Banff National Park pass: how to buy and use it
How much does it cost to enter Banff National Park?
A daily vehicle pass costs $10.50 CAD per vehicle. The annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass ($72.25 adult, $145.25 family) covers unlimited entry to all national parks for one year and pays for itself in 7+ park days. Buy online or at the park gate.
Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest and most visited national park. Entering it requires a valid pass — either a daily vehicle pass or an annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass. The process is straightforward, but many visitors are caught out by the parking rules, the difference between entry and activity fees, and the need to book certain things (like the Moraine Lake shuttle) completely separately.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive at the park gate.
Entry fees and pass types
Banff National Park entry is charged per vehicle, not per person. Everyone in the car is covered by a single pass.
Daily vehicle pass
The simplest option for short visits. Costs $10.50 CAD per vehicle and is valid until 4:00 PM the following day (not for a calendar 24-hour period — check the exact expiry on your pass).
For a couple visiting Banff for two days, that is $21 total — a reasonable cost. For a family of four visiting for five days, it is $52.50. At that point, the annual Discovery Pass starts to look attractive.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass (annual)
The Discovery Pass is the better value for any visit of three or more days:
| Pass type | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Adult (18-64) | $72.25 |
| Senior (65+) | $61.75 |
| Youth (under 18) | Free |
| Family/group (up to 7 people, one vehicle) | $145.25 |
The Discovery Pass is valid for one full year from the date of activation and covers all 37 of Canada’s national parks plus national historic sites — not just Banff. For anyone doing a Rockies road trip that includes Jasper, Yoho, or Kootenay, this is almost always the right choice. See our Parks Canada Discovery Pass guide for a full breakdown.
Commercial vehicle rates
Motorhomes and vehicles used commercially have separate fee schedules available from Parks Canada.
Where to buy your Banff pass
At the park gates: The most common method. Gates are staffed year-round on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) west of Canmore and on Highway 1A. Payment by credit card or cash. Staff can issue daily or annual passes and will often mention the Discovery Pass value for longer stays without prompting.
Online: Purchase the Discovery Pass at reservation.pc.gc.ca before your trip. You receive a digital pass by email. A screenshot works fine for areas without cell coverage.
At Banff visitor centres: The Banff Visitor Centre on Banff Avenue sells passes during opening hours.
At park information centres: Lake Louise Visitor Centre and the Saskatchewan River Crossing also sell passes.
Note: If you enter through an unstaffed gate (possible at off-peak times or minor entrances), you will need to purchase a pass online or at a visitor centre before stopping at paid parking areas.
What the pass covers — and what it does not
This is where many visitors are surprised. The park entry pass is not an all-inclusive ticket.
Covered by the entry pass:
- Vehicle entry at all national park gates in Canada (Discovery Pass) or at Banff specifically (daily pass)
- Parking at all Parks Canada designated parking areas within the park, including Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and all Icefields Parkway viewpoints
- Access to all trails, roads, and viewpoints within the park
Not covered — requires separate purchase:
- Banff Gondola: Commercial operation (Pursuit). Book separately.
- Banff Upper Hot Springs: Pool entry fee charged separately (though the springs facility is a national historic site, the pool fee is additional).
- Lake Minnewanka boat tours: Operated separately.
- Moraine Lake shuttle: Requires Parks Canada reservation. See our Moraine Lake shuttle guide.
- Campsite fees: Reservations and nightly fees are separate from park entry.
- Ice Explorer / Glacier Skywalk (Icefields Parkway): Operated by Pursuit; not Parks Canada.
Parking in Banff with a pass
Understanding the parking system prevents frustration, particularly at the most popular spots.
Lake Louise parking: A large paid parking structure is in place at Lake Louise. A valid park pass covers parking here. Without a pass, a parking fee is charged separately. In summer (June to September), Parks Canada actively redirects vehicles away from Lake Louise before 9 AM and after 6 PM; outside those hours, only shuttle or bike access is allowed on some days. Confirm current access restrictions at pc.gc.ca.
Moraine Lake: The road to Moraine Lake is closed to private vehicles during peak season. Access is by shuttle, bicycle, or organized tour only. The park pass does not grant vehicle access — a separate shuttle reservation is required.
Town of Banff: Street parking and the main town parking areas use a separate municipal system. Parks Canada passes do not cover town parking meters — pay with coins or the HotSpot app.
Trailheads: All major trailheads within the park (Johnston Canyon, Sunshine Village road, Ink Pots, etc.) require a valid park pass for the parking area.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assuming the pass covers activity fees. The gondola, hot springs pool, and glacier tours all have separate fees. Budget for these in addition to your pass.
Not having the pass ready at the gate. Long queues form at peak entry times (particularly Friday evenings and Saturday mornings in July and August). Have your pass or payment ready. If you purchased online, have the digital pass on screen.
Forgetting the parkway fuel situation. The Icefields Parkway has no fuel between Lake Louise and Saskatchewan River Crossing (108 km). Fill up before leaving Lake Louise.
Buying a daily pass when an annual pass makes more sense. If you are spending four or more days in the Rockies and visiting both Banff and Jasper, the Discovery Pass is almost certainly cheaper overall.
Tips for the park gate
- Gates operate 24 hours but are fully staffed from roughly 7 AM to 9 PM in peak season
- If you arrive before the gate is staffed, you may drive through — but you are still required to have a valid pass for parking
- First-time visitors: the gate staff are genuinely helpful with directions and suggestions; do not hesitate to ask
- If you have purchased online, have your confirmation email or digital pass accessible
Frequently asked questions about Banff National Park pass: how to buy and use it
Do I need a park pass if I am on an organised tour?
Most guided tours from Calgary to Banff include park entry fees. Confirm with your tour operator before purchasing separately. If the tour picks up within Banff (e.g., from your hotel), you may already be inside the park and need a pass for any independent activities.
Is the pass valid for both Banff and Jasper?
The Discovery Pass is valid for both. The daily vehicle pass bought at the Banff gate is valid only for Banff National Park — you would need a separate pass (or the Discovery Pass) for Jasper.
Can I drive on the Icefields Parkway without a pass?
The Icefields Parkway passes through both Banff and Jasper national parks. A valid pass is required to stop at parking areas along the route. Technically you can drive through without stopping, but the entire point of the drive is the stops.
Do pedestrians and cyclists pay park entry?
No. The park entry fee applies to motorised vehicles. Walking or cycling into the park does not require an entry pass, though Parks Canada asks cyclists to register and recommends the Discovery Pass for visitors planning extended visits.
For more Banff planning, see our guides on best time to visit Banff, the Parks Canada reservation system, and ROAM Transit for getting around without a car.