Here’s what you need to know about the latest restrictions at Lake Louise and Banff National Park

Parks Canada has banned tents, tent trailers, and soft-sided campers at the Lake Louise Trailer Campground for the 2025 season due to increased bear activity. The restriction is in effect until December 15. Violators face fines of up to $25,000.

Parks Canada has also restricted trail bicycling in Banff National Park, allowing it only on designated trails and paved roads. Effective today, the restriction remains in force until further notice and prohibits all off-trail biking and unauthorized trail-building.

Permitted Trail Networks

Town of Banff Area

1. Banff Legacy Trail – Paved trail parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway from Banff East Gate, through Banff, along Vermillion Lakes Drive, to the east end of the Bow Valley Parkway. Includes the connector to Cascade Ponds Day-use Area.

2. Brewster Creek Trail – From Healy Creek Trail junction to Sundance Lodge.

3. Bryant Creek Trail – From Bryant Creek trailhead to Trail Centre Warden Cabin access.

4. Cascade Ponds-Bankhead Trail – Maintained trail connecting Cascade Ponds and Lower Bankhead Interpretive Trail.

5. Cascade Valley Trail – From Upper Bankhead Day-use Area to Stoney Creek Campground (CR15), including the connector from Lake Minnewanka Road.

6. Fenland Loop – Loop and connectors located at the northwest end of town.

7. Healy Creek Trail – From Healy/Brewster parking lot to Sundance Trail junction.

8. Lake Minnewanka Trail – From Lake Minnewanka Day-use Area to Devil’s Gap.

   • Seasonal restriction: Bicycling is prohibited between Stewart Canyon Bridge and Devil’s Gap from July 10 to September 15.

9. Lower Sulphur Mountain Area – Maintained trail system south of Cave Avenue, west of Spray Avenue, north of Sulphur Mountain parking lots, and bound by Mountain Avenue.

10. Redearth Creek Trail – From Redearth Creek trailhead to Shadow Lake Trail junction.

    • Shadow Lake Trail: Bicycling permitted only December 15 to March 15.

11. Rundle Riverside Trail – From Golf Course Road to the park’s southern boundary.

12. Sundance Trail – Paved trail from Cave and Basin National Historic Site to Sundance Canyon Loop, including the unpaved Marsh Loop.

13. Stoney Mountain Area – Upper and Lower Stoney Trails connecting Mount Norquay ski area and the Trans-Canada Highway.

14. Spray River Trails – Includes:

    • Spray River West – From trailhead to Spray River bridge junction.

    • Spray River East – From Golf Course Road to Spray River bridge, including Spray Quarry Trail and connectors.

    • Spray River and Goat Creek – From Spray River Bridge junction to Goat Creek trailhead (Banff boundary), continuing to Goat Creek Day-use Area in Spray Valley.

15. Spray Road West Trail – Connects Bryant Creek Trail to boundary cutline at Canyon Dam Area, crossing Banff and Spray Valley Provincial Park boundaries.

16. Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail – From Sundance Trail junction to Sanson’s Peak Boardwalk junction.

    • Note: Bicycles are prohibited on boardwalks.

17. Tunnel Mountain Bench Area – Maintained trail network south of Banff Avenue, west of the Cascade River, north of the Bow River, and east of Banff.

    • No biking permitted on:

      • Hoodoos Interpretive Trail

      • Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail

      • Corrals to Tunnel Mountain Campground

      • Corrals to Tunnel Mountain Road

18. Water Tower Trail – Maintained trail connecting Cascade Ponds and Johnson Lake Day-use Areas.

Lake Louise Area

19. Bow River Trail – From Lake Louise Campground or Bow River Bridge near the historic Lake Louise train station.

20. Great Divide (Old 1A Hwy) Trail – From 3.6 km up Lake Louise Drive to Lake O’Hara Road in Yoho National Park.

21. Louise Creek Trail – From Great Divide Trail junction to Tramline Trail.

22. Moraine Lake Highline Trail – From a small parking area 2.5 km up Moraine Lake Road to Moraine Lake Day-use Area.

23. Pipestone Trail – From Pipestone trailhead off Slate Road to turnaround at 6.5 km, including Mud Lake Trail.

24. Tramline Trail – From Bow River Trail junction to the main parking lot at Lake Louise Lakeshore.

Violators of these restrictions may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act, with penalties of up to $25,000.

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