Parks Canada has started a nightly closure on the eastern part of the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff, Alberta, to help protect local wildlife during the spring. From March 1 to June 25, 2026, a 17-kilometre section of the road will be off-limits to everyone between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. every day. This includes drivers, cyclists, and people out for a walk.
The restricted area runs from just east of the Fireside picnic area to 600 metres east of the Johnston Canyon Campground. According to Parks Canada, the goal is to give sensitive animals like grizzly bears and wolves a safe space to find food and travel without being disturbed by people during this critical time of year.
Those caught in the area during the closed hours could face a fine of up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act. While this section is closed at night, visitors can still reach Johnston Canyon during these hours by using the Trans-Canada Highway and entering through Castle Junction.
During the day, the road remains open to all traffic, though a separate program for car-free cycling is expected to start in May. More information on how to visit the area safely can be found on the Banff National Park website.
