Banff Park Pass Guide
Do you need one? How much? Where to buy? Everything about the Parks Canada pass.
Do I Need a Park Pass?
Yes. Everyone entering Banff National Park needs a valid Parks Canada pass — no exceptions.
This includes driving through on Highway 1, visiting the Town of Banff, hiking any trail, driving to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, and driving the Icefields Parkway. One pass covers your vehicle and all passengers.
2026 Prices
Daily Pass
Valid for the calendar day of purchase until 4:00 PM the following day.
Discovery Pass (Annual)
Valid for 12 months from purchase. Covers ALL Parks Canada national parks and national historic sites across Canada.
Pays for itself in just 7 days ($11/day × 7 = $77 > $75.25)
Where to Buy
Online (Recommended)
Buy at parks.canada.ca before your trip. Print or save to phone. Skip the gate lineup.
Saves 30+ min in summerEast Gate (Highway 1)
Entrance booth on Highway 1 from Calgary. Open 24/7 in summer, reduced hours in winter. Cash and card accepted.
Expect 15-45 min wait in summerVisitor Centres
Banff Visitor Centre (224 Banff Ave) or Lake Louise Visitor Centre. Also sell Discovery Passes and backcountry permits.
Common Questions
Do I need a pass to ski at Sunshine, Lake Louise, or Norquay?
Yes. All three ski resorts are inside Banff National Park. You need a valid park pass to drive to any of them.
Does my pass cover Jasper too?
A daily pass covers one park. If you drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, one daily pass covers both parks on the same day. The Discovery Pass covers all parks, always.
Can I use the pass at other national parks?
Daily passes are only valid at the park where purchased. The Discovery Pass works at ALL 48 national parks and 171 national historic sites in Canada.
Is there a free day?
Parks Canada offers free admission on Canada Day (July 1). Other occasional free days are announced on the Parks Canada website.
Do I need a pass for Canmore?
No. Canmore is outside Banff National Park. You do not need a pass to visit Canmore, Kananaskis, or any town on the east side of the park gates.
How to pronounce "Banff"?
It rhymes with "can't" not "calm." Say it: BAMF (like "bam" + "f"). Not "bonf" or "bahnf."