The Canada Strong Pass expires soon but there’s still time to use these perks

There’s not much time left for Canadians to make the most of discounted travel and free admissions this summer.

Canada Strong Pass, a program that gives Canadians and international tourists free or discounted access to Parks Canada sites, museums, galleries, and even travel on Via Rail, is set to expire Sept. 7.

We’ve only got one long weekend left before summer officially comes to an end, so if you’ve got your sights set on somewhere to bike, hike, paddle, or swim, you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

The Canada Strong Pass program first launched on June 20, 2025, and ran until Sept. 5. It returned for a second year on June 19, with Prime Minister Mark Carney saying the initiative would give Canadians a chance to “see more of everything Canada has to offer.”

Free access to national parks and historic sites. Lower prices at museums. Free VIA Rail travel for kids.

We launched the Canada Strong Pass so you can see more of everything Canada has to offer.https://t.co/K5H7wa8TH9

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) August 12, 2026

There’s no better time to explore all that Canada has to offer than now. This year, Canadians continue to spend more time and money travelling within the country, while visits to the U.S. continue to decline, according to Statistics Canada.

What’s included in Canada Strong Pass?

Here’s a refresher on what you can access:

• Free entry at participating locations operated by Parks Canada during regular operating hours.
• Twenty-five per cent off camping and overnight accommodations with Parks Canada. However, fees still apply for guided tours, hikes and programs, as well as permits, parking, fishing licences and firewood.
• Free and reduced admission at participating museums and galleries. Admission is free for those 17 and under, while visitors aged 18 to 24 get 50 per cent off.
• Free and reduced fares on Via Rail. Children and youth aged 17 can travel for free when accompanied by an adult using the discount code CANADAFAM, while adults aged 18 to 24 get 25 per cent off using the discount code CANADA1824 on eligible Via Rail routes across Canada.

Where to go in B.C.

As we previously reported, there are plenty of spots in B.C. where you can get in for free or on the cheap this summer.

While not all national parks are on Canada Strong Pass, you can still explore a handful of destinations across the province, including Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park, Kootenay National Park, and Mount Revelstoke National Park.

You can also check out Victoria’s Royal BC Museum, one of the oldest operating museums in Canada. Visitors 17 and under get free admission, and those aged 18 to 24 can enjoy half-price admission.

If you’re in the mood to take a dip in heated natural mineral water, Radium Hot Springs, near Kootenay National Park and the Alberta border, offers free entry and 25 per cent off overnight camping fees.

Historic sites in B.C. worth exploring with the Canada Strong Pass include Twin Falls Tea House, Gitwangak Battle Hill, Rogers Pass, Fort St. James, and Kicking Horse Pass.

You can enjoy free admission to these locations with the pass, but starting Sept. 8, you’ll need to purchase either a daily park pass or an annual Discovery Pass.

Where to go in Alberta

There are a ton of places you can check out in Alberta for free or at a discounted rate.

If you’d like to throw in one final hike before Canada Strong Pass expires, you can explore the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail at Banff National Park or the Sulphur Skyline Trail at Jasper National Park. Elk Island National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park also allow free entry, and there you’ll find plenty of places to swim and hike.

No matter the area, there are tons of museums and attractions to explore, too.

In Edmonton, for instance, you can check out the Royal Alberta Museum and Rutherford House. If you’re closer to Drumheller or don’t mind going on a road trip, you can hit up Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Head 45 minutes south and you can visit the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin. Further down, the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston is worth adding to your road trip.

But if you’d like to make your way north, the Oil Sands Discovery Centre in Fort McMurray offers a look at the history and development of the region’s oil sands industry.

Other sites on Canada Strong Pass you can access for free include Stephansson House, Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Fort George and Buckingham House, Historic Dunvegan, and Lougheed House in Calgary.

Where to go in Ontario

Since the Canada Strong Pass applies to Parks Canada-operated places and not provincial parks, popular destinations like Algonquin Provincial Park and Killarney Provincial Park aren’t included. But that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of places to explore across the province.

If you’re looking to swim, paddle, hike, or simply spend some time outdoors, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Point Pelee National Park, Pukaskwa National Park, Thousand Islands National Park, and Rouge National Urban Park are all great spots to take advantage of.

There are also plenty of national historic sites where admission is free until Sept. 8.

Bellevue House, Bethune Memorial House, Fort George, Fort Malden, and Woodside National Historic Site are just a few attractions worth checking out during this final stretch of summer.

Those planning a trip to Atlantic Canada or another part of the country can also find campsites, national parks and other attractions included in Canada Strong Pass on the official website.

Parks Canada says accommodations, reservations, guided tours, parking and permits are not included in free admissions.

For winter outdoor adventurers, there’s no need to worry. The Canada Strong Pass is expected to return for the upcoming season, bringing back many of the same perks. Last year’s winter offer ran from Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan. 15, 2026, so a similar timeframe could be expected this year.

With files from Irish Mae Silvestre

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