Bow Glacier Falls Reopens, But the Hike Has Changed After Last Summer's Deadly Rockslide

For the first time in 13 months, hikers can once again make the trek to Bow Glacier Falls.

But the experience waiting at the end of the trail isn't quite the one many people remember.

Parks Canada has reopened the popular hike following a detailed geotechnical assessment prompted by last June's fatal rockslide, installing new warning signs that redefine where the official trail ends and urging visitors not to continue into an area now identified as having significantly higher rockfall exposure.

"The assessment examined rockfall hazards in the area and identified lower-risk zones and areas with higher exposure," Parks Canada said in announcing the reopening.

The most noticeable change comes at the end of the hike.

Where visitors once commonly scrambled closer to the 154-metre waterfall for photographs and a dramatic up-close view, new signage now marks the end of the official trail before that final approach. Beyond the sign, Parks Canada warns hikers they are entering an area with elevated rockfall risk.

A large hazard map posted by Parks Canada shows a broad swath beneath the cliffs surrounding the falls identified as a "high rockfall risk and possible runout" zone, illustrating just how much of the area below the waterfall could be affected by falling debris.

Instead of encouraging people to reach the base of the falls, Parks Canada is now encouraging visitors to enjoy the view from safer terrain.

The reopening comes after a tragedy that claimed two lives.

On June 19, 2025, a massive slab of rock broke free from the mountainside above Bow Glacier Falls, sending thousands of tonnes of debris crashing onto hikers below. Two people were killed and numerous others were injured in a tragedy that drew more than 100 emergency responders, including STARS air ambulances, helicopters, search dogs and specialized mountain rescue teams.

The trail remained closed while engineers and geotechnical experts studied the slope to determine whether it could safely reopen.

Their conclusion wasn't that the danger had disappeared.

Rather, they found it could be better managed by identifying lower-risk travel corridors while warning people away from the most exposed areas.

Parks Canada continues to remind visitors that rockfall is a natural hazard throughout the Rocky Mountains and that no mountain trail can ever be made completely risk-free.

The agency advises hikers to stay on the official trail, respect the new signage, avoid lingering beneath steep cliffs and move quickly through areas where rockfall could occur. Travelling in groups and choosing trips that match one's experience level can also help reduce risk.

The changes mean Bow Glacier Falls remains accessible, but with a different ending.

The reopening also raises broader questions about how mountain recreation is evolving as Parks Canada balances public access with the realities of changing alpine landscapes, where natural hazards remain an unavoidable part of the experience.