I was doing some planning for next summer and I learned that Canada is celebrating the 150th birthday of its national park system by issuing the annual pass for free for 2017. The wife and I have always wanted to go to Banff and Jasper.

Thought I'd pass it along.

Unfortunately, Quetico is a provincial park.

This is very cool. I looked it up and found the website where the pass can be ordered.

Here is the link to order your free pass.

Way cool...Not even postage...
plus there is a contest for free stuff....
ordered and entered
thanks

dr bob

quote Chicagored: "I was doing some planning for next summer and I learned that Canada is celebrating the 150th birthday of its national park system by issuing the annual pass for free for 2017. The wife and I have always wanted to go to Banff and Jasper.

Thought I'd pass it along.

Unfortunately, Quetico is a provincial park."

We were up that way last summer... serious mountains up there. We took our Souris River along and paddled the waters of Lake Louis (sp?)...only green canoe amidst a flotilla of red rental canoes...was "interesting" portaging the canoe through the crowds..

dr bob

Thanks for the information. I ordered mine and am planning on a month long trip up there this summer. What a nice deal.

We have been to Banff and Jasper three times. The road from Banff to Jasper is by far the most scenic drive we have ever done. We have always stayed in Jasper. It's much smaller than Banff and less commercialized. If you decide to head that way and do not camp, there are lots of home owners in Jasper who rent rooms for a very reasonable rate.

One if my most favorite areas to visit and explore.

quote Jackfish: "This is very cool. I looked it up and found the website where the pass can be ordered.
Here is the link to order your free pass."

Thanks to both of you; just ordered mine.

I think Canada does a awesome job in protecting their outdoor resources and they realize it is important. In the U.S. it is a tug of war.

My wife and I took a road trip from Arkansas last September to Banff and Jasper National Parks. Canada does indeed do a great job with park maintenance and facility issues. They are very well maintained along with great public campsites. The scenery in that whole area is breathtaking. The town of Banff and surrounding area was great to see but the drive north to the town of Jasper was by far the most stunning. The whole area is teeming with wildlife and the picture opportunities are...well lets just say that I'm thankful for digital cameras instead of dozens of film canisters. We were a little surprised at the commercialized and developed areas in the parks but all things considered, it was a wonderful experience. Our favorite was Jasper so next time we will spend more time in that park hiking and exploring.

You want to get your gas in town as much as possible. A rural gas station in Jasper Park cost us around 3.00 per liter ( close to 10 dollars a gallon ) In town it was around 1.20 per liter at the time. Gas is not cheap up there for sure. And also remember that even though prices are higher, you're almost getting a 40 percent discount due to the exchange rate. We exchanged 400.00 US into Canadian and came back with Canadian money in our pockets.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Terry

quote Pinetree: "I think Canada does a awesome job in protecting their outdoor resources and they realize it is important. In the U.S. it is a tug of war."

Don't know about that.... some trip reports describe major environmental damage from mining, smelting operations with acid rain, and dams on some pretty scenic waterways..

dr bob

quote DrBobDerrig: "

quote Pinetree: "I think Canada does a awesome job in protecting their outdoor resources and they realize it is important. In the U.S. it is a tug of war."

Don't know about that.... some trip reports describe major environmental damage from mining, smelting operations with acid rain, and dams on some pretty scenic waterways..


dr bob"

True there Too.

Ordered and entered!

Thanks

Mike

We went last year to Banff and Jasper.

We actually stayed in Golden BC. I did not at all regret staying there. It is a bit of a drive from some stuff, but it was not touristy. I would avoid the town of Banff at all costs, that is not my idea of a good time.

Based on a tip from this board, we planned ahead and got a permit for Lake O'Hara and camped there for two nights. It was absolutely terrific and I very highly recommend that if you can do it. If you do, let me know and I'll provide some tips in planning.

I'll be in the Canadian Rockies this summer, a favorite part of the world for me. Been there many times. I like that I can take my dog into the backcountry, unlike in American NPs.

So are there any good national parks in Ontario for fishing? Anything similar to Quetico?

Bruce Peninsula, Thousand Islands, Georgian Bay, Point Pelee and Pukaskwa..

The latter is remote on Lake Superior though a run down the White River goes through a few lakes..

quote yellowcanoe: " Pukaskwa.."

I plan on visiting this one this year, if nothing else, just paddle around the bays and islands near the visitor center

and I've always wanted to paddle in Waterton, Jasper, and Banff, looks like this year is the year

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

We made our reservations for the last two weeks of August. We are going to fly into Calgary and rent a camper van, and will probably do some shopping for food in Calgary before we head out. I made reservations for the first two nights in Banff where we may do something easy like the Sunshine Meadows hike to help get ourselves acclimated to the altitude. Two years ago we went hiking in the Black Hills, and I remember it took some time to adjust to the high altitudes. Then we will be heading to Lake Louise for awhile, and use it as a base camp to explore that area plus Kooteney and Yoho. I am only making reservations for the first 4 nights and then we will play it by ear. It appears that by the middle of August you can usually find a campground space. Then we will work our way up the road to Jasper. Won't be bringing my backpacking stuff so Lake O'hara is probably not in the cards, but it looks like there are so many good day hikes that I don't think we will run out of things to do.

We intend to do most of our own cooking, but I was wondering if anyone had an especially good experience with a restaurant while in the park.