Banff park pass fees in 2026
The adult day pass costs CAD 12.25. The annual Discovery Pass costs CAD 83.50. Children and teenagers up to 17 years need no paid pass. A family or group in one vehicle, with up to 7 people, pays CAD 24.50 for the day or CAD 167.50 for the Discovery Pass. That is a price for the whole vehicle, not for each person.
The day pass is valid until 4 p.m. on the following day. It also works in Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton Lakes and Elk Island national parks. You buy it at the park gates and at the visitor centres, or online through the tourism organisation that the park website links to.
Day pass and Discovery Pass compared
Prices in CAD for 2026.
| Visitor | Day pass | Discovery Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 18 to 64 | CAD 12.25 | CAD 83.50 |
| Senior, 65 and over | CAD 10.75 | CAD 71.50 |
| Child or teenager, up to 17 | Free | No paid pass needed |
| Family or group, up to 7 people in one vehicle | CAD 24.50 | CAD 167.50 |
Seven adult day passes cost CAD 85.75, which is more than the Discovery Pass at CAD 83.50. If you plan a week or more in the mountain parks, the annual pass is the cheaper choice. A family or group pays CAD 171.50 for seven day passes against CAD 167.50 for the Discovery Pass.
Banff tours and day trips
Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, wildlife and more, with live prices and availability.
Who needs a pass
You need a pass when you stay in the park. That covers viewpoints, picnics, a visit to the town of Banff and the scenic parkways. The same rules apply if you sleep in a town inside the park.
One exception exists. If you drive straight through on a normal through road and do not stop, you do not need a pass. Highway 93N, the Icefields Parkway, and Highway 1A are explicitly not covered by that exception. A drive along the Icefields Parkway needs a pass even if you never leave the car.
- Day pass: sold at gates and visitor centres. Buy it before you stop at a viewpoint.
- Discovery Pass: valid until the end of the month in which you bought it, one year later. You buy it on site or online. Sign it. It is not transferable and not refundable.
- Extended passes: Discovery Passes that were valid during a free-entry phase in 2025 or 2026 were extended automatically. Check the expiry date of your own pass.
What the pass does not cover
These costs come on top of the pass.
The Lake Louise shuttle
The Parks Canada shuttle costs CAD 12.75 for adults, CAD 6 for seniors and CAD 4 for ages up to 17. Booking online adds CAD 3.50 per reservation. The pass is not a shuttle ticket.
Lake Louise →Parking
Parking at the Lake Louise lakeshore costs CAD 42 per vehicle and day. In Banff town, parking costs CAD 12 per hour from May to October and CAD 7 per hour from November to April, daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park pass does not cover town fees.
Banff town →Hot springs and camping
The Upper Hot Springs, camping, paid programs and reservation services are separate. An adult swim at the Upper Hot Springs costs CAD 19.75.
Hot springs →Guided tours
A tour ticket and the park pass are two different things. The Columbia Icefield glacier tour, for example, is not part of the pass. Check each tour for its entry fees.
Tours →Summer 2026 was free, autumn is not
From 19 June to 7 September 2026, entry to the national parks was free, and camping cost 25 percent less in Parks Canada campgrounds. That did not include shuttles, parking or the hot springs. The offer ended on 7 September 2026, and regular fees have applied since 8 September.
If an older guide or a forum thread mentions free entry, check the date. Plan with the fees in the table above.
Banff park pass: frequently asked questions
How much is the Banff park pass in 2026?
An adult day pass costs CAD 12.25, a senior day pass CAD 10.75, and a family or group day pass CAD 24.50. The adult Discovery Pass costs CAD 83.50. Children and teenagers up to 17 need no paid pass.
Do I need a pass if I only drive through?
Not on a normal through road if you do not stop. On Highway 93N and Highway 1A that exception does not apply, so you need a pass there.
Where can I buy the pass?
At the park gates and visitor centres, or online through the tourism organisation linked from the park website. The Discovery Pass is also sold on site and online.
Does the pass cover the shuttle to Lake Louise?
No. The shuttle and parking are separate fees, and the park pass is neither a ticket nor a parking permit.
Is the family pass a price per person?
No. The family or group pass is one price for up to 7 people in one vehicle.
Is this the official pass site?
No. This is an independent guide. The pass is issued and sold through the park authority and its sales channels, not through this site.