Very familiar with both. In-laws in each. Can probably provide some help depending on what you're plan is.
A friend (that's a girl) is trying to plan a 40th bday trip for early July. She wants to be out of the country bc her actual bday is July 4 and she's not feeling patriotic at the moment. Basically she needs a 7 day itinerary for 3-4 women for the first week of July. I sent her some stuff from my research, but first hand experience would be helpful. Priorities are probably drinking/flirting with cowboys, spa days, and easy/intermediate hiking/outdoor experiences.
I spent many Trump era 4ths in Canada and can’t recommend it enough. On phone now so I’ll follow up with more later if you need a bit more context. if she wants to drink and flirt with cowboys, do that in Calgary. I personally like Kensington area but more Cowboy stuff is downtown. You will find a bunch of NIMBY Arcteryx and Canada Goose decked out locals and a bunch of tourists in mountain towns, especially that time of year. Nightlife in Canmore and Banff is pretty meh. Some decent microbreweries but the towns are pretty mild and not really authentic anymore. In mountains, you need to take shuttle to Morraine and Lake Louis now. If she wants spa, do it at Banff Hot Springs, not at Lake Louise. It’s supposedly quite better according to my wife, and you get access to facilities for whole day. It is not cheap though. Lake Morraine is stunning and worth the time over Lake Louis. Lake Louis on a non weekend would be better if it’s a must stop. The Teahouse hikes are really cool, but crowded. Peyto Lake is a must stop though. It will be at least two people’s profile pics afterwards. if they are willing to drive and want a bit more of a mountain experience away from crowds, I’d do Calgary for maybe a day, spend a night in Canmore, and then make my way up to Jasper. The drive to Jasper is probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Hikes are abundant off road. The drive is part of the experience. If more to just be leisure I’d just hang around Banff and Canmore and do day trips past to Lake Louise or even Kootenai. You can’t really go wrong. It’s gorgeous everywhere. can give food and hiking recs a different time if you know the areas they will be staying
Jasper >>> Banff. But, there was a terrible wildfire 1-2 years ago, so not sure of the town currently. But it's less crowded. I stayed on the Icefields Parkway, right between Banff and Jasper, for 3 nights. Just wake up, day hike, back to camp to build a fire and chill. Lesser known, but just as beautiful and same terrain, Yoho National Park is just to the west.
Yeah, she'd rather go to Vancouver, but one of her likely travel companions would strongly disapprove of one of her primary reasons (bang a dude she knows there) and kill the vibe. This is going to be a group of 3-4 women who aren't experienced hikers/campers, so everything is going need to be planned. This was a 7-day itinerary that ChatGPT gave me. I think it needs to be refined with more specifics, but I've never been, so maybe it's good? Spoiler Here's a 7-day itinerary for a trip to Calgary and Banff in July, when the weather is typically warm, with long days and ideal conditions for outdoor activities in both urban and mountain settings. Day 1: Arrival in Calgary Morning: Arrive in Calgary and pick up your rental car (if applicable). Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters or Kawa Café. Afternoon: Head to Calgary Tower for stunning views of the city and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Explore Stephen Avenue and the shops, cafes, and restaurants along this historic pedestrian street. Visit the Glenbow Museum to learn about Alberta's culture and history, or the Art Gallery of Calgary if you're an art lover. Evening: Dinner at The Big Fish or River Café, located in the picturesque Prince’s Island Park. Explore the city’s nightlife in the Kensington Village area, or head to the Calgary Zoo if you're interested in seeing local wildlife. Day 2: Explore Calgary Morning: Visit Heritage Park Historical Village, a living history museum where you can explore Alberta’s past through exhibits, historic buildings, and demonstrations. It's a great place for a scenic walk. Afternoon: Head to Calgary’s Botanical Gardens or Fish Creek Provincial Park for a relaxing walk or picnic. Stop by The Calgary Farmers' Market (open daily) to experience the local food scene and sample fresh produce. Evening: Enjoy dinner at The Nash, a trendy spot in the Inglewood neighborhood. Consider an evening stroll through Prince’s Island Park, or attend a live performance at Arts Commons or Theatre Calgary. Day 3: Calgary to Banff (Drive to Banff National Park) Morning: Have breakfast in Calgary, then begin your scenic drive to Banff National Park (about 1.5 hours). Stop at Lake Louise on the way for incredible views of the turquoise lake and surrounding peaks. Afternoon: Continue on to Banff and check into your accommodation. Explore the town of Banff, including a stroll along Banff Avenue, where you'll find shops, galleries, and local restaurants. Take the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of Banff and the surrounding mountains. Evening: Dinner at The Maple Leaf or The Bison, both offering delicious local cuisine. Optionally, enjoy an evening soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Day 4: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Morning: Start your day with an early visit to Lake Louise. In July, you can enjoy activities like canoeing, kayaking, or simply walking the lakeside trail. For a more strenuous adventure, hike up to Lake Agnes Tea House or take the Plain of Six Glaciers hike, both offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Afternoon: After lunch, drive to Moraine Lake (a 20-minute drive from Lake Louise). In July, the lake will be thawed and surrounded by lush greenery. Take a walk around the lake or hike the Rockpile Trail for one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the Canadian Rockies. Evening: Return to Banff for a relaxing dinner at The Grizzly House, a fondue restaurant known for its unique dining experience. Afterward, enjoy a calm evening walk around the town, or perhaps take in the sunset from Bow Falls. Day 5: Icefields Parkway and Yoho National Park Morning: Take a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Stop at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake for breathtaking views and photo opportunities. Continue driving to Yoho National Park (1.5 hours from Banff), where you'll see spectacular waterfalls and mountain scenery. Afternoon: Visit Emerald Lake, where you can rent a canoe, or walk around the picturesque lake. The area is surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests. Stop at Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s highest waterfalls, and take a short walk to the viewpoint. Evening: Return to Banff in the late afternoon. Enjoy a casual dinner at Bear Street Tavern or Saltlik for a relaxed but delicious meal. Day 6: Hiking and Exploring in Banff Morning: Begin the day with a hike to Johnston Canyon (a 1.5-2 hour hike). It’s one of the most popular trails in Banff National Park, with stunning waterfalls and beautiful canyon views. Alternatively, explore the Sunshine Meadows area, known for its beautiful alpine wildflowers, clear lakes, and panoramic mountain views (take the Sunshine Village gondola to access the area). Afternoon: After hiking, take a relaxing dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, where you can unwind in natural hot springs with views of the surrounding mountains. Explore Bow Falls or visit the Banff Wildlife Interpretive Centre to learn about local wildlife. Evening: Have a memorable dinner at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar or The Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar, which offers spectacular mountain views. Take a relaxing walk in Banff National Park under the stars, or stop by the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for a cultural performance. Day 7: Relaxing and Departing Banff Morning: Take a final stroll around Lake Minnewanka or enjoy a peaceful morning at the Cascade Gardens, known for its beautiful flower displays. For a unique experience, consider a boat tour on Lake Minnewanka or a scenic bike ride around the lake. Afternoon: Have a leisurely lunch in Banff before beginning the drive back to Calgary. Stop at Canmore on the way to Calgary for a charming mountain town experience, with shops, cafes, and local art galleries. Evening: Arrive in Calgary for your evening flight or enjoy a final dinner in the city. Vito Corleone
Cutting jobs at Yosemite sounds not great. "Last week, the seasonal workers who staff 433 national parks and historical sites, including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree, began receiving emails saying their job offers for the 2025 season had been “rescinded,” with little further explanation." https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-cuts-federal-jobs-even-110053905.html
The only seasonal employees that have jobs are fire employees. No one else is allowed to hire them, even though the hiring freeze memo from OPM exempted them from the freeze.
Interesting, I mean they specifically mention park rangers in the article but it is yahoo, so grain of salt.
idk, I mean you came into this thread asked for recs from real humans, got them, then outright rejected it in lieu of your 30 second google query. So youa re def opting for an unconventional fact-gathering approach. but if you think you can waltz up to Lake Louise in the summertime and avoid the worst crowds imaginable I send my thoughts and prayers down your way. Best of luck planning.
this thread and the travel thread were invaluable when I did Vancouver/RockyMountaineer/Banff/Canmore/Calgary in 2022. Far far better resource than the internet writ large. I got no clue if OpenAI sources TMB.
I did indeed think I could waltz up to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with my standup paddleboard. After seeing that I couldn't park, I got in an argument with the shuttle guy because he wouldn't let me bring my paddleboard. Never saw either of those lakes. Did Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway instead Spoiler
I did the chatgpt search first. I only posted it to see if people with real experience like Nug and Vito wanted to vouch for any of it. But if you want to be a dickhead about it, go off, king!
I was able to get a pass to hike up Angels Landing, would highly recommend it if you can get one. https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm It looks like they're only letting you apply for one for the next day but it's worth it. I don't hike that much, but I'm in good shape, and the worst part was walking back down all the switch backs which killed my thighs.
The one I always recommend is hiking to Observation Point via the East Mesa trail. It's one of the best vistas anywhere in the world on a relatively easy trail. You actually start from outside the park, and with snow or rain I could see the road to it being precarious in April, so check conditions first. If you are good with heights Angels Landing is awesome. I highly recommend starting as early as possible. Again check conditions beforehand, because I absolutely would not do it if there were any snow on the chained section. From the visitor center the Watchman Trail is a nice hike with different views than Angels Landing or Observation Point. If you feel like the main canyon is too crowded, which may not be an issue in April, the Kolob Canyon section of the park is worth visiting. The Taylor Creek trail is a nice trail to a big rock amphitheater. It's worth it just to drive through Kolob Canyon to see part of the park most people miss. Also its important to remember that one of the things the current administration is trying to destroy is the National Parks Service. All parks will be severely understaffed this year and it will not be possible for them to provide services that they normally do. Just know that lines may be long, park stores may be closed, trash cans may be overflowing, and if you have an emergency there may not be anyone to help you.
Hell yeah. Solid tips, thank you sir. And yeah I know a few Rangers that got fired over the weekend and have been seeing theirs and their colleagues' stories all over social media. It's really depressing to see such passionate and talented people caught up in this bullshit, I can only imagine how they feel.
This has been one of the sadder early developments of the current admin. Everyone at Yellowstone and Grand Teton were so nice and helpful during our trip last year, and the ranger to lead us on a hike around the first quarter of Jenny Lake was super informative and engaging in what was a highlight experience of the trip. Girl in her mid-20s doing something I could absolutely see my animal/nature loving daughter doing in 15 years probably now out of a job for no fucking reason.
Most National Park employees are great fucking people. They don't do it for the money (obviously), just for their love of nature. It's awesome being out on a hike and just shooting the shit with a ranger about bears, the area, their knowledge, tips and tricks. Every single one I've met is outgoing, charismatic, and eager to talk -- and also stringent about enforcing trail maintenance and garbage. The only fucking thing the US did right was the national park system and maintaining the natural beauty of this fucking hellhole.
Will echo what the others have said regarding starting early. Not sure how comfortable you are with cold temps, but we went in November of ‘21 and were regularly starting by 6 am at around 20-25 degrees. Felt great at that time and had some cool sunrise hikes generally all by ourselves.
If they're still letting people hike Angels Landing and you get a permit it will be a timed entry. I had to start at the Grotto by 9am and they checked that when I got to the part where you need a permit at the chains section.
spent the morning and early afternoon reading along the South Rim today. Wanted to do the Grandview Trail but stupidly didn't bring foot traction and it was pretty dang icy in spots so I played it safe On the way out the line to get in the park was crazy long. I'd read the government fired 10 NPS employees assigned to GCNP with a number of them people who work the main entrance. So that's a major bummer to see it already impacting the park experience and it's just early March. People should definitely be taking the lack of resources and workers into consideration when making plans to explore our parks and forests the next few years Spoiler
sigh On Saturday, Mr. Trump directed federal agencies to examine ways to bypass endangered species protections and other environmental regulations to ramp up timber production across 280 million acres of national forests and other public lands. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/climate/trump-logging-national-forests.html
drove up to Kayenta yesterday afternoon and was at the visitor center at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for a sweet sunrise this morning. Did the Wildcat Trail around West Mitten Butte and then the bad ass scenic drive through the park. Very fun way to spend a morning/early afternoon. Have made this an annual thing Spoiler
I’m weird and follow a lot of exotic animal keepers that claim to be into conservation but are huge Trumpers. Or I did, unsubscribed to a lot of YouTube and IG accounts You find the real ones quickly that push back against it
Going to Moab and exploring canyonlands and arches in a couple weeks. Glad to get there before doge sells some of it for development.
https://www.fox13now.com/news/local...fell-to-their-death-recovered-in-bryce-canyon BRYCE CANYON CITY, Utah — Two people were found dead after falling hundreds of feet near a popular visitor spot at Bryce Canyon National Park. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said the two victims, identified as 45-year-old Matthew Nannen and 58-year-old Bailee Crane, fell off of Inspiration Point in the park either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Their bodies were spotted by fellow park visitors. The fall was estimated to be 380 feet. There was a railing at the spot where the two victims fell, but officials said Nannen and Crane climbed over it. They also said there was some snow, and the area was likely slippery. The bodies of both victims were recovered on Tuesday. Their names have not been released. Officials later said the two were living out of a U-Haul truck, and their last known permanent residence was in Florida.
I’m not sure how there aren’t more accidents on the Moro Rock Trail at Sequoia, which is basically single file lines both up and down with about a 1000 foot slide down a granite face if you slip. You can pull right up to the trail and park, which means there are tons of people who have no business being on this trail being on this trail.
Not searching the whole thread to see if it was mentioned but Veterans, you can go to you nearest (or any I guess) NP and get a lifetime pass. Allows one carload into a park, or one pass holder and 3 others >16 y/o where individual passes are required. It's obviously not a lot. Not a bank breaker to pay to go to any NPs, like if you're going to 1 a year or something, but it's just another benefit you earned.