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| Ⓒ Provided by TheTravel |
By Aunindita Bhatia, TheTravel
Canada's National Parks feature excellent examples of stunning landscapes, from broad meadows and plain to rough tundra and arctic woods, soaring peaks, and glaciers, and lastly, the raging Pacific ocean, and some of them make even America’s national parks second-rate. Parks Canada manages national parks, which are protected spaces for the public's recreation and appreciation. Viewpoints, campsites, hiking paths, lake access, visitor centers, and other amenities are usually available to visitors.
Some of Canada's National Parks are extremely isolated, with limited tourist amenities. There is an entry fee to most of Canada's National Parks. It is a daily entry price for Parks, Conservation Areas, and Reserves, which means visitors must pay the entrance fee for each day they stay within park limits.
The cost of admission varies depending on the park. However, rather than paying this fee over and over again, tourists can purchase a permit that would allow them to explore any national park or landmark in the nation for a one-time charge.
Read More: Canada's 5 Best National Parks
When Is A Pass Required?
- A valid park pass is necessary for all drivers and passengers visiting a national park in their own car or a hired automobile that will be halting or accessing the park in any form.
- If people halt at a lookout point or pullover to snap photographs or enjoy the landscape
- Visitors making a brief stop to see Lake Louise
- If visitors want to use a picnic spot
- Whether it's for business or leisure, going to an event, celebration, or convention in a park
- If visitors are looking to stopover in a village or town like Banff, even if it's just for a brief bite or to try some affordable eats
- A park pass is required along with any relevant camping costs for camping, trekking, or utilizing any park amenity.
Types Of Passes
The passes are generally of two types as follows:
Daily Pass
- A daily permit is effective until 4 p.m. the following day, irrespective of when it was bought
- If visitors plan on exploring the parks over several days, they should get a permit for the complete number of days they will be there.
- Access to national heritage landmarks is not included in the daily pass.
Annual Discovery Pass
- Effective for a whole year from the purchase date to the ending of the calendar month.
- About 100 National Parks, National Heritage Landmarks, and National Marine Conservation Areas are accessible with the Annual Discovery Pass.
Cost Of Passes
The price of the passes varies. Let's have a look at the cost.
Daily Pass
- Adults ( 18- 64 years)- $10.50
- Senior Citizens ( 65 years and above)- $9
- Children ( Under 17 years)- Free
- Family Or Group (one vehicle with up to seven people)- $21
- Commercial Group- $9/ person
Annual Discovery Pass
- Adults ( 18- 64 years)- $72.25
- Senior Citizens ( 65 years and above)- $61.75
- Children ( Under 17 years)- Free
- Family Or Group (one vehicle with up to seven people)- $145.25
Which Is Better?
For folks who enjoy traveling and will undoubtedly explore one or even more national parks or heritage sites in the country for several days each year, a yearly Discovery Pass is unquestionably a superior and more cost-effective option. If tried to compare to daily admission rates, a Discovery Pass can pay for itself in as few as seven days of any national park visits.
- However, please keep in mind that fees will be applicable for camping and other forms of lodging, parking, overnight wilderness access, hot springs, watercraft, booking fees, firewood, and fishing permits. Regional parks, federal parks, local and private parks, and historical buildings not supervised by Parks Canada are not included in the pass.
- Another point to remember is that visitors will need a permit for each different vehicle entering or stopping for any time in the parks, irrespective of whether visitors are acquiring day permits or have purchased or will purchase an annual pass.
Read More: 10 Things You Never Knew About Canada
Traveling With Annual Discovery Pass
The discovery pass allows visitors to explore all of the Rocky Mountain Parks, including Banff, Yoho, Jasper, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, Elk Island, and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Banff National Park and Jasper National Park are perhaps the must-visit national parks in Canada.
Even if visitors are not halting, they must have a park ticket if they travel on one of the picturesque expressways, such as the Icefields Highway connecting Lake Louise with Jasper or even the Bow Valley Parkway connecting Banff to Lake Louise. An annual discovery pass will also cover this route.
Discovery Passes also provide faster access to national parks. For instance, if visitors hold a valid Discovery Pass, then they would not have to stop and wait at the Parks Canada main gate at the road entry to Banff National Park.
Travelers must consider purchasing a Discovery Pass for the vacation if they are visiting Canada's Eastern Coast and are interested in history since there are several National Heritage Landmarks in the region.
Given all we have gathered thus far, an annual discovery permit is well worth the money tourists will spend on it. If travelers are a family or a group of three or more, the savings on the discovery ticket will be higher, making it an excellent decision. People who travel frequently will also find the discovery permits to be worthwhile investments because they will not only save money, but also time. As a result, the annual discovery pass is well worth the money for everyone.
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