National Park Pass
Apr 9th, 2004, 07:07 PM
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National Park Pass
A recent post on the U.S. forum mentioned the need for a Canadian National Park Pass while in the parks. Does one pass cover all parks? Can this be bought at a park entrance? What is the cost, and how long is it good for?
Apr 9th, 2004, 08:04 PM
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>>>>>>Does one pass cover all parks?<<<<<<
Yes, it covers all 27 of Canada's national parks from coast to coast.
>>>>>>Can this be bought at a park entrance?<<<<<<
Yes.
>>>>>>What is the cost, and how long is it good for?<<<<<<
You can pay by the day, or you can buy an annual pass. Here are the daily rates:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/pcfees/fees_e.asp?Park=1
As you'll see from the above website, the entry fee is C$6/adult/day, and a day's entry fee for a group of up to 7 adults is C$12.
Here are the costs of annual passes.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/visit/carte-pass/carte-pass1_E.asp
An annual pass for a family or group costs C$89.
The annual pass is good for a year from the date on which you buy it. So, if you buy it on July 15, 2004, it'll be valid through July 14, 2005.
Something that is not explained on the Parks Canada website (or at least I have not found an explanation) is the fact that you do not have to pay when you cross the boundary between one national park and another.
For instance, if I was driving from my home in Calgary to Jasper townsite, I would drive through Banff National Park first, and then I would cross over into Jasper National Park. I would pay the national park entry fee once, when I reached the Banff National Park gates. After traversing Banff National Park, I would be free to cross over into Yoho National Park to the west or into Jasper National Park to the north.
In fact, we don't pay every time we enter the national parks. Living as close to Banff National Park as we do, we go there often enough that it's more than worth our while to buy the annual pass.
Yes, it covers all 27 of Canada's national parks from coast to coast.
>>>>>>Can this be bought at a park entrance?<<<<<<
Yes.
>>>>>>What is the cost, and how long is it good for?<<<<<<
You can pay by the day, or you can buy an annual pass. Here are the daily rates:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/pcfees/fees_e.asp?Park=1
As you'll see from the above website, the entry fee is C$6/adult/day, and a day's entry fee for a group of up to 7 adults is C$12.
Here are the costs of annual passes.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/visit/carte-pass/carte-pass1_E.asp
An annual pass for a family or group costs C$89.
The annual pass is good for a year from the date on which you buy it. So, if you buy it on July 15, 2004, it'll be valid through July 14, 2005.
Something that is not explained on the Parks Canada website (or at least I have not found an explanation) is the fact that you do not have to pay when you cross the boundary between one national park and another.
For instance, if I was driving from my home in Calgary to Jasper townsite, I would drive through Banff National Park first, and then I would cross over into Jasper National Park. I would pay the national park entry fee once, when I reached the Banff National Park gates. After traversing Banff National Park, I would be free to cross over into Yoho National Park to the west or into Jasper National Park to the north.
In fact, we don't pay every time we enter the national parks. Living as close to Banff National Park as we do, we go there often enough that it's more than worth our while to buy the annual pass.
Apr 10th, 2004, 06:07 AM
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Thankyou Judy. I've just started working on next years trip which will take us from Glacier NP up to Jasper NP. Your post earlier this week replying to luvthebeach was also full of valuable information. Returning to the states, I'm thinking of going east to Edmonton and south on routes 2 and 4 to reach I-15. This will allow us to see more of Canada. Is this worthwhile, or should we double back toward Glacier to get the views from the opposite direction.
Apr 10th, 2004, 07:17 AM
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Hello Ronkala,
I like your idea of driving north by one route and returning south by another route.
There may be merit in travelling northwards by the more easterly route, which would take your through prairie country, and returning southwards through the mountains. If you did it the other way round, you'd see the mountains first and the prairies second. I think the prairies might feel like a bit of a let down after you'd just been in the mountains.
I've never been to Lethbridge and never driven Hwy #4. I've heard, though, that Lethbridge has a beautiful Japanese garden that people say is really worthwhile seeing.
If you have the time to make a detour to Drumheller, the dinosaur skeletons at the Royal Tyrrell Museum are amazing. This, however, would add a day to your trip.
I don't know how much time you have for this trip. When people have short itineraries, I suggest they stick to the mountains and forget about Calgary and Edmonton. If your schedule is more leisurely, however, there is enough in Calgary and Edmonton that either one of them could provide you with a pleasant day.
If you like museums, I recommend the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre near Fort Macleod, not too far from Waterton Lakes National Park. It depicts the hunting gathering lifestyle of the First Nations people who inhabited the Plains.
I like your idea of driving north by one route and returning south by another route.
There may be merit in travelling northwards by the more easterly route, which would take your through prairie country, and returning southwards through the mountains. If you did it the other way round, you'd see the mountains first and the prairies second. I think the prairies might feel like a bit of a let down after you'd just been in the mountains.
I've never been to Lethbridge and never driven Hwy #4. I've heard, though, that Lethbridge has a beautiful Japanese garden that people say is really worthwhile seeing.
If you have the time to make a detour to Drumheller, the dinosaur skeletons at the Royal Tyrrell Museum are amazing. This, however, would add a day to your trip.
I don't know how much time you have for this trip. When people have short itineraries, I suggest they stick to the mountains and forget about Calgary and Edmonton. If your schedule is more leisurely, however, there is enough in Calgary and Edmonton that either one of them could provide you with a pleasant day.
If you like museums, I recommend the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre near Fort Macleod, not too far from Waterton Lakes National Park. It depicts the hunting gathering lifestyle of the First Nations people who inhabited the Plains.
Apr 12th, 2004, 07:27 PM
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Hi Judy,
Buffalo Jump is on the list as a place to see. We'll have plenty of time, about fourteen days once we arrive at Glacier NP.
Have you ever driven rtes 93/95 between Golden and Kalispell? I'm considering that as an option for the return trip south as opposed to going through
Edmonton.
Buffalo Jump is on the list as a place to see. We'll have plenty of time, about fourteen days once we arrive at Glacier NP.
Have you ever driven rtes 93/95 between Golden and Kalispell? I'm considering that as an option for the return trip south as opposed to going through
Edmonton.
Apr 12th, 2004, 09:05 PM
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Hi.I've done the 93/95 route from Golden many times. It is a very pleasant drive scenery-wise, but can be slow, especially in summer. The speed limit is 90km/hr (about 55 mph) and there are a lot of stretches where you can get stuck behind campers or logging trucks and unable to pass- can be frustrating.
Also, if you are driving north on the Banff-Jasper highway, you will see what is truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world- so the route back might be a bit monotonous in comparison.
If it were me, I would go through Edmonton and Calgary and spend a day or two in each.(Lethbridge isnt really worth going out of your way to see). They are both very nice cities in the summer, and, as you say, the goal is always to see as much as you can without rushing yourself. Theres a lot more to Alberta and Canada than just the mountains- come enjoy our cities, too.
In either case, have a great time!
Also, if you are driving north on the Banff-Jasper highway, you will see what is truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world- so the route back might be a bit monotonous in comparison.
If it were me, I would go through Edmonton and Calgary and spend a day or two in each.(Lethbridge isnt really worth going out of your way to see). They are both very nice cities in the summer, and, as you say, the goal is always to see as much as you can without rushing yourself. Theres a lot more to Alberta and Canada than just the mountains- come enjoy our cities, too.
In either case, have a great time!
