Canada is offering free park passes to Americans: Here's how to obtain one and where to use it

Destination Canada and Parks Canada have joined forces to enable U.S. residents to explore the country's National Parks at no cost. They are distributing 4,000 year-long passes that grant access to over 80 locations.

Canada boasts 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, five national marine conservation areas, and one national urban park. Visit canadarefresh.com before July 31 to enter the contest and discover more about Canada's parks. To participate, simply provide your name or elaborate on why you seek a refreshing experience in Canada's National Parks and how you plan to use the pass.

If you're already envisioning a trip, here are four Canadian National Parks that are particularly worth visiting, along with suggested activities and travel tips.

Point Pelee National Park

Situated at the southernmost tip of Canada's mainland, this park is just a one-hour drive from downtown Detroit. Although Point Pelee ranks as Canada’s second-smallest national park, it is renowned for its springtime migratory bird sightings and vibrant Monarch butterflies in the fall. In winter, visitors can stroll along the park’s trails and admire natural ice formations. During summer, you can relax on sandy beaches. Other activities include exploring the Carolinian forest through canoeing, hiking, cycling, and bird watching.

If you plan to extend your stay, consider reserving a spot at Camp Henry, where you can choose from one of 24 distinctive oTENTiks—structures that combine the charm of an A-frame cabin with the practicality of a prospector tent, all set on a raised wooden platform. Each oTENTik accommodates six people and features a living space with a table, chairs, overhead lighting, electrical outlets, heating, and a natural gas barbecue grill, all for CA$128 (approximately $92 USD) per night.

Among the available options, four oTENTiks are accessible, and two are pet-friendly. Additionally, there are YMCA camps and programs offered at the park. For further details, you can reach out at 519-453-8858 or visit the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario website.

Additional attractions in the vicinity include:

• Fort Malden National Historic Site, known for the assault on Fort Detroit and later becoming the site of the longest U.S. occupation on Canadian territory.
• Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site, offering a rare glimpse into a now-extinct First Nation civilization.

You can reach Point Pelee National Park by car, or via Canada’s Via Rail train or bus services to the Windsor and Chatham stations. Alternatively, you can fly into Windsor International Airport (YQG), Detroit Metro Airport (DET), or Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and rent a vehicle.

Banff National Park

Established in 1855, Banff is Canada's first national park and serves as the crown jewel of the country's park system. It showcases the Rocky Mountains, sparkling turquoise glacial lakes, a picturesque mountain town, diverse wildlife, and stunning scenic routes. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, and camping amidst breathtaking mountain landscapes. Banff is also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a relaxing soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs, the highest operating hot spring in Canada, located just two miles from downtown Banff. Due to limited parking, it’s advisable to take the Route 1 bus to Sulphur Mountain from the town center. Rental towels and swimsuits are available, along with a cafe and picnic area. Additional activities include bird watching, fishing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Opt for the region's Roam Public Transit system to access various Banff activities via four local and four regional bus routes.

You have 17 camping options in Banff National Park. For instance, the Tunnel Mountain Village II campground, located just minutes from Banff, is ideal for those wanting electricity without full hookups. It provides three-season camping with 21 oTENTiks and year-round camping for tents and RVs, all set against stunning mountain vistas and accessible by a year-round bus service to town. Fees vary from CA$16.75 (US$12) for the basic Silverhorn Creek site to CA$128 (US$92) for a fully-equipped oTENTik.

While visiting Banff, make sure to explore these other attractions:

• The Cave and Basin National Historic Site, recognized as the birthplace of Canada’s National Parks, where you can discover the natural and cultural history of the surrounding mountains.
• Kootenay National Park, a perfect spot to immerse yourself in the full Rocky Mountain experience along the historic Banff-Windermere Highway.

Banff National Park is situated in Alberta, within the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It lies 80 miles west of Calgary, 250 miles southwest of Edmonton, and 500 miles northeast of Vancouver. The most convenient approach is to fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) and either rent a car or use transportation options such as Banff Airporter, Brewster Express, Discover Banff Tours, and Mountain Park Transportation.

Jasper National Park

Spanning over 4,000 square miles, Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and a key part of UNESCO's Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. For outdoor enthusiasts, this park offers incredible backcountry spots, alpine day hikes, mountain biking, and fantastic paddling opportunities. You can also enjoy scenic drives, have picnics in the mountains, and experience unique wildlife viewing, as well as activities like snowshoeing, skiing, biking, and skating.

Home to 53 mammal species, Jasper National Park is ideal for year-round wildlife watching. In spring and early summer, you might spot grizzly and black bears in the valley bottoms. Other animals you could encounter include elk, moose, two deer species, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, and coyotes. For a unique adventure, try traction kiting, where you are pulled by a kite across snow, ice, water, or land.

There are 14 camping options available, accommodating everything from one-person tents to 40-foot motorhomes. Overflow camping, priced at CA$16.75 (US$12) per night, is a basic site offering a mix of campsites from private and well-shaded to open and sunny, featuring dry toilets but no showers. On the more luxurious side, you can stay in a fully furnished oTENTik for CA$128 (US$92).

For those seeking a touch more comfort, consider a stay at the historic Palisades Centre, which features six distinct types of accommodations. Opt for a spacious house that can accommodate up to eight guests for CA$585.99 (US$451) per night. If you're traveling as a couple, a cozy machine shed is available for CA$219.75 (US$169). For larger groups, the den offers space for up to 30 people, complete with a large common area for socializing, at a rate of CA$2,197 (US$1,696) per night.

Nearby attractions include:

• The Fort St. James National Historic Site, featuring a fur warehouse preserved to its 1896 appearance, where you can also experience staying in Canada's only bed and breakfast located at a national historic site, the luxurious Murray House.
• Elk Island National Park highlights the conservation story of the bison, showcasing efforts that have helped recover its population from near extinction through active breeding programs.

Jasper National Park is situated 192 miles west of Edmonton, 256 miles northwest of Calgary, and 500 miles northeast of Vancouver. You can fly into Edmonton International Airport (YEG), rent a car, and take the Trans-Canada Highway #16 to reach the park. Via Rail offers regular train service from Edmonton and Vancouver to Jasper, while SunDog Transportation and Tours provides daily shuttle service between Jasper and Edmonton. Brewster Express also operates tour buses connecting Jasper and Banff via the scenic Icefields Parkway.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Nestled at the convergence of Alberta's prairies and the Rocky Mountains, this park features stunning crystal-clear lakes, vibrant rainbow-colored streams, and breathtaking mountain views. It shares its borders with Montana and British Columbia. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing along the park's picturesque roadways, observe over 60 species of mammals, hike across 120 miles of trails, explore the Red Rock Canyon, and witness six spectacular mist-enshrouded waterfalls. Activities include camping, boating, hiking, bird watching, skiing, fishing, mountain biking, scuba diving, swimming, and golfing. Additionally, the park offers amazing stargazing opportunities and sunbathing at Driftwood Beach on Middle Waterton Lake.

Camping options are available at both the Townsite and Belly River campgrounds. Fees at the Townsite range from CA$23 (US$17) to CA$38 (US$30), depending on the services selected. The Belly River Campground charges CA$15.70 (US$12) for a single site or CA$4.90 (US$3.78) per person for group sites.

For a more rugged adventure, consider one of the 10 backcountry campsites in Waterton Lakes National Park — nine out of ten come equipped with outhouses, tent pads, food storage bins, and picnic tables. Access to these sites is only possible via the park's hiking trails. Two campgrounds can also be reached by personal watercraft.

To stay overnight in the backcountry, a backcountry use permit is required; these permits can be obtained from the visitor center at Waterton Lakes National Park. There is a nightly fee of CA$10.50 for each adult camper, while children aged 16 and under are not charged.

For a taste of civilization, head to the town of Waterton, where you can enjoy day hikes, horseback riding, and boat tours of Waterton Lake by canoe or kayak. You can also stay at the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, which was constructed in 1927, with rates starting at CA$259 (US$200).

Make sure to explore these attractions:

• The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, where you can experience a wagon ride pulled by Percheron horses and learn about the life of a cowboy from the late 1800s.
• Yoho National Park is renowned for its impressive rock walls, breathtaking waterfalls, towering peaks, and a diverse range of evolving plant and animal life.

Waterton Lakes National Park is most conveniently accessed from Calgary International Airport (YYC), located a scenic 167 miles away. Alternatively, Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, is just a 70-mile drive to Waterton, allowing you to visit both a U.S. and a Canadian national park.

In summary

You can find information on all of Canada’s national parks on the Parks Canada website. Even if you don’t win the pass, a visit to the nation’s parks is still worth considering. To make a reservation, call 1-877-RESERVE (737-3783) or book online. Be sure to check the park’s website before your visit to find out which attractions are open, which are restricted, and which are closed for the time being.