04/26/2026
Please give bears and other wildlife their space. It’s not just dangerous for you, it stresses the wildlife more than you know. 🐻🫎🐺
Bear Closure Vermillion Lakes Banff National Park
The bears are back at Vermilion Lakes - and this time, Parks Canada isn't asking nicely.
Starting 24 April, Vermilion Lakes Road, the adjacent shoreline, and the section of the Legacy Trail west of the road are closed overnight, every night, from 8 pm to 8 am. The closure runs through 29 April.
The reason is straightforward: bears have been feeding on fish carcasses in the area, and that's exactly the kind of food-reward situation that Parks Canada works hard to prevent from becoming a habit.
During daylight hours, the area is open, but a bear warning is in effect. That means carry your bear spray and actually know how to use it, make noise on the trail, keep 100 metres from any bear you spot, keep dogs leashed, and supervise kids. If you see a bear, note the details - size, colour, ear tag if visible - and call Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
Vermilion Lakes is one of the most-visited spots in the park, so this is worth knowing before you head out this week.
Have you had a bear encounter at Vermilion Lakes before?
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