Permits

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley. Ice Safety: Alberta Parks does not monitor ice conditions; learn how to assess them for yourself.

Special permits or letters of authority are required for certain activities in provincial parks. All activities must follow park regulations, including the group size limits on trails noted below.

Guiding & Instruction

A permit is required to undertake any commercial guiding, outfitting or instruction in Kananaskis Country.
Non-profit organizations (e.g. youth groups) and post secondary institutions may also require guiding and instruction permits.
For more information about permitting requirements, please contact the Kananaskis Country Special Events & Permits Coordinator.

Independent School Trips in Kananaskis

Schools (Kindergarten to Grade 12) are required to register your school group IF conducting a program in Kananaskis County WITHOUT the assistance of Environmental Education staff.
The permit covers the full school year.
There is NO fee for the permit.
A School Group Registration application can be submitted by
- An individual school OR
- The school district can apply for one permit to cover all schools within that district.

Group Size Limits & Trails

Often the best part about experiencing Kananaskis Country is sharing it with a group of friends and family. We have group size limits on some of our most popular and sensitive trails to ensure large groups do not negatively impact the trails, wildlife or the enjoyment of other users.

Some trails in Kananaskis Country have group size limits, either 15 people or 35 people.
Check the specific trail for a group size limit.
Some trails have different group size limits for different sections of the trail. If the "Group Size Limit" in the trail description states "15/35", please contact the Guiding/Instructing Permits Coordinator for clarification.
All commercial guides/instructors and schools or groups doing independent field trips should confirm group size limits before applying for a permit.

For more information about trail group size limits, please contact the Guiding/Instructing Permits Coordinator.

Permits Contact

Kananaskis Region (including Fish Creek Provincial Park and Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park)

Special Events & Filming/Still Photography Permits

Alberta Forestry and Parks
Parks Division, Kananaskis Region
Special Events & Permits Coordinator
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1B4
Phone 403-851-2207
Fax 403-932-2158
E-mail kananaskis.approvals@gov.ab.ca

Note that Special Events Permits for the Canmore Nordic Centre are handled directly by Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park.

To be connected toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 followed by the phone number. From a cell phone, dial the toll-free code (*310 for Roger's Wireless or #310 for Bell & Telus) followed by the phone number.

Guiding/Instructing Permits

Alberta Forestry and Parks
Parks Division, Kananaskis Region
Special Events & Permits Coordinator
Suite 201, 800 Railway Avenue
Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P1
Phone 403-678-5508
Fax 403-678-5505
E-mail kananaskis.approvals@gov.ab.ca

Kananaskis Country