Jasper National Park, Canada

As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park offers all the beauty of its more well-known southern neighbor, Banff National Park, plus near-endless adventures. Visitors can hike, bike, kayak, whitewater raft, and kite surf in the summer, and ski, snowboard, skate, and dog sled in the winter. And the adventures don’t end when the sun sets in Jasper: The park is the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world. 

The Sweet Spot: Excursions — from boat tours to Columbia Icefield treks — can add up quickly. To save money, stick to free activities like waterfall viewing in Maligne Canyon, wildlife spotting along the Yellowhead Highway, and strolling along the shores of Pyramid and Patricia lakes. Also, consider visiting during the winter months, which bring fewer crowds coupled with lower prices.