Across Canada in a '66 VW Camper

[Golly]

I enjoyed your article recounting your trip in your Westy.  I particularly enjoyed the pics, some (many?) which appear to have been taken on the "fly".  Your pics have given me ideas of what makes for interesting trip photos.   

Earlier this summer, we did a 16000 km, 7 week road trip south to Texas, west to San Diego, north to Vancouver and Edmonton before returning home to Winnipeg.  (no, we did not do it in a Westy).  During our epic, we took over 1200 photos. 

On the leg home, we drove eastward through Banff and did not stop to pay a toll.  I wonder if the toll you wrote about is only in the westward direction through Banff, or did we just assume as in previous years, that if one was merely driving through and did not stop in Banff, there was no need to purchase an entrance ticket?

[ktm525]

A great article. I am not sure where you got your info but you do NOT have to pay the Banff Park fee if you are mearly passing through.

[Arthur Dent]

I loved it too. I don't believe you have to pay to drive through Banff - I never have. I really want to do a cross country trip in classic soon.

Ok given this I've decided to own up to my latest purchase even though its not home yet. Details here - http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,59077.0.html

[editorgreg]

When I got to Banff Park, I didn't see a sign saying people passing through could by-pass the Park fee - perhaps I just missed it.  I know they're used to be one.  Most people were lining up to pay.  I'll double-check with Parks Canada.  Taking photos "on the fly" obviously required driving with one hand and taking the photo with the other.  I would only do this on straight sections.  A lot of shots didn't turn out because when you're passing something at 65 mph, you have to time the delay of the digital camera shutter perfectly.

[Golly]

When I got to Banff Park, I didn't see a sign saying people passing through could by-pass the Park fee - perhaps I just missed it.  I know they're used to be one.  Most people were lining up to pay.  I'll double-check with Parks Canada.  Taking photos "on the fly" obviously required driving with one hand and taking the photo with the other.  I would only do this on straight sections.  A lot of shots didn't turn out because when you're passing something at 65 mph, you have to time the delay of the digital camera shutter perfectly.

Taking pics on the fly also requires a clean windshield!  Or an open sunroof that you can poke the camera through, whilst holding onto the camera tightly.

The park staff that took your money should have asked if you were just passing through or not.  Of course he/she probably assumed you were camping in Banff since you were driving a Westy.

[johngenx]

I drive through that gate dozens of times each year, and you have to look to notice that on the far right is a "pass lane" for people that are not stopping in Banff or have an annual pass.

However, if you even stop in Banff townsite to gas up or buy a coffee, you're supposed to buy a permit.  It's not a toll to use the road, but to be inside the park.  This is why bus passengers have to pay as well of their tour bus is stopping in Banff.

These fees are charges in most National Parks.

The only road you have to have a permit/pass to drive on is the Icefields Parkway, running from Jasper to Lake Louise.

[ktm525]

I drive through that gate dozens of times each year, and you have to look to notice that on the far right is a "pass lane" for people that are not stopping in Banff or have an annual pass.

However, if you even stop in Banff townsite to gas up or buy a coffee, you're supposed to buy a permit.  It's not a toll to use the road, but to be inside the park.  This is why bus passengers have to pay as well of their tour bus is stopping in Banff.

These fees are charges in most National Parks.

The only road you have to have a permit/pass to drive on is the Icefields Parkway, running from Jasper to Lake Louise.

Correct. What cheeses me off regarding the park fee is that the money collected goes into a "National Park pool". The money raised in Banff does not stay in Banff. I would have no problem with the fees if they actually went into maintainence of the park. Want to guess what the annual fee is at most National parks in the East?



Banff: $136/year for a family car pass.

Fundy: $98

La Maurice $98

Point Pelee $98

Prince Albert $98


I guess Banff is more "special"

 

[editorgreg]

I drive through that gate dozens of times each year, and you have to look to notice that on the far right is a "pass lane" for people that are not stopping in Banff or have an annual pass.

However, if you even stop in Banff townsite to gas up or buy a coffee, you're supposed to buy a permit.  It's not a toll to use the road, but to be inside the park.  This is why bus passengers have to pay as well of their tour bus is stopping in Banff.

I e-mailed Banff National Park and here is their reply:

"When you are only driving thru the National Park via the Trans-Canada
highway and you are not stopping,you don't need to purchase a national park
pass.  If you stop to do some shopping ,or sight you will need a pass, stopping to
purchase gas, bathroom, or food is allowed."

So if I read this right, you can bypass the Park fee if you are not stopping in Banff or campsites; and you can fill up with gas or go to the bathroom along the way without paying the fee.  I'll make a revision to the article to correct it.

[johngenx]

So you can gas up?  Interesting.  My parents used to live in Jasper, and the rule was "any going into town meant having a pass."  Retailers had been squawking about it, so I guess they might have got their way.