TOO COLD, BUSY, DULL
Canada’s parks fall flat for some
Acouple of years ago, the United States started noticing something odd about their national park system: Despite being among the most beautiful places on earth, they were still getting regularly slammed by negative Yelp reviews. Canada has not been immune. With our national parks free for all comers for the rest of 2017, behold this gallery of people who gazed at snow-capped peaks or dazzling starry skies and said “meh.” (Reviews taken from TripAdvisor, Yelp and Google Reviews.) BANFF NATIONAL PARK TOURIST TRAP Town was a tourist trap and most of the park is situated along a freeway. However, Bow Valley Parkway was a lot better — slower pace and ability to view. Overall a waste of time. Nonetheless, there are better National Parks nearby (U.S. and Canada) Reviewer from Victoria. October, 2016. BLAKISTON FALLS — WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK UNDERWHELMING Given the many other excellent waterfalls in the park this one was not worth fighting off the mosquitos and horsefly’s to reach. underwhelming. Reviewer from San Diego, Calif. July, 2014. MOUNT REVELSTOKE NATIONAL PARK WHERE’S THE SUMMIT? We walked to the “summit” expecting to see an overlook of the land below only to find there is no summit, only signs for more trails. Speaking of signs, why isn’t there a sign at the beginning of the trail to the “summit” saying, oh, how about “trail to the summit?” There were numerous trails leading off from the parking area, none of them indicating they were the one to the summit. Yes the windflowers are beautiful and the overlooks on the road up were stunning, but don’t call it a summit if it isn’t. Reviewer from Charlotte, N.C. July, 2015. VERMILION LAKES — BANFF NATIONAL PARK NOTHING SO GREAT All there was was moss, fungus, mosquitoes and dirt. No place for picnic. It’s just water surrounded with trees and bushes. Nothing so great. Reviewer from Calgary. August, 2012. RED ROCK CANYON — WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK NOT A REAL CANYON More of a gorge than a canyon. A long drive to a small “canyon” crowded with tourists. The rock are pretty, but not really worth the time if you are able to do other hikes. Good if you like just getting out of your car and taking a few pictures. Reviewer from Milwaukee, Wisc. July, 2016. GEORGIAN BAY ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK NO FRENCH There was nobody who spoke French. Isn’t this a national park??? Where is the French?!?!?! Reviewer from Montreal. June, 2015. COLUMBIA ICEFIELD — JASPER NATIONAL PARK LANDMARK MADE OUT OF ICE IS TOO COLD We read many recommendations online to camp near the glacier — don’t do it! We came here from Vancouver island @ 29 celsius to 6 Celsius (this was at 3pm in late JULY) It’s beautiful — get out of your car, take some pics and keep on moving unless you have winter gear....... seriously. We thought we were prepared with sweaters and tuques — nope — still very cold. Reviewer from Brooklin, Ont. July, 2015. BOW FALLS — BANFF NATIONAL PARK NOT TECHNICALLY A WATERFALL It’s a cascade not a waterfall and compared to all the others we had been to it was the poorest. Only worth doing if you driving past. Reviewer from Canterbury, U.K. June, 2014. POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARK WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US ABOUT THE EROSION? ummm, where is the long sandbar you advertise!!!!!!!!!! eroded? then take it out of the advertising — it was to be the highlight of our trip and family photos Reviewer from London, Ont. July, 2015. Note: The spit of land referenced (which is actually Canada’s most southerly point) is constantly eroded and rebuilt by storms and natural currents. HELEN LAKE TRAIL — BANFF NATIONAL PARK INCONVENIENCED BY BEARS I say it was bad because when we got there we found a sign warning about the bears. Despite that, we decided to climb. A sign at the entrance banned access to parties of 4 or more. We waited 30 minutes and nobody came. So we gave up on taking the tour. Reviewer from Barcelona, Spain. August, 2015.