Daily Hive National.
The park was also designated a top travel destination for 2026 by National Geographic, following earlier recognition from Architectural Digest.
Other international locations featured on the Condé Nast Traveller list include Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia, Kelimutu National Park in Indonesia, and Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
For the outdoor recreation sector, global accolades and record visitor traffic at major national parks demonstrate strong consumer engagement with public lands and outdoor activities.
