Calgary

High bear activity forces trail closures in Banff, Lake Louise

If the weather forecast is right, it’s shaping up to be a great weekend for camping and outdoor activities, but be prepared for a number of trail closures and restrictions because of high bear activity in the Banff and Lake Louise area.

Portion of Legacy Trail closed because of a feeding grizzly

A young grizzly bear feeds on a treat of spawning sucker fish at a pond near Vermilion Lakes, the reason the popular recreation area is closed. (R. Schmidt/Parks Canada)

If the weather forecast is right, it's shaping up to be a great weekend for camping and outdoor activities, but be prepared for a number of trail closures because of high bear activity in the Banff and Lake Louise area.

Parks Canada has posted a list on its website, which includes some areas around the Banff townsite because of a grizzly bear. The closure affects Vermilion Lakes Road and the Second and Third Vermilion Lakes on the north side of the Bow River.

The Legacy Trail between Vermilion Lakes and where it meets the Trans-Canada Highway is closed due to grizzly bear activity. (Kyle Bakx/CBC)

The popular Legacy Trail is also closed from the west end of the Vermilion Lakes Road to where it connects with the Trans-Canada Highway, where Parks Canada says a grizzly bear is feeding on a seasonal fish.

Fenland Trail, 40 Mile Creek, Echo Creek, and First Vermilion Lake remain open.

Fines are as much as $25,000 for those who venture into closed or restricted areas.