icefields parkway wildlife
 

how common is it to see wildlife such as bear,elk,moose,sheep,beaver,eagle,bison,coyote,bob cat,etc. in banff/jasper n.p.'s? odes it approach yellowstone in any capacity as far as wildlife viewing is concerned and whats the best spot for bighorn sheep,bear, and moose? can't wait to see the awesome canadian rockies for the first time this july!

I haven't seen a huge amount of wildlife along the Parkway but I've only been on it once so my expereince may not be typical. When I was there, I saw one wolf running along the side of the road and a couple of dozen ravens at various places.

However, Jasper is at the north end of the parkway. I've been there a number of times and have seen huge amounts of wildlife each time. Elk herds are all around Jasper and are usually visible, both in herds and singly. The last time I was there, I drove east on the Yellowhead Hwy and, about 20km out of Jasper, I saw an absolutely gargantuan bull elk grazing along the Hwy. I sat in my car for about 20 minutes watching and photographing him as he approached within about ten feet of my car.

Along Maligne Lake Road just outside Jasper, I have never failed to see at least 5 or 6 mountain goats, mostly very close to the road and, in one case, approaching my car in a turnoff to lick salt off the wheel wells. I've also seen deer and elk along that road.

A couple of trips ago, I stopped to photograph the Athabasca River with the snowy mountains in the background. As I approached the river on foot, I saw a herd of about 5 elk coming toward me along the graveled edge of the river. I watched them for about ten minutes as they worked their way along the river then swam across to an island.

I have never seen either bear or moose in that area.

Have a great trip. The Parkway and the parks around it are wonderful places.

great info thanks!

if you are driving between banff and lake louise, take hwy 1A (road that goes by johnson's canyon) instead of the main hwy. it's slower but i usually see animals there. i've been to the mountains at least 50 times and have only seen the butt of a bear once as he ran into the woods.

The best spot for wildlife is the road to Maligne lake in Jasper. Be careful when looking for critters. Don't park in curves on middle of the roads. The park prefers you trample a few roadside grass than blocking the whole way.

Bighorn sheeps are also found in some place called "Disaster Point" or "Not Disaster Point (seriously) on the yellowhead highway towards Edmonton. If you look way up the cliff where the Bighorns are, you might see Mountain Goats. These can also be found a bit south of Athabasca falls on the Icfield parkway (if memory is correct). It's right on the road, with signs and all.

Wildlife viewing is very dependent on the travel time. You will have better chances during the morning and evening hours or in spring or fall.

I would not confirm, that driving the icefield highway gives you the highest probability for wildlife viewing.

We travelled several times on the icefield highway and saw most wildlife (bears, moose, coyote, elk, goats, sheep’s) in Jasper and surrounding areas. We never saw a bison or eagle in this area and we saw only a small number of wildlife in Banff and surrounding areas.

Seeing wildlife is a chance you take.
I agree on the Maligne Lake road.
I once photographed a huge bull elk in the trees. No fear, I was in a heavy growth of small trees. Had he not liked me, I saw no way he could dodge between the trees with that rack of antlers.

Unfortunately the elk and bear don't obey the schedules nor do they use the designated road crossings. Be nice if they did.

PS on the road between Jasper and the east entrance, there is a location where sheep seem to congregate because it is a natural salt lick. I forget exactly where it is, but you can find out easily at the visitor center.

I recall that traffic is usually slow there because sheep are in the road.

Good luck. I have yet to see a bear, but if I am on a trail, a bear is about the last thing I want to see!!

I think the item I would least like to see is an avalanche coming at me, but in July, August and September those events are very rare.

On the Icefields Parkway we have seen goats and elk. We've had much more success seeing wildlife in Jasper vs Banff.

We have seen bear, caribou, sheep and elk on the main road from Jasper Townsite going toward Edmonton.

Our best siting was a bear on the road going toward Angel Glacier. We watched this bear for 15 minutes.

Our son got freaked out by a deer at Maligne Lake that was right by the restroom when he came out.

You definitely will have a chance for some great viewing.

I did the Icefields Parkway a year ago in July. It's very easy to spot wildlifes - just pull off the road when you see out of a sudden there are bunch of vehicles parked along the highway. I am serious. I saw quite a few bears and a few mooses or elk.

[The very first time, I had no idea why suddenly the camper in front of me suddednly pulled off and why so many people stopped. Next time, I did the same and realize that was the trick.]

great and exciting feedback everyone-thank you!

I might add that seeing a bobcat is just about impossible. Seeing a bear is not likely either unless you want to go wandering off the trails near Maligne Lake.

I must confess that the last thing I want to find on a trail is a bear.

A few years ago, so the story goes, a young bear wandered into the cookie store in Lake Louise village.
He was most impolite because he did not wait his turn in line. Instead, he barged in, grabbed what he wanted and ate it. He would have had no trouble in finding a table had he wanted one. I understand that the place was empty shortly after he or she entered. Seems like most of the guests had something better to do all of a sudden. The bear was also something of a cheapskate; s/he expected the other guests to pay for the goodies.

There is supposed to be a homemade video tape of young bruin and the cookies floating around somewhere, but I have never seen it.