Banff National Park

Parks Canada’s federal infrastructure investment program

Parks Canada will invest $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure improvements within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This historic investment supports conservation while promoting visitor experience and making our infrastructure safer and more appealing to visitors.

A significant amount of Parks Canada’s existing highway infrastructure assets require action now, and the paving projects, rock and slope stabilisation, and rehabilitation of bridges planned as part of this historic investment will ensure safe and reliable roads while protecting the ecological and cultural integrity of our national treasures; the continued flow of commercial goods through these vital East-West corridors; and an improved visitor experience for the almost five million visitors to the mountain national parks each year.

As one of the largest federal custodians, Parks Canada manages a variety of real property and infrastructure assets. In Banff National Park, the infrastructure portfolio is wide-ranging and includes assets such as highways, bridges, contemporary and historic buildings, trails, campgrounds, water and wastewater treatment facilities, visitor centres and operations compounds.

Mistaya Canyon restrooms

Where: Located at Mistaya Canyon (5 km south of Saskatchewan River Crossing)
When: Fall 2019
What: Restrooms will be installed at the Mistaya Canyon parking lot.

Traffic: Part of the parking lot will close for safety while work is underway. Mistaya Canyon trail will remain open.

Peyto Lake day use area closure 

Where: Located at Peyto Lake (45 km north of Lake Louise and 35 km south of Saskatchewan River Crossing)
When: Closed for rehabilitation from September 16, 2019 until winter 2019. Open in winter. Closed again spring 2020 to winter 2020.
What: The entire day use area, including parking lots, restrooms, trails and viewing platforms, will be closed for improvements and will reopen to summer use in 2021.  

Traffic: No impacts.

Paving and concrete barrier replacement

Where: Trans-Canada Highway between the Bow Valley Parkway exit and Redearth Creek trailhead (km 23 to 37)
When: May and June 2019
What: Parks Canada is paving and replacing concrete barriers.

Traffic: Expect speed and lane reductions in the eastbound lanes, 24 hours a day 7 days a week until July including long weekends. Expect delays and plan ahead.

Spring 2019: April through June

Banff area

Tunnel Mountain Campground Village I: In order to facilitate utility upgrades and site restoration, the campground will be closed until late June 2019. The campground is expected to reopen July 2019.

Johnston Canyon Campground: Utility upgrades and site restoration will continue through summer 2019. The campground will be closed until work is complete. Check back for more information.

Tunnel Mountain Summit Trailhead: Work begins to renew the lower and upper trailheads, including the addition of rock work, stairs, fencing and retaining walls. Access to the trail will be maintained during construction.

Sulphur Mountain Parking Lot: Paving and traffic reconfiguration work to the Sulphur Mountain Parking lot will continue until late June 2019. Access to the Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs, and Sulphur Mountain trailhead will be maintained throughout the construction period.

Spray trailhead: Ashphalt repair will be completed before June 21.

Minnewanka Scenic Drive Loop: Several construction projects are planned for the Lake Minnewanka Loop throughout the summer, which will improve the road and day use areas significantly. Single lane, alternating traffic will allow access to Lake Minnewanka. This work includes improvements to the Two Jack Day-use parking lot, Lake Minnewanka parking lots, and Minnewanka Dive Area. Road work will occur on Bumpy Meadows. Expect some traffic delays during construction. A new parking configuration will be put in place at the Minnewanka Day-use area, so plan ahead when visiting the area.

Juniper Way: Paving will occur at the entrance of Juniper Way, off of Mt. Norquay Road. Expect some traffic delays.

Sunshine Road: Road repair and culvert work will occur on Sunshine Road. Expect minor traffic delays.

Lake Louise area

Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be closed for interior renovations January until late June 2019. Information services and public restrooms will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot. The Visitor Centre is scheduled to reopen in late July. 

Hamlet of Lake Louise – Aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village will be replaced in 2019 on Village Road and part of Fairview Road. Routine bridge maintenance will also take place at several locations. Significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times but delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.

• Visiting Lake Louise

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2019/20.

Skoki Lodge National Historic Site will remain open while restoration work takes place on several historic cabins. A tent camp will be set up to accommodate restoration crew and lodge employees. Skoki Lodge will remain open.

Summer 2019: July and August

Hamlet of Lake Louise – Aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village will be replaced in 2019 on Village Road and part of Fairview Road. Routine bridge maintenance will also take place at several locations. Significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times but delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.

• Visiting Lake Louise

Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be closed for interior renovations January until late June 2019. Information services and public restrooms will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot. The Visitor Centre is scheduled to reopen in late July.

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2019/20.

Skoki Lodge National Historic Site will remain open while restoration work takes place on several historic cabins. A tent camp will be set up to accommodate restoration crew and lodge employees. Skoki Lodge will remain open.

Fall 2019: September through November

Peyto Lake Day Use Area - On September 16, 2019 the Peyto Lake and Bow Summit day use area - including parking lots, restrooms, trails and viewing platforms - will close until winter for improvements and will reopen to summer use in 2021. 

Hamlet of Lake Louise – Aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village will be replaced in 2019 on Village Road and part of Fairview Road. Significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated. Routine bridge maintenance will also take place at several locations. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times but delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.

• Visiting Lake Louise

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2019/20.

Skoki Lodge National Historic Site will remain open while restoration work takes place on several historic cabins. A tent camp will be set up to accommodate restoration crew and lodge employees. Skoki Lodge will remain open.

Juniper Way paving: Work is scheduled for September 17th and 23^rd. Single lane access will be maintained.

Spray Trailhead Parking Lot: Closed for paving on Sept. 16^th, 2019. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Sunshine Road work: Road work resumes on Sept. 17, 25 and 26. Single lane alternating traffic will be maintained.

Valley View Parking Lot: Paving is scheduled for Sept. 16 1nd 17, which will result in limited access. Pedestrian access will be maintained during work.

Minnewanka loop Bumpy Meadows road work: Paving is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23-25. Single lane alternating traffic will be maintained.

5 Mile Parking Lot: Closed for paving from Sept 16 to 20.

Redearth Parking Lot: Closed for paving Sept 20. The TransCanada Highway westbound will be periodically reduced to single lane traffic near the parking lot.

Bourgeau Parking Lot: Closed for paving Sept 16 to 20th. The TransCanada Highway westbound will be periodically reduced to single lane traffic near the parking lot.

Mountain Ave parking lot and roundabout: Improvements to parking lots and roundabout construction continue south of the Rimrock hotel until late September. Periodic single lane traffic access will be in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Legacy trail extension:The bus turnaround located near the Inns of Banff will be closed periodically during construction, until Sept. 27. Temporary crosswalk signs will be installed on Banff Ave. Visit the Town of Banff website for details at www.banff.ca

Bow Valley Parkway improvements: From Sept. 16 to Oct 20: Access to Johnston Canyon and surrounding area and businesses will be via the Castle Junction entrance. The Bow Valley Parkway will not be accessible between Johnson Canyon and the eastern entrance at the TransCanada Highway, as culvert replacement work will resume on this section.

Access to the Johnston Canyon area, including surrounding businesses, will remain open at all times. Parking lot P1 will also remain open. Single-lane, alternating traffic will continue, when required.

Mount Norquay Road: Improvements will be made to Mount Norquay Road in the Fenlands area. Expect some traffic delays and single lane access. Work will continue Fall 2019.

Parking lot projects: Paving and gravel work is planned for the following parking lots: Spray Trailhead, ValleyView, 5 Mile, Redearth and Bourgeau.

Other national parks nearby

• Construction in Kootenay National Park
• Construction in Yoho National Park
• Construction in Jasper National Park

What's happening?

In 2019 a number of construction projects will take place in the Lake Louise village area. This work will repair infrastructure, increase safety, improve visitor experience and safeguard ecological integrity in the Village of Lake Louise. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect:

• Water and sewer line replacement - Aging water and sewer lines will be replaced on Village Road between Hector Road at the Medical Clinic and the Lake Louise Sport and Recreation Centre. Some work will also take place on Fairview Road across from the 4-2 Residence.
• Visitor Centre interior renovation - The public portion of the inside of the Lake Louise Visitor Centre is being renovated to better serve visitors.
• Bridge maintenance - Routine bridge maintenance will take place on Village Road (2 locations), Sentinel Road, at the Lake Louise Campground, and on Lake Louise Drive over the Bow River.
• Traffic light installation - Traffic lights will be installed at one or more key intersections in the fall to reduce congestion, improve the sense of arrival, and make it easier and safer for both vehicles and pedestrians to navigate the village.
• Pipestone and Mud Lake trails – A water reservoir is being replaced and a new water main installed in the Pipestone area to improve fire safety for the Village of Lake Louise.

What you need to know

• No significant impacts to transit or shuttle services are expected. Delays for motorists are possible. As always, plan your accommodation and site-seeing well in advance and leave some extra time in your travels.
• Water and sewer line replacement work on Village Road and Fairview Road will proceed in stages. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times and shuttle services will not be affected. Delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.
  • How to get around the Lake Louise area 
  • Best times to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake 
• The Visitor Centre is scheduled to reopen at the end of July. While the Visitor Centre is closed for renovations, information services and public restrooms will continue to be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot.
• Pipestone trails are closed to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Public parking is not permitted on Slate Road due to increased construction traffic. Mountain bikers can explore other local trails or those in nearby Yoho National Park. Skiing will resume in December 2019.
• Parks Canada has been investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.
• Construction timelines are subject to change. Updates will be provided as timelines are confirmed. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption and safety is our top priority.

Questions? Give us a call

Amy Krause, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay - Parks Canada
Telephone: 403-522-4230
Email: amy.krause@canada.ca