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Wilderness Pass Notes

Rocky Mountain Wilderness; Banff and Lake Louise Areas
Rocky Mountains, Wolf, Banff and Lake Louise
The wilderness experience in Canada's Mountain National Parks is one of the best in the world. The spectacular, unspoiled wilderness of these Mountain Parks offers wilderness users superb opportunities for solitude, personal and physical challenge, freedom, and adventure.

A Wilderness Pass charging wilderness visitors a nightly fee, was implemented in 1994 in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. This was extended to include Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks and Waterton Lakes National Park in 1996. This Pass represents an investment in wilderness protection and helps ensure that this quality experience will be available for years to come.

Important information to know about the Wilderness Pass:

Wilderness Pass revenue will be applied directly to wilderness maintenance and services.
Implementation of the Wilderness Pass helps Parks Canada ensure that Canadians will continue to benefit from their system of National Parks.
The purchase of this Pass partially shifts the financial burden for support and maintenance of the wilderness from the general taxpayer to those users who benefit directly from the services provided.
Click HERE for more information about passes.
To relieve the financial burden to families using the wilderness, children 16 years and under will not be charged the fee.
It is anticipated that small incremental increases to the cost of the Wilderness Pass will continue for the next few years as Parks strive closer to self-sufficiency.
The purpose of the Pass is to partially off-set the cost of trail maintenance, and campground maintenance.
Revenue from the Pass is not sufficient to support the cost of trail reconstruction, Park Warden patrols, resource studies, or the variety of other services that are provided.
An additional fee is levied for the use of Bryant Creek and Egypt Lake trail shelters in Banff, and for Glacier Circle, Sapphire Col, Twelve Mile and Balsam Lake Cabins in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. This additional charge offsets the costs of redevelopment and maintenance of these facilities.

We encourage visitors to plan their trips as many of our popular trails and campsites are full during the summer. A reservation system exists for some of our busiest campgrounds. An additional fee is required for this service but it is a way to avoid dissappointment.

All commercial operators will contribute to the support and maintenance of the wilderness through separate agreements or through their clients' purchases of the Wilderness Pass. Wilderness users and other stakeholders will continue to be consulted though visitor surveys and personal contact. We appreciate any comments and constructive suggestions with respect to the wilderness fees. Survey results show that people agree with paying part of the cost of wilderness opportunities.

Refunds are available under certain circumstances. For specific information check at park information centres.

While visiting you will likely see Park Wardens patrolling. They will also be checking for your Wilderness Pass so please make it available upon request.

Wilderness travel, while rewarding, can be strenuous, know your physical limits. Remember, your safety is your personal responsibility.