I recently posted about how American seniors can purchase a lifetime pass to the national parks for only $10. This is an incredible bargain considering that a single visit to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or other major national parks can be $30 or more. The cost of the senior pass is going up to $80 at some point this year, so I highly advise anyone who is eligible for the pass to lock in this great deal now.
Well, it turns out there’s another awesome deal for enjoying the great outdoors and this one is open to anyone, not just those 62 and over.
Canada is celebrating their 150th birthday in 2017 and to commemorate the milestone they are giving free admission to all Canadian national parks. For the entire year. To everyone.
Talk about a birthday bash.
Get Your Free Parks Canada Pass
You can order your pass from the Parks Canada website. It’s easy. They’ll even ship it to you, anywhere in the world, for free.
I learned about this offer back in early December and requested one at the time figuring there was at least a decent chance we’d get a trip to Canada in 2017. I didn’t receive my confirmation email until just before Christmas. Evidently there was so much demand that the Parks Canada server crashed. Oops.
But supposedly my pass is on the way.
But Do You Really Need A Pass?
There has been a bit of confusion about whether you actually need to request a free annual pass, or whether you’ll be admitted for free if you just show up.
Global News has confirmed that indeed, entrance fees will be waived for everyone. They spoke with Greg Danchuk of Parks Canada:
“If we find someone without a pass, we will inform them that they really should have a pass, plus we will be able to provide them a pass. We want people to keep in the habit of getting a pass, so when they come back next year or years in the future, they know that they need to have a pass to get into the national park.”
So there you have it — you’re supposed to have a pass, but if you don’t, they’ll give you one. And tell you to have a nice day. Because Canada.
Interestingly, Parks Canada is reporting that 900,000 people have requested a free pass. That’s great, of course.
But even if we assume that they can make and ship a pass for just $1, that means the Canadian government is spending nearly a million dollars to distribute passes that aren’t actually required in the first place. Wowzers.
And to think, our government down here in the States is about to increase the cost of the senior pass by 800% because our parks are underfunded.
Where Can You Use This Pass That You Don’t Actually Need?
My understanding is that all Parks Canada national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas will be free in 2017. And there are some real gems. You can view the entire list on the Parks Canada website.
One logical candidate park for many Americans would be Waterton Lakes National Park which sits just across the border from Glacier National Park. If you are planning to visit Glacier, you might as well hit Waterton Lakes.
Of course, there are many other options.
My wife and I backpacked the 28 mile Skyline Trail along the crest of Jasper National Park in what turned out to be our last multi-day backcountry adventure before having kids. It was amazing, one of my favorite wilderness trips ever.
A rest break along the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park
View from the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park
We also visited Banff on that trip.
Banff National Park
There are possibilities in the east as well.
Back in 2004, my parents and I did a lengthy road trip through Atlantic Canada, including the ferry out to Newfoundland. We visited Gros Morne, Cape Breton Highlands, and Fundy National Park, the latter of which has the highest tides in the world.
Gros Morne National Park
Bottom Line
To celebrate their 150th birthday, Canada is offering free admission to all of their national parks in 2017. You can either order a parks pass or apparently just show up and they will issue one on the spot.
Either way, if you have plans to visit Canada this year, I’d highly recommend getting outside and enjoying their national parks. The scenery is amazing and you can’t beat the price.
Any other recommendations for can’t-miss Canadian National Parks?
TEX277 - Seriously, when did you ever know the U.S.Government to give you something for free, other than a hard time? Canada, I'm not sure about. But for anyone over 62, the senior lifetime pass, which has been $10, is now going to be either $70 or $80, thanks to our illustrious X-President Obama. That news was released just today and no effective date was given, but for those of you old enough to get...
TEX277 - Seriously, when did you ever know the U.S.Government to give you something for free, other than a hard time? Canada, I'm not sure about. But for anyone over 62, the senior lifetime pass, which has been $10, is now going to be either $70 or $80, thanks to our illustrious X-President Obama. That news was released just today and no effective date was given, but for those of you old enough to get the pass, it really is a killer deal. I've visited 10 so far and there are about 20 more on my to-do list in the next few years and probably more after that.
Thanks for the heads up! Canada is an amazing place, and I'm looking forward to helping them celebrate the big 150!
In New Zealand, the only charges in national parks are your accomodation
This Canadian was loving this post until you started poking fun at us. Kidding. Sort of. I do see your point about the cost of mailing out the passes though.
Wow. I'm just trying to process the concept of having to pay to enter a National Park in a First World country.
This is great, let's all go explore the outdoors.
My pick is surfing at Pacific Rim National Park.
However, there's a fair bit of concern up here about how many people are going to invade and destroy the parks this year. http://www.timescolonist.com/conservationists-concerned-about-free-entry-to-canada-s-national-parks-in-2017-1.6006387
With the US dollar = $1.33 Canadian, this is the perfect time to visit Canada. Banff and Lake Louise is stunningly beautiful. If you can take the train through the Canadian Rockies all I can say is WOW! You'll see an incredible amount of wildlife against a backdrop of pristine nature. I saw bears, eagles, elk, a fox and even a moose.
Thank you! We are traveling by RV this summer thru Canada and will enjoy use of the Pass.
All of the parks in the Rockies are stunning. For something different, Elk Island National Park in Alberta is a great way to get up close to wild bison.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/elkisland/index.aspx