Seasonal closures and restrictions
Banff National Park
This listing shows planned closures and restrictions. Where there are no dates marked, closures or restrictions will fall sometime during the time period specified. Additional closures and restrictions may happen at any time, in any location and without prior notice.
See the Important Bulletins page for a current listing.
Annual closures and restrictions in Banff National Park:
| Where | When | Activity | Why | Closure | Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various locations | From 2015 to 2022 | Various activities | Infrastructure improvements | Yes | Yes |
| Moraine Lake Road | Year-round | Driving | Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles | Yes | - |
| Bow Valley Parkway / Hwy 1A (17 km eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway between Fireside Day-use Area and Johnston Canyon) | March 1 to June 25, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. | All activities | To give the animals the space they need to thrive during the spring; at crucial times of the day and year. | Yes | - |
| Bow Valley Parkway / Hwy 1A (17-km section east of Johnston Canyon Campground only) | May 1 to June 25, 2022 and September 1 to September 30, 2022 | Driving | During a three-year pilot program from 2022 to 2024, Parks Canada is providing an improved cycling experience by restricting vehicle use along the 17 km eastern section of the parkway in the spring and fall. Parks Canada will monitor results of this pilot to guide future planning and decisions. | Yes | - |
| Minnewanka Loop Road (western section) | November to May | Driving | To reduce the level of human activity adjacent to an important wildlife corridor | Yes | - |
| Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course Road | November 1 to May 1 | Driving | To reduce the level of human activity in an important wildlife corridor | Yes | - |
| Banff Legacy Trail | Early fall to early spring | All activities | The trail is not cleared of snow and ice in the winter. With large sections of the trail exposed to highway maintenance debris, travel is dangerous. | - | - |
| Lake Minnewanka - Sheep Point | Spring | All activities | For park resource management purposes | Yes | - |
| Spray River Valley | April 15 to November 15 | All activities | Wildlife activity in this area cannot be disturbed by human presence | Yes | - |
| Fairholme Range Ecologically Sensitive Site | Year-round | Hiking | To protect the largest intact block of montane habitat in the park. | Yes | - |
| Allenby Pass Seasonal Trail Restriction | August 1 to September 30 | Hiking | To minimize disturbance to bears feeding on berries. | - | Yes |
| Lake Minnewanka Seasonal Trail Restriction | July 10 to September 15 | Biking | To minimize disturbance to bears feeding on berries. | - | Yes |
| Moraine Lake Area Seasonal Trail Restrictions | July to October (dates may vary) |
All activities | Grizzly bears frequenting the area. | - | Yes |
| Lake Louise Cross Country Ski Trails | November 1 to April 30 | Cross-country skiing | Dogs are not allowed on certain track set ski trails. | - | Yes |
| Healy Pass / Sunshine Meadows Area | Spring to Fall | Horseback Riding |
Horse use is restricted to prevent damage to sensitive alpine meadows | - | Yes |
| Healy Pass / Sunshine Meadows / North of Citadel Pass | Spring to Fall | Hiking off trail | To protect sensitive habitat and improve habitat security for grizzly bears. | - | Yes |
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