Visitors enjoy a spring day at Cascade Ponds in Banff National Park in Alberta on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The scene shows people taking in the calm water and mountain views. The Canadian Press
Parks Canada welcomed a sharp rise in visitors this past summer. The agency counted about 14.5 million people at its sites from June 20 to Sept. 2. The Canada Strong Pass ran during this period and encouraged many families to travel.
Megan Hope, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, said the pass helped spark new interest. “It’s clear that the Canada Strong Pass inspired Canadians to stay at home and explore the country,” she said in an email.
National historic sites under Parks Canada saw the strongest gains. Visits climbed about 20 per cent. National parks also grew, rising close to nine per cent.
The pass offered free entry to all national parks and national historic sites. Many families used the chance to plan longer trips and explore new regions.
Northern Regions Lead in Growth
A Parks Canada report shows very strong growth in the North. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut welcomed a combined 2,960 visitors in 2025. They saw 1,771 visitors in 2023. The increase reached 67 per cent over two years.
Newfoundland and Labrador also drew more travellers. The province reached 157,538 visitors in 2025, compared with 99,985 in 2023. The jump reached 58 per cent.
Every province and territory recorded growth except Saskatchewan. That province drew 153,920 visitors in 2025, down from 205,265 in 2023.
Families Save More With the Pass
Hope said many families saved real dollars during their summer trips. A family of four who camped for five nights in a fully serviced campsite saved an average of $50.70. The same family saved another $26.50 when visiting a national historic site for a single day.
She said Parks Canada uses clear steps to manage heavy traffic. Staff guide visitors to lesser-known areas. They also teach visitors how to behave around wildlife and how to avoid harm to fragile spaces.
Museums and Rail Travel Also Benefit
The Canada Strong Pass did more than boost park visits. It also gave free entry to national museums for kids and teens aged 17 and under. Young adults aged 18 to 24 received half-price tickets.
The Department of Canadian Heritage reported strong midsummer numbers. National museums saw attendance increase by an average of 15 per cent compared with the previous year.
Rail travel also grew. VIA Rail Canada recorded more than 50,000 pass-linked bookings. The pass offered free travel for children and teens who rode with an adult. It also gave discounts to travellers aged 18 to 24.
Pass Renewal Brings New Travel Window
The government plans to renew the pass later this month. The new window will run from Dec. 12 to Jan. 15, 2026. The pass will again offer free admission to national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. It will also give a 25 per cent discount on camping fees.
The government also plans another summer program. Visitors will receive free admission and discounted camping from June 19 to Sept. 7, 2026.
