Calgarians heading to Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country this May long weekend will encounter several trail and area closures. The closures are in place for reasons including wildlife protection, forest management, and safety during fireguard construction.
Banff National Park Closures
Access trails from Stewart Canyon to Sheep Point, including the lakeshore and exposed areas, are closed for park resource management purposes until July 1. Additionally, an area between Mountain Avenue bordering the Valley View Trail, extending east to the Banff Springs Hotel and uphill to the Rimrock Hotel, is closed to all traffic and travel. This closure also covers the area south of Mountain Avenue, beginning 500 metres downhill from the Rimrock Hotel and extending one kilometre along the road. The closures are due to mechanical forest thinning, debris burning, and log hauling operations, according to Parks Canada.
The west slope of Tunnel Mountain, south of the Tunnel Mountain Trail, is also closed to all traffic and travel, though official surrounding trails like Tunnel Mountain Trail, Surprise Corner, and the Bow River Trail remain open. Climbing access to the Black Band and Gonda Roof climbing areas is permitted. This closure aims to reduce human-wildlife conflicts by providing secure habitat for female elk during calving season, which typically runs from May 15 to June 30.
Kananaskis Country Closures
In Kananaskis Country, construction of the Bow Valley Fireguard within Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park has closed several upper trails until further notice: Killer Bees, Ziggys, Backdoor, Oven, Nector Noodle, and Alpine Meadows. Additionally, the left side of the Graceland rock climbing area at Grassi Lakes is closed, including the You Ain’t Nothing but a Hang Dog, Memphis, and It’s Now or Never routes. This closure minimizes disturbances to an owl nesting site.
Waterton Lakes National Park Restrictions
In Waterton Lakes National Park, restrictions are in place to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species. Non-motorized watercraft arriving from outside the park cannot be launched, but rentals deemed safe for the local aquatic environment are available within the park. Using non-watercraft aquatic equipment, such as waders, wading boots, fishing gear, diving and snorkeling equipment, and personal flotation devices, requires a permit available at the park gate, visitor centre, townsite campground, and permit boxes at common waterbody access locations. Permits cannot be purchased for inflatable watercraft and flotation devices.
RCMP will also be promoting safe driving behaviours and conducting targeted enforcement to remove impaired drivers from roads during the long weekend.
