Buying a Park Pass
What is a Park Pass?
A Park Pass is a permit that allows you to visit a national park. Park Passes that are purchased in one national park can be used in other national parks during the period for which they are valid. Park pass fees remain in the park or site where they are collected and help pay for scenic parkways, day use areas, trails, public safety, education and information services.
You may purchase a Daily Park Pass or an Annual Discovery Pass. Daily passes are valid until 4:00pm on the day after purchase. Annual Passes are valid for a full year from the date of purchase and provide entry into more than 100 National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites. Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to purchase a Park Pass?
Anyone spending leisure time in a national park requires a Park Pass whether here on holiday or while here for business. This includes road trips, camping, backcountry adventures, visits to picnic sites and viewpoints, and stops in towns and villages.
A Park Pass is also required for anyone, including through traffic, travelling on scenic parkways including the Icefields Parkway (#93) between Lake Louise and Jasper and the Bow Valley Parkway (#1A) between Banff and Lake Louise.
Commercial tour operators and large groups may contact:
Group and Commercial Tours Officer
Banff National Park
P.O. Box 900
Banff, AB T1L 1K2
403-762-1504
Vehicles travelling uninterrupted – except on the Icefields Parkway (#93N) and Bow Valley Parkway (#1A) – do not require a Park Pass. Westbound vehicles passing through the mountain parks without stopping may use the through lane at the Banff East Gate, located on the far right side of the Trans Canada Highway. Please check your speed.
How much does a Park Pass cost?
Daily Park Passes and Annual Discovery Passes are available for adults, seniors, youth, and families or groups. Special daily rates are also available for commercial and school groups. A Fee Freeze is currently in effect.
Complete list of fees:
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park
Kootenay National Park
Yoho National Park
Where can I buy a Park Pass?
NATIONAL PARK GATES:
Westbound
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Trans-Canada Highway (#1) at Banff East Park Gate – for visitors travelling west of Calgary, Alberta (~100 km / ~60 mi) and Canmore, Alberta (~5 km / 3 mi)
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David Thompson Highway (#11) at David Thompson Gate (open in summer) – for visitors travelling west of Red Deer, Alberta (~260 km / ~160 mi) and Rocky Mountain House, Alberta (~150 km / ~90 mi)
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Yellowhead Highway (#16) at Jasper East Park Gate – for visitors travelling west of Edmonton, Alberta (320 km / 200 mi) and Hinton, Alberta (~30km / ~20 mi)
Eastbound
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Banff-Windermere Highway (#93S) at Kootenay West Gate – for visitors travelling east of Radium, British Columbia (1 km / 0.5 mi)
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Yellowhead Highway (#16) at Jasper West Gate – for visitors travelling east of Kamloops (~350 km / ~215 mi), Prince George, British Columbia (~380 km / ~230 mi), Prince Rupert, British Columbia (~1000 km / ~620 mi)
North or Southbound
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Icefields Parkway (#93N) at Niblock Gate in Banff National Park (open in summer) – for visitors travelling north of Lake Louise (~4 km / ~2.5 mi past Lake Louise immediately after exiting onto Hwy 93N)
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Icefields Parkway Gate in Jasper National Park – for visitors travelling south of Jasper (7 km / 4 mi)
NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION CENTRES:
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park
Kootenay National Park
Yoho National Park
SELECT NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS:
Campers may conveniently purchase a Park Pass at any staffed campground including those participating in the Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service and select others: Kicking Horse (Yoho National Park) and Johnson Canyon (Banff National Park).
BY PHONE OR ONLINE (Annual Discovery Pass only):
Call 1-403-760-1343, 1-250-343-6783 or 1-888-773-8888 to purchase your pass by phone. You can also purchase your pass online.
The Annual Discovery Pass provides quick and easy entry into more than 100 National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites for the period of 1 year from when your pass is purchased. Please allow 5-10 business days for delivery in Canada and in the USA. Passes will be mailed out the following business day.
Where do my Park Pass fees go?
All revenues from Park Passes remain in the National Park in which they are collected and help maintain the places and services that national and international visitors use most – including scenic parkways, day use areas, trails, public safety, education and information services.
Canadian tax dollars help Parks Canada create, maintain and restore National Parks, National Historic Sites and National Marine Conservation Areas. Parks Canada tries to ensure good value for visitors and fair economic return for taxpayers while upholding its mandate.
More information about park passes and fees.