Canada Strong Pass allows free entry to national parks, historic sites for 2025 summer season—check details

Canada Strong Pass, which is set to come into effect on Friday, June 20, 2025, will grant country nationals and visitors free entry and discounts at national parks and museums during 2025 summer season. The pass rolled out by the federal government is valid from June 20 to Sept. 2, 2025. During this time, Canadians will be able to visit national parks, historical sites, and marine conservation areas for free.

The government initiative to boost tourism will also allow children aged 17 and under to travel for free on VIA Rail when accompanied by an adult. The people aged between 18 and 24 will receive a 50 percent discount.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister Responsible for Official Languages Steven Guilbeault said, “Our government is making it easier for families to choose Canada as they make their summer plans and to enjoy the places and experiences that bring us together and make Canada strong.”


“To celebrate and stand up for what it means to be Canadian, this pass is about discovering and reconnecting with the nature, history, and culture of this remarkable country we all share and are proud to call our home,” the minister added.

With the booking of the summer season done and dusted, the Bayshore Inn and Spa in Waterton Park owner Shameer Suleman has claimed that the spa is coming off its busiest weekend in June on record. “We always want all Canadians to visit and enjoy and see their national parks,” said Suleman, CTV News reported.

Overtourism likely cause of concern

Suleman said that the summer season is key for businesses to stay afloat, so the more travellers, the better when it comes to their bottom line. But he also stated that there are some concerns. “It’s a fine line between showing off our national parks and overtourism,” he said, according to CTV News.

“When you have too many people, it can destroy this beautiful ecosystem and place that we have. We also want everyone that comes to this beautiful park to have an amazing experience, and we don’t want that experience to be ruined by overtourism and too many people,” he added.

According to Parks Canada, more than 540,000 visitors went through the gates of Waterton Lakes National Park in 2024—the second busiest on record. The busiest year was in 2017, when admission was free to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. “It was a lot for us,” said Suleman, reflecting back on 2017. “We’re a town of 400 hotel rooms and a couple of campgrounds; we weren’t expecting that many people, but now we’re a bit more prepared.”