Permits and licences
Banff National Park
Fire risk reduction around your home or business
Learn how residents and businesses receive permits to complete FireSmart™ vegetation removal in Banff National Park.
Drones or unmanned air vehicles (UAV)
In Canada’s national parks, the use of an unmanned air vehicles (UAV) – also known as a drone – is prohibited.
Special event application
Information you need before hosting an event in the park and how to apply for a Special Event Licence.
Wedding ceremonies
The world-class scenery of Banff National Park makes it an attractive place to hold wedding ceremonies.
Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park will not be accepting applications for commercial film projects during the period of June 1 to September 30
Business Licences
A business licence is required for all businesses, companies, guides and/or vendors who are operating in Banff National Park. Each contractor and sub-contractor requires their own business licence to work in the park.
Parks Canada and the Town of Banff are the two governing bodies in Banff National Park that issue business licences.
Parks Canada issues the following licences and permits:
- Business licences for work in Banff National Park outside the townsite
- Guided business licence
- Special event applications
- Film and photography (see below)
If you are proposing a new business in Banff or changing the location of an existing business you must email BanffParkLicence-PermisduparcBanff@pc.gc.ca with a narrative describing the proposal. For all non-resident business owners wanting to conduct business in the town of Banff please contact the Town of Banff.
Please note: if you are operating a business in both jurisdictions, you must obtain a business licence from Parks Canada as well as one from the Town of Banff.
For more information on how to apply for a basic business licence in Banff National Park:
Realty and Municipal Services
Banff National Park of Canada
PO Box 900 / 101 Mountain Ave.
Banff, Alberta T1L 1K2
BanffParkLicence-PermisduparcBanff@pc.gc.ca
403-763-3124
Work passes
Work passes for park entry are provided by the Parks Canada administration office at the time a business licence is issued. Work passes shall be used for work purposes only. To obtain an overweight vehicle permit for the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, please contact llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca or call 403-522-1186. Please visit the Service standards for large vehicles on the Icefields Parkway for more information.
Film and photography
The Mountain National Parks (Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, and Waterton Lakes national parks) boast unparalleled film, photographic, and recreational possibilities. To care for these special places, all filming activities have guidelines to ensure that activities respect ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife, and the experience of all visitors.
If you wish to visit Parks Canada-administered places and undertake a film or photo shoot, you may require a film permit, business license, or need to register your project. What you are required to do will depend on the scale and nature of your project.
Applications must be submitted a minimum of 20 business days prior to your intended dates of filming. Choose your project category below for more information.
Parks Canada reserves the right to deny permits that do not align with visitor experience, visitor safety and/or park management goals. The type of licence required will be determined by Parks Canada based on the information in your application.
Film permits and small-scale film and video projects with a travel focus
Whether you are taking photos for a blog, videos for a reel that will be posted on a local business’ social media, or filming a documentary, a permit is required to work in the mountain national parks.
The answers you provide in the application below will determine if your project meets the criteria for a Small-Scale Registration or requires a Commercial Film Permit.
- Banff National Park Film Permit Temporary Business Licence Application
- Yoho and Kootenay national parks filming application
Tips for registering your project:
- Plan ahead - Our office receives hundreds of applications each year. Please submit your completed registration form at least 20 business days in advance to avoid project delays.
- Learn about the park - Taking photos and filming in a protected area requires special considerations. Review the park regulations and Parks Canada’s A Guide to Film/Photo Shoots to ensure you are following the necessary rules and planning appropriately.
- Reach out to partners - Depending on the location of your shoot, additional permission may be required from business or property owners, or the Towns of Banff or Jasper. Check your proposed filming locations to determine what permits and/or permissions you need and from whom.
- Keep it tight – small crews, handheld equipment and no impact on the environment make it easier for your team to work within the busy national park.
- Stick to less busy times – request off-season and/or weekday filming dates wherever possible.
- Help spread the love – We know people love Canada’s national parks. Priority will be given to productions that help contribute to public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Canada’s national parks and how to visit safety.
Regulations
Full compliance with the Canada National Parks Act and National Park Regulations is required. These include, but are not limited to:
- No open firearms, use of firearms (includes discharging of blank ammunition or explosives), or hunting.
- No damaging, destruction, or removal of natural or cultural resources.
- No feeding, enticing (e.g. baiting, calling), touching, harassing, or disturbing park wildlife.
- No littering or leaving food or garbage where wildlife can access it (all food and garbage must be stored or disposed of in bear-proof containers and/or packed out).
- No off-roading anywhere in the park; no ATVs, skidoos, or jet-boats; no boats with any kind of motor in park waters (except on Lake Minnewanka).
- No fires outside of designated fire rings or stoves supplied at park campgrounds and day use areas (cigar/cigarette butts and matches are litter and must be fully extinguished and disposed of appropriately).
- No camping outside of designated campgrounds and campsites.
- No entering of closed areas.
- An ACMG accredited guide is required to accompany any film crews capturing footage of backcountry, glacier travel, mountaineering and/or ski touring activities (outside of ski area leaseholds) at all times.
- All aerial filming must comply with Canadian Aviation Regulations; the use of recreational drones/UAVs is not allowed and requires a Restricted Activity Permit in all other circumstances. See Drone/UAV section for details.
Fees associated with Film Permits
| Production crew size | Application fee (per project) | Location fee (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 6 | $177.25 | $589.25 |
| 7 to 15 | $442.00 | $1,178.75 |
| 16 to 30 | $844.00 | $1,767.75 |
| 31 to 99 | $2,946.00 | $2,357.25 |
| 100 and more | $3,535.00 | $2,946.00 |
- Other fees may be applicable.
- Projects in the Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay Field Unit will be charged the non-refundable application fee upon receiving an application for a film licence.
Film permitting restrictions
Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks have experienced an increase in commercial filming requests during busy visitation periods. To ensure visitor safety and prioritize visitor experience, commercial film projects will not beconsidered at the following locations between June 1 and September 30:
Banff National Park:
- Lake Louise
- Moraine Lake
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Morant’s Curve
- Sunshine Meadows Trail
- Lake Minnewanka parking area, Day Use Area, trails and lakeshore
- Lake Minnewanka Loop
- Johnson Lake parking area, Day Use Area, trails and lakeshore
- Two Jack Lake parking area, Day Use Area, trails and lakeshore
- Cascade Ponds parking area, Day Use Area, Trails and lakeshore
- Johnston Canyon/ Ink Pots parking area, Day Use Area, trails
- Tunnel Mountain bench and area parking areas, trails and Day Use Areas
- Bow Valley Park Way all pullout locations and rest stops
- Trans- Canada Highway all pull out locations and rest stops
- Mt. Norquay rest stop
- Sulphur Mountain area all pull outs, trails and Day Use Area
- Vermillion Lakes all pull outs, trails and Day Use Areas
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
- Banff Upper Hot Springs
Yoho National Park:
- Takakkaw Falls
- Emerald Lake
- Wapta Falls
Kootenay National Park:
- Stanley Glacier
- Marble Canyon
- Radium Hot Springs Pools
Professional photography and videography (including weddings)
Photographers capturing images and footage during their visit to the Mountain National Parks with the intent to sell, require a business licence. Activities covered within this licence must not impede park use and enjoyment by other visitors, damage cultural or natural resources, or disturb wildlife.
Business licences apply to the following activities:
- Wedding photography and videography
- Wildlife, nature, and landscape photography
- Stock photography
- If you are hired to take, or plan to sell photos taken in the park
Visitors taking photos for personal use or as a hobby that are not for sale do not require a permit or license.
Parks Canada rules and regulations apply to all film/photography activities, including respecting wildlife, closed areas, and cultural resources. Styled shoots and project-based work may require a film permit; Parks Canada reserves the right to determine if projects are appropriate for a business license, or if a film permit application is required.
Please note that Parks Canada business licence service standards are 15 business days to review and process fully completed business licence applications. Please contact the appropriate Business Licensing department for additional information:
Jasper National Park: permiscommercialjasper-jasperbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca
Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks: filmmrg@pc.gc.ca
Waterton Lakes National Park: permiscommercialwlfu-wlfubusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca
Yoho and Kootenay national parks: permiscommercialllyk-llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca
Banff National Park:
- Banff area (eastern portion of Banff National Park) - banffrealty-immobiliers@pc.gc.ca
- Lake Louise area (including the Icefields Parkway) - permiscommercialllyk-llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca
Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Drones/UAVs (including micro-drones <250g), are highly regulated in the National Parks to protect wildlife and preserve the experience of visitors, among other considerations. Drone/UAV use in a National Park requires both a Commercial Film Permit and a Restricted Activity Permit, regardless of drone size.
The use of drones/UAVs for commercial filming purposes will only be authorized for the purposes of:
- Natural and cultural resource management
- Public safety
- Law enforcement
- Park/site management purposes, including selective filming for outreach, education, and promotional purposes
Projects must fit one of the above purposes to be considered for approval, at the discretion of the Field Unit Superintendent. Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries without an approved permit may result in law enforcement action and a fine of up to $25,000. Recreational use of drones/UAVs at all Parks Canada places is prohibited.
Film / photography permit contacts – Mountain National Parks
Field Unit Boundary Map
Map description
Mountain national parks field unit boundary map to illustrate jurisdictions. The legend identifies that the Banff Field Unit is the eastern portion of Banff National Park east of Castle Junction. The Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay Field Unit is the western portion of Banff National Park west of Castle Junction as well as all of Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. The Mount Revelstoke and Glacier Field Unit is all of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. The Jasper Field Unit is all of Jasper National Park. The Waterton Lakes Field Unit is all of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Banff Field Unit
filmbanff-banfffilm@pc.gc.ca
Planning to film in the Town of Banff? Additional film permits may be required.
Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay Field Unit
llykfilm@pc.gc.ca
Jasper Field Unit
filmjasper-jasperfilm@pc.gc.ca
Planning to film in the Municipality of Jasper? Additional film permits may be required.
Waterton Lakes Field Unit
filmwaterton-watertonfilm@pc.gc.ca
Mount Revelstoke and Glacier Field Unit
filmmrg@pc.gc.ca
Guided Business Licences
Applications for guided/outfitter business licences are reviewed twice annually. The deadlines for the submission of applications are March 1 and September 1 of each year.
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General information
Anyone wishing to operate a guided / outfitter activity in a national park in Canada is required to apply to Parks Canada for a business licence. “Business” is defined as any trade, industry, employment, occupation, activity or special event carried on in a park or on Parks Canada-administered lands or waters outside of a park, for profit, gain, fund raising or commercial promotion, and includes an undertaking carried on in a park by a charitable organization, or by an organization or individual on a non-profit basis.
Guided business licences are generally issued for the following activities:
- hiking tours
- road biking tours
- backpacking tours
- interpretive walks
- guided mountaineering
- guided ski touring
- guided cross-country ski touring
- guided horseback tours
- rafting tours
- angling guides
- scuba diving
- stand-up paddleboard
- outfitting
- all wilderness related tours and guided programs
Please note that you may also be required to apply for a Basic Business Licence, depending on the nature of your business.
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Application process
Anyone wishing to operate a guidedFootnote 1 / outfitterFootnote 2 activity in a national park in Canada is required to apply to Parks Canada for a business licence. “Business” is defined as any trade, industry, employment, occupation, activity or special event carried on in a park or on Parks Canada-administered lands or waters outside of a park, for profit, gain, fund raising or commercial promotion, and includes an undertaking carried on in a park by a charitable organization, or by an organization or individual on a non-profit basis.
The following procedure is for new guided/outfitter activity activity businesses wanting to operate in a national park. It is not applicable if you are seeking a replacement licence. A separate application form is available for this purpose. Please contact your local Parks Canada office for further information on this process. All employees that will be conducting Guided Trips will be required to obtain a Guide Identification Card (see “Guide Identification Application Form Part IV”) and carry this card at all times while guiding. The form and procedure are appended to this document.
A separate application is available if you are seeking licensing as a new business in any other area other than guided/outfitter activities. We ask that you contact your local Parks Canada office to obtain the application form.
1. Application: How to apply for a licence to conduct a guided or outfitter activity in a national park
- Complete the Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence application form in full. Detailed information is necessary for Parks Canada to conduct an accurate evaluation of your application. If sufficient details are not provided, we will be unable to complete a review of your application.
- Submit the completed application form, including all requirements in the documentation checklist.
Completed applications can be sent to:
Guided Business Liaison, Mountain Parks
Realty and Municipal Services
Jasper National Park of Canada
PO Box 10
Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0
guidelicences-permispourguide@pc.gc.ca
2. Review: Parks Canada review process of a Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence application
- Receipt of Application: On receipt of your application, Parks Canada will review your submission for completion. Incomplete applications may be returned to you to provide further information or documentation.
- Summer applications must be submitted prior to September 1. (For the purpose of this application process, summer is defined as April 1 to October 31.)
- Winter applications must be submitted prior to March 1. (For the purpose of this application process, winter is defined as November 1 to March 31.)
- Review/Evaluation: All applications will be evaluated and a recommendation for approval or denial will be forwarded to the Field Unit Superintendent, who makes the final decision based on this recommendation. Applicants will be contacted in the time frames indicated below. This review period recognizes the need for timely review in order to allow businesses to operate in the season following their application.
- Park personnel will review summer applications and will contact proponents by December 1.
- Park personnel will review winter applications and will contact applicants by June 1.
3. Decision: Field Unit Superintendent’s decision
- If the guided/outfitter activity business licence is approved: your business licence will be issued and become valid for the summer or winter season following approval. Any/all conditions imposed on the licence will be clearly defined and appended. The term of the licence cannot exceed one year and will expire on March 31 following the date of issuance.
If, at any time during the term of your licence, the parameters under which you are operating your business change, such as sale or transfer of the business, change in name or location, change to the nature of the business, or additions to the business, you must inform Parks Canada immediately. - If the guided/outfitter activity business licence is denied: you will be advised, in writing, of the reason(s) for the decision in as timely a manner as possible.
You will be notified of the decision in the manner that you have indicated in Part II of the “Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence Application”.
4. Payment: If the application is approved, applicable fees for a Guided/Outfitter Activity Business Licence
While payment is not required until a determination is made on your application, payment for each activity will be payable prior to issuance of a guided/outfitter activity business licence.
Footnotes
- Footnote 1
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Guide: An individual who provides guiding services in natural/cultural areas of interest or provide local knowledge, technical skill and leadership to allow clients to participate in various day or overnight activities. A guide does not typically outfit their clients with equipment and/or supplies. A guide may be the business licence holder or be the employee of a business licence holder.
Footnotes
- Footnote 2
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Outfitter: A company that holds the business licence and will hire qualified guides to conduct trips on their behalf, under their company name. The owner/operator of the outfitting company may also work as a qualified guide. The company may outfit clients with equipment and/or supplies.
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Application form
- Mountain National Parks – Guided/Outfitter Business Application Form (August 2026) (PDF, 859 KB)
- Fillable pdf application form for new guided/outfitter activity businesses wanting to operate in a national park.
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Additional resources
- Activity Table Template (PDF, 166 KB)
- Fillable pdf of a blank activity table (appendix B).
- Emergency Response Plan Guide (PDF, 367 KB)
- Required information for Emergency Response Plan submission.
- Blank Emergency Response Plan Template (Microsoft Word, 574 KB)
- Trails not requiring a Guided Business Licence (July 2026) (PDF, 263 KB)
- A list of areas and trails in the Mountain National Parks where it is not required to have a Guided Business Licence. Notwithstanding, it is still required to have a Basic Business Licence to operate in the Mountain National Parks.
- Areas, Trails and Activities with Restrictions (Document currently under review)
- Guide Certification Equivalencies (May 2025) (PDF, 101 KB)
- Custodial groups
- A “custodial group” means a group affiliated with an institution, where at least one person is below the age of majority and that minor is not in the company of his/her parent or legal guardian. Institutional groups include (but are not limited to) school groups, Scout/Guide groups, church groups, cadet groups and community youth groups.
For more information, please visit the custodial groups webpage.
For more information on how to apply for a guided business licence in the Mountain National Parks:
Chelan Egilson, Guided Business Liaison for the Mountain Parks
Realty and Municipal Services
Jasper National Park of Canada
PO Box 10 / 607 Connaught Drive
Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0
guidelicences-permispourguide@pc.gc.ca
780-820-0665
- Date modified :