When you purchase a Canadian National Park Pass, not only are you paying the price for admission to a jaw-dropping show of nature’s splendour, the revenue from the pass also helps support other key park programs.
When Do You Need To Purchase a National Park Pass?
A good rule of thumb when it comes to when you need a Parks Canada’s National Park Pass is that you need to pay for park admission any time you stay longer than when it takes to fill up your car with gas and visit the facilities.
If you plan on hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, swimming, paddling, picnicking, going for a family photo op along the shores of Lake Louise, downhill or cross-country skiing — you get the idea — you need to purchase a Parks Canada pass.
Two Options For Buying National Park Passes
Parks Canada has a few different options available for purchasing National Park passes. Both of the following options cover up to seven individuals in a single vehicle – and as an added bonus – as of 2018, admission is FREE for youths under the age of 18!
Option 1: Daily admission passes
- I recommend buying a daily admission Parks Canada pass if you are only going to visit once.
- This day pass covers the cost of one day spent in a Canadian National Park.
Option 2: Discovery Pass
- I would recommend buying a Discover Pass from Parks Canada if you will spend more than six days in any Canadian National Park in a given year.
- Keep in mind; there are three Canadian National Parks just within a three-hour drive from Calgary. This means if you’re near Calgary, or the Interior of BC, buying a Discovery Pass from Parks Canada will keep your family outdoors and entertained all summer long!
- Admission to Canadian National Historic Sites. Examples of these are the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park & Rocky Mountain House Historic Site, located in Rocky Mountain House. The
Cave and Basin -photos taken over the past 15 years.
Pictures above from Rocky Mountain House Historic Site, 2009 and 2019
Where To Purchase Your Parks Canada Passes
Purchase your Parks Canada passes at these locations:
- Online at Parks Canada
- Mountain Equipment Coop
- Parks Canada Information Centres
- Entrance Kiosks into the Parks
Tips: Make sure the pass is visible in your vehicle whenever you stop. I hang our pass from the car’s rear view mirror.
Pop-Up Park Pass Checkpoints
Parks Canada staff have pop-up park pass checkpoints throughout the year. They are usually situated at the more popular park destinations. If you don’t have a pass, you will be required to pull over and pay for one before you continue to your destination. You can avoid this potentially embarrassing moment of having all other park users know why you are pulled over – simply stop at the park gates or purchase a pass at one of the external participating locations.
Your price of admission supports the following:
- Funding for infrastructure in all Parks Canada locations across the country
- Maintenance of trails, roads, parking, scenic viewpoints, picnic areas, washrooms, and townsites
- The safety of the furry, feathery, and finned residents of the parks, through programs like Wildlife Guardians and volunteer interpretive programs, such as the Caribou Ambassador Program in Jasper National Park.
What is NOT included:
- Camping & reservation fees
- Firewood
- Overnight backcountry permits
- Hot spring access
- Guided tours – either by Parks Canada Interpreters or private licensed guides and tour companies
- All Park Pass fees help pay for rescues.
“This is going to cost a fortune,” I said to my husband.
In 2011, my oldest son experienced an unexpected ride in a sling under a helicopter from the Lake Louise area. While we were snowshoeing, he wandered off the trail to look at animal tracks, he claims he didn’t touch the tree, but he may have. Regardless, a large chunk of ice, also known as a snow bomb, fell from a tree and knocked him unconscious.
Long story short:
- A Banff Mountain Safety team arrived via Rescue helicopter.
- They assessed and prepared my son for transport.
- My son and one of the rescue crew were slung out under the helicopter to a waiting ambulance.
- The Ambulance first went to the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, the Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
- We braced ourselves for a huge bill
- We never got a bill.
Why?
The fee for purchasing an annual park pass helps fund rescues in the parks.
My son?
He suffered a major concussion, whiplash and has one wicked helicopter story to tell.
In Conclusion – Make Sure You Have Your Parks Canada Passes
If you’re visiting any national parks in Canada, for a day trip, or are an avid hiker/explorer, I recommend picking up your Parks Canada Passes so you’re prepared for your adventures with your family in the Canadian Rockies.
Pick Up A Copy Of Take A Hike With Your Children
My sold out book, Take A Hike With Your Children, is now available on Amazon as an eBook. Pick up your copy today, and begin exploring the Rockies with your brand new National Parks Pass.