RuthMc

We're headed to Lake Louise/Banff shortly from Glacier National Park. Will we need a Canada parks pass just to get to these towns or not until we try to access other areas in the park? Have looked at the Canada parks website but can't really tell. Will certainly be driving the Icefields Parkway, so I know we will need one for that, but just to get to our hotel? Thanks in advance.

laverendrye

Yes you will need a park pass. Depending on how many of you there are and how long you are visiting, an annual pass (good for all national parks) may be more economical than daily passes.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/visit23_e.asp

RuthMc

2 of us and we'll be there for 3 nights. I was thinking daily passes would be more economical but I guess we'd need another daily pass to go from Banff NP to Jasper NP, so maybe the annual pass is a better bet even tho we won't be hitting any other Canadian national parks on this trip (that I know of, anyway).

laverendrye

You don't need a separate daily pass for each park--just one for each day that you will be in a national park. (You might also be visiting Yoho NP, which is adjacent to Banff, if you want to see Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake while you are at Lake Louise.

RuthMc

Thanks for the info, laverendrye. Makes it a little more economical. But I don't mind paying for entrances into beautiful national parks. Helps keep them open.

teacherCanada

The only way you can enter the Parks system without purchasing a pass is if you drive through the park system without stopping. Your purchased park pass is displayed on your dashboard. If you stop for a hike, to go shopping in Banff, an overnight within the park or anything else, you are eligible for a ticket from the ever-present enforcement officers.

Every vehicle needs a park pass to travel the Icefield Parkway (from Banff to Jasper) and there is a toll gate open during daylight hours that checks all northbound vehicles.

Enjoy your stay in a lovely part of Canada.

tC

2732284th

Can you buy park passes in advance of your trip? Does anoyone know if they come with bus tours or is that an additional cost? Thanks.
M

kayd

I bought passes in advance of our trip by phoning the Parks Canada HQ in Alberta. They arrived in the mail about 2 weeks later.

Quote from the website http://parkscanada.ca/
"Parks Canada visitors who prefer to purchase any National Pass in advance of their visit can contact the Parks Canada office in Calgary at 1-403-292-4401 or by e-mail at: [email protected], or by visiting Banff National Park's website. They will be pleased to assist you."


I believe the tour operator pays for the bus to enter the park, individuals should not need passes to travel through the parks via bus.