Guide to biking Banff’s Exclusive Car-Free Bow Valley Parkway

Bow Valley Parkway is an absolute must do ride in Banff National Park. The parkway is the original highway in Banff before it was replaced with the TransCanada. Now it serves as a scenic drive with slower speed limits, multiple turnouts and a great wildlife habitat. The best part? Twice a year the eastern section of the road is completely closed to vehicles making it a top notch biking experience. But don’t delay, this is only part of a three year pilot program and the fall of 2024 is the last guaranteed year! The closure dates for 2024 are May 1 to June 25 and August 30 to September 30.

We had planned to do this ride as soon as the road closure pilot program was announced. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel our trip in 2023. This was a priority ride in 2024 though because we had heard it was amazing and did not want to miss out!

As usual we had a few different rides planned like Moraine Lake and the Legacy Trail, but the Bow Valley Parkway was our main focus. We stayed in a downtown Banff hotel so we got to just ride to the trailhead which meant we skipped the headache of parking. The best place to park for free though is the train station parking lot just off Mt. Norquay Road. Bonus: the Banff town sign is just down the street from the parking lot. Stop by for a must-do photo-op on your way to the start of the ride. 

After passing the “Banff” sign follow the bike trail until it merges with Vermillion Lakes Road. Though this road is open to cars, we rarely saw any on this dead-end road and the speed limit is very low. Enjoy the three lakes and spectacular Mount Rundle views before connecting with the Legacy Trail after 3 miles. Here you hop on the Legacy Trail for a short mile before officially making it to the beginning of Bow Valley Parkway. Be careful, there are two large gates that you will have to dismount and open before continuing on. 

You’ll see all the cones on the Parkway when you arrive leading you through the area where cars are still allowed. It does get a little skinny here so watch out for cyclists coming at you. After the underpass, the road opens up and you get to enjoy the openness of the road as you continue on the Parkway. One of my favorite things about rides like this is that no navigation is needed–just follow the road. Keep an eye out for wildlife, we spotted a bear down in one of the open areas off the road!

The remaining about 11 miles to Johnston Canyon does have a few rolling hills but is flat for the majority of the ride. The road splits twice into a one way section which indicates a hill. Luckily you don’t have to worry about riders coming at you and you ascend the large hills. Unfortunately it is a pretty slow, steep climb especially just after mile 12. This is a nearly one mile climb and it is brutal, but then you get to coast down to the turnaround point. 

You will see road barriers and a big map once you reach the end of the car-free zone. Continue around the barriers for just a short distance to reach the Johnston Canyon parking lot after going through the roundabout. This is not to be confused with the Johnston Canyon Campground exit. This is a great picnic spot and there are bathrooms and a water bottle filling station available.

I would definitely recommend taking a short walk through the canyon. There is a 1.5 mile round trip walk to the lower falls, a 3 miles round trip walk to the upper falls or a 7 mile round trip hike to the Ink Pots. You’ll see 15 waterfalls by the time you reach the upper falls! The best part about the hike is the beginning of the trail. The boardwalk is suspended in the canyon wall over the river. You won’t get more spectacular views!

The upside is that the walk through the canyon is very easy. The downside is that because it’s so easy, this trail is PACKED. I felt like I was at Disneyland shuffling through the line of people. There was even a giant line of people waiting to take their selfies at the waterfall. The first time we went to Banff in 2019, we hiked this trail in the evening and it wasn’t nearly as crowded. Though the people did take away from the experience, this hike is still a must do. 

Once you’ve rested, hiked and enjoyed a snack, saddle back up and head back to Banff on the same road you traveled in on. You can continue to ride on Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise to complete the entire 31 mile road. But be aware that cars are allowed on the section from Johnston Canyon to Lake Louise. I recommend just biking to the canyon and then visiting Lake Louise by car afterwards instead.

Fortunately the ride back has a slight downhill grade the majority of the time making the way back quicker. There is another big climb around mile 7, but otherwise the ride is fairly easy. Celebrate your completed 30 mile ride with an ice cream cone from Cows or a famous Canadian beavertail treat in downtown Banff.

• Highly recommend bringing bear spray with you. We were actually stopped by park rangers before heading out on the parkway for a bear safety briefing. You can purchase bear spray at the downtown visitor center and then give it back when finished since you can’t take it across the border!

• Bow Valley is a wildlife hotspot and to protect the wildlife, the Parkway is closed from 8pm to 8am March 1st-June 25th so plan your ride accordingly in the spring.

• Don’t forget that you must buy a Parks Canada Pass to park or enjoy the town of Banff. Avoid the lines and purchase online at https://www.banfflakelouise.com/park-pass-purchase. Family passes are $22/day and valid until 4pm the day after purchase. Print and display this pass in your car at all times