Nov-16-2018 04:24 PM
Jan-11-2019 05:45 AM
canadafan wrote:
Johnson Canyon is reservable and you will need to do this as it can get VERY busy in July/August.
Also beware the sites here are also near the railway and the Bow Valley Parkway.
If you want somewhere quieter (further away from the railway) go a bit further north to Castle Mountain CG, the disadvantage here is that it does not take reservations.
Jan-11-2019 05:37 AM
tragusa3 wrote:
Just secured all of our spots for this summer. Great thread! Subscribed to refer back to some of the info and anything new that is added!
Have a great trip!
Jan-09-2019 11:20 AM
Jan-07-2019 04:55 PM
Jan-04-2019 10:40 PM
Dec-12-2018 07:37 PM
Dec-10-2018 09:25 AM
Dec-08-2018 03:15 PM
Dec-08-2018 05:35 AM
I think it depends on the individual, are you content to drive up and see the art gallery or would you prefer to go inside and view the paintings.
In my opinion the Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake area is a must. Also the Lake Agnes Trail and Plain of Six Glacier trail from Lake Louise
both far exceed the Lakeside Trail. The Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass Trail from Moraine Lake is my favorite but sometimes must be done in groups because of bear activity. These are moderate well used trails, I wouldn't call them back country. There are others as well.
I understand the issue of where to park the trailer but unless you are partial to resort towns (Banff) I wouldn't short my time in the Lake Louise area even if it does mean driving back and forth. To my thinking the fact there is limited development just makes it that much better.
If you are not into moderate hiking the Lake Louise Ski lift opens in the summer.
Dec-07-2018 05:30 PM
K_and_I wrote:agesilaus wrote:
We drove it going to Johnson Falls which you should visit. I don't know what you plan to spend multiple days doing at Lake Louise tho. The trail around the lake takes a few hours unless you head up into the back country where you could spend weeks. Other than that there is the hotel and a few small shops. If you have extra days drive up the Icefield Pkwy and see some of that.
I think you got it. Our intention was a day at Lake Louise, a day at Moraine Lake, and a trip west to see the spiral tunnels and Takkakaw Falls. Maybe we don't need all that time. Then head up the Icefield Pkwy and a couple of nights in Jasper. I am leaning more toward staying at Banff instead of moving to LL. I guess we'll deal with what we have which ever way we plan it. In any case, I need to decide within a month to hit the reservation window opening.
Thanks again to all who responded.
Dec-07-2018 04:44 PM
Dec-07-2018 04:39 PM
agesilaus wrote:
We drove it going to Johnson Falls which you should visit. I don't know what you plan to spend multiple days doing at Lake Louise tho. The trail around the lake takes a few hours unless you head up into the back country where you could spend weeks. Other than that there is the hotel and a few small shops. If you have extra days drive up the Icefield Pkwy and see some of that.
Dec-06-2018 05:27 PM
Dec-06-2018 05:17 PM
cruiserjs wrote:agesilaus wrote:
We were there in July and the road between Banff and LL is a 4 lane highway and had minimal traffic. Once you get to the LL parking lot you'll hit the traffic jam. The roads close to LL are busy but were not blocked with traffic before then. But on the other hand the overflow camping area, which is on the side of that 4 lane road, was just about empty when we were there and someone reported it as being full above. That might depend on the time of week and it might fill up later in the day. From the distance it just looked like a parking lot to me.
Sorry but you ( and most other posters here) missed the best. Highway 1A (Bow River Parkway) is by far the most scenic way (and the best chances to see wildlife) between Banff and lake Louise.
Oh well - that leaves less traffic for those of us who use it!!
Thanks.
ex Banff N.P. Park Warden