Parks Passes (National Parks & Kananaskis)
The two pass systems visitors mix up the most in the Canadian Rockies.
Dev Thomson
Canadian Rockies, Canada
🎟️ NATIONAL PARKS vs PROVINCIAL PARKS:
If you’re exploring Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton, or other Canadian National Parks, you’ll need a valid Parks Canada pass.
Provincial Parks such as Kananaskis, Mount Robson, or other Canadian Provincial Parks have their own park pass systems, separate from the National Parks.
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National Parks Passes
For Canada’s National Parks, the main options are a daily entry pass, or the annual Discovery Pass. The Discovery Pass covers admission to more than 80 Parks Canada destinations for 12 months.
You can buy it here: Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
Want more official details?: Parks Canada Passes & Fees
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Kananaskis Conservation Pass
If you’re parking in Kananaskis, the pass applies to the vehicle, not the passengers. For personal vehicles, the current official rate is $15 for a day pass or $90 for a yearly pass (the yearly pass can cover up to 3 vehicles).
You can buy it here: Kananaskis Conservation Pass
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Good to know
Passes can be purchased online ahead of time
You can also buy them at park gates when entering
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Tips from Dev
If you’re travelling here for an extended period of time, check whether the annual Pass makes more sense for you - it may work out cheaper. A lot of visitors just buy day passes automatically without doing the maths.
Sort your passes out before your trip, screenshot your confirmation, and don’t leave it until you’re standing at a trailhead trying to get signal. It’s a small thing, but sorting this out ahead of time makes your road trip way smoother.
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