Paid parking coming to some of Banff's top attractions soon
Visitors heading to top attractions in Banff will now need to factor in an extra cost, with Parks Canada launching a paid parking pilot this spring.
The three-year pilot will run from May 15 to Oct. 12, 2026, with the daily paid parking in effect from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at both the upper and lower parking lots in the Sulpher Mountain area.
“This spring, in an effort to manage significant traffic congestion and parking challenges during peak periods, a three-year paid parking pilot will be in effect for the Sulphur Mountain area,” Banff National Park said in a Facebook post.
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Under the new system, parking will now cost $17.50 per vehicle daily, in addition to a valid national park pass. Previously, parking in both the upper and lower Sulpher Mountain lots was free.Â
Visitors can pay for parking at the on-site machines provided by the park. “Failure to pay may result in a Notice of Parking Violation, payable at the payment machines in the parking lots,” the park says.Â
This isn’t the only change to parking fees in Banff National Park this year. Earlier this year, Banff’s town council announced an increase in parking downtown. Rising from $7 per hour year-round at its downtown pay parking spaces to $12 per hour in peak season (May 1 to Oct. 31), while maintaining a fee of $7 per hour for the remainder of the year.
On top of this, parking at Lake Louise Lakeshore has increased by 10.7 per cent in 2026, rising from $36.75 last season for general parking and $8 for accessible parking.
What do you think about the increase in parking fees at Banff National Park? Let us know in the comments below.