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 Parks Canada website for a full list of provincial parks in Ontario and details on their operating hours.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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