The Mountains are Calling -
Travel to Banff National Park!
The Mountains are Calling -
Canada
Location
3 weeks
Duration
18+
Age
Tourist Visa
Visa
May-August
Dates
Travel to famous Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies! We look forward to you joining us in the 15th year of this unique program in this globally significant UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More than a voluntourism or ecotourism experience, this program helps people grow into strong, knowledgeable leaders in nature conservation and sustainable tourism.
The world is facing increasingly complex environmental, social and economic challenges such as climate change, that are making the conservation of nature more urgent and critical than ever before. To protect its finite and precious wilderness and wildlife, the world needs more leaders who can lead by example, inspire and work with others and design, launch and manage more sustainable conservation and tourism initiatives.
Why Banff National Park?
Tourism for Good: The Vision Transforming Banff National Park Video
Banff National Park is the perfect place for fun, hands-on learning and giving back to Canada’s first and most famous national park. With 4.6 million visitors each year, Banff faces social and environmental challenges from “overtourism.” The new “Lead Tourism for Good” initiative balances tourism and conservation. Through effective park stewardship, volunteers help by monitoring, measuring, educating visitors, and actively reducing the impact of tourism on its fragile mountain ecosystem—home to iconic wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, and cougars. The park has led the way in “ecological integrity” in the world, and participants in this program get to experience and learn about this first-hand while honing their observational, critical thinking, outdoor and leadership skills. You will learn about and support conservation projects such as:
PARKS CANADA: A COMMUNITY THAT STRIVES TO LEAD, INSPIRE, SUPPORT AND GUIDE
Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet and collaboratively work with Parks Canada staff, local park volunteers (Park Stewards) and other dedicated volunteer groups.
By participating in this valuable program, you will learn about current conservation efforts at Banff National Park directly from the source, and you will have the opportunity to design and propose ideas on how to tackle environmental problems. Through weekly group facilitated discussions, you will develop a project, which will hopefully help the park with a specific conversation challenge they are facing.
Learning Outcomes
With full participation, you will…
Receive a Certificate in Personal Conservation Leadership
Learn about conservation efforts and challenges in Banff National Park
Work hands-on in a variety of activities, mainly outdoors, in the majestic mountains
Design, develop and potentially advance your own “team conservation project”
Join interesting discussions regarding former and current conservation efforts
Foster your intercultural communication, team building and leadership skills by working in groups
Volunteer Activities
Volunteer Activities
Hike, bike, and report on trail conditions, interact with visitors, observe and report on park infractions, wildlife sightings.
Be on patrol at day-use areas and viewpoints and interact with visitors from all over the world.
Maintain the wildlife fence.
Assist on environmental science, research and monitoring projects and other data collection.
Help with restoration projects including removal of invasive species, clean ups, native plantings.
Participate in and help at special events, cultural heritage programming, and Indigenous programs when available.
Projects as needed or requested from staff (buffalo berry bush removal at campgrounds, for example).
ACCOMMODATION
Our Banff volunteers enjoy an incredible opportunity to stay nearby in the beautiful mountain town of Canmore, at the Canmore Downtown Hostel.
This is a great opportunity for participants to join the 3-week Parks Canada Volunteer Program during Banff’s busy summer season — a rare chance to live and volunteer in one of Canada’s most stunning regions.
Room Details
Volunteers will share comfortable 8-bed, mixed-gender dormitory rooms. Each bed includes:
- A personal locker and under-bed storage – bring your own lock (large enough for luggage)
- A privacy curtain, individual shelf, reading light, and power outlet
Facilities & Amenities
- A fully equipped kitchen is available for guests to prepare their own meals. It includes plenty of fridge and dry storage space (please note: no freezer).
- A spacious dining area and common room create a friendly, social atmosphere.
- Front desk: open from 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (no overnight staff; an emergency phone is available in the lobby for after-hours needs).
- Quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
- Free parking is available for registered guests with vehicles.
- Laundry room: coin-operated, open 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ($3 per wash/dry).
- Shared washrooms: two mixed-gender (gender neutral) facilities, each with 3 showers, 3 toilets, and 3 sinks.
Local Convenience
The hostel is located within a complex that includes a convenience store, coffee shop, and several restaurants. Grocery stores such as Safeway and Save-On-Foods are about a 15–20-minute walk away.
Meals
Volunteers are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own food using the kitchen facilities provided.
Transportation
For transportation, the Roam Transit Route 3 bus to Banff stops directly outside the hostel, and there are a variety of bus pass options available for purchase. Approximately $80 for a bus pass.
Check-In
At check-in, you will be asked for photo ID and review key information such as opening hours. Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m., but guests are welcome to arrive earlier so your luggage can be stored safely until the room is ready. All sheets and towels are provided and fresh linens can be offered upon request. Please do not to bring your own bedding.
START DATES 2026
“While on this epic supported but self-guided adventure, you will have fun, challenge yourself mentally and physically, learn about current conservation challenges, practice and develop leadership skills, gain international work experience and first-hand, behind-the-scenes knowledge of Canada’s conservation strategies and park operations while you contribute to conservation in Canada’s busiest national park. Your actions will protect Canada’s iconic wildlife and their natural habitat. You will also develop leadership, life, and communication skills that you can take with you and apply for the rest of your life.”
– Tina Barzo, Leader of Volunteer Engagement, Banff National Park.
Volunteer placement for 3 weeks in Banff National Park
Accommodation arranged at Canmore Downtown Hostel for $1,280 CAD – hostel fee not included in the program fee
Pre-arrival online orientation
A welcome package (e.g. Volunteer Handbook, articles on park wildlife, etc.)
1 day orientation and training in Banff, AB
Option to receive Banff & Lake Louise Ambassador Pass for tons of discounts in the area (valued up to $1,400 CAD!)
Emergency contact number
What’s not included:
Airfare and transport to Banff
Visa Fees
Medical insurance
Meals during the program
Hiking equipment (e.g. hiking shoes, day backpack, etc.)
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM:
- Canadian and international volunteers welcome!
- Minimum age required: 18 years
- You have to be eligible to receive a tourist visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) * or be a citizen of Canada
- Be open-minded, flexible, and highly self-motivated
- Have good judgment; can be depended upon to work with the public in a positive manner and to behave in a safe manner, on and off duty
- Strong ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good observation skills, basic map-reading ability, intermediate hiking skills and knowledge
- Have at least low intermediate English skills (you can take English classes beforehand if you are not there yet)
- You will be required to fill out a medical form and disclose any pre-existing injuries or health issues
* Please note that we are not able to provide a Letter of Support for your visa application to Canada. You must be able and eligible to get a visa on your own.
BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Banff National Park is famous for its brightly colored lakes, majestic mountains and endless outdoor adventures. As Canada’s first national park and the world’s third, it has a rich heritage as one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations.
What makes Banff National Park so special is its easy access and proximity to the vast unspoiled wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. The park spans 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of mountainous terrain, packed with spectacularly scenic valleys, peaks, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers.
The bustling town of Banff and hamlet of Lake Louise are uniquely located in the National Park. You feel truly immersed in the mountains and close to nature when you visit Banff & Lake Louise.
– Banff and Lake Louise Tourism
Candidates should have strong interpersonal, communications, and problem-solving skills, strong ability to work independently and as part of a team, and be an enthusiastic person who stays positive in less than perfect circumstances.
Candidates should also have a desire to work hard, make a difference, and a willingness to remain flexible and positive through ever changing project work, locations, and weather conditions.
Volunteers must be physically fit, have proper clothing and hiking gear (footwear must have tread suitable for trail hiking), and able to do some periodic heavy lifting and hiking in mountain areas.
Please contact us if you have questions about footwear or what to bring. Candidates who come with footwear not appropriate for mountain activity will be required to buy it or will not be allowed to participate in group activities that require it.
The first full day is an orientation at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Park Museum National Historic Site and warden office.
Participants will receive a detailed schedule, uniforms, information packages, safety and project-specific training and the group will get to know each other.
In the afternoon, there will be a guided, interpreted hike up Sacred Guardian Buffalo Mountain with the leaders to check physical conditioning and gear.
Training is continuous and hands-on at each activity plus the leadership process, where the participants will develop personal leadership and a conservation leadership project. Everything will be facilitated.
Projects include:
Hike, bike, and report on trail conditions, interact with visitors, observe and report on park infractions, wildlife sightings.
Be on patrol at day-use areas and viewpoints and interact with visitors from all over the world.
Maintain the wildlife fence.
Assist on environmental science, research and monitoring projects and other data collection.
Help with restoration projects including removal of invasive species, clean ups, native plantings.
Participate in and help at special events, cultural heritage programming, and Indigenous programs when available.
Other special projects, as needed, include: fingerboard and signage building, painting picnic tables.
Projects as needed or requested from staff (buffalo berry bush removal at campgrounds, for example).
Schedule will typically be Wednesday to Sunday, and volunteers will be busy with formal activities approximately 6 hours/day, with 2-3 days off per week.
Arriving and departing is the responsibility of the volunteer. We recommend flying into Calgary and taking a shuttle bus from the Calgary airport. There are multiple companies.
Accommodation is in the mountain town of Canmore, just outside the park, at the Canmore Downtown Hostel. You will take public transportation to and from Banff to fulfill the volunteer activities.
Detailed information will be sent to the volunteer pre-arrival package.
You will also have a bicycle the entire time you are volunteering for on and off duty use, that you can keep at your accommodation. Sometimes you will use the bike for volunteering. You can also use it for commuting into Banff and back to Canmore if you desire (it is about 1+ hour bike ride along the Legacy Trail, a paved trail specifically made for commuting).
Public transit is available in and around the Banff townsite and to various locations in the park. A shuttle will be provided from a central location in town to activity locations when possible.
Volunteers will share comfortable 8-bed, mixed-gender dormitory rooms. Each bed includes:
- A personal locker and under-bed storage – bring your own lock (large enough for luggage)
- A privacy curtain, individual shelf, reading light, and power outlet
Volunteers are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own food using the kitchen facilities provided.
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