Going to banff and jasper national parks in september?

Question

will we need our walking boots, and out door cloths.are the walks easy and only need good walking shoes.have hired a camper.we are the older generation.can.t wait .any advice.

Answer 1

depends which trails you are taking.  trails are marked as easy, mild and extreme.  if you hired someone to show you around I would give him/her a call a ask what to expect.

Answer 2

I know both these areas well and if it is your first time to the area you'll have a fantastic time.

At any time of the year, if you plan on walking / hiking good sensible foot wear is essential. Weather can change quickly, even in the height of summer and even more so as summer starts to end. Check with Parks Canada and the tourist information for up to date information on places of interest and also for trials that might be closed off due to wild life activity. It will probably still be the 'berry season' the bears will be scoffing like mad to fatten up for hibernation -- don't take liberties with them and even the occasional cougar on some trials. I've seen some really stupid tourists who think the National Parks are like a childrens zoo and all the animals are pets ! they are not.

During September its light about 07.00 - 07.40 hrs and dusk between 20.30 - 19.15 hrs. ( approx ) Temperatures will be about 50F dropping to mid 40'sF.

Campings great but if you fancy a meal out there's loads of great places at all price ranges in both towns. Tipping is considered the norm in restaurants.

In Banff visit esp. Lake Minnewanka up near the Tunnel Mountain Camp Site and a trial ( easy to moderate ) to see the Hoodos - rocks where the erosion has left them looking like mushrooms, also a fairly gently level walk along the Bow River near the Indian Head Bridge. There is the Cave & Basin Sulphur Hot Pools which is where the story of Canada's National Parks really started.

Near Jasper consider Mount Edith Cavell, different walks including a steeper Mountain flower meadow and Lake Louise is a must .. sometimes you can hear Alpine horns playing in the distance.

There is so much and the folks are really friendly.

Driving tips: watch your speed limits, some are really low in the National Parks .. RCMP do not put out big notices when they are using their speed guns !, carry your driving licence, if stopped by the police do not get out of your car stay put while they come up to you. Its normal to stay in a driving lane and not keep pulling over to the right unless instructed to do so, park in the direction of travel, don't do U turns across the median ( they have yellow lines in the centre where UK has white ones), some red stop lights act like a filter so you'll know if the guy behind gives you a toot !.