The areas of Banff National Park that are most visited are Banff and Lake Louise. If this is your destination then you may be wondering which is the best entrance to get there.
Banff National Park can be entered from four access points. All of them lead you to the TransCanada highway (Highway #1), the only highway that gets you to Lake Louise and Banff:
- West on the TransCanada highway from Calgary through the Banff East Gates,
- South on Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway) through the Icefield Parkway Gates.
- East on the TransCanada highway from British Columbia, and
- West via the David Thompson Highway.
I’ve been travelling to Banff all my life and have entered it from every direction. Keep reading to discover what you need to know about accessing Banff National Park, and which entrance point is best for you.

Banff National Park Pass Required
The first thing to know before entering Banff National Park from any entrance is that a Parks Canada pass is required for ALL stops.
The only time a park pass is not required is when the TransCanada highway is used strictly as a route of travel and the vehicle does not stop – for anything, not gas and not for rest breaks.
This exception only applies to the TransCanada. Anyone travelling on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) between Banff and Jasper requires a park pass even if they’re not stopping.
Who Needs a Banff National Park Pass?
Everyone over 17 using or enjoying Banff National Park requires a park pass. This is not just for vehicles but applies to anyone entering the park.
Find out: Do I Need a Reservation to Visit Banff?
Where to Purchase a Banff National Park Pass
Banff National Park passes can be purchased online or at select locations in the park. There are several park pass options covering multi-park or single-park visits. The Discovery Pass is the best value for those visiting seven or more days, travelling in a group of 7 or less, or visiting multiple national parks in one trip (Banff, Jasper, Waterton, Yoho, Glacier, etc.). Visit the Parks Canada website for fees and to purchase the pass online.
TIP: Park passes are physical passes mailed to your location. If you order a park pass online ensure you order enough in advance to receive the pass in the mail.
Only two entrances have park gates that require you to stop and purchase a pass before entering: the East Park Gates east of Banff, and the Icefield Parkway Gates south of Jasper. (Okay, technically 2.5, in the summer anyone travelling the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise will pass through Niblock Gate located north of Lake Louise (~4 km/2.5 mi) on the Icefields Parkway).


Banff National Park East Gates Entrance
- Best for speedy, direct access
- Physical gate to purchase a Park Pass
The East Park Gate is the main entrance to Banff National Park and also the closest to Banff, which means it’s also the most popular and the busiest. If this is your first visit to Banff National Park this is likely the entrance you will use.
The East Gate is accessed by travelling west on the TransCanada highway from Calgary (~ 110 km/70 mi). The TransCanada a double-lane highway with a speed limit of 110 km/hr (70 mph) up to the Park Gates making it the fastest and most direct route to Banff.
The Calgary International Airport is the closest major airport to Banff National Park so the East Gate entrance receives the majority of air travellers visiting Banff National Park.
Don’t miss: How to Get to Banff (Airports, Roads, Shuttles)
The East Gate entrance is not the most scenic. The landscape from Calgary to Banff ranges from flat grasslands to rolling foothills until reaching the Canadian Rockies which appears to happen instantaneously. Once the mountains are reached (~50 min drive), it’s another 30-minute drive to the Banff National Park East Gates.
A Park Pass is required to pass through the East Gate entrance. There are five lines. The three left lanes direct drivers to a gate attendant to purchase a pass. The two right lanes are free-flow for those who have a pass. In the summer months, there can be significant line-ups at this entrance.
To avoid the wait:
- Purchase a pass online and use the free-flow lanes.
- Use the free-flow lane and purchase a Park Pass at the Banff Information Centre
Learn: How to Visit Banff National Park: A Beginner’s Guide

Icefield Parkway Gates Entrance
- Best for a leisurely scenic drive
- Physical Gate to purchase a pass
The Icefield Parkway Gate is the second most popular entrance to Banff National Park so it gets busy, but it’s not as big as the East Park Gates. The Icefield Parkway Gate is located south of Jasper (7 km/ 4 miles) on the Icefield Parkway (Highway #11).
This entrance is best for those seeking non-stop visual eye candy. It is the most scenic entrance into Banff National Park with iconic stops like Sunwapta Falls, the Columbia Icefields, and Peyto Lake. You enter Banff National Park a few kilometers past the Columbia Icefields.
There are few services along this highway so ensure you have a full tank and a full stomach. The only place for fuel and food is at Saskatchewan River Crossing (44 km/27 miles from Jasper and 85 km/52 miles to Lake Louise).
This isn’t a zoom, zoom route. The speed limit along the parkway is 90 km/h (55 mph) and full of travellers as it’s the most popular (and direct) route to travel between Banff and Jasper. Expect cars to be stopped along the road, leisurely rolling RVs, and cyclists.
Don’t miss: How Long Does it Take to Drive the Icefields Parkway?

Banff National Park Entrance from West TransCanada
- Best for hot springs and hiking
- No physical gate, best with a pre-purchased online pass
Accessing Banff National Park from the west is done via the TransCanada highway, however, the speed limit is 90 to 100 km/h (55-60 mph) so it’s a slightly slower route than its eastern opposite.
There is no physical park gate entering from the west, so no vehicle line-ups – bonus! However, it means if you didn’t purchase a pass online you have to stop to get one especially as the route travels through Yoho National Park and Kootenay National Park depending on your entry route.
Entering from the west is delightfully scenic with great viewing opportunities. From Golden, British Columbia you travel through Yoho National Park, Kicking Horse Pass, the highest point on the TransCanada highway, and the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint. Other notable points of interest are Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls.
TIP: Stop at the visitor centre in the village of Field to purchase a park pass.
Accessing the TransCanada travelling north on Highway 93 (Banff-Windermere highway) you’ll travel through Kootenay National Park on a rolling, winding, forested highway leading into mountain scenery. Leave time for a soak at the Fairmont Hot Springs or Radium Hot Springs – perhaps both!
This route has plenty of hikes like the Paint Pots Trail, Marble Canyon Trail, Stanley Glacier Trail, and the Continental Divide. There is little to no cell service on Highway 93 between Radium and the TransCanada highway.
Discover: Is Banff Hot Springs Worth the Visit?

TIP: Stop at the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre in Radium Hot Springs for a park pass.
Travellers from the USA can easily access this route from the Kingsgate Border Crossing between Idaho and British Columbia. It’s a small border crossing that averages 400 vehicles a day so there are rarely lineups.
TIP: Travel the GOLDEN TRIANGLE by visiting Yoho National Park and Kootenay National Park via Golden and Radium.
Getting to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is Complicated!
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Guide includes shuttle, bus, and tour options as well as reservation windows
David Thompson Highway Entrance
- Best for a quiet exploratory adventure
- No physical gate, best with a pre-purchased online pass
There is an entrance to Banff National Park that is not well-known, likely due to its remoteness, and that’s the David Thompson Highway (#11) through Rocky Mountain House, the self-proclaimed Gateway to the Rockies. This entrance joins the Icefield Parkway at the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
This route is often overlooked and is usually accidentally discovered by visitors exploring ‘off the beaten track’. Accessed from the Queen Elizabeth Highway (QEII or Highway 2), it’s mundane and unspectacular until it nears the Canadian Rockies and becomes wonderfully scenic. This route is desolate with few services and not a lot of traffic so stock up on gas and food at Rocky Mountain House.
On the way to Banff National Park, you’ll pass Abraham’s Lake a 32 km lake of brilliant turquoise water. Siffleur Falls is a great place to stop for an easy hike and enjoy great views of the Ex Coelis Mountain whose four peaks are named in honour of battles fought during World War II.

What Else To Know?
Banff National Park is in the heart of the Canadian Rockies which comes with some extra considerations to ensure a smooth trip.
Check the road reports before travelling. Summer is the prime road construction season and in the winter weather conditions can cause road closures. The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) is the best for road reports.
Drive with care. The TransCanada highway is a major transportation route so it’s incredibly busy with large vehicles, impatient travellers, motorcycles, etc. Drive with patience and care and get to your destination safely. Read more in Driving in Banff: 10 Things You Should Know.
Watch for wildlife. Wildlife is everywhere in Banff National Park. If you see wildlife while driving, slowly pull off to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic and remain in your vehicle.
Prepare for ALL weather conditions. Mountain weather is unpredictable and can change quickly. Pack for sun, rain, and snow.


Banff National Park is a beautiful place to visit so every entrance will delight and impress. As every entrance is within 3 hours of each other, time permitting you may be able to enjoy more than one.
Happy travels.
Anything Else I Need to Know?
Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO
BANFF
BANFF TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Banff National Park, check out our Banff Homepage
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Banff has to offer including Lake Louise, Banff Hot Springs, the Cave and Basin Historical Site, and shopping downtown
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out how to get to Banff and what reservations
you may need
WATCH: Enjoy videos of gorgeous Banff National Park while learning our best tips for visiting by watching our Banff YouTube Playlist