FAQ
Banff National Park
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What is a Park Pass?
A Park Pass is a permit to visit a national park. Park pass fees help pay for scenic parkways, day use areas, trails, public safety, education and information services. Fees remain in the national park or national historic site where they are collected.
Who needs to purchase a Park Pass?
Purchase a pass if:
- You are spending time in a national park (e.g. road trips, camping, backcountry adventures, visits to picnic sites and viewpoints, stops in towns and villages)
- You are travelling on scenic parkways (i.e. Icefields Parkway / #93N between Lake Louise and Jasper, 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
Do not purchase a pass if:
- You are travelling through the parks without stopping – except on scenic parkways including the Icefields Parkway (#93N) and Bow Valley Parkway (#1A). Westbound vehicles 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.
Where do my Park Pass fees go?
All revenues from Park Passes remain in the location 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 and 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.
What pass options are available?
Daily passes
- Valid until 4:00pm on the day after purchase
- Provide entry into Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton Lakes and Elk Island national parks
- Can be purchased on site
Annual Discovery Passes
- Valid for a full year from until the end of calendar month from date purchased
- Provide entry into more than 100 National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites
- Can be purchased on site or online
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.
Complete list of fees:
Where can I buy a Park Pass?
National park gates
Westbound
Banff East Park Gate:Trans-Canada Highway (#1)
West of Calgary, Alberta (~100 km / ~60 mi) and Canmore, Alberta (~5 km / 3 mi)
David Thompson Gate: David Thompson Highway (#11) (Open in summer)
West of Red Deer, Alberta (~260 km / ~160 mi) and Rocky Mountain House, Alberta (~150 km / ~90 mi)
Jasper East Park Gate: Yellowhead Highway (#16)
West of Edmonton, Alberta (320 km / 200 mi) and Hinton, Alberta (~30km / ~20 mi)
Eastbound
Kootenay West Gate: Banff-Windermere Highway (#93S)
East of Radium, British Columbia (1 km / 0.5 mi)
Jasper West Gate: Yellowhead Highway (#16)
East of Kamloops (~350 km / ~215 mi), Prince George, British Columbia (~380 km / ~230 mi), Prince Rupert, British Columbia (~1000 km / ~620 mi)
Yoho Visitor Centre in Field and Tourism BC visitor Centre in Golden: Trans-Canada Highway (#1)
North or Southbound
Niblock Gate in Banff National Park (open in summer): Icefields Parkway (#93N)
North of Lake Louise (~4 km / ~2.5 mi past Lake Louise immediately after exiting onto Hwy 93N)
Icefields Parkway Gate: Icefields Parkway (#93N)
In Jasper National Park – south of Jasper (7 km / 4 mi)
National park visitor centres:
Location: Banff National Park
- Banff National Park Visitor Centre (Banff, Alberta)
- Lake Louise Visitor Centre (Lake Louise, Alberta)
Location: Jasper National Park
- Jasper National Park Visitor Centre (Jasper, Alberta)
- Parks Canada Administration Building (Jasper, Alberta)
- Icefields Centre (Columbia Icefields: mid Apr. to mid Oct.)
Location: Kootenay National Park
- Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre (Radium, British Columbia: May to Sept.)
Location: Yoho National Park
- Yoho National Park Visitor Centre (Field, British Columbia: May to Sept.)
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 Kicking Horse (Yoho National Park) and Johnston Canyon (Banff National Park).
By phone or online (Annual Discovery Pass only):
Call 1-888-773-8888 to purchase your Annual Discovery Pass by phone. You can also purchase your pass online. Please allow 5-10 business days for delivery in Canada and in the USA. Passes will be mailed out the following business day.
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