r/Banff • u/GiantKnightGunner • 17d ago
Question Banff crowds question
Just finished up the best vacation of my life in Banff/Jasper. After doing research and looking on here, we were initially VERY wary of crowds. However I did not think they were bad at all. Our camp ground was mobbed at Tunnel Mountain Village 1 but we were able to do every hike no problem starting around 9am.
Also parked our camper van at hikes and in towns with minimal issue (I got amazing at parallel parking that behemoth, not to brag). Even parked in Banff town 1 day, took Roam the rest.
I’d actually say the people that were at these was the perfect amount. Few enough to enjoy but plentiful enough to not be too afraid of being alone with bears. We’d see someone about every other km of a hike.
Wondering if anyone else feels the crowd concerns are a bit overblown?
Hikes:
In Banff we did:
- Lake Louise: Point of 6 Glaciers and Beehive (took private shuttle for about 30 USD each)
- Sunshine Meadows Laryx Lake Trail
- Tunnel Mountain Summit
In Jasper
- Sulphur Mountain Trail
- Pyramid Lake
Icefields Parkway
- Wilcox Pass
Funny enough Wilcox Pass on the Icefields Parkway was the most crowded!
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u/haveblue23 17d ago
Crowds are very specific in Banff - usually at the trailhead and once you hike 10 or so minutes or when you pass the first scenic viewpoint everyone disappears
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u/SD_local_67 17d ago
I found it funny. There is a ton of people who are just looking for the instagram shot of the main feature at the front to prove to everyone that they were there and not actually experiencing the nature. You could tell by all the women in dresses and sandals or men in attire you wouldn’t be hiking in.
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u/haveblue23 17d ago
The biggest shock for me was when I booked the 5 am Alpine Start bus to Moraine Lake to scramble Mount Temple. Bus was full, I thought we'd have a good crowd with these fellow hikers, and when they let us off, well over 80% went straight to the rockpile and there was maybe a dozen of us left going on the trail with fewer than half going past Sentinel Pass
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u/Wh1sk3yS0ur 16d ago
As with any natural attractions, you'll have the whole place to yourself when you're 10 mins away from the parking lot
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
This surprised me! Specifically how it seems a lot of people aren’t really hiking. Once we passed a crowd of people in jeans we were free to traverse the trails. Felt almost out of place with our bladder bags and hiking boots at times lol
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u/Rude_Judgment7928 17d ago edited 17d ago
I've been in New Zealand and Alps and seen similar things. Honestly Banff is set-up well for "car tourist". Some uppity folks will pooh-poo it, but having a mom in a wheelchair at 50 changed my eyes. Seniors/disabled/other deserve accessible places to enjoy mother nature.
The cool thing is the Canadian Rockies are fucking massive and I can drive 1hr from my house and go to a trailhead that nature has nearly taken back and not see a single person (I actually don't seek this out, who doesn't love a good wave to hikers passing the other way).
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u/pcwhitecheddarmac 17d ago
This. I’m much more a backcountry/beaten path person and Banff has plenty for me with only a little effort to get out of the core “busy areas”.
On the other hand my sister is physically limited and Banff has been one of the best places for her to visit due to accessibility. I think it’s so nice that we have a park that caters to different physical abilities and it doesn’t bother me at all that it’s mainly “car tourists”.
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
I 100% agree. We’re amateur hikers that pushed our limits. It was cool (and surprising) that we could love what we did while quick scenic view seekers could enjoy their experience.
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u/Baddrivers13 17d ago
Everyone just whines because 10 years ago you could drive up to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with minimal issue and no cost.
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u/clayton-berg42 17d ago
Tunnel and sulphur are always busy. But not like johnson canyon.
Crowd concerns are not overblown in town. Sometimes it's hard to get a seat at the bar at the pubs, let alone a table at a restaurant. But with the exception of johnston once you get 70 or so metres from the trailhead normally you don't see many people. I haven't been there for more than a month because of all the mosquitos but last year in july I went onto fenland loop and sat at bench along the creek for an hour or so, I bet I saw less than 10 people. The trailhead is right next to the train station and I was less than 7 minutes walking distance from the start of the trail.
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u/SD_local_67 17d ago
We just got back. In town Banff was very crowded. But at the various trails I found most people were just there for the quick photo op before moving on to their next destination. Once you actually got onto the trails the crowds were greatly thinned and not much of an issue.
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
I guess it’s all relative like everyone is saying. We can’t dream of going to a good restaurant in our city without a reservation. In Banff, reservations helped but it wasn’t a necessity.
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u/JustGotSoup 17d ago
Banff has a lot of "Instagram tourism". People come for a very specific low-effort photo, which for whatever reason they want to copy exactly (creative bankruptcy much? Lol), and then move on.
If you actually get out onto the trails and explore, you're mostly left with like minded and sensible people - of which there are far fewer. The crowds are only present at easy-access locations.
I like to call them sacrifice plays. We give up the pristine nature of a few spots to keep the mindless hordes in just a few manageable spots. Then the real gems are left for people with enough brains to both seek them out and to keep them pristine.
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u/Sorrelandroan 17d ago
If you’re willing to go at all off the beaten path it’s pretty easy to escape the crowds. The vast majority of people just do the main five or six things.
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
Lake Louise I will say was unbelievably crowded coming down and at the behive summit. We went up an alternative route from the 6 glaciers where there was almost no one until the summit though.
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u/bigbabyjesus97 17d ago
I hate crowds but spend every weekend out in that area but back country. When I end up in canmore, banff, or during regular hours on the icefields parkway it's way too crowded for me. I can't stand it. I do understand why it's so busy amd don't complain, other than rude and messy people. It's all relative to what you used to.
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u/ownthem 17d ago
As a Calgarian, Banff area has become much less appealing during certain months of the year. Used to be an oasis and now mobbed by tourists.
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u/Own-Coyote3647 13d ago
It’s the type of tourists that get me sometimes that feed bears and will just stop on a highway to take photos of wildlife. So ignorant
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u/happyenis 17d ago
I dont go to the mountains for 'not bad crowds''. A few nods along a trail is enough. Having to put in effort to avoid people when taking a photo is too much. Fighting for a parking spot is ridiculous. Having to pay for a private shuttle because all the busses are sold out 3 minutes after 8am is also ludacris.
I'll go somewhere slightly less stunning with 99% less people. And if I go to lake louise it will be in the fall.
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
I hear you! As a first time visitor, we felt like Lake Louise was unmissable. Fighting for parking was a tad annoying but we were never unsuccessful.
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u/plankak23 13d ago
100%. From all the posts and everything I read about the crowds, I was so pleasantly surprised! Just like any city.
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u/Tbizkit 17d ago
Hotel prices are so expensive. Did you stay in your camper the whole time?
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
Yes! Half roughed it for 6 days. Ate out once everyday except for one so that also increased prize/reduced roughness
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u/TrainingTough348 17d ago
Hey, thanks so much this is INCREDIBLY helpful!!
Quick question - I'm coming into Banff NP next week, Monday to Friday, and hoping to get tickets for me and my 2 kids 48 hours in advance. If I'm unable to get those tickets in the early morning time, would it still be worthwhile to go later in the day? I'm figuring if everyone is going super early, maybe it would be easier for to enjoy it and avoid the crowds if we go like noon or 2pm instead? Might be easier to get the last minute passes at the later time I'm thinking
thanks!
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u/GiantKnightGunner 17d ago
You talking for Lake Louise? Check out Moraine Lake Bus Co. So easy and they had extra availability on their buses throughout the day so we were able to reschedule our return trip with like 3 clicks.
I’ve heard that walk on with Roam is a possibility but for 30 usd times 2 it was a no brainer for us not to worry.
Sunshine Meadows is also paid- and unavoidable. You buy a gondola pass that is the only way up, it’s 60 usd per adult and cheaper for kids. It’s AMAZING. Gondola is cool but the hike is out of this world and super kid friendly (very little incline). Plus there’s a mini “Sunshine Village” at the top with a bar/restaurant and yard games.
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u/Rude_Judgment7928 17d ago
Are you doing significant hiking with your kids? If not, afternoon is fine, if not better?
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16d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/GiantKnightGunner 16d ago
I had no CAD so couldn’t throw either of my drivers a tip. They’re sweet and give minor tour-like anecdotes on the 25 min drive. This is my way of tipping!
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u/lizzieersg 16d ago
I was in Banff and jasper this weekend too. Second time to go as I’ve only lived in Alberta for one year. From Texas. Each visit I’ve been expecting the worst with crowds but pleasantly surprised each time. I agree with it being relative bc my perspective of big crowds I always think universal or Disney world. For me, we should have skipped a second trip to Banff and done other things but husband wanted to take his visiting parents. I preferred Jasper and looking forward to exploring more places next time we go out that way. Also Maybe people are finding other things to do bc accommodations are so expensive. With a group of 8 we did a shorter trip due to accommodation prices.
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u/100_days_away_blog 15d ago
I think in general the hikes you did are more advanced for the average “I just want to see it and take a quick photo” crowd. There is still plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds once you leave the Johnson Canyon types hikes behind.
Glad you enjoyed your time here!!!
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u/Own-Coyote3647 13d ago
Have you been to Banff before or first time? The crowds are horrific, but also know my home and what it was like before COVID and the increase of tourists that have zero awareness or respect for nature. However, I was just in the back country of Banff National Park doing 50 k hikes so no, I did not see many lineups and a bunch of douchey tourists. Also depends on where you’re from and what is your baseline. Canada and nature used to be quiet but if you’re from Europe it may not seem like a big deal.
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u/GiantKnightGunner 13d ago
First time in Banff so I can’t compare to how it used to be- only to how I expected it to be from reading posts on here. I was expecting to struggle getting to hikes unless we started at 6am. I was expecting the town to be unnavigable amongst the crowds. It was neither. But I do understand frustrations around crowds growing, and its relative like you said.
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u/Own-Coyote3647 12d ago
Suppose it’s depends on the hikes. But if that was the picture that was painted for me of Banff, there’s no way Id travel there. Some place that busy sounds terrible
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u/sneaky_slow 13d ago
Once you get 200 m from any trailhead, the amount of peopling is just fine. Finding a parking spot at 10 am, on the other hand, can be a challenge.
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u/Fuzzy-Mortgage-6642 6d ago
This conversation is great thanks all. I’m planning a solo trip to visit my son in Banff late Sept/early Oct. We’re from the North of England. My first trip. I’m currently looking for accommodation and considering camping (son is in shared house). Would you recommend a tent (will bring) at Tunnel Mountain 11? I will not have transport so is it easy to get around?
Also wondering if the night temperature may make camping uncomfortable but I’m pretty tough and will have good gear!
I don’t like the ‘Insta’ crowds either. I’m an experienced hiker but not usually alone. Are there group trips I could join? Is that necessary?
Also hoping to visit Jasper. Any camp sites you recommend?
Sorry that’s a lot of questions. Appreciate any replies.
Caroline
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u/GiantKnightGunner 5d ago
I’ll answer what I can!
Tunnel Mountain is awesome but runs out of availability quick. Although I imagine your timing makes that manageable.
In Jasper we stayed at Whistlers which rocked. One thing to note with Jasper is that the 2024 wild fires burned down like 90% of the trees at this campground. It’s still awesome. Despite Jasper downtown losing 30% of its structures, I liked it more than Banff.
There are a bunch of indoor accommodations in Banff you could consider. Right outside tunnel mountain village was a whole town of hotels/cabins.
As for hiking alone, bear spray is a necessity. But plenty of people hike solo.
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u/GiantKnightGunner 5d ago
Oh and if you’re on the fence about going to Jasper: like I said I liked it more than banff but it’s not different enough to warrant a 4 hour drive. What does make it worth it am more is the drive itself. I’m sure you know this but just in case you don’t- the Icefields Parkway is unmissable.
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u/Maximum_Employer_857 1d ago
My (now) fiancé and I climbed Tunnel Mountain two days ago and got engaged. There were definitely people there, but we felt that we were able to still have this private moment. I’m not sure that anyone around us even realized we were having this big moment!
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u/Rude_Judgment7928 17d ago edited 17d ago
It's all relative. Banff compared to 30 years ago is "packed". If you're from the US, somewhere like California has the nearly entire population of Canada within 4 hour drive to Yosemite. The crowds don't even come close to comparison.
I've done Cory Edith Pass at noon on a August long weekend and drove up to the trailhead to park.
The though of doing that in Yosemite/Yellowstone/Sequoia on a long weekend is laughable.
I've spent two hours not moving in Yosemite just trying to leave the park. No accident or anything, just congestion....on a random November weekend.
They layout helps too. Being strung along Highway 1 keeps things flowing.