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Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta
Photo: buzzrosalee52 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Alberta Banff, Jasper and the Canadian Rockies

Bow Valley Parkway

1A, Bow Valley Parkway · Banff → Lake Louise

Leisurely30 mi1 hr 5 min2,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 5,300 ftOne way
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The drive

The Bow Valley Parkway is a 48-km paved, winding route between Banff and Lake Louise. Parks Canada calls it a quieter alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway, with roadside pull-offs, picnic areas and viewpoints. This drive runs west from the Trans-Canada near Banff, 30.5 miles in about 1 hour 5 minutes, leisurely with mostly gentle curves and one twisty stretch, passing Johnston Canyon and Morant's Curve.

The eastern 17 km, from Fireside Day-use Area to Johnston Canyon, runs through montane habitat that is important wildlife country. Bears, wolves, cougars and elk use the area and are most sensitive to people between dusk and dawn.

Along the way

  1. Banff (Trans-Canada Highway)
  2. Johnston Canyon
  3. Morant's Curve
  4. Lake Louise
Elevation
2,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 5,300 ft
BanffLake Louise
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
BanffLake Louise
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The eastern 17 km is part of a cycling pilot that has restricted it to bikers in spring and fall. The dates change by year, so check Parks Canada.
  • From March 1 to June 25, travel on the eastern 17 km is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Services are limited, with toilets and day-use areas along the road, and cell coverage has gaps.

The eastern 17 km, Fireside to Johnston Canyon, is closed to cars for cycling from about May 1 to June 25 and September 1 to early October, and closed to all travel 8 pm to 8 am from March 1 to June 25. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Parks Canada: Banff bulletins.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Bow Valley Parkway take to drive?

Banff to Lake Louise on the parkway is 30.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 5 minutes.

Is the Bow Valley Parkway closed to cars?

Part of it is at certain times: the eastern 17 km is restricted during the spring and fall cycling pilot, and from March 1 to June 25 it is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for wildlife.

What is the Bow Valley Parkway?

It is a 48-km paved scenic route between Banff and Lake Louise, a quieter alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

All 17 drives in Alberta ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Bow Valley Parkway, from Banff to Lake Louise