Film and photography

Waterton Lakes National Park

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 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 should be submitted a minimum of 20 business days prior to your intended dates of filming. Choose your project category below for more information.


Small projects with a travel focus

Do I need a film permit, business license, or small-scale project registration?

Many small-scale projects only require project registration, rather than a commercial film permit. This registration form is for small travel media crews that wish to film or take photos in Parks Canada locations. “Travel Media” includes journalists, freelancers, photographers, videographers, bloggers, and social media influencers.

Your project is considered “small-scale” if it meets all of the following criteria:

  • Project is intended to inform audiences about the work of Parks Canada and/or educate on proper behaviour when visiting Parks Canada places.
  • Crew size is six people or fewer (including models, guides, and other talent).
  • Equipment is limited to cameras, tripods, microphones, or other hand-held equipment.
  • Activities remain in areas open to the public and during normal operating hours only.
  • The filming methods used and the final product adhere to all laws and regulations.
  • No drones/UAVs are used.
If you meet all of these criteria:

If your project does not meet all of the criteria of a small-scale shoot, you must apply for a commercial film/photo permit or business licence by emailing your application to the appropriate contact, listed below.

Parks Canada reserves the right to determine if projects are appropriate for a small-scale registration or if a commercial film permit application is required.


Tips for registering your small-scale travel media film and photo project:
  • We strongly recommend you register your shoot at least 20 business days in advance to avoid project delays. Please note that registering your project does not exempt it from standard visitors’ fees.
  • A Guide to Film/Photo Shoots is available to assist you with conducting your film and photo activities.
  • Depending on the location of your shoot, additional permission may be required from business or property owners, or the Towns of Banff or Jasper.

We look forward to working with you! Travel media are key partners in showcasing the beauty of national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas. Contact us for travel tips, best timing, and unique locations within these sites.

Film Permits – Features/shorts/series, commercial filming & marketing

Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, and Yoho National Park will not be accepting applications for commercial film projects during the period of June 1 to September 30. See below for more information.

Commercial filming and photography activities require a permit. These activities include feature and short films, documentaries, series, marketing (including styled photoshoots), and other projects with a commercial intent that do not qualify as a travel media small-scale registration. Parks Canada reserves the right to determine if projects are appropriate for a small-scale registration or if a commercial film permit or business licence is required.

What works well?
  • Productions involving minimal equipment, smaller crew sizes, and no impact on the environment and visitors.
  • Productions contributing to public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Canada’s national parks and Parks Canada.
  • Productions requesting off-season and/or weekday shooting dates.
Applying

Submit an Application Form by email, a minimum of 20 business days prior to intended film/photography start date. Applications are assessed in relation to the Canada National Parks Act, National Park Regulations, safety considerations, and the project's contribution to awareness, appreciation, and education about national parks. If approved, a Commercial Film/Photography permit is issued.

Parks Canada reserves the right to refuse applications that are not in the best interest of the Agency’s mandate or to revoke permission at any time if the terms and conditions of the permit are violated.

 Film Permit Application Form (docx, 352 KB)
Please complete the form with the most detail possible to help us assess your application, including specific locations, dates, and times for filming, and detailed descriptions of the project and intent. Incomplete applications may result in processing delays.

Regulations

Full compliance with the Canada National Parks Act and National Park Regulations is required. These include, but are not limited to:

  1. No open firearms, use of firearms (includes discharging of blank ammunition or explosives), or hunting.
  2. No damaging, destruction, or removal of natural or cultural resources.
  3. No feeding, enticing (e.g. baiting, calling), touching, harassing, or disturbing park wildlife.
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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).
  7. No camping outside of designated campgrounds and campsites.
  8. No entering of closed areas.
  9. 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.
  10. 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 $160.00 $532.25
7 to 15 $399.25 $1,064.75
16 to 30 $798.50 $1,596.75
31 to 99 $2,661.25 $2,129.25
100 and more $3,193.75 $2,661.25
  • 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:

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

 Click to enlarge image
a map showing the mountain national park field unit boundaries: Banff Field Unit, Jasper Field Unit, Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay Field Unit, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier Field Unit, Waterton Lakes Field Unit

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
waterton.communications@pc.gc.ca

Mount Revelstoke and Glacier Field Unit
filmmrg@pc.gc.ca

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