The National Parks of Alberta
In 1911 Canada established the world's first parks system. Today the people of Canada invest $400 million a year to protect and enjoy this world renowned system of national parks and historic sites.
Parks Canada has the responsibility for the National Parks of Canada. Their role is to protect the ecosystems of these magnificent natural areas and manage them for visitors to understand, appreciate, and enjoy in a way that doesn't compromise their integrity.
The Canadian National Parks are located on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic coasts, across the interior mountains, plains and Great Lakes, they reach the far north and south of Canada.
Ranging in in size from the small St Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada which is just under 9 km 2 , to the Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada which is almost 45,000 km 2 , they also include the world renowned Banff (its entrance just 5 minutes drive from Canmore), Jasper, and the more recently established national parks of Ivvavik and Vuntut.
Alberta can boast some of the finest National Parks in Canada: Banff National Park , Elk Island National Park , Jasper National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park .
On top of that Alberta also has four national historic sites: Banff Park Museum , Bar U Ranch , Cave and Basin , and Rocky Mountain House .
And two hot springs: Banff Upper Hot Springs and Miette Hot Springs
With the millions of people that visit the Canadian National Parks every year, Parks Canada has a mighty task to ensure that they enjoy their trip, stay safe and leave the environment how they found it for the next visitor. To help fund the work that they undertake, entry fees are charged at most national parks and national historic sites.
Banff National Park pass fees from April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007:
| Daily | ||
| Adult (17-64) | $9 | |
| Senior (65+) | $7.75 | |
| Youth (6-16) | $4.50 | |
| Family/Group (up to 7 people in single vehicle) | $18 | |
| Commercial Group, per person | $5.50 | |
| School Groups, per student | $4 | |
|
Annual |
||
| Includes entry to 28 National Parks | ||
| Adult (17-64) | $63 | |
| Senior (65+) | $54 | |
| Youth (6-16) | $32 | |
| Family/Group | $125 | |
|
Annual - Discovery Package |
||
| Includes entry to 28 participating National Parks and 77 National Historic Sites | ||
| Adult (17-64) | $78 | |
| Senior (65+) | $67 | |
| Youth (6-16) | $39 | |
| Family/Group | $157 | |
Note: Individual Parks have different pass fees, for details of these
and
additional fees for services, camping etc please see
the Parks Canada website
www.pc.gc.ca
For more information on Parks Canada and their work in the National Parks and National Historic sites of Canada visit their website www.pc.gc.ca