 Welcome,... to the mountain national parks of Canada, a rugged wilderness of magnificent peaks, massive glaciers and broad sweeping valleys. This is a special place, which represents the power of Canada's landscape and the vitality of its culture.
The mountain national parks are comprised of Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, Waterton Lakes and Yoho. We at Parks Canada invite you to discover their unique nature. We also invite you to explore our cultural history at national historic sites such as the Banff Park Museum, the Bar U Ranch, the Cave and Basin, Fort St. James, the Jasper Information Centre, Rocky Mountain House and Roger's Pass. After all that exploring, you will need time to soak and relax. Visit our three mountain hot springs in Radium, Miette or Banff.
The idea of a Canada-wide system of protected areas took root in the Rockies when Banff National Park was established more than a century ago. Today this system of protected areas continues to expand as we strive to represent the natural regions of this country and commemorate the people, places and events that define Canada.
The Canadian Rockies are blessed with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks together with Hamber, Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson provincial parks constitute the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site - one of the largest protected areas in the world. Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park, in the United States, comprise the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park.
Parks Canada, in partnership with First Nations and Metis communities, the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, local municipalities and the tourism industry, is committed to offering world-class heritage experiences and quality services. Your Parks Canada entry fee supports programs and services that help you travel safely and get the most out of your stay. This includes; the production of visitor guides, brochures, the maintenance of bridges, trails and picnic areas as well as search and rescue operations.
Parks Canada is proud of its leadership role in preserving and presenting Canada's natural and cultural heritage. You can do your part too - by respecting the land and celebrating our traditions. It is up to all of us to make sure our parks and our past will always have a future.
Precious, unique and awe-inspiring, we at Parks Canada hope you enjoy an experience of a lifetime in Canada's mountain national parks.
Bill Fisher
Director General
Western and Northern CanadaParks Canada
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Enjoy
a continental breakfast daily in a friendly hotel of 89 rooms!
Just a 3 minute walk to downtown, all rooms are carefully
furnished and decorated with mountain views. Amenities include
2 new outdoor hot tubs with an outdoor fireplace, sauna &
steam room and wireless internet.
How Big is Your Bald Spot?
Well it can’t be as large as Banff’s! Did you know that Banff has a bald spot? Some people call it a green spot, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve started to think more in terms of bald. Know where it is? Yup, on top of Banff. Look to the North- Northwest. No, not that way—towards Mt. Norquay. That’s ok. The 2nd thing to go, right after your hair, is your sense of directions. See it? It’s about the size of a football field! Apparently it looks the same now as it did 100 years ago.
What do you think caused it? Not stress! Not aging. Speculation runs wild. Maybe it was hit by a meteor shower. Maybe a UFO landed there. Was it a “crop circle” in the mountains? If you know, let us know. So, in the meantime, what do you do with a bald spot that is the size of a football field? Well, it’s a great place for a picnic. You can enjoy an amazing view of the Town of Banff and Mt. Rundle. There aren’t any picnic tables up there, though, so take along a blanket. And there is only one garbage can, by the parking area, so if it’s full, please pack out your garbage.
There is no “parking lot” up there, just a turnout at the side of a very wide corner in which there is room for about 10 cars to park. The main road up the mountain is full of switchbacks, so go slow. The parking area is about 3.4 kms up the hill, and it is right beside the bald spot.
Want to try something truly amazing? Take a blanket and a star chart up to the bald spot at night, and watch the night sky. On a clear night, you can see a million stars—maybe even a falling star. If you do, you know what to wish for, don’t you? That’s right—not going bald. How Big is Your Bald Spot? Did you know that Banff has a bald spot?
By Bob Harris
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