Banff & Jasper June 1, ---- Canada Day Holiday?

[ford-willy]

We and our friends are headed for our roughly 3 month Alaska trip about mid May from Southern Cal. We had planned on being in the Banff-Jasper area at the beginning of our journey from about the end of May till about June 8th. I just realized that June 1, is Canada Day which I believe is the equivalent of our Fourth of July. Is the area and its campgrounds going to be packed with Canadian families enjoying their great holiday? Until now we had hoped that being there at a somewhat early date would have meant a little less congestion. Am I correct? Any suggestions?

[PghBob]

For our trip in 2015, we set our primary goal of being in Denali at a certain time, then based everything else around that. So, if you have a certain "must do" at a specific time, I think I would arrange the trip around it. Another thing for us, we wanted to experience the near 24 hour daylight in Fairbanks as close to June 21 as we could get there.

[trigley]

ford-willy wrote:
Question --- Should I consider at that early time of year simply reversing my trip and taking your basic Gold Rush route up and the Rocky Mountain route back, getting to jasper/Banff at the end of the trip instead? What would be the drawback with this scenario weather wise or other?

?????????? Good question. Last season the nicest month was probably April but that was unusual and there wouldn't have been many campgrounds open. Either could be beautiful or cool and rainy, even a slight chance of snow.
If you are into hiking, higher trails are likely to still have snow in early June. Lower ones should be fine.
We left Seward after the Labour Day weekend and the drive across Alaska and the Yukon was beautiful with the fall colours. More open slopes and deciduous trees than here, where the Parks are mainly evergreen. If you can delay your return that long I would say do our Parks first.

[The_real_wild1]

Be prepared for winter camping as well. Last May long weekend we got nailed with snow. Happens about half the time.

[ford-willy]

Question --- Should I consider at that early time of year simply reversing my trip and taking your basic Gold Rush route up and the Rocky Mountain route back, getting to jasper/Banff at the end of the trip instead? What would be the drawback with this scenario weather wise or other?

[jimbob3ca]

You should also be aware that Parks Canada has offered free national parks passes for 2017 as part of the celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. The website for obtaining them crashed recently because of the number of people trying to get on. Be prepared for the parks to be much busier than might usually be expected.

[CoMoCo]

Be aware that Victoria Day is Monday May 22. That weekend usually kick starts the camping season in Canada. If you plan to arrive that weekend be prepared for crowds.

[ford-willy]

Orion wrote:
July 1st is Canada Day.

Thanks ---- At my age you'd think that I would have already learned to get my facts straight.

[Orion]

July 1st is Canada Day.