Headed to Banff this Summer

Just booked a campground for the end of July in Banff for 5 nights, 1 night prior just outside of Kootenay at the Hot Springs. My wife, 12 year old daughter and myself. Should be a great trip. We have done GNP twice already so this is like an extension of those trips for us.

I am super excited and felt like this would be a good place to share.

I note you said "end of July." I always suggest to people headed that way to look at the dates for the Calgary Stampede. Quite an event! This year it runs from July 8-17th.

John from PA wrote in post #18010263
I note you said "end of July." I always suggest to people headed that way to look at the dates for the Calgary Stampede. Quite an event! This year it runs from July 8-17th.

Yes, it is a world-class event and a lot of fun, but at the same time can be a time to avoid Calgary because of the crowds and high prices.

John from PA wrote in post #18010263
I note you said "end of July." I always suggest to people headed that way to look at the dates for the Calgary Stampede. Quite an event! This year it runs from July 8-17th.

The weather at the beginning of July has been pretty wet for the last couple of years, and it has made for some very soggy days at the Stampede Grounds. It is starting on the second Friday in July this year instead of the first Friday, I assume because the first Friday of July is Canada Day. The winter was mild, and we haven't had much rain so far this spring. That, combined with the later start date this year, might it a really good year for attending the Stampede.

The mild winter and dry spring (thus far), might result in river/stream closures. So, if you're planning on doing any fly fishing you might want a backup plan for those days (downrigging for Lake Trout with a fishing charter on Lake Minnewanka, perhaps?).

There are loads of amazing landscape shooting opportunities. As you're planning your photography itinerary you might want to consider spending some time in "K Country" (Kananaskis), which is east of Banff National Park. If you want to head up to the Columbia Ice Fields (IMO, the glacier is not really that impressive, and I think the Glacier Skywalk is a bit of a ripoff), it is an easy day trip from Banff.

Archibald wrote in post #18010291
Yes, it is a world-class event and a lot of fun, but at the same time can be a time to avoid Calgary because of the crowds and high prices.

Our trick is to stay a few miles outside the city and take advantage of public transportation. I highly recommend Cindy's Bed and Breakfast in Dewinton, Alberta. A train station is about a mile away and one of the stops is the Stampede grounds. Train was very inexpensive the last time we did it.

Thank you everyone. The window for this trip 7/21-7/28 is the ONLY time we will be able to get away due to weddings we have booked on either end of the trip. We will be driving from Portland to Radium Springs on Thursday 7/21, leaving early 3-4am its a 10 hr drive non stop, having done the drive to Glacier in MT, 2/3 of the drive is known roads for us and will be a one stop shot stopping only for gas.

We will be at Johnson Canyon Campground from Friday 7/22 till Wednesday 7/27 when we head out late morning and make the drive back to Coeur d'alene ID for the night, finishing the rest of the drive Thursday morning.

We contemplated a much larger looping road trip but decided to spend a good amount of time in one location to maximize our photography time. My girls have no problem with very early mornings and late nights. We plan on doing afternoon siestas on this trip No plans for fishing, some hiking and a lot of landscape and hopefully wildlife photography.

The wife is hoping to catch the Northern Lights, I told her not to hold her breath, just starting to do some research on chances, anyone from around that part care to chime in on chances of that happening?

We have some pretty world class Rodeos here in Oregon so I am very OK missing the crowed and higher prices.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #18010378
The wife is hoping to catch the Northern Lights, I told her not to hold her breath, just starting to do some research on chances, anyone from around that part care to chime in on chances of that happening?

We actually just had our most spectacular light show in the last twenty years. I think they were seen into Montana. A couple of photographers that I'm acquainted with got some spectacular shots at Lake Minewanka.

There is an Aurora Forecast here: http://www.swpc.noaa.g​ov. Scroll down a bit and it is on the right hand side of the screen. If the colour red appears over an area, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are really good.

Here is an Edmonton aurora site: http://www.aurorawatch​.ca. You can sign up for free email alerts. Great aurora in Edmonton (which is ~300km north of where you'll be), doesn't necessarily mean great aurora where you'll be. You can see a list of the historical alerts they have here: http://www.aurorawatch​.ca/content/view/48/59​/.

The government has a Space Weather Forecast site: http://www.spaceweathe​r.gc.ca/forecast-prevision/sf-en.php. Keep an eye on the "South Western Canada" and the "Northern Prairies."

Here is the 27-day Magnetic Activity forecast: http://www.spaceweathe​r.gc.ca …vision/long/sfl​t-1-en.php. You'll be in the "Sub-Auroral" zone, which is the bottom chart.

Now you just need to keep an eye on things, and keep your fingers crossed.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #18010378
We have some pretty world class Rodeos here in Oregon so I am very OK missing the crowed and higher prices.

The Stampede is much more than rodeo!

Reserved a 150-600 just in case we run into any wildlife Really enjoyed the 100-400 in GNP in MT