Trail conditions
Important information
Please be aware that your experience in Banff National Park will differ from years previous. Only places and activities where health and safety risks can be managed will be available for visitation. We are asking visitors to be cautious and conservative in their use of these places, to observe travel restrictions, respect closures, follow the guidance of public health experts, and to make every effort to keep one another safe.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are allowed on all trails in the summer unless otherwise specified in trail restrictions and closures. They must be on a leash and under control at all times. Refer to the information below to find out about any special restrictions.
Wildlife
Bears are out of hibernation. If you’re out on the trails, make sure to stay alert, make noise and carry bear spray.
Closures and restrictions
Some secondary roads remain closed including the east section of the Bow Valley Parkway.
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
Town of Banff Area
While on the trails, please behave responsibly and practice physical distancing. Where possible, create two metres distance between you and other people by stepping to the side and not following directly behind the person or group in front of you. Safety is a shared responsibility. Let’s work together to keep Banff National Park safe.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Marsh Loop | Mainly Dry. | 20-09-2020: Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fenland Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Campground Loop | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Banff Legacy Trail: Banff–Banff East Gate | Good. | 20-09-2020: No parking on roadways, or highways; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Banff Legacy Trail: Vermilion Lakes–Bow Valley Parkway | Good. | 20-09-2020: No parking on roadways, or highways; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River West Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Goat Creek Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cascade Amphitheatre Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
Lake Minnewanka Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Legacy Trail to Cascade Ponds | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Loop | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; Respect all posted notices and signs; Please follow directional arrows and respect physical distancing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Water Tower Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Ponds Loop | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Easy |
Lower Bankhead Interpretive Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Trail | Mainly Dry. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
C-Level Cirque Trail | Mainly Dry. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Stewart Canyon–Aylmer Pass Junction | Mainly Dry. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Aylmer Lookout Trail | Mainly Dry. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Aylmer Pass Trail | Mainly Dry. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
Bow Valley/Castle Junction Area
The Bow Valley Parkway east of Castle Junction remains closed to vehicle access.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Boom Lake Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Trailhead–Vista Lake | Good. | 20-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Silverton Falls Trail | Road access closed | 20-09-2020: No vehicle access; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Walk or bike in access only, road closed to vehicles; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Trail | Road access closed | 20-09-2020: No vehicle access; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Walk or bike in access only, road closed to vehicles; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Trail | Road access closed | 20-09-2020: No vehicle access; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Walk or bike in access only, road closed to vehicles; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Rockbound Lake Trail | Road access closed | 20-09-2020: No vehicle access; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Walk or bike in access only, road closed to vehicles; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Castle Lookout | Good. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Trailhead–Bourgeau Lake | Good. | 20-09-2020: Trail is in good condition; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Cory Pass Loop | Good. | 20-09-2020: Bridge(s) out; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
Egypt Lake Area
Hiking trails in the Sunshine Meadows are accessible via the Healy Pass Trail and temporary washroom facilities are now available in the ski area parking lot. However, please be aware that Sunshine Village Ski Resort facilities are closed to the public for the summer season, including the gondola and standish chair lifts.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Healy Pass Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Redearth Creek Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
Cascade/Sawback Area
The Bow Valley Parkway east of Castle Junction remains closed to vehicle access.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Trail: Trailhead–Cascade River bridge | Good. | 20-09-2020: Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Trail: Cascade River bridge–Stoney Creek | Good. | 20-09-2020: Frequent Horse Use; Prescribed fire in area; Smoke may be visible.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cascade Valley Trail: Stoney Creek–Flint's Park Trail | Trail Closed. | 20-09-2020: Prescribed fire in area; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Edith Pass Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Bridge(s) out; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Elk Lake Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Elk Pass Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Frequent Horse Use; Prescribed fire in area; Smoke may be visible.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Forty Mile Creek Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Frequent Horse Use; Prescribed fire in area; Smoke may be visible.; | Trail details |
Bryant Creek Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Trail: Brewster Creek Shortcut | Fair. | 20-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Trail: Healy–Sundance Lodge | Fair. | 20-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Trail: Sundance Lodge–Allenby Pass | Not recommended. | 20-09-2020: Must be in group of 4 or more; Dogs not allowed; Bear spray required; Frequent Horse Use; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Bryant Creek Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Burstall Pass Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Leeman Lake Trail | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Palliser Pass Trail: Burstall Pass Trail Junction–Bryant Creek Trail Junction | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Palliser Pass Trail: Burstall Pass Trail Junction–Palliser Pass | Good. | 20-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area
Lake Louise parking lot fills up early in the morning. Plan ahead. Please visit https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/parksnow for parking status updates. Air quality is poor due to wildfires. Check the special air quality statement on https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-49_metric_e.html
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Partially Closed | 14-09-2020: Attention: It's berry season. Bear encounters are possible; Bears frequenting the area; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Louise Creek | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Little Beehive | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tramline Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Moderate |
Lake Agnes | Mainly Dry. | 14-09-2020: FireSmart vegetation thinning work in progress. Smoke may be visible during burning of debris; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Big Beehive Lookout | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mirror Lake Highline | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Difficult |
Taylor Lake | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Big Beehive to Plain of Six Glacier Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail | Mainly Dry. | 14-09-2020: FireSmart work in progress, temporary closures may be in effect; FireSmart vegetation thinning work in progress. Smoke may be visible during burning of debris; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Fairview Mountain | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Highline/Plain of Six Glaciers Connector | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Saddleback trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Ross Lake Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; Stream crossings; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sheol/Paradise Connector | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone | Closed. | 14-09-2020: Construction work in progress; | Trail details |
Moraine Lake Area
Moraine Lake parking lot fills up early in the morning. Plan ahead. Please visit https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/parksnow for parking status updates.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Consolation Lakes Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Moraine Lakeshore | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Rockpile Viewpoint | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Moderate |
Eiffel Lake | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Larch Valley/Minnestimma Lake | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sentinel Pass Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Wenkchemna Pass | Good. | 14-09-2020: Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Moraine Lake Highline | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
Paradise Valley Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Lake Annette | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sentinel Pass - Paradise Valley Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Recommended for experienced hikers only; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Paradise Valley and Giant Steps | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
Skoki Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Baker Lake Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Hidden Lake | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Boulder Pass | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
 Route |
Skoki Loop | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Deception Pass Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
Icefields Parkway Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Bow Summit Lookout | Closed for the season. | 14-09-2020: Construction work in progress; Respect all posted notices and signs; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Bow Glacier Falls Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; Route finding may be necessary; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cirque Lake Trail | Fair. | 14-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sunset Lookout Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Helen Lake | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Glacier Lake | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Molar Pass | Good. | 14-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
North Molar Pass Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Parker Ridge | Good. | 14-09-2020: Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sarbach Lookout | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Peyto Lake Trail | Closed for the season. | 14-09-2020: Construction work in progress; Respect all posted notices and signs; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sunset Pass Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Trail overgrown with vegetation; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mosquito Creek | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Easy |
Howse River Lookout Trail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Moderate |
Mistaya Canyon | Good. | 14-09-2020: Mainly dry; | |
| Moderate |
Chephren LakeTrail | Good. | 14-09-2020: Wet and muddy sections; Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Nigel Pass | Good. | 15-09-2020: Mainly dry; Stream crossings; Temporary bridge in place; | Trail details |