Free entry to national parks, discounts for other attractions under Canada Strong Pass

Canadians will be able to visit museums, railways, national parks and campgrounds at a discounted rate this summer, the federal government announced Monday, as part of efforts to promote domestic tourism.

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From Friday to Sept. 2, 2025, the Canada Strong Pass will offer expanded access to Canada’s natural and cultural attractions across the country.

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It includes free admission to Parks Canada sites as well as a 25 per cent discount on camping fees. Kids under the age of 18 will travel for free with their parents on Via Rail.

Also, at participating provincial and territorial museums and galleries, there will be free admission for children and a 50 per cent discount for young adults aged 18 to 24.

“We’ve seen an incredible show of unity from Canadians since the beginning of the year,” Steven Guilbeault, the federal minister responsible for Parks Canada, said in a news release. “Our Canada Strong Pass aims to make it even easier for families to choose Canada — to discover the beauty of our country, connect with nature and enjoy our culture all summer long.”

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The release said that by making these experiences more accessible, the pass enables Canadians to connect with what unites us, discover our country’s diversity, take pride in our shared Canadian identity, and immerse ourselves in the stories and landscapes that shape who we are.

No registration or physical pass is necessary, and the program is available to all, whether Canadian or coming from abroad.

Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno said the town loves the idea of welcoming more Canadians to a “special place in the Rockies.”

“However, we are concerned about the impact of more visitors, especially with traffic and even our sidewalk capacity,” said DiManno.

Banff already has full parking lots all day in the summer months, and the last time Canada offered free admission to national parks — for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017 — the town saw a record number of visitors, she said. Last year, Banff had a record number of vehicles entering town, and is on pace to surpass that in 2025, DiManno added.

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“Our challenge is that we have a limited road network and limited parking in the town of Banff, as well as the national park, but our town is the same size as it was in 1990, and yet we see a growth in visitation,” said DiManno.

Want to visit Banff? Take a shuttle bus asks town’s mayor

Banff has been running a traffic management program for several summers and has been enhancing its sustainable traffic network, she said.

“We’re going to increase our promotions, especially to people in the Calgary area and people who arrive at the Calgary airport, that they really should take a transit shuttle bus to get to Banff,” said DiManno.

Banff subsidizes the On-It Regional Transit services that come to town, and there are other options, she said. Competition is also making it affordable to travel to Banff by bus, she added.

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“There’s no reason to rent a vehicle or bring your own car from Calgary. There are so many options to come here on transit.”

For visitors staying at a hotel or campground, Banff encourages them to park their vehicle and take transit to get around.

“We hope that this move of implementing free entry into the national park this summer accelerates the call that we have to the federal and provincial governments to help support mass transit, either by bus or by passenger rail, to connect Calgary and the airport with Banff,” she said.

Without that support, the town needs the federal government to look at designating parking hubs in the national park, somewhere outside the town site, and run shuttles into Banff, said DiManno.

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“It would also be great if they could look at partnering with the province of Alberta and establish parking hubs outside of Banff National Park and coordinate transit service.”

Banff is happy to “welcome the world” and wants to maintain a good visitor experience, said DiManno.

“We know that being stuck in a traffic jam, not being able to find parking, not getting to see the sights that you hoped you would, is not a very enjoyable experience,” she said.

Banff-based Stuart Back, chief operating officer for Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection, which includes the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield and Banff and Jasper hotels, called the Canada Strong Pass a “good move” for the federal government to help the Canadian tourism industry.

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“We’re looking forward to a busy summer, but removing any barriers or any concerns of Canadians and international business coming to iconic national parks is a good thing,” he said.

Waterton Lakes business owner welcomes free entry to the national park

In Waterton, Bob Cruickshank, owner of Zum’s Eatery, an attached gift shop and BeaverTails, expects the Canada Strong Pass will increase business.

When park entry was free in 2017, the business experienced its busiest ever year, said Cruickshank.

“It’s going to help us a lot,” he said of the pass, adding he was already optimistic about the summer tourism season due to a busy spring.

He attributed that to Canadians spending more of their tourism dollars in their own country, as well as more Americans making a trip to Waterton.

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“It’s a perfect situation for us,” said Cruickshank.

Shameer Suleman, president of the Waterton Park Chamber of Commerce, said Waterton businesses were already expecting a busy summer before Monday’s announcement.

“This just adds an extra bit of oomph to the local economy,” he said.

While Suleman said local businesses are pleased to share Waterton’s beauty with visitors, he added they always fear too many people will come to the park.

“You’re walking those trails and it’s just lined with people, and you’re not able to have the experience that we know Waterton gives,” he said, adding visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and consider coming during off-peak times.

— With files from Stephen Tipper, Postmedia Calgary

sknox@postmedia.com

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