A few years ago, the phrase “vacation” in Canada usually meant saving up for a flight somewhere far away—Hawaii, Europe, Mexico if you were craving sun. But lately, something’s shifted. More and more Canadians are choosing to stay closer to home, trading international airports and long customs lines for weekend road trips, provincial park hikes, and quick getaways within a few hours’ drive.
It’s not just a pandemic hangover, though that definitely played a part. It’s a full-on cultural reset. People are realizing that you don’t have to go far to find the kind of beauty and experiences that other people fly *into Canada* to see. And honestly? It’s about time we started appreciating what’s in our own backyard.
Of course, exploring locally also means rethinking how we prepare. If you’re planning a spontaneous weekend road trip with the bikes strapped on, for example, investing in hitch bike racks can make the difference between “this is fun” and “why did I agree to this?” The less hassle it takes to get out the door, the more likely you are to actually do it.
The Shift to “Near is the New Far”
When international travel slammed shut in 2020, Canadians rediscovered the magic of their own country. From the rugged coastlines of Nova Scotia to the mountain passes in B.C., we collectively realized: there’s a lifetime of adventure here, and most of it is accessible by car.
Even as flights opened up again, the trend didn’t vanish. According to Destination Canada, domestic travel is still surging, and road trips in particular have become the go-to choice for families, couples, and even solo travelers. And it makes sense: with gas in the tank and a thermos of coffee, you can see more in a weekend than you thought possible.
Local Adventures Are Affordable (and That Matters)
Let’s be real—travel is expensive. With inflation driving up the cost of pretty much everything, big international trips aren’t as accessible as they once were. But local adventures? That’s a different story.
A tank of gas, a packed cooler, maybe a couple of provincial park day passes—that’s it. You can have a memorable weekend with your family for a fraction of what you’d spend on flights alone. Canada’s network of national and provincial parks makes it easy, too. You can find protected wilderness within a couple of hours of almost every major city thanks to Parks Canada.
And here’s the thing: kids don’t care if you’re in Italy or in Algonquin Park. They just want adventure. They want s’mores, trails, and stories around a fire. Local trips deliver all of that without maxing out your credit card.
Convenience Wins Every Time
There’s a reason local adventures stick: convenience. You can decide on Friday afternoon that you need a break, toss your bags in the car, and be out under the stars by dinnertime. Try doing that with a trip to Europe.
Local adventures also let you ease into outdoor experiences without the stress of long itineraries. If camping sounds overwhelming, start with one night at a nearby site. If a long-distance hike feels daunting, begin with a short trail just outside your city. Canada’s geography is ridiculously generous—you don’t have to go far to find something spectacular.
The Canadian Backdrop Is Underrated
Here’s what’s funny: international travelers often spend thousands of dollars to see Canadian landscapes that we take for granted. The turquoise lakes in Banff. The northern lights in Yukon. The rolling vineyards of the Okanagan. These are bucket-list items for people around the world, and they’re ours for the taking.
The truth is, we’ve been sitting on a goldmine of natural beauty, and for a long time, many of us just didn’t see it. Local adventures remind us that you don’t need a plane ticket to have a world-class experience.
Gear That Makes Getting Out Easier
Now, I’m not saying you need to spend a fortune on equipment to enjoy the outdoors. But a few smart pieces of gear can take away the excuses that keep you stuck at home.
– Bike storage and transport. If your bikes are buried behind hockey gear in the garage, chances are they won’t get used. Proper storage (and easy transport with racks) turns “we should go for a ride” into “let’s go right now.”
– Cooking gear. A small camping stove or portable grill means you can turn any roadside stop into a mini adventure.
– Shelter. Even a simple pop-up tent or tarp can make rainy days feel like part of the fun instead of a reason to cancel.
The point isn’t to have the fanciest gear—it’s to reduce friction. The easier it is to get outside, the more often you’ll do it.
A Wellness Boost We All Need
Beyond the money-saving and convenience factors, there’s a deeper reason Canadians are falling for local adventures: they make us feel good. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, time outdoors is linked to lower stress, better sleep, and even improved immunity. And unlike a once-a-year vacation, local adventures are repeatable. You can take one this weekend, and another the next.
Honestly, it’s like having a reset button built right into your backyard.
Stories Worth Telling
One of my favourite parts of choosing local trips is the way they become woven into daily life. You’ll find yourself saying, “Remember that time we stopped at that random diner in rural Quebec?” or “Remember when the canoe tipped in Muskoka and we all laughed so hard?”
These aren’t glossy Instagram stories—they’re the kind of memories that sneak into family lore and stick for decades. And the best part? They didn’t require a boarding pass.
Bringing It All Home
Canadians are embracing local adventures because they just make sense. They’re affordable, spontaneous, and rooted in some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Whether it’s a Saturday bike ride, a weekend in a provincial park, or a coastal drive out east, the shift toward “near is the new far” feels less like a trend and more like a permanent change in how we travel.
So this weekend, instead of dreaming about the next far-flung destination, maybe just grab your keys, pack a few snacks, and head out to explore what’s already here. Chances are, you’ll fall in love with Canada all over again.
