Plan ready for Banff traffic spike with free admission in 2017, Parks Canada says

A plan has been developed to help the town of Banff handle the expected spike in traffic next year as visitors take advantage of free admission to the mountain park, an official says.

Parks Canada is marking Canada's 150th anniversary by dropping entry fees for national parks for the whole of 2017.

Banff Superintendent Dave McDonough says he expects only about a five per cent increase in 2017 over this year.

He told the Calgary Eyeopener that part of the strategy will be to suggest less crowded alternative destinations for visitors. Parks Canada will increase its social media presence to get that message to visitors as they plan their trips, he said. 

"A place like Johnston Canyon, which is very popular, if they're coming on a Saturday, they could look at Silverton Falls or look at Marble Canyon," he said.

"We're also looking at enhanced public transportation as well so that we can minimize parking issues and things like that."

There are no plans to build new parking lots in Banff park, but there will be attendants as the busiest locations, such as Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise to help congestion issues, McDonough said. 

• MORE ALBERTA NEWS | 'Holy cannoli': Nenshi warns against retroactively cancelling Alberta electricity contracts
• MORE ALBERTA NEWS | Employed Albertans turn to food banks at twice national rate

McDonough says the plan will be rolled out in detail early next year.

But Banff resident Bruce Smith says he's not convinced it will be enough.

"Next year's just going to be crazy stupid," he said.

"It's not a good thing. I was born and raised in this town and I've seen it just get worse and worse and worse and it's just going to be a nut show. They're trying to implement the shuttle buses and things like that, it didn't work very well this summer and it's going to be impossible next year."

Last month, Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen said she was worried that there wasn't enough time for the town and Parks Canada to get ready for the influx of tourists. 

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener