The Parks Canada Discovery Pass is an annual pass giving unlimited admission to more than 80 Parks Canada places, including national parks, marine conservation areas and historic sites. Here is what it costs, how free-admission programmes like the Canada Strong Pass work, and whether it is worth buying.
Prices
The Discovery Pass has cost about C$75 for an adult, C$65 for a senior and C$151 for a family or group of up to seven people in one vehicle, and youth 17 and under enter free. Prices are reviewed periodically, so check parks.canada.ca before you buy. Daily admission at popular parks such as Banff is roughly C$11 per adult or about C$22 for a family or group.
The Canada Strong Pass
In summer 2025 and again from June 19 to September 7, 2026, the federal Canada Strong Pass offered free admission to Parks Canada national parks, discounted camping (25% off), free museum and gallery entry for youth and free VIA Rail travel for children travelling with a parent. Watch for announcements about whether it returns in 2027.
Trail-ready gear
- Camping and outdoor gear guides Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Best smartwatches for hiking VerdictFox
GPS, altitude and heart-rate tracking are genuinely useful on big park hikes. - Power bank buying guide Buyzello
Understand capacity, airline limits and charging speed before you buy.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Is the Discovery Pass worth it?
A family spending a week in the Rockies will usually pay more in daily fees than the pass costs. It also covers national historic sites such as Halifax Citadel and Fortress of Louisbourg. Buy it if you will spend roughly seven or more days in fee-charging parks in a year.
What it does not cover
- Camping and backcountry fees
- Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttles
- Provincial parks (such as Ontario Parks, BC Parks and SÉPAQ)
- Kananaskis Conservation Pass
- Guided tours
Parks where you will use it
- Banff
- Jasper
- Yoho National Park
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Gros Morne National Park
- Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail)
- Prince Edward Island
- Bay of Fundy
- Tofino
Parks to use your pass in
Banff
Banff is Canada’s first national park (1885) and its most famous mountain town, surrounded by turquoise lakes, hot springs, wildlife and the peaks of the Rockies. Read our Banff travel guide.
- Best time: June to September for lakes and hiking; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Calgary; 3.5–4 hours from Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
- Don’t miss: Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Jasper
Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, wilder and quieter than Banff, with Maligne Lake, abundant wildlife and a Dark Sky Preserve. A 2024 wildfire damaged part of the townsite and surrounding forest, and the community has been rebuilding. Read our Jasper travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 4 hours from Edmonton; 3.5–4 hours from Banff
- Don’t miss: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, Maligne Canyon and Jasper SkyTram
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Yoho National Park
Yoho, just west of Lake Louise, has Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and the Burgess Shale fossil beds. Read our Yoho National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 20 minutes from Lake Louise
- Don’t miss: Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and Natural Bridge
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk on exposed Earth’s mantle at the Tablelands and cruise fjords. Read our Gros Morne National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 30–45 minutes from Deer Lake
- Don’t miss: Tablelands, Western Brook Pond and Gros Morne Mountain
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail)
Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is a 298 km loop of coastal highlands, Celtic music and whale watching, one of the world’s great drives. Read our Cape Breton Island (Cabot Trail) travel guide.
- Best time: July to mid-October
- Getting there: About 4.5 hours from Halifax to Baddeck
- Don’t miss: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Skyline Trail
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Responsible travel tips
Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Gear up for the trail
- Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups. - Outdoor gear picks Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Outdoor gear we recommend VerdictFox
Honest reviews of the camping and outdoor kit worth packing.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Parks Canada Discovery Pass?
About C$151 for a family or group and C$75 for an adult; check current prices.
Is admission free for kids?
Yes, youth 17 and under enter free.
Was admission free in 2026?
Yes, from June 19 to September 7, 2026 under the Canada Strong Pass.
Does the pass cover camping?
No.
Is it valid at provincial parks?
No.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Best Time to Visit Canada: A Season-by-Season Guide
- Parks Canada Camping Reservations: How to Book the Best Sites
- Best National Parks in Canada
- Canadian Rockies Road Trip: 7-Day Banff and Jasper Itinerary