Cycling the Bow Valley Parkway is such a fun adventure to do in Banff this summer! The Bow Valley Parkway is a secondary highway (Highway 1A) that connects the Town of Banff to Lake Louise.
It is considered the scenic route to Lake Louise, as there are a few viewpoints and the speed limit is a lot slower.
The Bow Valley Parkway is also where you will find one of the most popular hikes in Banff: Johnston Canyon.
In 2025, the Eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway Closure is in effect from May 1 to June 25, and August 28 to October 2. This makes for a great cycling experience! From 8pm to 8am daily, the road is closed to both cars and bikers.
Please know this website is reader supported and includes some affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!!
Why is the Parkway Closed?
In a pilot program beginning in 2022, Parks Canada decided to close part of the Bow Valley Parkway to public vehicles and allow only road cyclists during certain times of the year – thus creating the Bow Valley Parkway Cycling Experience! This meant that animals were more likely to be roadside, and it was a great biking path to ride, as the whole road is available to cycle!
Recently, Parks Canada announced that the program will be extended to 2030 after its initial success from 2022-2024.
The road is closed to reduce the disturbance to wildlife, as this is a popular place for wildlife. The entire East Side of the Parkway is closed both cars and road cyclists in the evening/night, between 8 pm – 8 am, in order to reduce disturbance even more, as a lot of the animals are most active between these times.
Closing the road also provides another chance for residents and visitors to get outside and enjoy themselves in a more environmentally friendly way.
When to Visit the Bow Valley Parkway to Cycle
As mentioned earlier, you are able to cycle the Bow Valley Parkway without cars between May 1 – June 25, and between August 28 – October 2, 2025. You have a chance for great weather no matter when you visit in these time periods (but also a chance for really not great weather! Make sure to be prepared).
Cycling in September/October means you’ll start to see fall colours (which usually come out mid-late September).
In Spring and early summer, animals are just starting to come back out, lakes are thawing and trees are regrowing their leaves.
The entire Eastern section of the Parkway is closed in the evening/night, between 8 pm – 8 am, in order to allow animals time with no human disturbance. This means you shouldn’t be cycling between 8pm – 8am.
My trip details: I visited the Bow Valley Parkway to cycle on May 20, 2022, and got lucky with nice weather! It was sunny, but still had a bit of chilly wind. It was raining and snowing the day before, so we were lucky to find a dry road and clear skies the next day when we cycled. Always be prepared! I do live a few hours from Banff, and have updated the information in this post for 2025!
Can I Cycle When the Road is Open to Cars?
The road is open to cars during the summer time (June 26 – August 27) and from October 3 to April 31.
There is a wide shoulder to allow cyclists on the Bow Valley Parkway even while open to cars, however, I would only recommend this to experienced cyclists. The road can get narrow and there are steep hills in some parts. I personally wouldn’t cycle the Parkway while it’s open to vehicle traffic!
How Long is the Bow Valley Parkway?
The entire Bow Valley Parkway is 48 km long, however, the section that is closed to vehicles and open for cyclists is 17 km long, one way (between Fireside Day Use Area and Johnston Canyon).
The sign pictured below is along the road at notable stops!
How Much Time Does it Take?
For experienced cyclists, you can probably cycle the Bow Valley Parkway fairly quickly. Since I’m not, I can’t comment on how long it would take avid cyclists! I am not an experienced outdoor cyclist, mainly just cycling in my neighborhood in the city, and it took me 3 hours to cycle from Johnston Canyon, to the Backswamp Viewpoint, and back to Johnston Canyon.
My trip: We left Johnston Canyon around 11:30 am and arrived back around 2:15 pm.
Where to Park/How to Get There
Most cyclists park at the Banff Train Station or the Fenland Recreation Centre, and cycle all the way to the Bow Valley Parkway from there via the Banff Legacy Trail and Vermillion Lakes Road. Then they cycle the length of the Parkway, and then head back to where they parked (this is incredibly long!).
Because I am used to city cycling (limited hills), I chose to park at Johnston Canyon, cycle from there to Backswamp Viewpoint, and then head back. I found this a little challenging (!), so if you are not used to biking up and down hills, I would recommend this option as well.
To access Johnston Canyon with your car, you will have to drive the Trans Canada Highway to Castle Junction, and access Johnston Canyon that way.
Note: The parking lot at Johnston Canyon can get busy. We parked at Johnston Canyon around 9 am, hiked the Canyon, and then headed out on our bike ride. When we arrived at 9 am, the parking lot was almost empty (which is unheard of in peak season). When we set out on our ride at 11:30 am, the lot was starting to get full. It can be hard to estimate when the car park will fill up, so arriving early is probably your best bet.
What to Bring on Your Bike Ride
Because you’ll be on a bike, you’ll want to pack as light as you can so you’re not weighed down by gear.
On our ride I packed:
- Snacks (Fruit 2 Go bar, granola bar, trail mix, carrot sticks)
- Lunch (Sandwich and juice box)
- Water
- Camera/phone
- Bear spray
What I wore cycling the Bow Valley Parkway:
- Leggings
- Merino wool long sleeve
- Fleece sweater
- Windbreaker/rain jacket
- Running shoes
- Small gloves
- Toque that fits under my helmet (it was windy going down hills!)
- Helmet
We didn’t bring a bike lock because we weren’t planning to do any hikes or leave our bikes while riding.
I didn’t need anything else which makes this the perfect packing list! Of course, dress for the weather and be prepared.
If you are planning to hike Johnston Canyon, there is a bike rack that you can lock your bike to while hiking. (Since we parked at Johnston Canyon to start our ride, we kept our bikes in our car while hiking).
Stops to Make While Cycling the Bow Valley Parkway
The whole bike ride is beautiful! There are multiple unmarked viewpoints that you normally would not be able to stop at and enjoy if driving (no turnout, etc.). So stop whenever you want to!
Some notable stops to make are:
- Johnston Canyon (also accessible via car)
- Hillsdale Meadow Viewpoint (pretty meadow with surrounding mountains)
- Sawback Day Use Area (picnic spot and washrooms)
- Muleshoe Day Use Area (picnic spot and washrooms)
- Backswamp Viewpoint (amazing view of mountains and the Bow River – pictured above)
Extra Tips for Your Bow Valley Parkway Cycle
Facilities Along the Bow Valley Parkway:
There are outhouse bathrooms, bear-proof garbage bins, and picnic tables at the day-use stops along the way. Bring a bag just in case you don’t have access to a garbage bin right away. There are spots of no cellphone service along the Bow Valley Parkway.
Be Prepared for Adverse Weather:
The weather in Banff National Park can change so quickly! Even if the weather is forecasting for sun, bring a small jacket just in case some sudden rain, wind, or even snow rolls in.
Watch for Animals While Cycling:
The Bow Valley Parkway is one of the first areas in Banff National Park to turn green after winter. This means a lot of animals live here in Spring and Early Summer. There’s a big chance you’ll come across animals on your bike ride. We saw multiple deer and even a black bear just off the road.
Make sure you’re making noise (conversation chatter or ringing your bike bell every now and then). Bikes are typically quite quiet, and you don’t want to accidentally surprise and scare a bear you don’t see right away.
- Treat the animals with respect, keep your distance and give them space. This is their home!
- Bring bear spray and have it easily accessible.
- Make noise frequently to alert the animals you are around.
- Don’t wear earplugs or headphones, so you can hear potential animals or Parks Canada service vehicles (which still have access to the road).
Leave No Trace:
Please be respectful of the environment while cycling. Don’t venture off the road (unless it’s a marked hiking trail!), and bring a bag just in case you have garbage from snacks, etc., and don’t have immediate access to a garbage can.
Find out more about Leaving No Trace while visiting Banff!
Be respectful of the animals. They are wild! Give them space, and never approach them. You are responsible for your own safety and it’s a semi-remote area because it’s closed to cars. We came across a few bikers on the road (but they usually passed us haha).
Costs to Factor In
Bow Valley Parkway cycling is free to do (there is no entrance fee).
The only costs you’ll have are:
- National Park Pass (to park your car in the National Park – you’ll probably already have this if in Banff). And it is actually free this year from June 20-September 2, 2025.
- Bike rentals if needed (Banff Cycle & Sport is right in Banff Town. If you’re renting, I recommend getting an e-bike as it will make the bike ride so much more enjoyable!)
- Snacks and food!
More on Banff National Park:
- 4 Day Itinerary for Banff National Park
- Moraine Lake: Tips for Visiting This Amazing Lake
- Biking to Moraine Lake and Beating the Crowds
- Lake Louise 1 Day Itinerary
- Banff National Park Bucket List
Bow Valley Parkway FAQ:
Yes! If you are enjoying any Canadian National Park, you need a National Park Pass. The Bow Valley Parkway is in Banff National Park, meaning you will need to display a park pass on your vehicle when parking. National Parks are free in Canada from June 20-September 2, 2025, so if you’re visiting in this time frame you don’t need to purchase one.
You can park in the Town of Banff, at either the Banff Train Station or the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Or, you can park at Johnston Canyon and cycle from there (this is what I did).
Yes! The Parkway will be open to road cyclists and closed to vehicles in Spring and Fall 2025, meaning this is the perfect time to cycle.
Are you interested in biking the Bow Valley Parkway this year? Let me know if you have any other questions by sending me a message on Instagram!
Find me on: Instagram | Pinterest | Youtube
Pin This for Future Planning!
Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada and just 4 hours from the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I love to travel to Banff and Jasper frequently and also explore new places around the world. Follow along for my tips based on my real adventures!
