ULTIMATE Guide To Purchasing A Banff Park Pass (Parks Canada Pass)
We have received many questions about Banff Park Passes and Parks Canada passes, and in this post, we hope to answer any questions you may have. Simply put, all visitors must have either a Canadian National Park Day Pass or an annual pass, known as the Discovery Pass, to visit Banff. This applies to any national park in Canada, but this article will focus mainly on the regional Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks include Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Waterton National Park, and Jasper National Park. There is no official “Banff Park Pass,” that focuses on Banff only. Instead, visitors must have a valid day pass for the parks of the Canadian Rockies or a Parks Canada annual pass. This is valid for all Canadian national parks, including Glacier National Park and Mount Revelstoke National Park, which are close to the Canadian Rockies.
It’s a pretty simple topic, but many questions come up, and we hope to answer them all.
Do You Need A Banff Park Pass?
All visitors to Banff National Park and the surrounding parks must have a park pass, regardless of transportation. That means even if you walk into the park from Calgary, you still need a park pass. There is no “Banff Park Pass.” Instead, visitors must purchase a daily or annual admission pass from Parks Canada. The Canada National Park Pass includes Banff and all of Canada’s national parks.
The Rockies have five national parks: Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, and Waterton National Park. Kananaskis Country is not included in the Canadian National Parks system and is instead a provincial park. To visit Kananaskis, you need the separate Kananaskis Conservation Pass. If you have plans to visit a park with a tour operator, check with them to see if they have your pass or if you have to purchase one separately.
The towns of Banff, Field, Waterton, and Jasper are all within a park, so even town visitors must have a valid pass. Please purchase your pass and help support the park system you intend to enjoy. You do not need a pass to visit Canmore.
You do not need a pass if you drive through Banff National Park via the TransCanada or through Jasper National Park via the Yellowhead Highway without stopping. However, you need a pass if you’d like to stop at any scenic locations or hiking trails. The scenic drives of the Icefields Parkway (93) and Bow Valley Parkway (1A) require a pass.
Where Can You Purchase A Canada National Park Pass?
You have two options to purchase your Canada National Park Pass. The first option is to buy the pass on the Parks Canada or Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board websites. The online price does not save you money, as you pay for shipping. Shipping is relatively affordable and varies by country ($4.00 – $15.75 for express). Allow at least two weeks with standard shipping unless you choose Express.
Buying online can save you a bit of time at the gate of Banff National Park, as there is often a line at the park gates in the summer months. However, we should mention the time you will save is minimal. At most, the longest we’ve ever seen a line is 20 minutes (on a summer weekend day and summer holiday).
The second option is to purchase a pass at a park gate to one of the national parks or at the visitor centers in Banff, Lake Louise, Field, and Jasper. It’s a quick process, and the pass is registered to your name. However, there is often a long line of cars at the East Gate of Banff National Park on summer weekends.
You can not purchase a Parks Canada pass at any of the gates. The gates you can buy a pass are the East Gate of Banff National Park, Waterton National Park Gate, Icefields Parkway Gates, the Jasper East Gate, and a few others mentioned below. If you are driving from Vancouver to Banff from the West, you will not pass a gate to purchase a pass but can stop at the Visitor Centre in Field.
Purchase A Park Pass Online
Where to Buy a Park Pass
National Park Gates
| Westbound | Banff East Park Gate | David Thompson Gate | Jasper East Park Gate |
| Eastbound | Kootenay West Gate: Banff-Windermere Highway (#93S) | Jasper West Gate: Yellowhead Highway (#16) | |
| North or Southbound | Niblock Gate in Banff National Park (open in summer) | Icefields Parkway Gate |
National Park Visitor Centers
| Banff | Jasper | Yoho | Kootenay |
| Banff National Park Visitor Centre (Banff, Alberta) | Jasper National Park Visitor Centre (Jasper, Alberta) | Yoho National Park Visitor Centre (Field, British Columbia: May to Sept.) And Tourism BC visitor Centre in Golden | Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre (Radium, British Columbia: May to Sept.) |
| Lake Louise Visitor Centre (Lake Louise, Alberta) | Parks Canada Administration Building (Jasper, Alberta) | ||
| Icefields Centre (Columbia Icefields: mid Apr. to mid Oct.) |
Banff Park Pass Options
Visitors can choose fees based on a daily or annual structure. If you plan to spend seven days or more in the parks, it is cheaper to buy the annual pass. A daily pass covers the day of purchase and can be bought by an individual or family. You’ll have to do the math and see the best option for you.
The Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board has a helpful tool that calculates which pass you should buy based on the number of days you will be in the park. Find that here. The annual pass is known as the Discovery Pass and is of great value. It provides access to all the national parks and national sites in Canada. There is no annual pass to specific parks, such as Jasper Park Pass or Banff Park Pass.
What’s Included In The Canada National Park Pass?
Discovery Pass
The Discovery Pass includes admission to all the national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas run by Parks Canada for a year. It all depends on the length of your stay, but we recommend most groups staying over 5 days purchase a Discovery Pass.
Day Pass
A day pass is regional and for those visiting the Rockies. It includes entry into the mountain national parks: Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton, Elk Island, Revelstoke, and Glacier National Park. Be careful not to confuse Glacier National Park in British Columbia with the U.S. National Park in Montana.
Most notable is a day pass does not include entry to national historical sites such as Cave & Basin in Banff, but a Discovery Pass does.
Parks Canada Pass Prices
You can see the price structure of fees below.
Daily Admission Fees
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult 18+ | $11.00 |
| Senior 65+ | $9.50 |
| Youth | Free |
| Family* | $22.00 |
Discovery Pass Fees (Annual Pass valid for 12 months from the date of purchase)
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult 18+ | $75.25 |
| Senior 65+ | $64.75 |
| Youth | Free |
| Family* | $151.25 |
What Does The Park Pass Cover?
A day pass, and the Discovery Annual Pass, covers areas managed by Parks Canada. As a result, it does not cover any fees associated with municipal or provincial parks. A popular example would be Kananaskis Country, which borders Banff National Park. You need the Kananaskis Conservation Pass for Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley Corridor.
This also is required for many hikes around Canmore, but not the town of Canmore. It should also be noted that it does not cover other fees associated with the park system. Fees not included include camping/accommodation, fire permits, guided tours, parking fees, Banff attractions, Canadian Rockies Hot Springs, backcountry permits, and special events.
Can You Enter Banff Without A Pass?
Yes, you can enter the park without a pass, but you must have one for recreation. This means that if you drive straight through on the Trans Canada without stopping (except for fuel), you are free to do so without a Park Pass. If you stop in Downtown Banff or do any sightseeing in the park, you need a Park Pass. If you arrive late at night or with public transit, Parks Canada understands it may take you until the next day to purchase a pass.
In general, we find the park wardens to be forgiving and will understand various circumstances. However, this does not allow you to take advantage of leniency. If you’re caught at a trailhead without a park pass, do not expect them to be so forgiving; they can issue fines and warnings as they see fit. They commonly ticket cars at popular ski resorts and trailheads without a pass on display.
How Long Does A Canada National Park Pass Last?
A day pass covers the day of purchase until 4:00 p.m. the next day. This is notable if you are leaving Banff and do not want to purchase another day for the morning/afternoon of your departure.
I’m Driving From The West – Where Can I Purchase My Pass?
If you’re coming from Vancouver elsewhere on the west coast of Canada to the Canadian Rockies, you will not pass a gate to purchase your park pass. You can buy your pass online or at any visitor center mentioned when you reach them.
If you would like to purchase in person, you can stop at Mount Revelstoke National Park or in the town of Golden at the BC Welcome Center. The next options would be Lake Louise or Field and the Kootenay Gate in the summer months.
Does Everyone In The Group Need A Park Pass?
Yes, everyone needs to be under a valid park pass. A family pass can cover up to seven people in the same vehicle. Youth under 18 do not have any entry fees to any of the Canadian National Parks.
Does Park Canada Check Pass Holders?
Most notably, they check at gates onto the Icefields Parkway and set up roadblocks on several popular roads in the summer and winter. They also make frequent checks at trailheads and around Downtown Banff to ensure all vehicles display a pass on their dashboard. On popular ski days in the winter, we find Parks Canada checking parked cars at the ski resorts while drivers are out skiing.
Where Do You Display The Park Pass?
Discovery Pass holders can hang their plastic passes from their rearview mirror, while day passes are on receipt-like paper and can be stuck to your driver-side dashboard window.
Does The Pass Cover Provincial Parks?
The pass does not cover the provincial parks that border the national parks. Kananaskis Country, Mount Robson, and Mount Assiniboine are provincial parks managed by Alberta and B.C. park systems. Alberta Parks are free except for Kananaskis Country, which requires its own pass. B.C. Parks are free to enter, but many, such as Mount Robson, need a day reservation.
What Other Reservations Do You Need?
Within the Parks Canada system, you must have advance reservations for popular things, such as campsites and the shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Paid parking is in effect at Lake Louise and is not included in your Banff Park Pass.
I Purchased My Park Pass Online But Did Not Receive It In Time. Can I Enter Banff?
If you did not receive your park pass in the mail before your trip, save the receipt or email confirmation. You can present the receipt for one month from the date of purchase as a valid pass.
Do You Need A Park Pass To Drive The TransCanada?
You do not need a Parks Canada pass to drive through Banff and Yoho National Park via TransCanada. If you stop for sightseeing, you will need a park pass.
Can You Buy a Day Pass for Several Days at Once?
Yes, you can buy a day pass for 2, 3, 4 days – etc. Do the math and see if it is worth it for you to buy a Discovery Pass. A Discovery Pass is valid for one year and gives everyone in one vehicle access to all national parks in Canada.
Do You Need A Banff Park Pass To Visit Lake Louise Or Moraine Lake?
Yes, anyone who intends to recreate or stop at any scenic viewpoints in the National Parks of Canada needs a pass.
Are There Any Discounts?
The only discount we know of is available to CAA or AMA members. You can find the details of the discount here.
Are There Any Free Days?
It is free to visit Banff National Park on Canada Day (July 1st). Though it is free to visit, you still need a valid park pass.
Can You Purchase a Discovery Pass Without Providing a Car Registration Number?
You don’t have to note your license plate number when purchasing a Discovery Pass online.
Is The Banff Park Pass Transferable?
The pass is not transferable once it has been used. The pass holder must be present when using the pass. Only one person must sign the pass for a Family/Group Pass. You may not sell your pass once you leave the park. Please support the park you are recreating in and follow these rules.
My Airbnb provided me with a park pass during my stay. Is this allowed?
Airbnb hosts in the Bow Valley have been offering Park Passes to guests as an incentive to book with them. This is not allowed and is discouraged as Park passes are non-transferable. I know it’s tempting, but please consider purchasing your own Park Pass for the National Park you are recreating in.
Banff National Park entry and service fees help support visitor services and facilities. Discovery passes must be signed by the pass holder to be valid. They are non-refundable, not transferable, and rendered void if resold.
The Cost of the Discovery Annual Pass and the Day Pass Are The Same – Which Should I Buy?
The Discovery Pass includes admission to the Cave & Basin Museum, and you get a little placard. So, we’d definitely recommend purchasing the Discovery Pass. Also, if you have plans to visit Canada again and want to venture into a national park, the Discovery Pass is good for an entire year.
You Have Your Pass. Do You Still Have to Stop at the Banff Park Gates?
If driving from Canmore to Banff, you’ll pass the East Gate Buildings & Booths. If you already have your pass, stick to the right-hand lanes and continue with the traffic flow. Only those without a Park Pass need to stop at the gates to purchase theirs. Don’t worry, there are signs to direct you!
When Do Park Buildings Open?
Park Gates and Visitor Center hours vary by season. It’s best to check here.
Do US National Park Passes Work?
A US standard pass, park-specific annual pass, or America the Beautiful pass is valid only in the United States and is not valid in Canadian National Parks.
Where Do The Fees Go?
The proceeds obtained from Park Pass sales support the upkeep of the most frequently used locations and services by national and international visitors, such as scenic parkways, day-use areas, trails, public safety, education, and information services. All revenue remains within the location where it was collected.
Where to Get a Parks Canada Pass
To recap, you can purchase a Parks Canada Pass online, either on the Parks Canada website or the Banff Lake Louise Tourism website. You can also purchase park passes in person at National Park Gates and Visitor Information Centers. Some visitors have reported you can buy them at Cabela’s Canada and MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), but we have not verified this.
What Do We Recommend Doing?
If your trip is less than a month out, purchasing your day pass or annual pass at the park gates/visitor centers mentioned is best. There is often a line to purchase on beautiful summer days, but it should never take more than 20 minutes, as Parks Canada does a great job keeping the line moving.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! If you want to get active, consider snowshoeing on top of the world. Lastly, enjoy nighttime in Banff on this Sunset and Stars Tour!
- Want an all in one tour? Pursuit is running this special Winter Wonder tour on weekends!
- Transport in the winter: If you don’t want to drive to Banff in the winter, we totally get it. To avoid this book with the Banff Airporter.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- We can help you plan your 2025 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll personally go over your itinerary, hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, or create a bespoke itinerary just for you! See our services here.
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The Banff Blog Private Facebook Group is your headquarters for Canadian Rockies travel advice and information, including hike and off-season travel information. You can also meet new adventure buddies.
Thank you so much for putting all this fantastic and super useful information together. I feel way more prepared for my upcoming trip to Banff after reading your blog 😚
So happy it has been helpful. Have a great trip!
Thank you so much for this really useful Blog – so helpful for us coming from the UK and trying to get our heads around what we need to do!
Can you just tell me – are there other places, in addition to Cave and Basin Historic site, that the Discovery Pass includes over and above the day pass option? My husband and I will be in the parks for 6 days, so 6 daily passes will cost us $126, but I’m just trying to work out whether the Discovery Pass will be better if we want to visit other places that aren’t included in the Day Pass?
There aren’t any more big notable places included in the pass. The Discovery Pass is good for a year all around Canada, so if you have plans of returning or may potentially extend your trip you could go with the Discovery Pass. If you are certain the trip is only 6 days the better value is the day ticket.
I would like to know if I can buy annual discovery part in town of Canmore or somewhere in town of banff in stead of park gate.
Thank you so much!
Jane
Yes you can purchase in person at the Visitor Centres in Banff and Lake Louise.
Lots of great information, thanks. We’re visiting Banff park on an organised package holiday next month, on coach transfers and the train. Do we need to get park passes, our agents seem to think it only applies to people in cars?
Margaret N
Hi Margaret,
All visitors to the park need a parks pass, but without knowing the details of your trip or your tour operator I can’t say if they will have your park pass for you or not. It’s best to contact them and someone should be able to give you a clear answer.
Hi, thank you for this wonderful information. Me and my partner are planning to go to Banff this summer‚ for 2 people in a vehicle, by purchasing 1 discovery pass ADULT can it accommodate both of us? please enlighten me.
Hi we are a party of 2 couples in 1 vehicle staying in Canmore for 3 nights planning to visit Banff,, Lake Louise, Bow Valley and Icefields then onto Jasper for a further 3 nights
Are we classed as a family and is that 5 days
Also wish to drive Bow Valley and unsure of September seasonal closures – is it just night??/////
From what you are describing I would recommend the Discovery Pass for your vehicle. Bow Valley Parkway details are listed here: https://thebanffblog.com/bow-valley-parkway/
We are travelling from the Uk from gust through to end Sept next year and stopping at Salmon Arm, Emerald Lake, Banff, Jasper, Clearwater, Whistler and then down to Vancouver Island and will be on the west side of Canada for nearly 4 weeks before flying to the East coast for 3 weeks. Are we better off with a Discovery Pass and will this then give us access to all possible parks that we are likely to visit as first time tourists? We knew nothing about this so thank you for informing us in the way you have. Excellent site.
For the amount of time you are visiting I would definitely suggest getting the Discovery Pass as it covers all the National Parks in Canada for the entire year.
Hi Cameron and Natasha!
My family and I will be staying for only 2 days visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks. Do I need a Day Pass for each of the parks? On our way to Vancouver we will make a quick stop at Emerald Lake, do we need another pass for that? We arrive at night in Canmore and plan to take the Icefields Parkway very early in the morning. What do I do if the visitor center is closed at this time? Thank you guys!
Yes you need a Parks Canada pass for Jasper, Yoho (where Emerald Lake is located), Banff, Kootenay and Glacier National Park, but it all falls under one pass. For two days I would recommend purchasing a two day pass. Parks Canada employees are at the booths pretty early in the morning to check for Parks passes unless you plan on getting on the parkway well before sunrise.
You mention that the pass is linked with your car license plate. How would that work if we purchase an annual pass – but we would be in a rental car?
Apologies this was old information. We’ve removed the section the pass belongs to the pass holder in their name. You can take it with you!
Hi
Can I ask do I need to purchase Day park passes, 6 days, if I am going on a skiing holiday & staying up the mountain from Banff? All info I read states about purchasing passes if driving into Banff National Park but we are on a skiing holiday so just wondered if this was required as we will not be driving, probably on a private transfer from
Calgary airport. Thanks
The ski resorts are in the National Park as is the town of Banff where the shuttles for the ski resorts depart. Unless your ski trip is to Golden, Revelstoke, or another ski resort in B.C. you need a pass.
Hi!
Thank you so much for your blog, every google search I do brings me to your blog and I have found so much unbelievably useful information! We are travelling to Canada from the UK for the first time in August and so excited. We are driving to Lake Louise from Vancouver for 3 nights and I can’t figure out which pass to buy or where to buy it from. We hope to stop at a few stops along the way to stretch our legs in Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Yoho but have no set plans. I’m assuming we’d be best with a day pass as we’re only there for four days but can I just check that that would cover all of the parks and not just Banff?
I appreciate answering people’s questions must take you so much time so thank you for any advice!
Hi Amy,
If you’ll be in the parks for four days it’s best to buy the daily passes. The passes cover you for all the National Parks in Canada, which include the ones you mention. Hope that helps!
It really does, thank you!
Could you possibly provice me a link to a printable version of this article Ultimate guide to Banff park passes?
Gail Olson
Thank you so much for this very useful information. You made everything easier esp for us first time travelers.
Glad it’s been helpful! Enjoy your trip!
Hello, we are flying in to Edmonton and then driving straight to Jasper on a Saturday afternoon late in September. I have been trying to find out what time the East gate (Jasper National Park) will be open until on a Saturday to buy the Discovery Pass, however I have not been able to find this information. Any chance you can help with opening hours please?
I’m unsure of exact hours, you can buy it at the Visitor Centre in Downtown Jasper though.
Hi,
Thanks so much for the valuable information. A quick question, just like on the website, can we also purchase day passes for more than 1 day at the visitor center or the at the park gate? I need 6 day passes as they are cheaper that an annual pass. Can I buy all of them at once, rather than queuing up in the line each day?
Best,
Sid
Hi Sid,
Yes you can buy them all at once when you get to the park gates.
We are traveling to Canmore in mid August 2024 . This is our first time . A group of 6 adults and 4 kids ages 2-12 .
What kind of activities can we have for the kids there ?
Kindly
Sara
Lot’s of options! We suggest you check out our article and decide what’s best for you.
https://thebanffblog.com/things-to-do-in-canmore/
how do I get to Lake Moraine if I do not have a roam ticket.
You can read all the best ways to get to Moraine Lake here: https://thebanffblog.com/how-to-get-to-moraine-lake/
Hi Natasha & Cameron,
Firstly thank you so much for your brilliant blog. The information you provide has been invaluable as we’ve been planning our trip to Canada in a couple of weeks.
We’ve already purchased and received a Discovery Pass, can I please ask, as a family of 3 will we need to purchase any other passes to be able to go hiking and explore?
We’re staying in Abbotsford and then we will travel to Canmore and would love to visit as many of the Lakes as we can, (all by your recommendation 😊)
Many thanks
Hi Sarah,
If you venture into Kananaskis you will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. This includes areas around Canmore like the Nordic Center and Grassi Lakes. If you plan on venturing into any BC parks you’ll need to check on their parks pages and see what their requirements are.
Hello! Thanks for the information. Your blog is very helpful. I have doubt about the family/group discovery pass. Me and my husband are going without a car to the parks (by public transport) and I have read that the pass includes up to 7 persons in one car. So my question is… to entry the park by bus is also valid? or this pass is only available for cars? Thank you so much.