How to Roam the Rockies for Free (and Not Ruin Them)

The Canada Strong Pass opens up access to some of the most breathtaking places in the country, all for free. Canadians can now visit every national park, national historic site, and national marine conservation area without paying admission. For many people, it’s their first real chance to explore places like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and beyond. And that’s something truly incredible.

The last time access like this was available was back in 2017 during Canada 150. That year, more than 27 million people visited national parks across the country. It was amazing to see so many Canadians getting outdoors, but it also came with challenges: overcrowded trails, trampled vegetation, overflowing garbage bins, and wildlife getting far too used to people.

So while access is free, it’s important to remember that our responsibility doesn’t end at the gate. These are shared spaces, and if we want to keep them wild, clean, and open for future generations, we’ve got to show up with some basic respect. Here’s how.

Stunning Lake Louise

Respect Indigenous Lands and Cultures

Every single national park in Canada exists on Indigenous land. Before the boundaries were drawn and roads were paved, these places were — and still are — home to Indigenous Peoples with deep, ongoing connections to the land.

In the Rockies, you’re most often visiting the traditional territories of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda), Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina, Cree, Ktunaxa, Secwépemc, and Métis Nation. This land is also covered by historical agreements, including Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 — signed between Indigenous nations and the Crown. These treaties are still relevant today.

Take a few minutes to learn about whose land you’re visiting. Read the signs. Ask questions. Support Indigenous-owned businesses and artisans where you can. These are more than just beautiful places — they’re living, cultural landscapes.

Seriously, Stay on Trail

Trail markers aren’t just a suggestion. Trails are built in specific places to avoid fragile ecosystems, limit erosion, and minimize the impact of thousands of boots walking the same route. Shortcutting switchbacks or trampling off-trail for the perfect selfie might feel harmless in the moment, but it causes long-term damage — especially in alpine and tundra zones where plants grow slowly and root systems are delicate.

Some areas are home to federally protected species or centuries-old moss beds that can be destroyed with a single step. So even if you think it’s just a few feet over, it’s vitally important to stay the course.

Your footprints linger longer than you think.

 

Pack In, Pack Out (Yes, Even That Banana Peel)

If you brought it with you, take it back out. That includes wrappers, tissues, apple cores, banana peels — all of it. Even “natural” food waste attracts animals and teaches them to associate trails with snacks.

Many trailheads and scenic pullouts don’t have garbage bins at all, especially the ones that see less traffic. So if you didn’t plan ahead and bring something to pack your trash out in, you’re either littering or backtracking.

A great tip is to toss a grocery bag or ziplock in your pack and make it a habit to leave the place cleaner than you found it. And yes — that includes used tissues and snack crumbs. If you see garbage left behind by someone else, pick it up. It’s part of being a good steward of the environment.

Give Wild Life Lots of Space and NEVER Feed Them

Seeing animals in the wild is a big part of what makes adventures in the Rockies so unforgettable — but only when it’s done respectfully.

Give them space. Getting too close can be especially dangerous, particularly during sensitive times when animals may become protective or aggressive. Even a calm-looking elk can charge if it feels threatened. Keep your distance — not just for your safety, but for theirs too.

You’ll also see signs everywhere reminding you: Don’t feed the wildlife. Remember: a fed bear is a dead bear.

Feeding animals teaches them to rely on people and associate trails, campsites, and parking lots with food. It disrupts their natural foraging instincts and makes them dependent on humans to survive. Some even learn aggressive behaviour to get what they want. That’s when it becomes a safety issue — and sadly, that often ends with the animal being relocated or euthanized.

In Banff National Park alone, dozens of animals are put down every year after becoming food-conditioned — bears, elk, coyotes, you name it. It’s heartbreaking, and totally avoidable.

Admire them from a distance. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens. And always remember we’re their home.

Supporting Local Matters

The Canada Strong Pass gets you into the parks, but what about everything else? The coffee shops, guides, restaurants, gear shops, and galleries — these are the heart of mountain towns. Choosing local businesses over big chains helps the people who live and work here stay afloat year-round.

And they’re almost always staffed by people who live right in the Rockies. These hardworking folks might be juggling two jobs, living in shared housing, and doing their best to stay afloat in a very expensive part of the world.

Choosing local helps keep these towns vibrant year-round and gives you a much richer experience in return.

Be Kind to All Hospitality Workers — Including Park Staff

Your trip runs smoothly thanks to a lot of people you’ll never meet — and a few you definitely will. That includes the guide who tells you where to spot mountain goats, the barista pouring your flat white, the trail crew rebuilding washed-out sections of trail, and the ranger giving safety briefings in the parking lot.

Parks staff are hospitality workers. They might not wear name tags or aprons, but they’re keeping the experience running smoothly behind the scenes. A smile, a thank-you, or just a little patience goes a long way. Especially on those peak summer days when everyone’s exhausted and the lineup’s a mile long.

Take Nothing But Photos, Leave Nothing But Footsteps

Spotted a smooth rock, a vibrant flower, or maybe a piece of weathered bark that would look great at home? Admire it — and leave it be.

What’s small to you might be essential to the local ecosystem, or part of something protected by law.

That includes building rock piles or rearranging nature just to say you were there. It might seem harmless, but it throws off trail navigation, disrupts delicate habitats, and takes away from the experience for everyone else.

Bonus: Learn Before You Go (optional, but worth it)

This one’s easy to overlook but makes a big difference. Before your trip, check trail conditions, closures, fire bans, and any guidelines for the area you’re visiting. If you’re on Indigenous land, take a minute to learn whose land you’re on. It shows respect, and it helps you plan better, too.

Final Thoughts

The Canada Strong Pass is one of the best things to come out of this country in a long time. It opens doors to some of the most incredible places on the planet without costing a dime.

Let’s keep it that way!

Travel with intention. Respect the land, the animals, the people. And leave the Rockies better than you found them.