The Bow Valley Parkway, Highway 1A, is the original valley road between the Lake Louise area and Banff. It parallels the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 1, for about 48 km and follows the Bow River through meadows and montane forest within Banff National Park.

Slower and quieter than the Trans-Canada Highway, the parkway is a scenic drive shaped by pullouts, forest openings, and regular wildlife movement. It complements the Icefields Parkway, which runs north from Lake Louise.

What you see

Common sightings include elk, deer, and black bears; gray wolves occasionally travel through the corridor. Drivers should keep their distance, remain in their vehicles near large animals, and avoid stopping in the roadway.

Notable stops include Johnston Canyon, with a trail to a series of waterfalls; Castle Mountain and Castle Junction; the Silver City ghost town site; Morant’s Curve, a classic railway viewpoint above the Bow River; and Baker Creek.

Seasonal wildlife restriction

To protect wildlife, the eastern section of the parkway, roughly 17 km from the Fireside area to Johnston Canyon, closes to all traffic overnight during spring. The restriction includes cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, and in recent years typically runs from early March to late June, from about 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Johnston Canyon remains accessible throughout the year. When the eastern parkway is closed, approach it from the Castle Junction exit on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Spring cycling

In recent seasons, a spring pilot has closed the eastern section to public vehicles from roughly late April to late June while leaving it open to cyclists during daytime hours. A shorter vehicle-free period has also operated in early fall. These closures make the eastern parkway a prized quiet-road ride, but cyclists must still observe the overnight wildlife restriction.

Roam Transit and commercial tours also travel parts of the corridor. Service and routing vary with seasonal restrictions.

History

The parkway follows one of the valley’s early road corridors. Wartime internees were held near Castle Mountain, while the Silver City boomtown once stood nearby at the foot of the mountain. The road now offers a slower passage through the same Bow Valley landscape shaped by railway, road, and park development.

Dates and restrictions change each year; check Parks Canada seasonal closures before planning a drive or ride.