Bow Valley Parkway Cycling Experience 3-Year Pilot

Parks Canada has launched a three-year cycling pilot program along the Bow Valley Parkway's eastern section. This decision is informed by feedback from recent public engagement on cycling and considers operational requirements, and park management priorities. Each spring and fall from May 1 to June 25 and from September 1 to October 2, vehicle access will be restricted along the eastern 17 km of the parkway to allow for an enhanced cycling experience.

Access to Johnston Canyon's day-use area and campground, will be maintained via Castle Junction and the TransCanada Highway during the pilot program.

Parks Canada will monitor results of this pilot to guide future planning and decisions.

What you need to know

• From May 1 to June 25, and September 1st to October 2nd, the Bow Valley Parkway Cycling Experience restricts public vehicles on the parkway's 17 km eastern end, from the TransCanada-Highway junction to Johnston Canyon.
• Vehicle access to the west section of the parkway between Johnson Canyon and the Whitehorn Road junction at Lake Louise (31km) remains open.
• Vehicle access to the popular Johnston Canyon Trail and campground will remain open during the pilot via Castle Junction (the intersection of Highway 93 and the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A), and the west end of the Bow Valley Parkway.
• Cyclists travelling on the parkway are encouraged to start and end their journey in the Town of Banff by parking at the Train Station Public Parking Lot.
• To coincide with the annual spring wildlife closure from March 1 through June 25, all modes of human travel along the 17 km stretch of the parkway will be restricted overnight from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Regular vehicle access on the parkway will resume once the cycling pilot program ends each spring and fall.