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What is the Parks Canada Discovery Pass?

Author

Christopher Ramos

Published Mar 12, 2026

What is the Parks Canada Discovery Pass?

The Discovery Pass provides unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas that typically charge a daily entrance fee.

Similarly one may ask, what does Parks Canada Discovery Pass include?

The Discovery Pass includes all the privileges and services that normally come with a daily admission pass or permit. Services such as Canadian Rockies Hot Springs admission, backcountry overnight use, guided tours or parking that normally carry a separate fee are excluded.

Likewise, is the Discovery Pass worth it? If you're going to be in any of the Rocky Mountains Parks for 7 days or more during your visit or plan to visit them again within a year or visit any other National Parks within Canada within the year then it's worth buying the Annual Discovery Pass.

Considering this, what is a discovery park pass?

A Discovery Pass covers admission to more than 80 national parks and historic sites for 12 months. It's a yearly pass instead of a day pass. Buy your Discovery Pass. Also available at participating locations and MEC stores.

What is a Discover Pass good for?

The Discover Pass is now required for day visits to state parks and also provides access to millions of acres of state recreation lands, including trailheads, wildlife and natural areas, heritage sites, and water-access points.

Where does the Discover Pass work?

A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Is my national park pass still valid?

Whether you buy the pass for yourself, or as a gift, the Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase, expiring the last day of that month.

What does national park Pass cover?

A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.

Are Parks Canada passes extended?

Parks Canada extended the end date of Discovery Passes that were valid during that time. For example, a Discovery Pass that would have originally expired at the end of March 2021, now expires at the end of July 2021, 4 months later.

Does the discovery pass cover Kananaskis?

Park Passes

If you want to spend time in any national park or Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley, you need a pass. You can buy a Discovery Pass, which covers admission to more than 90 national parks and historic sites for one year. These passes are available at any park gate or park visitor centre, or online.

Is Discovery Pass transferable?

The Discovery Pass or Single-location pass must be signed by the holder, and is not transferable once it has been used. The pass holder must be present when using the pass. For a Family/Group Pass, only one person needs to sign the pass.

What if I forgot my Discover Pass?

What happens if I park at a state recreation site and don't have a Discover Pass? The penalty for parking on state recreation lands without a Discover Pass is $99. This will be reduced to $59 if you provide proof of purchase of the Discover Pass to the court within 15 days after the notice of violation is written.

Can you buy a National Park Pass at the park?

General Public: Buy Your Pass When You Visit a Park

You can buy your pass online or at many park sites. Unless you fall under one of the special categories, we suggest buying an annual pass in person.

How do I get into national parks for free?

National park entrance fees can easily cost over $30 per park, but there are many opportunities to get in for free.

Volunteer with certain federal agencies

  1. National Park Service.
  2. U.S. Forest Service.
  3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  4. Bureau of Land Management.
  5. Bureau of Reclamation.
  6. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Do you need a park pass to drive through Jasper?

All visitors to Jasper National Park are required to have a valid National Park Pass, regardless of the mode of travel. Park passes can be purchased online, at the park gates if driving to the park, or in person at the Visitor Center in downtown Jasper.

How much does it cost for a Discovery Pass?

Discover Pass Annual Pass: $30/car.

Are national parks free on Canada Day 2021?

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister, Minister responsible for Parks Canada and Regional Minister for Southern Alberta, today announced that Parks Canada is offering free admission to all national parks, Parks Canada-administered national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.

Can you stop in Banff without a pass?

All visitors to Banff National Park are required to have a valid National Park Pass, regardless of the mode of travel. Park passes can be purchased online, at the park gates if driving to the park, or in person at the Visitor Center in Banff and Lake Louise.

What happens if you don't buy a Banff park pass?

If you don't have a pass they ticket you, and turn you around and make you go back and get one.

Are Canadian national parks free?

Admission to all national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada will be provided free of charge. Please refer to the full list of Parks Canada places before you plan your visit to take advantage of free admission.

Do I need a park pass to go to Invermere?

The Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre is located in the Village of Radium Hot Springs just outside the park's west boundary. All visitors are required to purchase a daily or annual pass when visiting Canada's national parks.

How many national parks are there in Canada in 2021?

By working together, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable 2021 visitor season for all." Parks Canada protects a vast network of cultural and natural heritage places that include 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park.

Can I buy a Discovery Pass at Banff National Park?

Purchase a day pass to Banff National Park or a Discovery Pass, which provides entry into more than 100 national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites across Canada. The online park pass purchase system is administered by Banff and Lake Louise Tourism.

Can you drink in National Parks Canada?

Consumption of alcohol within the park is permitted only at registered campsites, private residences or licensed premises. Alcohol is prohibited at beaches, day-use areas, cook shelters and trails.

Is a Discover Pass the same as a Northwest Forest Pass?

What's the difference between the Northwest Forest Pass and the Discover Pass? A. Both are recreation passes that are required on public lands in Washington. The Northwest Forest Pass is for use on federal land; the Discover Pass on state land.

Does Fred Meyer sell Discover Pass?

The Discover Pass is available to purchase online, through recreational license vendors such as Big 5, Dick's Sporting Goods, Fred Meyer or Wal-Mart, or by calling 1-866-320-9933.

Does a National Park Pass cover Northwest Forest Pass?

Click here to view the list of participating recreational sites in Washington and Oregon that use the Northwest Forest Pass. Do I Need A Northwest Forest Pass if I Have a National Park Pass? Short answer, yes. Not all recreation sites are covered by the America The Beautiful Pass.

Do you need a Discover Pass for Lake Cushman?

A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use.

Do you need Discover Pass for Rattlesnake Ridge?

The Cedar Falls Trailhead at Rattlesnake Lake is the western portal to the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. After about 18 miles you reach the 2-mile-long Snoqualmie Pass tunnel. A Washington State Discover Pass is required at the Cedar Falls Trailhead.

Do you need a Discover Pass for Deception Pass?

Discover Pass Fee Required:

The Discover Pass must be displayed on your vehicle when visiting state recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Do I need a Northwest forest Pass if I have America the Beautiful?

(Note: if you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you do not need a Northwest Forest Pass. Forest Service recreation fees are included as part of the coverage.) Camping fees are not included. Only the Access Pass for the permanently disabled and the Senior Pass may provide discounts on camping fees.

What is Northwest forest Pass?

$30. The Pacific Northwest Forest Annual Pass offers a full 12 months of unlimited access for one year from the date of purchase to all National Forests in Oregon and Washington.

Where can I buy a Forest Service pass?

Available online at or at most national forest or grassland offices. Passes issued through USGS have a $10 processing fee.

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