64% Support Paid Parking at Banff’s Sulphur Mountain, But Many Want Local Exemptions

A Bow Valley Insider reader poll suggests most respondents support the idea of paid parking at Banff’s Sulphur Mountain lots, though many say the policy should come with exemptions or discounts for local residents.

The poll follows Parks Canada’s announcement of a new three-year pilot program that will begin charging for parking near the Banff Gondola and Upper Hot Springs starting May 15. The fee will be $17.50 per vehicle per day between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., applying to the two Parks Canada lots that serve the Sulphur Mountain area.

Officials say the program is intended to address persistent traffic congestion in Banff, particularly during summer months when vehicles travelling toward Sulphur Mountain can contribute to backups across the Bow River Bridge and along Mountain Avenue.

Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno welcomed the pilot when it was announced earlier this month, saying the town hopes the fee will encourage visitors to leave their vehicles behind and take transit instead.

“Every summer we try to mitigate traffic congestion but with more and more vehicles coming into town, it makes our work that much harder,” DiManno told Bow Valley Insider. “We hope this will be a disincentive for folks who drive their personal vehicles to the Sulphur Mountain attractions.”

Poll shows majority support

After the story was published, Bow Valley Insider asked readers whether they supported the new parking fee.

Out of 300 votes, 192 respondents (64%) said yes, while 108 respondents (36%) opposed the idea.

The results suggest a clear majority backing the policy in principle, though the hundreds of comments left by readers revealed a more nuanced picture of how people feel about the change.

Congestion concerns drive support

Many respondents said paid parking could help address one of Banff’s most persistent issues: vehicle congestion.

“Congestion needs to be addressed and paid parking should help,” one reader wrote.

Another said the fee could push more visitors toward transit options: “Support local transit and reduce traffic over the Bow River Bridge.”

Some readers argued the price should actually be higher or paired with stronger restrictions on vehicles entering the area.

“Make the parking fee even higher, or better yet, prohibit all private vehicles and require shuttles to be used,” one commenter wrote. “Banff needs to be more like towns in the Alps such as Zermatt.”

Others framed the fee as a reasonable way to recover costs associated with tourism.

“There are many costs associated with tourism that Banff and Alberta end up coming out of pocket with,” one reader said. “A parking fee is only a small portion of those costs that is more than fair to pass to those tourists.”

Locals worry about affordability

However, the most common theme among critical comments was concern about affordability and access for locals.

Several readers said the fee could discourage residents or frequent visitors who regularly hike Sulphur Mountain or use the Upper Hot Springs.

“It’s a steep price for those of us wanting to hike Sulphur Mountain on top of a park pass,” one commenter wrote.

Another added: “I like to hike Sulphur Mountain during the week but the new parking fee is too steep for me.”

Many also noted that visitors already pay several other fees, including park passes, gondola tickets, or hot springs admission.

“We already pay for a park pass. More fees are not acceptable,” one reader wrote.

Another said the cumulative costs are becoming prohibitive. “It already costs a fortune to use the gondola and to take a dip in the hot springs.”

Calls for local exemptions

A recurring suggestion was that residents of Banff, Canmore, or nearby communities should receive discounted or free parking.

“Locals should be exempt,” one commenter wrote.

Another suggested a compromise: “Yes a fee for parking is valid. But perhaps locals free could happen.”

Others emphasized that Sulphur Mountain is a regular exercise destination for many residents.

“Locals regularly run and hike up Sulphur Mountain as it is one of the training hills for ultra runners,” one reader said.

Doubts it will reduce traffic

Some commenters also questioned whether parking fees would actually reduce congestion, arguing visitors will still choose to drive.

“It’s not going to stop people from driving,” one reader wrote. “All that this is doing is making nature more expensive.”

Another commenter said the policy may simply generate revenue without changing behaviour.

“Charging for parking does not influence car habits. It’s a revenue generator.”

Others argued that larger infrastructure solutions, such as rail connections or major transit improvements, would be needed to significantly reduce vehicle traffic.

A test for Banff’s transportation future

Parks Canada says the Sulphur Mountain program is a pilot project that will run for three years, with revenue helping support transit in the park.

The trial will also help officials evaluate whether pricing parking can influence how visitors travel to some of Banff’s busiest destinations.

For now, the debate reflected in the poll highlights the broader tension facing the national park: balancing visitor demand, transportation challenges and local access to one of Canada’s most iconic mountain landscapes.