If i'm denied a work visa can i still visit canada?

Hi all
I'm american and am thinking about applying for a temporary work visa to canada for the summer (i already have a potential job). what worries me is that if i were denied my visa (for whatever reason) i wouldn't be allowed to cross the border. I plan on going to canada (by car) regardless of whether or not i'll be working. does anyone know if a visa denial restricts you from entering the country as a tourist?
Additional Details
i realize that i don't need a visa to visit (and yes i have a passport) but i guess maybe i'm assuming they would keep track of who's applying for visas and who's entering the country in such a way that if someone, like myself, applied for a work visa, was denied and then entered the country anyway it would raise questions as to what i was doing there....since i obviously wanted to work & can't legally do so at this point.......thanks for the input!!