Banff in Aug. & crowds?

[ScottG]

We're thinking about a trip to Banff/Lake Louise during the first week of Aug. 2021. We haven't been there in 25 years!
Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like that time of year? Is it peak season and finding a parking place at attractions tough or is it never all that bad? I'm picturing it being packed like Yellowstone..

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Scott

[Crowe]

We were planning a trip there that same week in August as well. When would be a better time? We can go very early or late if needed to avoid the most crowded times.

After mid-August through September. It does get chilly and there's a chance of snow but by September the elk have huge racks and are in the rut. It's an amazing sight-just stay out of the way. Crowds (at least from my experience) are less as many kids are back in school. Otherwise May/June-again when babies are small and kids aren't out of school yet.

[69BBC]

First off there are rv campgrounds in Canmore ( 30 min before the park) and in Radium BC ( about 1 1/2 hr west of the park) that are outstanding. We have stayed at both, however we personally prefer to stay in Banff. We are a big rig and want water/sewer/power. Having set the parameters, tunnel mtn is outstanding, they have a shuttle bus that takes you in town. Our trip was a week to get there, 2 weeks mid month August in Banff, then a week home to Ontario. Parking in town is always a problem in tourist areas and not unique to Banff, we managed.edit:
We now have a 5th wheel and F250 that we can park in town, not recommending a C or A class ...

[Ramp_Digger]

We were planning a trip there that same week in August as well. When would be a better time? We can go very early or late if needed to avoid the most crowded times.

[ScottG]

Ugh, OK - I certainly appreciate the info!
Maybe we'll head south... 😉

[69BBC]

Alberta & BC both have the 1st Monday in Aug. as holiday. Alberta is Heritage day & BC has British Columbia Day. Lot of folks bridge the days for a extra long weekend.

[ScottG]

69BBC wrote:
We go to Banff every second summer to visit our grandson. First, we book 1 year in advance to rv at tunnel mtn.camping in Banff. Also 1st week in August has a holiday in Alberta so everyone is in Banff / Lake Louise or the ice fields. Plan your dates and it is wonderful out there.

That's the CG I was considering. Unfortunately our schedule always gives us an open week during the first week of Aug. and I'm trying to figure out someplace to go during that time. Thanks to the info you provided, I'm going to nix going up there then. We'll save it for a better time.
You say it's a holiday in Alberta, is it also a holiday in BC?

Thanks a lot for your post, It's very helpful!

S

[69BBC]

We go to Banff every second summer to visit our grandson. First, we book 1 year in advance to rv at tunnel mtn.camping in Banff. Also 1st week in August has a holiday in Alberta so everyone is in Banff / Lake Louise or the ice fields. Plan your dates and it is wonderful out there.

[ScottG]

Thanks Drew, I was afraid of that.

S

[DrewE]

I'd expect it to be as crowded as Yellowstone, maybe even more so. Mid-July three years ago was certainly plenty crowded in Banff and Lake Louise; parking in the overflow areas and taking shuttle busses was by far the most reasonable way to get to places. Pull-offs for the "smaller" attractions/lookouts were not so unreasonably crowded.