Hi -
We're heading to the Canadian Rockies in July 2007 and I'm getting ready to make air reservations. I read that the Calgary Stampede (July 6-15, 2007) has millions of visitors each year.

I'm wondering if we'd be better off to try to avoid during or just after these Stampede ates in case the parks around Banff and Field may be much more crowded during and just after those times?

If anyone has any thoughts on this, I would love to hear them. Thanks so much! - Jill

Yes, if you are not interested in taking in the Stampede, then it would be better to avoid the entire area just before, during, and just after the Stampede.

That said, the whole of July and August tends to be busy in the Canadian Rockies. If it's possible to do so, I think it's better to travel in the area in the second half of June or else any time in the month of September.

It's tricky to work out the ideal window. I don't like going too early in June, because you don't get to see Moraine Lake at its best (and, yes, I do believe it's worth timing an entire vacation for the sake of that one lake).

If you cannot time your vacation as you would like, and if you are forced to travel during the busy period, there are a few tricks for getting away from the crowds. The main trick simply is to walk a few yards away from the main scenic lookout points.

If you intend to visit the Tyrrell Museum and if you'll be in the area in July or August, you'll unfortunately find the museum very busy. It's at its worst on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It's less busy Monday through Thursday. If you are forced to visit Fri - Sun, it's best to go as soon as the doors open at 9.00 a.m., or else wait to go through between 6.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m.

>>>>>>If you intend to visit the Tyrrell Museum<<<<<<

Sorry, I've just realized I may have caused confusion. The Tyrrell Museum is not in the Rockies. Rather, it's in Drumheller, which is a 3-hour drive from Banff and a 1.5 hour drive from Calgary.

However, if time permits, it's a very worthy detour. The dinosaur skeletons are fascinating.

Should you avoid Calgary during the Stampede? Well, yes and no. I have arrived by air when the Stampede was starting. We stayed at a hotel in the northeast, well away from downtown Calgary. The hotel was full and there were hay bales all over. There were many people around connected with the Stampede either as spectators or participants.

Other than slightly higher rates, a full house at the hotel, and interesting people, I could not see too much that was different in that part of the city. I was not bothered by the crowds because they were elsewhere.

Banff and Lake Louise are crowded in July and August, cow show or no cow show. I don't think it makes that much of a difference because I would not turn up without advanced reservations anyhow.

If I were interested in visiting downtown Calgary, the absence or presence of Stampede crowds might make a difference. Certainly traffic in the vicinity of the fairgrounds would be a factor.

My son and his family were there during the Stampede because they wanted to attend the events. They enjoyed it.
He planned enough in advance to have hotel rooms lined up and event tickets in hand before arriving.

After they attended events in Calgary, they spend a couple of nights in Canmore and then met us at Twin Falls Chalet.
That was well removed from the Stampede picture!!

Summer in the Rockies is busy no matter which way you slice it. Granted Calgary is definitely busier, especially around the fairgrounds area, but the rest of the city is always busy these days (Calgary is probably the fastest growing city in North America due to the oil and gas industry). I actually think Stampede time lends a nice charm to the city. Unless you plan on spending alot of time in Calgary, I wouldn't worry about Stampede and come when the dates work best for you. Having said that, I have been living in Canmore for last 9 years and find July/Aug/Sept to be our nicest months (in past years June has tended to be quite wet). Happy planning, you will love the Rockie and there is such a wide array of things to do you won't be disappointed.

Thanks so much for your responses! It sounds like July will be busy no matter what. I think we'll focus more on going to less travelled areas and going on the popular hikes early in a.m. Thanks again! - Jill

Johnston Canyon is definitely one where you should get an early start. The last time I went there, I could not find a parking place. Vehicles were parked like there was a football game between Ohio State and Michigan taking place. That means that there were vehicles parked everywhere there was a place to put 4 wheels. Other vehicles were circling the parking lot like vultures looking for something to eat.

I gave up and went elsewhere for a hike.