NOTE: The Friends of Kananaskis Country do not manage or handle the Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Below is information and links to the official KCP site.
Effective June 1, 2021, vehicles parked at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley (see map) need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. A single day pass cost $15, and an annual pass cost $90 (registers up to 2 vehicles).
How to Purchase the Pass
Buying your Pass online registers your licence plate. Your registered plate is effectively your Pass. Passes can also be purchased in-person or by using Wi-Fi at Kananaskis Visitor Information Centres (Barrier, Elbow and Peter Lougheed) and the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge.
Pass purchases are not transferable to another user.
You do not need to show a receipt, hang a tag in a window, or do anything else. Once you have paid the Pass fee, your licence plate is registered. The enforcement process checks that the license plates of vehicles parked in Kananaskis Country are registered.
How to Make Changes or Cancel the Pass
- To change your licence plate or trailer licence plate on your annual pass, please call Alberta Parks Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757.
- Only the purchaser (or designate) can cancel a pass purchase. To cancel a pass please visit the Find My Pass page and enter the Order ID and email address to start the refund process.
Volunteer Rebates
- Volunteer under a formal partnership agreement (for example, Cooperating Societies) and you can be eligible for a free annual Pass. Friends of Kananaskis Country has this level of agreement, therefore FKC volunteers are eligible.
- Once a volunteer has performed 40 hours of service in a year, they earn a Pass for the subsequent year. Volunteer hour totals are submitted in November annually. The hours are collected from November 1 to October 31. The Friends manages the submission of the licence plate information of qualified volunteers.
- If you have purchased a Pass but think you may qualify for a volunteer rebate, please retain your payment receipt. There is a process to submit for rebates.
How the Fee Will be Used
Each Kananaskis Conservation Pass helps pay for:
- Conservation – protecting habitat and reducing wildlife conflicts
- Public safety – enforcement, search and rescue
- Services and facilities – re-investment in trails, day-use areas, recreation facilities, visitor and information centres
How it’s Enforced
From the Pass’s introduction in June 2021, through to April 2022, enforcement efforts were focused on educating visitors about the Pass
The early summer of 2022 saw targeted in-person spot checks occurring, and warnings or fines started to be issued.
In July 2022, scanning of licence plates of vehicles parked in the area commenced using specially marked enforcement vehicles, pictured at right. Owners of non-compliant vehicles may receive a warning, or will be sent a fine in the mail.
Visitors can purchase their Passes online before midnight on the date of their visit, even if their plate has already been scanned that day.
Fines for not purchasing a Pass:
- $150 for personal vehicles (unless exempt)
- $350 for commercial vehicles
For more information – visit the Kananaskis Conservation Pass website or call 1-877-537-2757
By purchasing a Pass you’re helping keep this special part of Alberta beautiful and protected for generations to come.
The Friends of Kananaskis receives grant funding that comes from Pass revenues.