Icefields Parkway Security/Safety

DownTheAvenue wrote:
If I am not mistaken, in order to drive the Icefields Parkway, one must have a Parks Canada Pass that is rather expensive.

To be clear - as long as you have a regular Parks Pass you do NOT need a separate pass for the Parkway.
However if you entered the Park without paying you will be required to pay on entering the Parkway.
Hint - if you will be in the Canadian National Parks - any and/or all of them in that year for more than 6 days.the annual pass is the best deal!
John (A retired Park Warden)

there are very few exits.

Something that I didn't really consider at first. Living where I live it's hard to imagine and it's been so long since I've been there that the memory is a bit foggy.

We have tented and Rv's in Banff and other locations in BC and AB and never had anything stolen.

Keep in mind that once you are on the Ice Fields Parkway, there are very few exits. If thieves are breaking into vehicles it is easy for the police to set up road blocks.

I would not compare the national statistics for property crime to that area. I certainly would not compare it to something that happened in Seattle, or Vancouver or Calgary for that matter.

Thieves are usually opportunists, in Seattle the thieves were probably looking for something they could sell to buy drugs. No place for either where you are going.

I live just outside Edmonton, and recently camped in Peter Lougheed park as well as Mt Kidd rv park.

As far as security goes, Gary's suggestions are bang on. There doesn't seem to be many problems at the trail heads, but if you left your vehicle in one of the tourist towns (Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) the risk level could be potentially higher.

As far as hiking goes, if you choose to do any hikes in the southern areas near Banff/Canmore, make sure to check on area closures and bring bear spray. There's quite a high level of bear activity, in part due to a bumper crop of berries at the lower elevations.

Enjoy your trip, it's spectacular country.

Crowe, these blog posts may be useful -- lots of photos:

First of several posts

Our beautiful Province might steal your heart...

It already did. Hubby and I were there about 26 years ago. Didn't take near enough time to enjoy it then but we will this time.

you are planning to go from Calgary to Jasper in one day. That can be done, easily, but I assume you are going to take a lot more time on the way back from Jasper??

Our original plan was to land in Calgary then drive immediately up to Jasper. Due to common sense prevailing we are staying in Calgary our first night and then leaving first thing Saturday a.m. to drive up. It's about 5 hours, without stops. We have until 10 p.m. to check into our cabin so we will take all day to go up the parkway. Anything we miss on the way up will be covered on our way back from Jasper down to Canmore. Once again we'll have all day to get down to Canmore, which is about 3.5 hours away without stops. We also have the option of driving up/down the Parkway from either end during any of our days there, although the plan is to explore as much as we can in the parks and their environs.

Just did 2 weeks in the area. Didn't do any serious hikes, but did most of the short walks (mile or 2) you can think of. Go to the various info centers (Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff)and they will do a great job in giving suggestions. Lots of lakes, falls etc. that are easy to get to.

As far as leaving stuff in the car, most parking lots are packed so it's not like there is no one around who would notice someone breaking into a car. Really can't see it happening at most places.

profdant139 wrote:
Crowe, I re-read your original post, and I see that you are planning to go from Calgary to Jasper in one day. That can be done, easily, but I assume you are going to take a lot more time on the way back from Jasper?? The Icefields Parkway is one of the greatest drives in the world -- lots of spectacular hikes and viewpoints. We spent about a month in that area a few years ago -- Lake Louise, Yoho, Banff, Canmore, the Icefields (of course), Peter Lougheed, and on and on. Let us know if you want any info about hiking in those areas.

We will be there next month any information on hiking would be gratefully appreciated

Crowe, I re-read your original post, and I see that you are planning to go from Calgary to Jasper in one day. That can be done, easily, but I assume you are going to take a lot more time on the way back from Jasper?? The Icefields Parkway is one of the greatest drives in the world -- lots of spectacular hikes and viewpoints. We spent about a month in that area a few years ago -- Lake Louise, Yoho, Banff, Canmore, the Icefields (of course), Peter Lougheed, and on and on. Let us know if you want any info about hiking in those areas.

Our beautiful Province might steal your heart...
Take the usual precautions, and you will be fine.