We hope to address any questions you may have regarding a Parks Canada pass or a Banff Park Pass in this post, as we have received a lot of inquiries about them. In short, a Canada National Park Day Pass or an annual pass called the Discovery Pass are required for all visitors to the country’s national parks. This applies to all Canadian national parks, but for the purposes of this article, we will primarily concentrate on the regional parks.
Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Waterton National Park, and Jasper National Park are the parks located in the Canadian Rockies. There isn’t an official “Banff Park Pass,” but there are day passes for the Canadian Rockies’ parks and an annual Parks Canada pass that can be used in all of Canada’s national parks, including Mount Revelstoke National Park near Revelstoke and Glacier National Park.
Though it’s a fairly straightforward subject, a lot of questions arise, and we aim to address them all.
Is A Banff Park Pass Required?
Regardless of mode of transportation, every visitor to Banff National Park and the surrounding parks needs to have a park pass. This implies that a park pass is still required even if you enter the park on foot from Calgary.
A single “Banff Park Pass” does not exist. The Canadian National Parks offer daily entry as well as an annual pass. A Canada National Park Pass, valid for entry into all Canadian national parks, is required for every visitor to Banff.
Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, and Waterton National Park are the parks in the Rockies. It should be noted that Kananaskis Country is a provincial park rather than a part of the Canadian National Parks system.
Make sure your tour operator has your pass if you are planning to visit a park with them. Even visitors to the towns of Banff, Field, Waterton, and Jasper need to have a current pass because they are all located inside parks. Kindly buy your pass so that you can support the parks you want to visit.
If you are only traveling through Jasper National Park via the Yellowhead Highway or Banff National Park via the TransCanada, you do not require a pass.
But you’ll need a pass if you want to stop at any of the hiking trails or picturesque spots. A pass is required for the picturesque drives on the Bow Valley Parkway (1A) and Icefields Parkway (93).
Where Can I Get A National Park Pass For Canada?
To get your Canada National Park Pass, you have two choices. Purchasing the pass via the Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board or Parks Canada websites is the first choice. You don’t save any money by purchasing online, and shipping is extra.
The cost of shipping is reasonable and varies by nation ($4.00 – $15.75 for express). Unless you select Express, please allow at least two weeks for standard shipping. This can help you avoid the lengthy lines that occur at the Banff National Park gate during the summer. We should point out that the amount of time you will save is not great. The longest line we’ve ever seen is maybe twenty minutes long at most.
Buying a pass at a national park gate or at the visitor centers in Banff, Lake Louise, Field, and Jasper is the second choice. The pass is linked to your name or your car’s license plate, and the process is quick. On summer weekends, however, there’s usually a long line of cars at Banff National Park’s East Gate.
Not all gates accept the purchase of a Parks Canada pass. The East Gate of Banff National Park, the Waterton National Park Gate, the Icefields Parkway Gates, the Jasper East Gate, and a few more that are listed below are the gates where passes can be purchased. You can stop at the Visitor Center in Field if you are driving from Vancouver to Banff from the west; there isn’t a gate where you can buy a pass.
Where to Purchase an In-Person Park Pass
Options for a Banff Park Pass
It is possible for visitors to select fees on a daily or yearly basis. Purchasing an annual pass is more cost-effective if you intend to visit the parks for seven days or longer. A daily pass can be purchased for an individual or a family, and it is valid for the day of purchase. You’ll need to calculate your options to determine which is best for you.
Based on the number of days you plan to spend in the park, the Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board has a very useful tool that determines which pass is best to purchase. Look it up here.
The Discovery Pass is an excellent value annual pass. It offers access to numerous National Sites as well as all of Canada’s National Parks. There isn’t a single annual pass for a park, like the Jasper Park or Banff Park passes.
What Does My Canada National Park Pass Include?
Discovery Pass
For a full year, the Discovery Pass grants access to all national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas managed by Parks Canada. Depending on how long you plan to stay, we advise most groups to purchase a Discovery Pass if they plan to stay longer than five days.
Day Pass
For travelers visiting the Rockies, a day pass is available regionally. The mountain national parks—Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton, Elk Island, Revelstoke, and Glacier National Park—are included in the package. Take care not to mistake the U.S. National Park in Montana for Glacier National Park in British Columbia.
What Is Covered by My Park Pass?
Parks Canada-managed areas are covered by both the Discovery Annual Pass and a day pass. Therefore, it doesn’t pay for any admission costs to state or local parks.
Kananaskis Country, which borders Banff National Park, is a well-known example. For access to the Bow Valley Corridor and Kananaskis Country, you require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Many of the hikes in the Canmore area also require this, but not the town itself.
Additionally, it should be mentioned that it excludes other park system fees. The following fees are not included: backcountry permits, accommodations/camping, fire permits, guided tours, parking, Banff attractions, and Canadian Rockies Hot Springs.
Commonly Asked Questions About Park Passes To Banff
Can I Enter Without a Pass in Banff?
Although it’s not necessary to have a pass to enter the park, it is necessary for recreational purposes. This basically means you don’t need a Parks Pass if you are traveling the Trans Canada without stopping for anything other than gas. A Parks Pass is required for any sightseeing in the park or stops at Downtown Banff.
Parks Canada is aware that you might not be able to purchase a pass until the following day if you arrive late at night or via public transportation.
We find that park wardens are generally understanding and forgiving of different situations. This, however, prevents you from benefiting from leniency. Expect them to be unforgiving if you are caught at a trailhead without a park pass; they have the authority to impose fines and warnings.
At well-known ski areas and trailheads, they frequently issue tickets to vehicles without a valid park pass visible.
What Is The Duration Of A Canada National Park Pass?
A day pass is valid from the time it is purchased until 4:00 p.m. the following day. This is significant if you are departing Banff and do not wish to book an additional day for your departure in the morning or late afternoon.
I’m heading west while driving. Where Do I Get To Buy My Pass?
In order to purchase your park pass, you will not pass through a gate if you are traveling to the Canadian Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary, Vancouver to Banff, or any other location on the west coast of Canada. You can get your pass online ahead of time or when you visit any of the visitor centers listed above.
Should you prefer to make a purchase in person, you can visit the BC Welcome Center in Golden or Mount Revelstoke National Park. Lake Louise or Field and the Kootenay Gate in the summer would be the next choices.
Does My Group Need A Parks Pass for Everyone?
Yes, each and every person must have a current park pass. Up to seven persons can travel in the same car with a family pass. There are no entrance fees for children under the age of eighteen in any Canadian national park.
Are Pass Holders Checked by Parks Canada?
Yes, most notably, they erect roadblocks on a number of busy roads during the summer and winter and conduct checks at the gates leading onto the Icefields Parkway. Additionally, they frequently check that all cars in the Downtown Banff area and at trailheads have passes displayed on their dashboards. Parks Canada is often seen inspecting parked cars at ski areas while drivers are out enjoying the powder on busy winter days.
Where Do I Display My Park Pass?
Find out Park passes can be hung from the rearview mirror by holders of passes, and day passes are attached to the driver’s side dashboard window on paper that resembles a receipt.
Do Provincial Parks Come Under My Pass?
No, the provincial parks that border the national parks are not covered by your pass. Provincial parks Kananaskis Country, Mount Robson, and Mount Assiniboine are overseen by the park systems of British Columbia and Alberta.
With the exception of Kananaskis Country, which needs a separate pass, all parks in Alberta are free. While admission to B.C. parks is free, many—like Mount Robson—require a day’s notice.
What Additional Reservations Are Required?
Many popular activities within the Parks Canada system, including campsites in Banff and the shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, require reservations in advance.
At Lake Louise, there is pay parking available; this is not covered by your Banff Parks Pass.
My Parks Pass was not delivered on time even though I bought it online. Can I Go Into Banff?
Keep the receipt or email confirmation if your park pass was not sent to you prior to your visit. The receipt is a valid pass that you can show for a month after the date of purchase.
I want to drive the TransCanada; do I need a park pass?
To drive through Yoho National Park and Banff National Park on the TransCanada, you do not require a Parks Canada pass. You will require a park pass if you want to stop and look around.
Is it Possible to Purchase Multiple Day Passes at Once?
Sure, a day pass for two, three, four, etc., can be purchased. Determine whether purchasing a Discover Pass is worthwhile for you by doing the math. With a Discovery Pass, you can visit any national park in Canada for a full year.
Is a Banff Park Pass Required to Enter Lake Louise or Moraine Lake?
In the National Parks of Canada, a pass is required for anyone planning to engage in recreation or to visit any picturesque viewpoints.
Do They Offer Any Discounts?
The only discount that we are aware of is offered to AMA or CAA members. The specifics of the discount are available here.
Is it Possible to Buy a Discovery Pass Without Giving Your Vehicle’s Registration Number?
You are not required to provide your license plate number when buying a Discovery Pass online.
Can I transfer my Banff Parks Pass?
Once used, the pass cannot be transferred. When using the pass, the pass holder must be present. For a Family/Group Pass, only one signature is required on the document. Once you exit the park, you may not sell your pass. Please abide by these rules and show support for the park you are recreationing in.
Is it okay that I have a Parks Pass from my Airbnb while I’m here?
Parks Passes are being given to guests by Airbnb hosts in the Bow Valley as a perk for booking with them. This is discouraged and not permitted. Transferring a Parks Pass is not possible. Though I understand the temptation, please think about getting a Parks Pass for the National Park you are visiting. Entry and service fees to Banff National Park go toward funding amenities and services for visitors.
Discovery passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and nullified if resold. They also require the pass holder’s signature to be valid.
Which should I purchase since the day pass and the Discovery annual pass have the same prices?
Keep in mind that the Discovery Pass is the only way to gain entry to the Cave & Basin museum if you intend to visit. Remember that the Discovery Pass is valid for a full year if you intend to travel to a national park during your next trip to Canada. I would definitely buy the Discovery Pass if the cost was the same or slightly higher than that of a Parks Canada day pass.
