Do I need a pass to enter a national park?

Yes. Day and annual Discovery Passes are available at park gates and online from Parks Canada. The annual pass pays for itself in about seven park-days.

Dogs are welcome on leashes in most national parks. Some sensitive wildlife areas restrict pets seasonally — check the individual park's website before travelling.

Can I camp in a national park?

Yes. Reservations open each January and the most popular sites (Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim) fill within days. Backcountry permits are available for more remote experiences.

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Experience

National Parks

Forty-seven reasons to come back.

Overview

Parks Canada protects 47 national parks and reserves, covering more than 340,000 km² of mountains, coastlines, tundra, and old-growth forest. Every one of them is open to the public and easy to visit.

Banff was Canada's first national park, established in 1885 and still the most visited. Together with Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho, it forms the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beyond the Rockies: Gros Morne's tablelands tell a billion-year geological story, Pacific Rim's storm-battered coast offers some of North America's best surfing, and Torngat in northern Labrador delivers polar bear viewing and Inuit-led cultural experiences in one of the planet's last true wildernesses.

Signature moments

Don't miss

Three experiences that capture the heart of national parks travel in Canada.

Banff & Jasper

The crown jewels of the Rockies and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gros Morne, NL

Fjords, tablelands, and billion-year-old geology.

Pacific Rim, BC

Storm-watching, surfing, and old-growth rainforest on Vancouver Island.

Where to experience it

Related destinations

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Alberta

British Columbia

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nunavut

Good to know

Frequently
asked.

Practical answers from travellers and Canadian operators.

Do I need a pass to enter a national park?: Yes. Day and annual Discovery Passes are available at park gates and online from Parks Canada. The annual pass pays for itself in about seven park-days.
Are pets allowed?: Dogs are welcome on leashes in most national parks. Some sensitive wildlife areas restrict pets seasonally — check the individual park's website before travelling.
Can I camp in a national park?: Yes. Reservations open each January and the most popular sites (Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim) fill within days. Backcountry permits are available for more remote experiences.

Keep exploring

Other experiences

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National Parks