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Kananaskis Conservation Pass - Your Questions Answered
- andrewsco3
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
If you're planning a day in Kananaskis Country or Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park, you'll need to make sure you have the right pass in place before you go.
Most visitors know that a Park Pass is required to visit Canada's National Parks, but the requirement for a Kananaskis Conservation Pass isn’t as widely known.
It's also harder to know exactly where the boundary is.
Plus, unlike the National Parks pass, this one isn’t physical - you won’t see it displayed in vehicle windows as the Kananaskis Conservation Pass is entirely digital and linked to your license plate.
Because Kananaskis Country is such a key part of exploring the Rockies, it features in many of our top hiking guides and trip itineraries - including our most-read post: 2 Week Canadian Rockies National Parks Itinerary: Banff, Waterton, Kootenay, Yoho & Jasper, which passes through Kananaskis on the way from Waterton Lakes to Banff.
To help you navigate the latest park pass requirements, we’ve put together this Q&A guide, that includes everything you need to know before your next adventure in K-Country.
To jump ahead to a certain section, click the links below:
Table of Contents (click to expand)
When do I Need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass (and When Don't I)?
A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required if you're parking at any provincial park or public land site within the Kananaskis and Bow Valley areas. That includes popular places like:
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Spray Valley Provincial Park
Bow Valley Provincial Park
Elbow-Sheep Wildland
Troll Falls, Barrier Lake, Grassi Lakes, and the Highwood Pass
If you are unsure whether you require a pass or not, consult the detailed map on the Gov't of Alberta Website here for more clarification.
Even if you’re just stopping for a short walk or picnic, the pass is mandatory.
You are not required to have a Kananaskis Conservation Pass when doing the following:
Visiting one of Canada's National Parks – You are not required to have a Kananaskis Conservation Pass inside of any of Canada's National Parks, however you will require a National Park Pass which we write about here.
Visiting Municipal or Regional Parks – City and regional parks do not require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
Driving through Highway 40 or Highway 742 (Smith-Dorrien) without parking – If you're driving through Kananaskis and not stopping, you do not need a Park Pass.
People arriving without a Vehicle - The pass qualifies the vehicle, not the passenger, so anyone that gets a lift into Kananaskis does not require a pass.
Visits to towns located outside the Provincial Park such as Canmore, Banff and Bragg Creek
You also do not require a pass for the following areas as per the Gov't of Alberta website:
Ghost area
McLean Creek Public Land Use Zone
McLean Creek Provincial Recreation Area
Fisher Creek Provincial Recreation Area
How to Purchase Your Pass
Online: The easiest way to obtain a pass is online via the official Alberta Parks website.
Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and debit cards. Once purchased, the pass is linked to your vehicle's license plate(s), eliminating the need for a physical display.
In Person: Passes are available to be purchased at various visitor centers, including:
Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge
Elbow Valley Visitor Information Centre
Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre at Barrier Lake
Peter Lougheed Park Discovery and Information Centre
William Watson Lodge
By Phone: You can also purchase a pass by calling the Alberta Parks Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757, available daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
We advise purchasing your pass before arriving in Kananaskis Country, as cell service can be unreliable in certain areas.
If you do plan to buy the pass on-site using your mobile device, you should get good service at Kananaskis Village and the Canmore Nordic Centre.
What is the Cost of the Kananaskis Pass?
You’ve got two main options depending on how often you plan to visit:
Day Pass – $15 per vehicle
Valid until 11:59 PM on the day of purchase
Great for one-off hikes or scenic drives
Annual Pass – $90 per household
Covers up to three vehicles registered to the same address
Valid for one full year from the date of purchase
Ideal if you visit Kananaskis often, especially during hiking, biking, or ski season
Should I Purchase a Day Pass or an Annual Pass?
Unlike the annual Discovery Pass for Canada’s National Parks - where deciding whether it’s worth it can depend on factors like how many adults or kids are in the car and whether you plan to visit certain historic sites like the Cave and Basin - the Kananaskis Conservation Pass is much simpler to calculate.
In short, if you plan on personally driving your vehicle into the park six or more times in a year, the annual pass is worth it.
The only real consideration is whether you’re likely to carpool with friends. Since the pass is linked to the vehicle, not the person, you won’t need your own if someone else is doing the driving.
Are There any Free Days in 2025?
There are a few days each year when entry into Kananaskis Provincial Park is free. Here's a quick look at the free access days in 2025.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass Free Days
Free Day | Date |
Wilderness Wednesdays | 1st Wednesday of every month |
New Year's Day | January 1 |
Family Day | 3rd Monday of February |
Earth Day | April 22 |
Indigenous People's Day | June 21 |
Parks Day | 3rd Saturday of July |
Kananaskis Country Birthday | September 22 |
Remembrance Day | November 11 |
First day of winter | December 21 |
Christmas Day | December 25 |
While these dates are for 2025, they are typically the same every year.
Are There Any Pass Exemptions?
Yes. Certain individuals and groups are exempt from purchasing a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Exemptions include:
Indigenous and First Nations people
Albertans with low income participating in eligible provincial support programs, such as Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Income Support, or the Alberta Adult Health Benefit
Residents of the Kananaskis Improvement District
School Buses and school trips
What if I get Caught Without a Valid Pass?
If you're visiting Kananaskis Country or Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park without a valid Conservation Pass, be aware that fines do apply.
As of 2025, the penalty is $150 for a personal vehicle and $350 for a commercial vehicle.
Conservation Officers regularly patrol popular trailheads, day-use areas, and parking lots, scanning license plates to confirm compliance. If your vehicle is found without a valid pass, a fine will be mailed to the registered owner.
According to the Government of Alberta, “all fines issued by the Government of Alberta are subject to a mandatory 20% surcharge directed to the Victims of Crime Fund,” meaning the final amount could be higher than the base fine.
Do I Need a Pass if I am Driving a Rental Car?
Yes, if you're driving a rental car and plan to stop or park in Kananaskis, you are required to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. The pass is tied to the vehicle's license plate, so you'll need to wait until you've picked up your rental car to obtain the pass.
What if I Enter Kananaskis via a Tour Bus?
If you're visiting Kananaskis Country as a passenger on a tour bus, you don't need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass yourself.
The responsibility for purchasing the pass lies with the tour operator.
Is There an App?
As of 2025, there is no dedicated mobile app specifically for purchasing or managing the Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
However, the process is mobile-friendly. You can easily buy your pass online through the official Alberta Parks website using your smartphone or tablet.
Can I Borrow a Pass from a Friend?
You don’t need to borrow a Kananaskis Conservation Pass from a friend - because it’s not tied to a person, it’s tied to the vehicle.
The key question is whether the car you’re driving already has a valid pass. If it does, you’re covered, even if the pass was originally purchased by someone else. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to buy one, even if you're just borrowing the vehicle for the day.
What Does the Money Get Used For?
Revenue from the Kananaskis Conservation Pass goes directly toward maintaining trails, campgrounds, and visitor facilities, while also supporting conservation work, wildlife protection, and safety programs like search and rescue.
It also helps fund Conservation Officers, visitor information services, and infrastructure improvements such as signage, washrooms, and parking areas.
In short, the pass plays a key role in keeping Kananaskis safe, accessible, and sustainable for everyone who visits.
Does the Kananaskis Conservation Pass Cover More Than One Vehicle?
It depends on the type of pass you have.
For personal vehicles using a Day Pass, the pass is valid for only one vehicle registration. If you plan to use two cars, you’ll need to purchase a separate day pass for each one.
If you buy a yearly pass, it allows you to register up to three vehicles (and a trailer) under the same address. This means you can use the pass for any of those registered vehicles throughout the year.
If you need to add or change a vehicle on your annual pass, you can do so by contacting the Alberta Parks Call Centre at 1-877-537-2757 or by visiting a designated Visitor Information Centre.
Enjoy Your Time in Kananaskis Country!
We hope you have found this Q&A guide useful.
If you are looking for things to do in Kananaskis take a look at these hikes:
If you are looking for a kid-friendly hotel in Kananaskis, the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is highly recommended - it even has an outdoor heated pool.
Enjoy your trip!
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