10 Scenic Road Trips In Canada Within 2 Hours Of The US Border

Abstract

• Canada’s proximity to the US border makes it an ideal vacation spot for a highway journey journey, with many cities, nationwide parks, and pure wonders only a brief distance from the border.
• Street journey itineraries inside 2 hours of the US-Canada border present simple and scenic choices for vacationers who do not need to stray too removed from the border.
• From Duluth, Minnesota, to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Buffalo, New York, to Toronto, Ontario, to Seattle, Washington, to Victoria, British Columbia, there are a number of highway journeys obtainable with beautiful surroundings, nationwide parks, and historic landmarks alongside the best way.

Stretching 5,525 miles, the land border between the USA and Canada is the longest on the planet. Even excluding Alaska, the border between the decrease 48 States and Canada is 3,987 miles.

As a rustic with pristine pure environments, towering mountains, and loads of open highways, Canada is the right place for a highway journey, particularly for these coming from the USA. Vacationers have a mess of beginning factors alongside the 5,525-mile border to select from, so no matter whether or not one is from Buffalo, New York, or Seattle, Washington, a Canadian highway journey journey remains to be on the horizon.

Whereas there are various incredible road trip itineraries in Canada that go throughout the Canadian countryside, many American vacationers do not need to stray removed from the border, whether or not for ease of entry or for saving time. Fortunately, there are various unimaginable cities, nationwide parks, and pure wonders all through Canada which are virtually in sight of the US border.

Choose from any of the next highway journeys into Canada from the USA which are inside 2 hours of the border, and revel in a straightforward and scenic journey on wheels exploring beautiful surroundings and bucket record websites hailing from each international locations!

All of those highway journey concepts in Canada, which begin from the USA and enterprise into Canada, have been chosen based mostly on their location being roughly 2 hours from the US border, not based mostly on the highway journey’s complete time being 2 hours. Some highway journeys on this record require longer driving time within the US, or take scenic routes to get to the town or park in query.

10 Duluth, Minnesota, To Thunder Bay, Ontario

This 189-mile highway journey goes alongside Minnesota’s North Shore, providing waterfalls, forests, and amethyst mining

Readers from the Midwest won’t be shocked by the inclusion of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on this record. Situated slightly below 40 miles from the US border, this Canadian city is the right highway journey vacation spot for these touring from Minnesota.

A superb place to start out a highway journey to Thunder Bay is in Duluth. From Duluth, it takes about 3 hours and half-hour to cross the 189 miles to Thunder Bay. All alongside the route are attractive views of Minnesota’s North Shore. On a sunny day, the huge Lake Superior will appear as infinite as an ocean for these driving alongside Minnesota State Freeway 61.

All through the route, vacationers can have loads of stops to discover, such because the beautiful Superior Nationwide Forest (probably the greatest locations within the higher Midwest for tenting, fishing, and mountaineering), Gooseberry Falls State Park (the house of certainly one of Minnesota’s finest waterfalls), and Isle Royale Nationwide Park (a distant island in Lake Superior accessible by ferry).

As soon as in Thunder Bay, vacationers can have a wealth of actions to discover. A few of these embrace Cascades Conservation Area, the place guests will be capable of hike alongside the rapids of the Currant River ($5 parking price), Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, the place vacationers can see lovely rock formations, and Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, the situation of a surprising waterfall and gorge.

Better of all, nonetheless, is the amethyst mining that makes Thunder Bay well-known. At one of many many amethyst mining websites, equivalent to Amethyst Mine Panorama and Blue Points Amethyst Mine, vacationers will be capable of hunt for their very own amethysts to deliver residence a stupendous and timeless memento.

• Distance: 189 miles
• Street Journey Size: 3h 30m
• Main Stops: Superior Nationwide Forest, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Isle Royale Nationwide Park, Cascades Conservation Space, Sleeping Big Provincial Park, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

9 Missoula, Montana, To Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park, Alberta

This 291-mile drive will take vacationers alongside a route stuffed with beautiful forests and blue mountain lakes

Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta is certainly one of Canada’s finest nationwide parks for wildlife viewing and stargazing. Situated solely 20 miles exterior the US border, this location is the right place for individuals who do not need to stray removed from the USA however who additionally desire a distinctive, worldwide journey.

The right start line for this vacation spot is Missoula, which is certainly one of Montana’s most populous and fascinating cities. On the US aspect of this highway journey, vacationers can cease at three main Nationwide Forests: Lolo Nationwide Forest, Flathead Nationwide Forest, and Kootenai Nationwide Forest. At Lolo Nationwide Forest, one of many fashionable hikes is the 5.5-mile Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail, which takes hikers alongside the attractive Seeley Lake.

Flathead Nationwide Forest is equally full of wonderful issues to do, together with whitewater rafting, hiking the gargantuan 53-mile trail along the escarpment called Chinese Wall, and viewing the cerulean waters of the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Lastly, at Kootenai Nationwide Forest, vacationers can stroll the 1.8-mile Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge Trail that results in the attractive Kootenai Falls.

When vacationers arrive throughout the border and arrive at Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park, they will discover the numerous lakes that make up the Waterton Lakes chain for which the park is called. Plus, they will get pleasure from a few of Waterton Lakes’ popular hikes and go birding alongside the steep and scenic 1.5-mile Bear’s Hump Trail.

After a protracted day of strenuous out of doors actions, adventurers can sit again and watch the tens of millions of stars go overhead at this designated Worldwide Darkish Sky Park.

• Distance: 291 miles
• Street Journey Size: 5h 8m
• Main Stops: Missoula, Lolo Nationwide Forest, Flathead Nationwide Forest, Kootenai Nationwide Forest, Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park

One of many splendid methods to see the celebrities on this Worldwide Darkish Sky Park is to remain in a single day at a campsite.

8 Buffalo, New York, To Toronto, Ontario

This brief however historic 98-mile highway journey goes alongside Lake Ontario to finish in certainly one of Canada’s premier cities

A visit from Buffalo, New York, to Toronto is the right journey for individuals who need the texture of a highway journey but in addition do not need to spend all their time driving. At just one hour and 40 minutes complete, this highway journey is each simple and enjoyable.

The obvious cease alongside this 98-mile route is, in fact, the unimaginable Niagara Falls. Described within the historic transcontinental journey of Moncacht-Apé, the thunder of those falls has been an necessary a part of North American tradition since historic instances.

The sight of the electrical blue water of the Niagara River contrasted with the sensible oranges and reds of the Northeast in autumn makes the views right here beautiful. Nonetheless, regardless of the season, there are many different viewing areas to witness Niagara Falls on both the Canadian and US sides, so guests don’t have any scarcity of spots to decide on to get the right picture.

One lesser-known cease is the little city of Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario. This quaint city not solely has beautiful views of Lake Ontario and an lovely essential avenue but in addition a shocking variety of issues to do and see. From colonial buildings to historic church buildings, this small city is full of historical past for vacationers to bask in.

The pure magnificence on this city can also be unimaginable, with Queen’s Royal Park on Lake Ontario and an abundance of flowers planted all through the city in spring. Guests can discover the numerous wineries on this area, together with Peller Estates Winery and Inniskillin Wines.

As soon as in Toronto, vacationers can have a plethora of unimaginable issues to do. This consists of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, artwork museums just like the Artwork Gallery of Ontario, the Hockey Corridor of Fame, and the Toronto Zoo.

• Distance: 98 miles
• Street Journey Size: 1h 40m
• Main Stops: Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Artwork Gallery of Ontario, the Hockey Corridor of Fame, and the Toronto Zoo

7 Seattle, Washington, To Victoria, British Columbia

Taking the lengthy path to Vancouver Island from Seattle reveals a scenic 262-mile journey

Driving from Seattle to Vancouver is a visit that almost all who’re aware of the Pacific Northwest have taken. Nevertheless, a extra distinctive location that is solely slightly bit additional away is Vancouver Island. Though Victoria, British Columbia, is technically solely about 40 miles away from the closest US land border, taking the scenic route from Seattle is a a lot better choice.

A visit from Seattle to Victoria will cowl 262 miles and can roughly take 6 hours and half-hour. Alongside the best way, vacationers will cease in Vancouver and Nanaimo to achieve their vacation spot.

After beginning in Seattle, vacationers can cease at scenic Skagit Valley, which is known all through the USA for its rows and rows of spring tulips. These tulips are celebrated in the course of the month of April on the Skagit Valley Tulip Pageant.

Throughout a cease in Vancouver, guests can take time to discover a number of the many wonderful websites this metropolis has to supply, such because the Vancouver Aquarium, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the Museum of Vancouver. Vacationers ought to you should definitely see the attractive skyline views of the town from Charleson Park.

After taking a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo, vacationers can get set exploring native points of interest, equivalent to Piper’s Lagoon Park, the place the rocky coast meets the deep blue Pacific, the Nanaimo Museum, the place folks can find out about British Columbia’s Indigenous historical past, and Colliery Dam Park, the place vacationers can stroll alongside the 1.4-mile Colliery Dam Loop Trail.

Lastly, after arriving in Victoria, road-trippers can be amazed by all of the unimaginable actions and points of interest. This metropolis has quite a few gardens, just like the Abkhazi Backyard, the Butchart Backyard, and Beacon Hill Park.

Victoria additionally has a number of unimaginable architectural websites, such because the spectacular Parliament Constructing, Craigdarroch Citadel, and Hatley Citadel. Lastly, vacationers may also discover the attractive harbor and should even spot seals or porpoises from the shore.

• Distance: 262 miles
• Street Journey Size: 6h 30m
• Main Stops: Seattle, Skagit Valley, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria

6 Calais, Maine, To Fundy Nationwide Park, New Brunswick

See raging rapids, towering waterfalls, and the best tides on the planet alongside this 139-mile journey by means of New Brunswick

Situated simply over 100 miles away from the US border, Fundy Nationwide Park is the right highway journey vacation spot for vacationers beginning in Maine. An incredible place to start out one’s highway journey is Calais, Maine, which is a small city on the border of the USA and Canada. Right here, guests can take time to hike the 2.3-mile Devil’s Head Trail, which affords lovely views of the Saint Croix River that feeds into the Passamaquoddy Bay.

Subsequent, vacationers can cease within the charming metropolis of Saint John, the place they will discover Irving Nature Park (a stupendous marshland with a protracted stretch of seashore), Reversing Falls Rapids (the place the excessive tides of the Bay of Fundy are sturdy sufficient to reverse the movement of the river), and the King’s Sq. (a public park with flowers, bushes, and statues).

Lastly, road-trippers can arrive at Fundy Nationwide Park. This park is likely one of the most original in all of Canada, because it has the best tides on the planet. At low tide, the unimaginable world of the intertidal zone is revealed to surface-dwellers, showcasing quite a lot of marine species equivalent to whelks, periwinkles, limpets, crabs, and extra.

There are additionally over 25 waterfalls within the park, together with Dickson Falls, Third Vault Falls, and Laverty Falls, all of which are accessible via hikes of varying lengths. One of the acclaimed hikes on this park is the Moosehorn Trail, a 4.4-mile loop that leads by means of dense northern forests and permits for an incredible view of Laverty Falls.

• Distance: 139 miles
• Street Journey Size: 2h 16m
• Main Stops: Calais, Saint John, Fundy Nationwide Park

5 Burlington, Vermont, To Québec Metropolis, Quebec

This 216-mile journey exhibits off the waters of Lake Champlain, the creative Montreal, Indigenous artwork, and outdated Québec

Situated about 100 miles from the closest US border, Québec Metropolis is a superb vacation spot for these on the lookout for a straightforward, reasonably priced, and satisfying metropolis for a highway journey to and from the USA. Though many touring to Québec Metropolis begin their travels in Maine, a unique start line is Burlington, Vermont. By beginning right here, vacationers will be capable of cease off in Montreal as they head north.

When beginning in Burlington, guests can take time to go to a number of the finest points of interest right here earlier than they embark on their journey. A few of these embrace the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and the modern-made mini-Stonehenge clock at Oakledge Park.

On their approach in direction of Canada, road-trippers can take a brief detour to the island reserve of Knight Point State Park. There, vacationers will discover peaceable views of Lake Champlain alongside the park’s seashore.

As soon as over the border, vacationers can have the creative metropolis of Montreal to discover. From the stunningly attractive Montreal Botanical Backyard to the informative Montreal Museum of Archaeology and Historical past to the historic Montreal Museum of Advantageous Arts, this metropolis has no scarcity of nice points of interest to come across.

Between Montreal and Québec Metropolis, vacationers ought to cease on the first aboriginal museum in Quebec, the Musee des Abenakis. There, vacationers will be taught in regards to the Abenaki First Nation by means of reveals on their mythology, their conventional properties, native archaeological discoveries, and artwork equivalent to basket weaving.

Lastly, upon arriving at Québec Metropolis, road-trippers will finish their journey in a metropolis of waterfalls, towering structure, and impeccable tradition. In Québec Metropolis, guests can discover the sprawling Plains of Abraham Park, stroll by means of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Québec, and even zipline close to the crashing Montmorency Falls at Parc de la Chute Montmorency.

• Distance: 216 miles
• Street Journey Size: 3h 55m
• Main Stops: Burlington, Knight Level State Park, Montreal, Musee des Abenakis, Québec Metropolis

Guests ought to do not forget that in Quebec, the official language is French, so vacationers ought to you should definitely examine some French phrases earlier than their journey!

4 Skagway, Alaska, To Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Discover virtually 1000 miles of untouched Canadian wilderness alongside this journey by means of Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia

One of the really distinctive highway journeys to Canada from the US on this record is the journey from Alaska to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Despite the fact that Prince Rupert is just round 30 miles from the closest US border, getting there takes some effort and time because of the topography and infrastructure of this area.

There are two routes that road-trippers can take. Firstly, the extra direct route is to easily take a 6-hour ferry from the town of Ketchikan. Vacationers who go for it will have the ocean sights of a cruise with the aesthetic of a highway journey. The second route, whereas a lot, for much longer, makes for a extra fascinating highway journey and is the main focus of this entry.

This route begins in the scenic town of Skagway and takes vacationers alongside Yukon Freeway 1 East and BC 37 South, traversing virtually 1,000 miles. When beginning in Skagway, guests can cease to hike the 5-mile path round Higher Dewey Lake at the Upper Dewey Lake Trail. One other good thing to do is to cease at Bridal Veil Falls, which contains a 2-mile hike to see the falls and is taken into account a straightforward hike.

Higher Dewey Lake Path is taken into account to be a really difficult route, so vacationers ought to proceed with warning.

The vast majority of this route leads vacationers by means of the untouched wilderness of Alaska, the Yukon, and Northern British Columbia, that means that the views from the highways are points of interest in and of themselves.

This route goes close to and thru the towering Cassiar Mountains in British Columbia and thru the Kitimat Ranges close to southeast Alaska. Alongside the best way, there can even be some nice parks to discover, equivalent to Tā Ch’ilā Provincial Park, which has attractive views of Boya Lake, Kinaskan Lake Park, the place vacationers can see the inexperienced and white waters of the vast Cascade Falls, and may kayak and fish at Meziadin Lake Park.

Nevertheless, there’ll nonetheless be some cities to discover earlier than reaching Prince Rupert. The city of Teslin, Yukon, is a superb cease on this path to find out about Tlingit Indigenous Folks, with notable points of interest together with the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre and the George Jonston Museum.

Guests may also cease at Watson Lake, Yukon, the place they will see the Northern Lights Space and Science Centre, a facility that goals to show folks in regards to the Aurora Borealis and the Canadian house program.

Lastly, after reaching Prince Rupert, guests will be capable of see points of interest equivalent to Sunken Gardens Park, which is an elaborate backyard created out of the stays of a WWII ammunition bunker, the Butze Rapids Path, and the Museum of Northern British Columbia, which affords a singular take a look at the world’s indigenous historical past and native archeological discoveries.

• Distance: 902 miles
• Street Journey Size: 16h 31m
• Main Stops: Skagway, Higher Dewey Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, Tā Ch’ilā Provincial Park, Kinaskan Lake Park, Meziadin Lake Park, Teslin, Watson Lake, Prince Rupert

3 Spokane, Washington, To Slocan, British Columbia

Nationwide Forests, glacier-fed lakes, and a 32-mile hike are on this 187-mile highway journey throughout jap Washington and Southern British Columbia

Roughly 50 miles from the US border lies the pristine village of Slocan, which is the gateway to a few of Canada’s finest Provincial Parks. This route will start in Spokane and can take them by means of Washington State and into southern British Columbia, totaling round 217 miles.

Firstly, vacationers can discover the numerous Nationwide Parks and Forests in jap Washington State. For a rare waterfall, guests ought to cease at Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. That is additionally an incredible cease for chicken watchers! One other good spot on this route is Colville National Forest, the place folks can see the majesty of the Selkirk Mountains amid an old-growth forest.

As soon as in British Columbia, vacationers ought to cease at Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, the place they are going to be capable of see two distinct glaciers, the Kokanee and the Woodbury. Guests may also go fishing for rainbow trout within the park’s quite a few glacier-fed lakes.

This space of British Columbia is chock-full of Provincial Parks, so vacationers can have no scarcity to select from. One other nice park to go to is Valhalla Provincial Park, the place guests can get pleasure from canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife watching.

Lastly, after arriving in Slocan, vacationers can discover a number of the many waterfalls that this space is understood for. The most effective on this area is the Springer Creek Waterfalls, which affords nice tenting alternatives.

Bold guests may even undertake a number of sections of the 32-mile Slocan Valley Rail Trail, which contains a path by means of a number of British Columbia biomes, equivalent to forests, wetlands, and rivers.

• Distance: 187 miles
• Street Journey Size: 3h 50m
• Main Stops: Spokane, Little Pend Oreille Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, Colville Nationwide Forest, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Valhalla Provincial Park, Slocan, Slocan Valley Rail Path

2 Grand Forks, North Dakota, To Using Mountain Nationwide Park, Manitoba

This 311-mile journey affords the wealthy tradition of Winnipeg and the pure marvel of Manitoba and North Dakota

Nearly 100 miles exterior the US border is Riding Mountain National Park, a spot of forests, prairie, and waterfront, which is known for being the residence of Canadian conservationist Gray Owl. An ideal start line for this highway journey is in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This 311-mile route will take vacationers alongside a few of southern Manitoba’s finest spots.

Whereas nonetheless in North Dakota, vacationers can cease at Turtle River State Park. Located alongside the eponymous Turtle River, this valley is filled with woodland and little waterfalls. For these fascinated with fishing, it is a great spot to fish for trout.

As soon as road-trippers have crossed into Manitoba, they will head to St. Malo Provincial Park. This park, which contains a reservoir seashore, is a superb place for canoeing and kayaking. There are additionally aspen forests for vacationers to hike by means of.

After arriving in Winnipeg, vacationers can have all of the tradition that this metropolis has to supply. Even in winter, Winnipeg is still a great place to visit. Some nice cultural actions to do right here embrace visiting the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Qaumajuq (a contemporary artwork museum that includes the artwork of latest Inuit artists), and Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Upon arriving at Using Mountain Nationwide Park, vacationers can discover Clear Lake, which is strictly like its identify suggests: clear. One other good thing to do right here is to go to the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure, the place guests can see native bison of their pure habitat.

• Distance: 311 miles
• Street Journey Size: 5h 40m
• Main Stops: Grand Forks, Turtle River State Park, St. Malo Provincial Park, Winnipeg, Using Mountain Nationwide Park

1 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, To Pukaskwa Nationwide Park, Ontario

This 261-mile goes alongside Canada’s Lake Superior shoreline, the place waterfalls and nautical historical past await

Pukaskwa Nationwide Park, Ontario, is positioned solely round 70 miles from Canada and Michigan’s Lake Superior border. When heading to this park from Michigan, an incredible place to start out is Sault Ste. Marie, which is conveniently positioned proper on the border of Canada. This complete route is 261 miles and takes roughly 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Town of Sault Ste. Marie, the start line on this journey, is definitely bisected and has areas in each the USA and Canada. This city has a protracted historical past of nautical adventures. Its essential points of interest, the Museum Ship Valley Camp (a museum inside an out-of-commission Nice Lakes Freighter) and the Soo Locks (a sequence of nautical locks that permit ships to journey between Lake Superior and the opposite Nice Lakes) replicate this historical past.

Subsequent, vacationers can head to Montreal Falls. The Montreal River that feeds into Lake Superior is understood on this space for its understated however lovely waterfalls. It is a excellent spot for vacationers who’re fascinated with tenting and kayaking. Extra adventurous hikers can take the trek as much as Upper Montreal Falls, which is close by.

After this, an incredible place to go to is Lake Superior Provincial Park. As one of many largest provincial parks in Ontario, this space affords quite a bit for vacationers to do. One of the rewarding issues to do right here is to hike as much as Agawa Rock, the place guests can see unimaginable historic pictograms left by the Ojibwe. Guests may also canoe, swim, and fish right here, as nicely, with Orphan Lake being a scenic spot to hike to.

Lastly, vacationers can arrive at Pukaskwa National Park. At this park, guests can discover the attractive Cascade Falls and Horseshoe Bay. On the park, a number of the many enjoyable issues to do are mountaineering, boating, wildlife viewing, and birding.

• Distance: 261 miles
• Street Journey Size: 4h 40m
• Main Stops: Sault Ste. Marie, Montreal Falls, Higher Montreal Falls, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Pukaskwa Nationwide Park

The 5,000+ miles of the Canadian-US border supply so many distinctive places to select from for a highway journey journey. Locations like Thunder Bay, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, and Prince Rupert all supply vacationers vastly completely different however nonetheless fantastic experiences.

Whether or not vacationers select an journey that ends in Manitoba, British Columbia, or Ontario, there are such a lot of wonderful issues to see on these scenic highway journeys in Canada close to the US border.