Banff National Park reopening with limited access next month

Things are beginning to feel like summer in Alberta.

Following a rocky start to spring with much of the province shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Albertans are now being allowed a bit more freedom with Stage 1 of the province’s Relaunch Strategy reopening retail businesses, restaurants, and much more.

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Even those who are daydreaming of the mountains will soon be able to satiate their alpine tastes, as Banff National Parks has some big plans to reopen at the start of June.

According to Parks Canada’s website, Calgary’s closest national park will see limited access beginning June 1.

The reopening will include motor vehicle access to most secondary roads, with the exception of the Bow Valley Parkway east of Castle junction and Tunnel Mountain Road.

Visitors will also have access to the Banff East Gates, as well as day-use areas in the Banff Townsite, Lake Minnewanka, and along the Icefields Parkway. Many of these areas will be restricted with kitchen shelters remaining closed, but flush washrooms will be open.

Hiking and cycling trails in Banff National Park will be open for day use, though access to Johnson Canyon Trail will only be available to those who hike or bike the road.

The Village of Lake Louise has also reopened to the public, though visitors are asked to practice physical distancing while visiting.

Moraine Road will remain closed due to seasonal conditions, the website states, along with Sunshine Road, which won’t be reopened until June 21.

The Peyto Lake day-use area will remain closed, as well as all campgrounds and camping facilities (until at least June 21), the Banff Upper Hot Springs, the Banff Park Museum, Cave and Basin, the Banff visitor information centre, the Lake Louise visitor centre, Niblock gate, David Thompson gate, Moraine Lake Road, and the Parks Canada shuttle service that usually services Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

More information about what’s open and closed in Banff National Park can be found here.