Entry fees for Banff National Park - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

trumpethead · 08-17-2012, 10:33 AM

Earlier this week I drove to Banff to pick up a package (literally drove into town, picked up an envelope and turned around and drove straight back to Calgary). When I got to the gates there was a pretty good line-up of cars and I decided that in the interest of time I would cut through the pass holder line (note: I am a pass holder but did not have my pass with me in the vehicle I drove that day) but I figured as I wasn't staying or even "stopping" in the park, I was ok.

Now don't get me wrong, I am NOT condoning entry fee avoidance (our National Parks are awesome and they need and deserve all the revenue they can generate) but this got me curious, does Parks Canada ever issue citations for park entrance fee evasion? And if they do, how do they do it (do they ever set up a "checkstop" at the pass holder gate) and what are the fines/penalties for staying in the park without paying (or displaying) proof of entry fees? Has anybody here ever got a ticket?

GP_Matt · 08-17-2012, 10:36 AM

They setup a checkstop most weekends at Lake Louise during ski season and hand out tickets. AFAIK they also patrol in Banff and ticket any parked cars without permits.

MoneyGuy · 08-17-2012, 10:38 AM

They patrol regularly in Banff and Jasper.

Robbob · 08-17-2012, 10:42 AM

They patrol in the towns and i have also seen them set up on the bow valley parkway. Typically in locations where once you commit you can't turn around and ruin right into them.

Eric Vail · 08-17-2012, 10:43 AM

I have been searching for answers to these questions for years. I have discovered that they do check at ski hills, and sometimes trailheads. I haven't found anyone who has claimed an experience where they were ticketed in the townsite. I have a buddy living in Canmore who said there is an understanding with the businesses not to ticket those in the townsite. Whether or not that is true, I have no idea.

How much is a ticket is another question that I'd love an answer to.

I get annoyed with the high price to enter the park for residents who are already paying tax dollars to support the park. When I travel to other countries, residents either have their fees waived completely or get a discount. I drive through the park about 10 times a year on the way to Radium, and don't ever stop. If it wasn't for the park fee, I'd buy gas and eat in Banff restaurants. If I want to enjoy the mountains, I go to the Kananaskis or Radium. Banff businesses would be much better off if locals could visit the townsite without a park pass.

troutman · 08-17-2012, 10:43 AM

I think you can also buy a pass at the visitor center on Main Street, if the highway line-up is too long.

DuffMan · 08-17-2012, 10:48 AM

I was confused on this also, so I asked the girl at the gate in Jasper if I could stop for gas without a pass. She said you don't need a pass to get gas, get a bite to eat, go to the bathroom etc. I've stopped in Jasper plenty for those things and never gotten a ticket.

Kavvy · 08-17-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

They setup a checkstop most weekends at Lake Louise during ski season and hand out tickets. AFAIK they also patrol in Banff and ticket any parked cars without permits.

"Tickets" should be clarified, at least for what I saw, you can buy your parking pass directly from them, at the parking lot, if they check......

I don't know why they don't check every ski day, its free government money (which is deserved)

J epworth · 08-17-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpethead

(note: I am a pass holder but did not have my pass with me in the vehicle I drove that day) but I figured as I wasn't staying or even "stopping" in the park, I was ok.

If you don't have your pass on you you can buy a day pass from the gates (I know you didn't because the line was long, this is more just a in general comment) and the next time you go up with your pass, you just show them your pass and the receipt from the day pass you bought and they will re-imburse you.

darklord700 · 08-17-2012, 01:41 PM

The rumor I heard is that even if you get caught, they'll only suggest you getting a pass and won't give you a ticket. Don't know how true it is.

Rathji · 08-17-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

If you don't have your pass on you you can buy a day pass from the gates (I know you didn't because the line was long, this is more just a in general comment) and the next time you go up with your pass, you just show them your pass and the receipt from the day pass you bought and they will re-imburse you.

Came to post this.

I went to Waterton this past week but the pass I use (a shared pass among my extended family) wasn't available since the last person to use it hadn't returned it.

So we paid and the next time we go through with the pass we can get that money back. You can do this 2 times a year IIRC.

GGG · 08-17-2012, 01:51 PM

They are at Lake Louise (the lake) all summer, they have boothes at the entrance to the ice fields parkway however from what I can tell they don't ticket they just make you buy a pass or turn around.

DownhillGoat · 08-17-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklord700

The rumor I heard is that even if you get caught, they'll only suggest you getting a pass and won't give you a ticket. Don't know how true it is.

Any time I've seen them set up at the ski hills, your options are buy a pass or turn around.

I've been 'ticketed' once a number of years ago in Manitoba. We went early in the morning, and the pass sales booth was not open yet, so we didn't really have any options. We went fishing/boating for the day and when we came back to the boat launch there was a note/ticket from Parks Canada stating that our license plate is on file and we're to stop at the gate to buy a day pass on the way out.

No idea what the actual recourse is if we didn't. Ever since I've made sure I've got an annual pass that covers Canada-wide.

SeeBass · 08-17-2012, 02:16 PM

Most times it is a first warning ticket under your wipers.

Just a kind letter to tell you to pay next time or you will be fined.

Huntingwhale · 08-17-2012, 03:06 PM

I have gotten a couple of warnings at Sunshine.

Robotic · 08-17-2012, 07:23 PM

I've always wondered where to buy tickets if you were driving east. I'm only aware of the booth while driving out west just before Banff.

Also I've been checked multiple times while going to Sunshine. I had my pass the few times, but I did see cars being sent back, which I'm guessing they were told to buy a pass if you plan on parking at sunshine for the day.

Northendzone · 08-17-2012, 11:04 PM

I thought at some trailheads they have dispensing machines to buy day passes.

GGG · 08-18-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robotic

I've always wondered where to buy tickets if you were driving east. I'm only aware of the booth while driving out west just before Banff.

Also I've been checked multiple times while going to Sunshine. I had my pass the few times, but I did see cars being sent back, which I'm guessing they were told to buy a pass if you plan on parking at sunshine for the day.

Going east there is for sure an info center in field as well i think there is a pull out booth along the highway at the start of yoho.

If you are actually using the park you should pay though even if you can go for free and not get caught as the parks are underfunded and the fee is reasonable.

FlamesKickAss · 08-18-2012, 07:32 PM

You can also purchase a yearly pass and then take two vehicle registrations to the downtown calgary office and get a second pass free.

I think they only allow one reimbursement through the ear as they hole punch the pass

T@T · 08-18-2012, 07:53 PM

Been to Banff at least 200 times over the years, bought a pass the first time and forgot the rest

Never got a ticket.