Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

The Government of British Columbia has implemented new travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. These measures will be in effect until May 25, 2021.

Travel into and out of British Columbia’s three regional zones for non-essential reasons is prohibited. This applies to travellers from within and outside of British Columbia.

Parks Canada will align visitor services in British Columbia with these travel restrictions. Residents of British Columbia are being asked to cancel their camping reservations if in conflict with the new travel restrictions and Parks Canada will be cancelling all out-of-province reservations for national parks and national historic sites in British Columbia until May 25, 2021.

If you are planning to travel to a Parks Canada administered location that is in British Columbia, it is your responsibility to be aware of and respect all travel restrictions when planning your trip and before making a reservation.

Learn more about British Columbia’s travel restrictions.

Your upcoming visit will be different than in past years. To make the most of your Parks Canada experience, plan ahead using our website, sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media.

While some Parks Canada places remain open, others are fully or partially closed in the fall and winter seasons. Access to visitor facilities and services may be limited.

Please check the websites of specific locations before you visit.

Parks Canada continues to monitor and adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For the latest information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada Coronavirus page and the Twitter page of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam.

How to visit during COVID-19
Camping during COVID-19

Specific Parks Canada locations

The specific Parks Canada locations listed below have special instructions.

Western Canada

British Columbia
Alberta

Canadian Prairies

Saskatchewan
Manitoba

Ontario and Quebec

Ontario
Quebec

Atlantic Canada

Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador

Northern Canada

Yukon
Northwest Territories
Nunavut

Your health and safety when visiting

Non medical masks and face coverings

If a Parks Canada place is within a jurisdiction where wearing a non-medical mask or face covering is mandatory, visitors will be asked to follow this requirement.

We strongly encourage you to wear a non-medical mask or face covering when visiting indoor public spaces at any Parks Canada place. You may see signs reminding you that this is what we recommend. An indoor public space is any space with walls and a roof that can be accessed by the public.

Additional health and safety measures

Your health and safety, and that of Parks Canada team members, is of the utmost importance to us. We are following the advice of public health experts and implementing measures for cleaning, hygiene, and physical distancing at all places open for visitation. Only those places where measures can be implemented to minimize healthy and safety risks will be open to the public.

To minimize the risks of COVID-19, all Parks Canada locations follow the guidance and requirements of public health authorities. As part of our approach to keeping staff and visitors safe, Parks Canada will not permit you to meet COVID-19 self-isolation requirements at a national historic site, national park, or national marine conservation area. This includes front-country as well as wilderness and backcountry areas.

Follow public health authority guidance and advice for your area, including travel advisories. Stay at home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or if you’ve been in contact with someone who has symptoms or has been diagnosed with the virus.

Remember to clean your hands with soap and water frequently, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, and respect physical distancing.

You’re welcome to enjoy parks and sites responsibly with these tips for how to visit during COVID-19.

Camping, reservations, passes and fees

Reservations are now open for some sites in British Columbia and Yukon. Opening dates are staggered throughout the month for other locations.

To reserve a visit between May 2021 and March 2022, please check the launch dates and times on the reservation service page.

It is not possible to self-isolate at Parks Canada campgrounds. Visitors who plan to travel to camp at or visit a Parks Canada destination must follow the applicable provincial, territorial or national travel restrictions including any requirements for self-isolation.

The camping experience at Parks Canada will be different than in previous years. We have put together a page about camping during COVID-19 to help you plan ahead.

Fees, passes and permits

Visitor services were suspended from March to June 2020. We have extended Discovery Passes that were valid during that time. This means a Discovery Pass that would have expired at the end of January 2021, now expires at the end of May 2021, 4 months later.

Find the date on your Discovery Pass in this table to see when it actually expires.

Find the date on your Discovery Pass in this table to see when it actually expires
If your pass expires It is now valid until
March 2020 July 2020
April 2020 August 2020
May 2020 September 2020
June 2020 October 2020
July 2020 November 2020
August 2020 December 2020
September 2020 January 2021
October 2020 February 2021
November 2020 March 2021
December 2020 April 2021
January 2021 May 2021
February 2021 June 2021
March 2021 July 2021
 

You are encouraged to purchase a Discovery Pass online before your visit as admission fees may be collected at the Parks Canada place you plan to visit.

Measures are in place to collect fees while protecting health and safety. Please plan accordingly and check the pages of Parks Canada places near you for more information.

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Parks Canada and COVID-19

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