Canada turns 150 next year, and it’s giving itself, and its visitors a whopping big birthday present: a year-long free pass to visit and use Canada’s national parks, historic sites, canals and marine conservation areas.
The pass, which can be ordered online or picked up at a park, normally costs about $135 a year for families, and covers 46 national parks, 171 national historic sites, four national marine conservation areas, one national urban park and eight historic canals. There are still fees for campgrounds, firewood and back-country overnights, but the rest is free.
More than half a million have already ordered the passes, which become available at parks on January 1st. That’s also the date a new reservation system for campground spots launches. For more information, see ParksCanada.
Photo: Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada (DrFumblefinger/TG)
I always buy a Parks Canada pass (which you can purchase at a 10% discount at CAA sites — Canadian Automobile Association). The pass I bought this year has a free year thrown in, so it’s good for 2 years. I get lots of use out of the pass, so to me this is a great bargain!