Parks Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is free for CAF members, Veterans and their families?
  Daily admission to all Parks Canada administered national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas will be provided free of charge.
  
  Free daily admission for Canadian Armed Forces members, Canadian Veterans and their immediate families only applies to places administered by Parks Canada. It does not apply to provincial parks, territorial parks, municipal and private parks, nor to the many historic sites not administered by Parks Canada.
  
  Please refer to the full list of Parks Canada administered places before planning your visit.
• What is not free?
  Parks Canada is pleased to offer free daily admission for active CAF members, Canadian Veterans and their immediate families at Parks Canada administered places. Regular fees still apply for other experiences and services, such as:

  • Frontcountry and backcountry camping and other accommodations
  • Canadian Rockies Hot Springs
  • Northern Park Backcountry Camping and Excursion Permit
  • Lockage
  • Mooring
  • Reservation fees
  • Guided tours and hikes and programs not included with admission
  • Some special event fees
  • Firewood

  Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Please verify with the location you will be visiting for more information.
• I understand that some Parks Canada administered places in the North do not charge admission. Does that mean that CAF members, Veterans and their immediate families can visit for free?
  Parks Canada administered places in northern Canada do not typically charge daily admission fees. However, they do provide many services for backcountry users for which fees apply. 
• What should CAF members, Veterans and their immediate families do upon arriving at a Parks Canada administered location now that daily admission is free?
  Parks Canada administered places will waive daily admission fees when presenting the CF One Platinum card with CF, CF-F, V or V-F designation  or the Veteran’s Service Card at the entry gate, visitor centre, or reception desk upon arrival.
  
  Stopping at a gate or visitor centre provides an opportunity for visitors to get valuable information about the park or site that they are visiting.
• What is a CF One Platinum card?
  Through the CF One Program, Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their immediate families receive a platinum card, and can get exclusive discounts and savings, earn rewards, and access personalized financial, fitness and wellness programs exclusive to the military community.
  
  CF One cards are administered through Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS). CFMWS works on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, under the authority of the Minister of National Defence, and provides programs and services in support of CAF members, Veterans, and their families. 
  
  For further information on the CF One Program, please visit www.cfmws.ca or contact the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. 
• What is the Veteran’s Service Card?

  The Veteran’s Service Card was launched in September 2018 to recognize past service as a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member, and to help CAF members stay connected to military and veteran support programs during their transition to post-military life.

  
  Veteran’s Service Card eligibility is based on the 2008 Government of Canada definition of “Veteran” which is: “any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who completed basic training and has been honourably released.” 

  
  The Veteran’s Service Card is issued and distributed by the Canadian Armed Forces, in close consultation with Veterans Affairs Canada. 

  
  For more information about the Veteran’s Service Card, visit www.canada.ca/veterans-service-card.

• I’m a currently serving CAF member/Canadian Veteran but do not have a CF One Platinum card or Veteran’s Services Card. Can I still get free admission?
  Parks Canada administered places will waive daily admission fees when Currently Serving, Veterans, and immediate family members present  their CF One Platinum card, the Veteran’s Services Card or another supporting ID is presented at the entry gate, visitor centre, or reception desk upon arrival.
  
  Currently serving CAF members and Canadian Veterans who wish to take advantage of free daily admission at Parks Canada administered places can apply for their CF One card through to the CF One Program, administered by CFMWS at no cost. Veterans can apply for their Veteran’s Service Card, administered by Veterans Affairs Canada at no cost. 
• If I visit on or after January 1 and I forget my ID or don’t have one yet, can I get reimbursed after my visit?
  Parks Canada administered places will waive daily admission fees when the CF One Platinum card, the Veteran’s Services Card or another supporting ID is presented at the entry gate, visitor centre, or reception desk upon arrival.
  
  If an individual doesn’t have a form of identification, they can keep their proof of payment and contact Parks Canada after their visit to receive a refund. They can visit a Parks Canada administered location or contact Parks Canada’s information service at 1-888-773-8888. 
  
  CAF members and Canadian Veterans can apply to obtain their CF One card  through the CF One Program, administered by CFMWS at no cost. 
  Veterans can apply for their Veteran’s Service Card, administered by Veterans Affairs Canada at no cost. 
• I already bought a Discovery Pass/Annual Pass but I am now eligible for free daily admission for active Canadian Armed Forces members, Canadian Veterans and their immediate families. Can I get a refund?
  Free daily admission for active Canadian Armed Forces members, Canadian Veterans and their immediate families takes effect on January 1, 2024. If you purchased a seasonal pass for a particular park or a Discovery Pass on or after November 1, 2023, you can request a refund at the Parks Canada administered location where you purchased it or by contacting 1-888-773-8888. 
• How many individuals are expected to receive free admission through this initiative?
  According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are currently 461 240 Canadian Veterans and 97 200 active members of the Canadian Armed Forces. However, active CAF members and Veterans must possess their CF One Platinum card in order to receive free daily admission at Parks Canada administered places. 
  
  Currently serving CAF members and Canadian Veterans that wish to take advantage of free daily admission at Parks Canada administered places can apply to the CF One program, administered by CFMWS. 
• Why are military members getting free admission and not other frontline workers like firefighters, health workers, etc.?
  Parks Canada receives requests for discounted admission from many deserving individuals and groups. Over the past several years, many of these requests have been made on behalf of Canadian Veterans and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). 
  
  The Government of Canada acknowledges and respects the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices made by Canadian Veterans, CAF members and their families.
  
  National parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada provide excellent opportunities for Canadians to get outside, relieve stress, and connect with loved ones. By providing free daily admission, Parks Canada is supporting the health and wellness of CAF members and Veterans.
  
  Parks Canada will consider future requests for free admission on a case-by-case basis. 
• Is Parks Canada still providing free daily admission for youth?
  The Government of Canada is pleased to continue to offer free daily admission for youth aged 17 and under, to all national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada. 
  
  By encouraging young people to discover and connect with Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, we can help to inspire the next generation of stewards for these protected places.
   
• Are new Canadians eligible to receive free daily admission?
  Parks Canada continues to offer free admission to all newcomers to Canada who are within their first five years as Permanent Residents OR are within their first year of Canadian citizenship through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Canoo mobile app.
  
  The Canoo mobile app provides complimentary admission to more than 1,400 cultural treasures from coast to coast to coast, including Parks Canada administered places.
  
  For information on Canoo, please visit: https://www.icc-icc.ca/site/program/canoo/.
• Is there a discount for senior citizens?
  Parks Canada truly values the important contributions that Canada’s senior citizens have made to our country. To help recognize this, Parks Canada’s Senior Discovery Pass (for visitors aged 65 years and older) is discounted at 15% less than the regular Adult pass.
• If Parks Canada is offering free daily admission to so many groups and discounts to others, why not make it free for everyone?
  Parks Canada is committed to ensuring that all Canadians have the opportunity to experience the natural and cultural heritage of Canada.  
  
  Parks Canada's funding comes from two sources: government tax-based appropriations and user fees. 
  
  Tax dollars are used to create, protect and present national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas, as well as historic canals, since their protection benefits all Canadians. Visitors pay fees to help offset the costs of the services and facilities at Parks Canada administered places since they personally benefit from them. 
  
  Revenues from fees collected at national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas are vital to the operation of these places and represent approximately 25% of Parks Canada’s operating budget. These fees are re-invested to support visitor programs, services, and facilities. 
• Does Parks Canada provide free admission for members of Indigenous communities?
  The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership. Parks Canada is proud of its Indigenous Peoples Open Doors program, which seeks to enhance relationships with Indigenous peoples by eliminating barriers to reconnect to traditionally used lands and waters in national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas. 
  
  The Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Program is offered through formal agreements with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples that claim a connection to the lands and waters located in national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas. There are multiple Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Programs across the country and any Indigenous group can contact Parks Canada to request a program relevant to their context. 
• Through the Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Program, are other fees waived?
  The Indigenous Peoples Open Doors program strives to eliminate the barrier of paying fees to access traditional lands. Therefore, the program does not override any fees for attractions and services, including campgrounds, hot pools and other park facilities, or any other fees associated with park/site/area use other than admission.
• What should active Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces or members of their immediate families do to obtain a proof of admission if they are visiting while gate attendants aren’t on duty, or the location has a pay machine for after hours?
  For those who arrive before or after gate attendants are on duty, they can proceed to their destination as planned. If they are staying in the park for the day or longer and are close to a visitor centre or an entry gate during operating hours, they are encouraged to drop in to get their proof of admission. If they are out for the entire day and find a notice on the windshield of their vehicle, they can check in with Parks Canada staff at entry gates or the visitor centre to present their CF One Platinum card or Veteran’s Service Card.
• What should active Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces or members of their immediate families do to obtain a proof of admission if the location they are visiting has a pay machine instead of an entry gate?
  If they are arriving during operating hours, they are encouraged to visit the visitor centre to receive their proof of admission.
   
  For those who arrive outside of operating hours, they can proceed to their destination as planned. If they are staying in the park for the day or longer and are close to the visitor centre, they are encouraged to drop in to get their proof of admission. If they are on a trail for the entire day and find a notice on the windshield of their vehicle, they can check in with Parks Canada staff at the visitor centre to present their CF One Platinum card or Veteran’s Service Card.