Free national park access now includes four Ontario destinations

Parks Canada has announced that starting Dec. 12, guests can enjoy free admission to all open national parks across the country, including four destinations here in Ontario.

This offer is part of the Canada Strong Pass, a program that gives outdoor adventure lovers discounted access to national parks and historic reserves from Dec. 12 to Jan. 15, 2026. Guests who want to use campgrounds or book overnight stays can also receive 25 per cent off their reservations, another perk included with the pass.

In Ontario, the four participating parks are Bruce Peninsula National Park, Point Pelee National Park, Woodside National Historic Site, and Rouge National Urban Park, with each giving a discount of up to $9 per adult by eliminating admission charges during this month-long campaign.

It's important to note that while these parks offer free admission and overnight access, guests may still need to pay for parking and any applicable reservation fees.

So, if a winter wilderness adventure is on your to-do list this holiday season, then now's your chance to take advantage of all that the Canada Strong Pass has to offer. Seasonal activities like snowshoeing, tobogganing, wildlife viewing, and more are all at your fingertips.

While these four parks are the ones offering Canada Strong Pass perks from Dec. 12 to Jan. 15, 2026, several other parks in Ontario remain open during this period. You can visit the Ontario Parks website for a full list of provincial parks in Ontario and details on their operating hours.