Banff National Park has once again broken its visitation record, welcoming 4.515 million visitors in 2025. This surpasses the previous record of 4.28 million set in 2024, continuing a trend of increasing human presence in the iconic Canadian park. The surge in tourism is raising concerns about the strain on the park's environment and infrastructure, leading Parks Canada to explore further measures to manage access to popular areas.
The vast majority of visitors concentrate on a small percentage of the park, creating "hot spots" that experience significant congestion. Vehicle traffic to Banff town increased by four percent last summer compared to the previous year, with overall visitation up slightly in November and December. Banff has seen a 30 percent growth in visitation in the past decade, forcing Parks Canada to find a balance between public access and preservation. Superintendent Francois Masse noted the need to ensure capacity is not exceeded at popular locations like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Parks Canada is considering further limiting access to the busiest parts of the park. Measures already in place include private vehicle bans at Moraine Lake since 2023, and paid parking pilots at Lake Louise and the Sulphur Mountain lot. Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno emphasized the need to manage congestion, noting that traffic issues arise when the town sees over 30,000 vehicles a day.
The Canada Strong Pass, offering free access to national parks, is returning in 2026. While it aims to provide access to Canadians, concerns remain that it could exacerbate overtourism, especially in Banff. Parks Canada is developing a visitor use management framework, similar to one used by the U. S. National Park Service, to address long-term congestion and ensure the park's sustainability.
