Day-use pass exemptions

Individual volunteers and group partnership agreement holders do not need a day-use pass if they meet these two requirements:

• They have appropriate authorization from BC Parks for the volunteer activity
• They are entering a day-use park to participate in that volunteer activity

For volunteer group leaders, BC Parks will issue a day-use pass exemption letter alongside the group’s volunteer agreement. The letter must be presented to the pass checker upon request.

For more information about our volunteer program, visit our volunteer page.
 

Exemptions are available for educational groups visiting Joffre Lakes Park to view and learn about the Matier glacier and glacial landscape. Groups must meet all of the following criteria:

• The trip is part of a course specifically in geography, earth science, or geomorphology, or a sub-specialty of one of these three disciplines
• The group is from a B.C. secondary or post-secondary school
• The trip duration is one day, and does not include staying overnight

Educational group leaders are required to get prior approval from BC Parks before entering the park. To request approval, contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with the details of your proposed field trip, and with as much notice as possible.

Government agencies, contractors hired by BC Parks, and utility companies can enter day-use pass parks without a pass to conduct essential services. Contract holders must show a copy of their contract to the pass checker upon request. For more information, contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca, or your BC Parks contact.

Emergency personnel responding to emergency situations, or participating in organized training activities, do not require a day-use pass. This includes Search and Rescue teams, firefighters, police, and paramedics. For training activities, personnel must show proof of membership to the pass checker upon request.

BC Parks is committed to ensuring First Nations are free to access their traditional territories. This includes parks and protected areas that  require day-use passes.

First Nations whose traditional territories overlaps a day-use pass park do not need a pass to enter.  

BC Parks supports the constitutionally protected exercise of Aboriginal Rights in parks and protected areas. This is in keeping with the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

For more information, contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.
 

Permit holders and their clients may not require a pass when visiting for the activities authorized in their permit. Permit holder must check their permit conditions to confirm whether day-use passes are required.

If passes are not required, permit holders must present a copy of their permit to the pass checker. Pass checkers accept a printed paper copy or digital copy of a permit.

Permit holders must inform their clients whether or not they need to book a day-use pass. If clients do not need a pass, permit holders are encouraged to arrive at the park with them. Permit holders arriving separately must have their clients inform the pass checker that they are there to meet a permit holder.

For more information on park-use permits, visit the park-use permits page.
 

Researchers with prior authorization from BC Parks may enter day-use pass parks without a pass. Researchers must present their agreement with BC Parks, such as a letter of authorization or park-use permit, to the pass checker upon request. Show a printed paper copy or a digital copy.

For more information on research permits, visit the park-use permits page.

Community groups are not eligible for day-use pass exemptions. We encourage community groups to:

• Visit the park during a time of year, day of the week, or time of day that passes are not required.
• Visit an area of the park where day-use passes are not required.
• Use a bus to drop off and pick up your group if you want to visit Mount Seymour, Golden Ears, or Garibaldi. Busses must not park in the day-use pass area during your visit.
• Book day-use passes and carpool to the park. For day-use vehicle passes at Mount Seymour, Golden Ears, and Garibaldi, 12 passengers are permitted per vehicle. 
• Consider alternative parks in the area where passes are not required. Visit the find a park page to discover parks nearby.