🐻 Bears Have Taken Over (Literally)

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We got a tip last week about camping stats from here to Berg Lake in B.C., which explains why so many backcountry plans are falling apart this summer. Today’s top story pulls back the curtain on a problem that’s begging for a fix.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

P.S. A quick shout-out to Sierra Tanner for referring so many friends to Bow Valley Insider! You might know Sierra as a professional circus performer who’s wowed audiences at events across the Bow Valley. She’s a big fan of the local business community and a regular at Bridgette Bar’s happy hour. Thanks for your support, Sierra!

WHY BERG LAKE’S “FULL” CAMPSITES SIT EMPTY ALL SUMMER

What’s Happening? After a four-year closure, B.C.’s Berg Lake Trail reopened this year to instant sell-outs… 94 daily tent pads gone in minutes. But despite “full” bookings, staff at Mount Robson Visitor Centre say an average of 15 spots go unused every day.

Why It Matters? That’s roughly 1,440 wasted pad-nights per season. Space for nearly 3,000 more campers (two campers per pad). The culprit? BC Parks’ strict refund rules. Cancel within 14 days and you forfeit at least two nights’ fees, often the whole trip. So if the weather looks bad, many just skip it without cancelling because there’s no financial benefit, leaving sites stranded.

BC vs. Parks Canada:

• BC Parks: 14-day refund cutoff, lose 2 nights’ fees on late cancel. If you don’t show, your site isn’t offered to walk-up hikers until 11 a.m. the next day, often leaving it empty for the night.

• Parks Canada: 3-day cutoff, lose 1 night’s fees, shorter window encourages cancellations that free spots.

Parks Canada’s system helps, but it’s not perfect. One Bow Valley Insider reader, Ken Carlson, drove through Lake Louise’s frontcountry campground on a “100% occupied” night and found half the sites empty.

Possible Fixes:

• Shorten the refund cutoff.

• Add a no-show penalty (like U.S. campgrounds’ $20 fee).

• Ban repeat offenders.

• Create a waitlist/alert system.

• Require 48–72 hr pre-trip confirmations.

Why It Hasn’t Changed. From BC Parks’ perspective, no-shows aren’t a problem. Fees are prepaid, and fewer refunds mean more revenue. But for hikers shut out by “full” calendars, it’s a major access issue.

Bottom Line. Until policy shifts, the fix is simple: if you’re not going, cancel. Someone’s dream trip is waiting.

Read more stats and details we uncovered.

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THE DIGEST

• 🐻 Bears Have Taken Over.  Well, it’s surely happened before, but this is the first time in recent memory: literally all of Kananaskis and the Bow Valley are under a bear warning. An exceptional berry crop has lured black and grizzly bears into day-use areas, roadsides, and trails. It’s expected you’ll see bears when heading out. Check the advisory and stay bear aware. 

• 🐾 The Wild After Dark. Night hiking is on the rise in the Rockies, from stargazers to heat-dodgers, but it’s pushing wildlife even deeper into the night. Research shows grizzlies near towns are becoming more nocturnal to survive. Experts say it’s time to protect not just wild spaces, but the hours animals need undisturbed. Read Sara King-Abadi’s full piece from the Banff Centre’s Environmental Writing residency.

• ⚒️ Field, B.C. Homes Face Demolition Groundwater and soil instability in Field, B.C., has forced Parks Canada to tear down one house, with two more slated for demolition this fall. Affected by long-term erosion, worsened by climate change, most owners accepted a 2022 buy-out. Those who didn’t are now solely responsible, with no cost-effective fix available. There’s no indication that the same issues are occurring or expected in Canmore or Banff. 

• 🌧️ Banff’s Rainiest July in Decades. Nearly 100 mm of rain fell in Banff last month, about 150% above the 30-year July average, after just 34 mm in May and 67 mm in June. The sudden shift fueled the recent mudslides in Kananaskis and near Redearth Creek. Officials warn these rapid swings between drought and downpour may become more common.

• 🏞️ Free Parks Pass Brings Crowds, Not Stays. Park staff, tourism boards, and business owners are observing higher visitation this summer with the Canada Strong Pass. But most Canadians are making it a day trip only. This is great for coffee and ice cream shops, but less so for hotels and sit-down restaurants. We’ll report back on the impact once final visitation numbers are released.

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CAR-SHARING COMING TO BANFF: HERE’S HOW IT’LL WORK

What’s Happening? At Monday’s Council meeting, Banff approved a three-year car-sharing pilot starting spring 2026 with at least five vehicles. A private company will own and operate the cars, while the Town provides parking and covers up to $15K per vehicle annually if user fees fall short. Watch the full council discussion (2:31–3:40).

Why It Matters? With high living costs and limited parking, the program offers occasional access to a car without the year-round expense. It’s budgeted at $230K through 2028, funded from the paid parking reserve, with user fees offsetting some costs. 

The Pricing. While exact pricing is still to be confirmed, one example the administration referenced was a model with a $5/month membership, $7.25/hour, and $0.24/km (fuel included).

How It Helps. Mayor Corrie DiManno calls it “the best of both worlds,” access to a car when needed, and skipping year-round costs. The operator handles insurance, maintenance, and bookings, helping cut vehicle reliance, emissions, congestion, and parking demand.

Public Interest. In a Town survey, 77% of 506 respondents supported the idea. 

Context. Banff has 0.61 cars per resident, about the same as Edmonton and Calgary. Last year, the Town removed minimum parking requirements from its land-use bylaw, raising concerns that future developments could increase demand for limited parking. The pilot could help ease that pressure, alongside existing perks like free resident transit and an e-bike rebate program.

Bottom Line. For some Banffites, car-sharing could mean more freedom, less cost, and fewer parking battles. 

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Farmer’s Market. Summer’s flying by and the market season’s more than halfway done. Shop local artisans, grab a bite from food trucks, and stock up on fresh produce. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Central Park, Banff. Free.

• Public Swim. Cool off in the pool, or sweat it out in the hot tub. Something for everyone as long as children under eight are accompanied by a parent. 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-in Fees Apply.

• Wednesday MTB Ride. Join an intermediate-to-advanced group ride on a Canmore trail, then cap it off with a pint at Canmore Brewing. 6:00–8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company, 1460 Railway Ave, Canmore. Free to join; beer extra.*

Thursday

• Morning Yoga in the Park. Every Thursday, lululemon Banff and Flow State lead a free, all-levels yoga session. Beginners and seasoned yogis welcome. 7:00–8:00 AM. Central Park Gazebo, Banff. Free.

• Fireguard Information Night. Learn how the Bow Valley Community Fireguard works, how trails are protected, and more. Project team members will be on hand during Pub Night to answer questions. 6:00–7:00 PM. Bill Warren Training Centre, Canmore. Free.

SHE’LL JUDGE YOUR DIRT, NOT YOUR LIFE

You don’t need to clean before the cleaner comes. Zoe’s seen worse (trust us, she cleaned our publisher Ben’s place). Whether it’s a post-reno disaster or just a month of life piling up, she shows up with zero judgment and maximum elbow grease. Born and raised in the Bow Valley, she’s now taking on new clients. Book a quick chat to see if her no-nonsense style is the right fit for your mess.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍽️ Only a Few Days Left for Alberta’s on a Plate. This 10-day, province-wide “dine around” festival celebrates local farms and producers at participating restaurants. Until August 17, The Boss in Banff is featuring its signature Bison Short Rib from Noble, with roasted Little Potato Company spuds, house-made parsnip purée, and fresh microgreens. All set against Banff’s stunning backdrop.* 

• 🏕️ Camp Reunion. Calling all Camp Chief Hector alumni, staff, and camp-inspired folks back to Kananaskis on Saturday, Sept 20 (9 AM–4 PM). Expect a full day of classic camp activities, including canoeing, archery, high ropes, climbing, and horse visits. Plus fireside chats, family-friendly mini-camp fun, and lunch at Hector Lodge. Celebrate camp’s legacy and support its future. By donation. More details.*

• 🍖 Luau & Pork Feast on Aug. 23. Join the Exshaw Legion for a tropical evening with pulled pork & sides, contests, prizes, music by DJ Tom, and fun games like hula hoop & limbo. $20 tickets. Doors 2 PM, feast 6 PM. Call 403-673-3522 for details. Everyone is welcome!*

• 🚴 Bike for Views in Kananaskis. Hop on for a 10 km paved ride from Kananaskis Village to Wedge Pond along the Evan Thomas/Bill Milne Bike Path in our latest video. If you’re after an easygoing cruise with big scenery, this is it. Just remember that this trail is under a bear advisory, because all of K-Country is right now.

• 🌌 Catch the Meteor Shower at Its Peak Tonight. Tonight’s the peak for one of the year’s brightest meteor showers. While the nearly full moon will block fainter streaks, you could still spot some spectacular, long-lasting meteors.

• 🔃 Fall Clothing Swap-O-Rama. The largest single swap event is back. Sept. 19–21 at the Canmore Library. Drop off clean, gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories Sept. 13–18, then shop/swap Fri 5–7:30 PM, Sat & Sun 10 AM–2 PM. All ages and sizes welcome. Hosted by Canmore Library & Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley.

CIVIC NEWS

• New Fire Chief in Lake Louise. Amanda Davies became Lake Louise’s new fire chief Aug. 11, bringing decades of firefighting and military experience.

• Banff Expands Daycare Zoning. Banff council has approved a bylaw to allow daycares in more commercial areas, helping address a shortage of licensed childcare spaces. The change aims to make it easier for providers like the Banff Daycare Society, which is planning a third facility for 2025 to meet growing community needs.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, 9:30 PM: ELEVATE 360. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak Banff. $16.50.

• Thursday, August 14th, 2025, 7:30 PM: The Young’uns. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $30 / members $25.50 / youth $15.*

SPORTS

• Canmore’s Philp Eyes Next NHL Season. After a breakout year with 15 games and two assists for the Edmonton Oilers, Canmore’s Noah Philp is taking a day-to-day approach into the new season. The 26-year-old also tallied 19 goals and 35 points in 55 games for the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and says staying present is key to his success.

• Canmore Cyclist at Canada Summer Games. Canmore’s Kahlen Anderson placed fourth in the women’s individual time trial at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s with a time of 18:41.12. 

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place! 

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.