National Park Fees in the Canadian Rockies
When visiting Canada, don't miss stunning wilderness scenery in the Canadian Rockies.
By Michele Kadison
Staff Writer
Rockies.com
CANADIAN ROCKIES (Rockies.com) – Depending on how long you intend to visit the Canadian Rockies and its national parks, you will need a daily or annual pass. A day pass is considered valid until 4:00 PM the following day, no matter what the time of purchase on your day of entry. An annual pass is valid in all 28 of Canada’s national parks and this is definitely the way to go if you plan to spend more than a week on your vacation travel in any of these magnificent parks.
If you are a group of two to seven people traveling in a single vehicle, you will pay C$17.80 for a day pass and C$123.80 for an annual pass. If you are a member of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), or the American Automobile Association (AAA) you can receive a discount. The annual pass will cost C$116.90. You can pay in cash, or use any major national credit card to purchase your entry fee.
You can order a national park pass over the phone before you leave for your vacation holiday. The pass will be mailed to your home address by Parks Canada.
403-292-4401 between 8AM and 4PM (North American Mountain Time Zone), Monday through Friday.
You can also purchase a national park pass from Parks Canada’s office in Calgary. 8th Avenue SW, Room 552, 635.
Gorgeous wildflowers contrast against dramatic mountain back drops in the Canadian Rockies.
Passes are available throughout Alberta via:
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)
Alberta Motor Association (AMA)
If you are visiting Banff National Park for one day during high season (July and August) you can purchase your national park pass from the Husky gasoline station at Dead Man’s Flats. When driving west from Calgary, Dead Man’s Flats comes just before the town of Canmore.
Once you cross the border from one national park to another, you will not have to pay or show your pass again. Once you have your pass you can use a drive-through lane, which is also used by drivers who are not stopping in the parks. If you are on the Trans Canada Highway route (Hwy #1) via Banff and Lake Louise or on the paved section of the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy #16) via Jasper you do not have to pay as long as you keep your vehicle on the paved section of road. If you pull off the highway to take a photograph, fill the tank or to have a meal, you are officially stopping and will need a pass.
If you are traveling on the Icefields Parkway (Hwy #93) between Lake Louise and Jasper, you will need a national park pass, even if you are not going to stop along the way.
Note: Entrance gates to the popular areas of the Canadian national parks are very easy to see as they are comprised of several kiosks that look like toll booths. The entry gates at lesser known points can be more subtle, often consisting of a small hut.
For more information regarding rates for seniors and children as well as fishing licenses and campground fees, contact Parks Canada – List of Fees.
For more information on Canadian Rockies Accommodations: Click here!
