Parks Canada closes some areas around Lake Louise to protect wildlife

Officials say they expect strong visitation to Banff National Park this summer after two years of declining numbers

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Some hiking trails and wooded areas around Lake Louise are temporarily closed to the public this summer to protect sensitive wildlife corridors, Parks Canada says.

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The measures that took effect Sunday and continued until October 15 closed the section of the Bow River Loop Trail that runs along the west side of the river north of Lake Louise Drive and south of the land of Lake Louise campground.

A wilderness area just west of Tramline Trail and north of Lake Louise Drive has been declared off-limits until the fall while this trail is under advisory.

Another wilderness area just east of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and north of Lake Louise Drive is also closed to the public.

Parks Canada officials say they expect strong visitation to Banff National Park this summer after two years of declining numbers due to pandemic travel restrictions.

To improve wildlife viability, the 17-kilometre Banff Valley Parkway east of Johnston Canyon Campground is closed to all traffic from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. until June 25.

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The Lake Louise-Moraine Lake shuttle pick-up location has been from south of the townsite to the Lake Louise Ski Resort parking lot on Whitehorn Drive and seat reservations on the service will return this summer after a success trial in 2021.

As part of a two-year pilot project from May 15 to October 15, a $12.25 per day fee is being imposed on lakeside parking in Lake Louise in an effort to manage traffic.

Banff National Park is by far the busiest in Canada, typically attracting over four million visitors a year.