Tribute to the Red Chair
A beloved symbol of Canadian outdoor living
As we travelled across Canada - both East & West - we came across big red chairs. Initially, we did not take much note, but as we continued seeing so many of them, we began taking photos. Eventually, we were actively seeking them out.
Some of the chairs were in the most unusual and remote places, largely due to programs like that of Parks Canada to place them at many viewpoints throughout their parks.
According to Parks Canada, as at 7 November 2024 there are over 400 red Adirondack chairs placed in peaceful, breathtaking locations from coast to coast to coast.
While some chairs are easy to find, others require more of an adventure. There is no better feeling than finding the red chairs at the end of a challenging hike, or simply happening upon them during a leisurely stroll.
And for the environmentalists - the Adirondack chairs used by Parks Canada are made from 100% recycled plastic saved from Canadian landfills.
The chairs are not limited to the parks, with many located in the big cities, largely along the waterfront.
Some of the chairs that we found
For a list of all the Red Chair locations in Canada Parks, check out Parks Canada Red Chairs. For any of the others, you’ll have to do your own search. As a starting point, following are some of the ones we discovered along the way.
Unfortunately, we didn’t start taking photos until we reached the Rockies, so those that we came across in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island have not been featured.
We first started taking some pictures in Jasper.
Then travelled down the Rockies to Banff
After hopping on a plane heading East, we were in the nations capital, Ottawa for Canada Day.
The tidal variance at Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, was worth a look.
Then we had some on the deck of our accommodation at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.
The chairs have even made it across the water to Prince Edward Island (PEI), home of Anne of Green Gables.
And to the city of Montreal
And finally we found a few along the waterfront in Toronto.
The chairs were such a lasting image of Canada that we bought ourselves one to take home – a very small one.
About the Adirondack Chairs
The Adirondack chair is an outdoor lounge chair with wide armrests, a tall slatted back, and a seat that is higher in the front than the back. The design by Thomas Lee in 1903, is intended to make it comfortable on uneven terrain.
The chair’s name references the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. It is also known as the Muskoka chair in Canada, particularly in the Muskoka region in Ontario. It is an iconic symbol of outdoor leisure and relaxation and a beloved symbol of Canadian outdoor living.
They are nice looking chairs