Banff Closures, Updates & Reminders

⛺ Camping Reservations Open for Banff National Park ⛺

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

Parks Canada has released the long-awaited 2026 camping reservation dates. The countdown is officially on as campers gear up for the annual reservation scramble.

Banff National Park's main campsites reservation launch date is Friday, 23rd January at 8 am MT. This applies to the following campsites:

• Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court

• Tunnel Mountain Village 1

• Tunnel Mountain Village 2

• Lake Louise Hard-sided Equipment Only

• Lake Louise Soft-sided Tents/Trailers

• Protection Mountain

• Johnston Canyon

• Two Jack Lakeside

• Two Jack Main

• Castle Mountain

• Rampart Creek

• Silverhorn Creek

Back-country camping reservations open a few days later, on Monday, January 26th at 8 am MT.

⚠️ Banff Upper Hot Springs Closure ⚠️

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

Parks Canada has confirmed that Banff Upper Hot Springs will remain closed for essential upgrades and restoration, with the reopening now expected in early 2026.

While crews have been working in the area, additional structural issues were identified, making continued closure necessary to complete the work safely and thoroughly. The entire facility will remain closed to the public during this time.

Parks Canada will share another update once a firm re-opening date is set. They look forward to welcoming visitors back once all improvements are complete.

🏔️ Canada Strong Pass: Winter 2025/2026 🏔️

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

The federal government has re-launched the Canada Strong Pass, a program that offers free admission to Parks Canada sites.

The pass is running from December 12 to January 15, 2026, with another round expected to take place in the summer.

First introduced during the summer and briefly discontinued in September, the Canada Strong Pass allows visitors to enter national parks without paying entry fees.

Visitors can arrive at participating Parks Canada sites during the program period with no physical pass, ticket, or advance registration required.

🏞️ Moraine Lake/Lake Louise Shuttle Reservations 🏞️

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

Shuttle tickets for the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise must be purchased online in advance. Reservations open on Wednesday, April 15th at 8 am MT.

Additional shuttle seats are released at 8:00 am MT, two days prior to departure, giving another opportunity to book if advance reservations sell out.

The first day of shuttle operation in 2026 is June 1st (weather permitting).

The start point of the shuttles is the Lake Louise Park and Ride located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

Due to high demand, visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake requires planning. Reserving a seat on a Parks Canada shuttle is a great way to guarantee you can see both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day.

Note that parking in the Lake Louise area is very limited; lots often fill before sunrise and remain full until after sunset. Paid parking is also in effect at the Lake Louise lakeshore during the shuttle season.

Personal vehicles are not permitted to drive to Moraine Lake at all.

❄️ Legacy Trail Seasonal Warning ❄️

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

The Legacy Trail is a popular biking and walking route between Canmore and Banff, known for its mountain views and easy access from both towns. But once winter arrives, it’s no longer maintained.

That means you may run into snow and ice along the way, especially in shaded or open areas where wind and snowplows can push debris onto the trail. You may also find closed gates along the route.

If you're planning to head out, please use caution and be prepared for changing conditions. Fat bikes or studded tires can help, and it’s always a good idea to check recent updates first.

This warning remains in effect until spring, when the trail is snow-free enough to be maintained.

 🚧 Minnewanka Loop Partial Closure 🚧

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

From November to May, the western section of the Minnewanka Loop Road is closed for the season.

This isn't due to winter driving conditions alone - it's a seasonal closure that helps protect one of Banff's important wildlife corridors.

With fewer vehicles and people in the area, animals like elk and wolves have the space and quiet they need to move through safely.

The good news? The rest of the Minnewanka Loop stays open all winter. You can still easily reach Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka, making it a great area for winter walks, lakeside photos, and peaceful snowy views.

If you're heading out, just keep in mind you won't be able to complete the full loop.

🚧 Highway 40 (Highwood Pass) Closure 🚧

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

The section of Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) between Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and the Highwood House Junction is closed to all motor-vehicle traffic from December 1 to June 20.

This seasonal closure is part of the annual schedule managed by Alberta Parks since the road isn’t maintained or plowed during the winter months.

The road is due to reopen on June 20, but this can be extended if weather or conditions delay maintenance and cleanup.

If you’re thinking of cycling or walking the route during the closure period, check current conditions first.

⚠️ Bow Glacier Falls Closure ⚠️

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

The Bow Glacier Falls Trail is still closed following a serious rock slide in June 2025. Parks Canada has an area closure in place to keep everyone safe while they continue their work to stabilise the area.

The closure includes the upper part of the trail that leads right to the falls. You can still walk the open section from Bow Lake and get a distant view of the falls. You should watch for and follow all posted signs

This closure will stay in place until further notice.

🚫 Drone Use Prohibited 🚫

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

Recreational use of drones is prohibited year-round at all Parks Canada locations, including Banff National Park. This applies to anyone without an approved permit.

While drone flying is a popular hobby, it poses risks to visitor safety, disturbs wildlife, and negatively impacts the experience of other visitors.

For these reasons, Parks Canada strictly limits the use of drones. Anyone caught operating a drone within park boundaries without a permit may face law enforcement action and fines of up to $25,000.

In April 2025, an Edmonton man was fined $300 after flying a drone at Crowfoot Glacier. He assumed his drone’s software would block restricted areas, but it did not.

🐻“Unattended Food” Regulations 🚫

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

From spring through fall, take care with food and garbage. Anything unwanted should go straight into a wildlife-proof bin or be locked inside your vehicle or a food locker. Don’t leave garbage sitting out, even for a short time.

You should never store food or garbage in your tent, tent-trailer, or the bed of a pick-up truck. Parks Canada staff do regular checks, and if they spot food or attractants left out, they can remove them to keep both people and wildlife safe. Fines can apply if rules aren’t followed within the National Parks.

Don’t burn food scraps or food-related items like bottles, cans, or garbage. If you’re in the backcountry, follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out everything you bring in. Littering in Banff National Park can also result in a fine.

Even food hung in a bag from a tree counts as a wildlife attractant. These small mistakes can have serious consequences, including trail closures, evacuations, and, in some cases, animals being euthanized if they become used to human food.

🥾 Sundance Canyon Bridge Closure 🥾

Updated: 12th Dec 2025

The closure of the Sundance Canyon Bridge has been extended to 15 December 2025.

The Sundance Trail is a popular route just minutes from the Banff townsite, following a scenic stretch of river to the quiet Sundance Canyon area.

Parks Canada is carrying out essential repairs to the bridge, and the closure is in place for safety.

The Sundance Trail remains open, but the Sundance Canyon Loop is closed for the duration of the work.

Contractors are using vehicles on the Sundance Trail to access the site, so please stay alert and take care when passing through.