Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
No Consensus On Lake Louise Access
Parks Canada's public consultation on access to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Paradise Valley closed with no clear winner. Shuttle-only drew the most support and nearly as many objections, so a final plan won't land until this autumn. If you're assuming next summer will look like this one, don't count on it yet.
Near Invermere, BC Wildfire Service and Invermere Fire Rescue held a human-caused fire near Peters Hill to 0.1 hectares. It isn't expected to grow, and there are no alerts or restrictions in place, but it never hurts to check conditions before heading out for the day.
If you'd rather hand transportation off entirely, a horse-drawn wagon still runs along the Bow River most summer evenings, ending at a backcountry cookout with steak grilled to order over the fire. Departures are limited and tend to fill early.
Rimrock has also finished a full property reopening, with a new thermal wellness bathhouse and four new dining spaces, including a vinyl listening lounge set high above the valley.
👉 Follow us on YouTube | Facebook | Instagram for more updates!
👉 Find out what is happening this week and beyond on our Events Page.
👉 Sign Up Here to receive "What's On Banff" five days a week - it's free!
Trade the usual bus tour for a horse-drawn wagon ride along the Bow River to a backcountry cookout, with steak grilled to order by the fire. Departures are limited each evening in summer.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Sunrise Over the Bow River, Canmore
🚌 Lake Louise Weighs Access Options. Parks Canada's public consultation on access options at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Paradise Valley split evenly - shuttle-only drew the most votes and nearly as many rejections. A final plan is due this autumn.
🐻 Grizzly Bluff-Charges Camper at Interlakes. A grizzly with cubs bluff-charged a camper at Interlakes Campground in Kananaskis - the latest of three new bear warnings this week, alongside closures on Jasper's Opal Hills Loop and K-Country's Junction Falls Trail.
🔥 Wildfire Held Near Invermere. BC Wildfire Service and Invermere Fire Rescue responded to a human-caused fire near Peters Hill that has burned 0.1 hectares. It is not expected to grow, and no alerts or restrictions are in place.
🏕️ Backcountry Reopens, Trail Doesn't. Seven Kananaskis backcountry campgrounds reopened July 14 after flood damage, but the Ribbon Creek trail closure means hikers now reroute via Galatea Creek or Buller Pass. Forks and Turbine Canyon remain shut.
🎉 Jasper Throws a Party for the Park. Friends of Jasper National Park hosts Parks Day at the Information Centre lawn on July 18, with children's games, live music, and Parks Canada booths covering wildlife and wildfire.
⚡ Thunderstorms crash the party before sunshine takes over - Thu turns muggy and unsettled with showers possible and the mercury hitting 29°C, Fri keeps things grey with a 60% shower chance at 23°C, then Sat finally clears the air with a sunny 25°C. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
The Sulphur Mountain gondola reaches the summit boardwalk in about eight minutes, with eight mountain ranges visible from the observation decks. July and August time slots are selling out, so booking ahead beats showing up and hoping.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🦌 Dusk Wildlife Tour: Lake Minnewanka to Surprise Corner - Ride out at prime viewing hours past elk and bighorn sheep, Bow Falls' film-famous cascade, and the classic view over the Fairmont from Surprise Corner - climb aboard for golden-hour Banff at its quietest.
🚴 E-Bike & Hike to Johnston Canyon's Lower Falls - Cruise the Legacy Trail and Bow Valley Parkway on an e-bike, then swap wheels for boots on a canyon trail past overhanging limestone cliffs to the Lower Falls - saddle up for elk-spotting without the leg burn.
🛶 Big Canoe: Voyageur-Style Paddle on the Bow River - Paddle a 12-seat replica voyageur canoe upstream past elk on the banks and eagles hunting from the firs, then drift back easy with lemonade waiting on the shore - grab a paddle and let someone else steer.
❓Your Questions Answered
📅 Is July a good month to visit Banff? It is one of the best - long days, warm weather, and everything open - but it is also the busiest time of year, so some preparation goes a long way.
🥾 Is Policeman's Creek Trail suitable for families and beginners? It's one of the most accessible walks in the Rockies - flat, well-surfaced, and easy to shorten or extend depending on how far you want to go.
📏 How close can I get if I spot a wolf? Keep a minimum of 100 metres distance. Watching from afar is the right call - and the safer experience.
After a property-wide reimagination, Rimrock has reopened with a new thermal wellness bathhouse and four fresh dining venues, including a vinyl listening lounge, high above the Bow Valley.
🏕️ Quiz
Which Jasper National Park landmark is shown in this photo, famous for its dramatic water level changes?
Yesterday’s Question: Which famous scenic road connects Banff and Jasper?
✅ Answer: 3) Icefields Parkway - 87% Correct
The Icefields Parkway is known for glacier views and bright alpine lakes. Check out our guides to two of the most popular stops along the route, Peyto Lake and Bow Lake.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.
FULL EVENT CALENDAR | BANFF & LAKE LOUISE | CANMORE | JASPER NP
BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS
Thursday, July 16
10:00 | Canmore Mountain Market | Elevation Place | Canmore
10:00 | Fire Ecology Hike | Old Fort Point Trailhead | Jasper
13:00 | Anne of Green Gables | Centennial Park | Canmore
16:00 | Visual Arts Open Lecture Series | The Banff Centre | Banff
18:20 | CAMBA x Dirt Queens Social Rides | Canmore Nordic Centre | Canmore
19:00 | Trivia Night | The Drake | Canmore
19:00 | Literary Cabaret: Summer Writers | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:00 | Little Women | Centennial Park | Canmore
19:30 | Chamber Music Concert | The Banff Centre | Banff
19:30 | The Cheezie Musical | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Orlando Cardoso Trio- Passing By Tour | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:30 | Jasper Historical Tour | Jasper Town | Jasper
21:00 | Jam Night | Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:00 | Max Mackrill | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore
22:00 | The Blue Mules | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
📅 Got An Event To Share?
📅 👉 Submit Here (3 days before the event date) for a FREE LISTING
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits!
We're so glad you're here for the ride.
Keep exploring and sharing, and we'll see you in the next issue with another full lineup of Banff happenings.
Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff
✉️ Not on our mailing list? 👉 Sign Up Here to receive “What’s On Banff” IT’S FREE!
💬 Want to get in touch? For feedback, local stories, or questions, reply to this email.
💡 This email contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
