Visit Spectacular Kananaskis Parks For Free On These Days in 2026

Provincial parks across Alberta are free to visit year-round, except those in Kananaskis Country.

Eric Johnson/Pexels

Located in the Canadian Rockies foothills, about 100 km from Calgary, Kananaskis Country (the Kananaskis Improvement District) is home to many of Alberta’s most popular parks, featuring breathtaking hikes, unique features, and waterfalls accessible year-round.

In response to growing visitor numbers outpacing Banff National Park, the provincial government introduced the Kananaskis Conservation Pass in 2021 to allocate more resources and staff.

The vehicle entry pass costs $15 per day or $90 per year.

First Nations, low-income Albertans participating in provincial support programs and residents of the Kananaskis Improvement District are exempt from the pass requirement.

For all others, Kananaskis Parks are free to visit on the first Wednesday of every month and on some special days.

These are the upcoming free entry dates for this year:

• 15 Things to Do in Kananaskis Country During Winter

First Wednesday of every month – 2026:

• Wednesday, January 7, 2026
• Wednesday, February 4, 2026
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026
• Wednesday, April 1, 2026
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026
• Wednesday, June 3, 2026
• Wednesday, July 1, 2026
• Wednesday, August 5, 2026
• Wednesday, September 2, 2026
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026
• Wednesday, November 4, 2026
• Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Other upcoming 2026 free days:

• Family Day: 3rd Monday of February – February 16, 2026
• Earth Day: April 22, 2026
• Indigenous People’s Day: June 21, 2026
• Parks Day: 3rd Saturday of July – July 18, 2026
• Kananaskis Country’s Birthday: September 22, 2026
• Remembrance Day: November 11, 2026
• First day of winter: December 21, 2026
• Christmas Day: December 25, 2026
• New Year’s Day: January 1, 2027

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