Parks Canada Restricts Off-Trail Travel Around Tunnel Mountain Until March

What’s Happening? Parks Canada has put a seasonal restricted activity order in place around Tunnel Mountain, just east of Banff, running until March 31, 2026, to give wildlife more space during winter hunting season.

Where This Applies (And Where It Doesn’t). The restriction covers areas around Tunnel Mountain and east toward the Hoodoos Trailhead. Importantly, official trails remain open. You can still use the Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail, Tunnel Mountain Road, the technical bike trails, Surprise Corner to the Hoodoos, and the trail that parallels Tunnel Mountain Road. Everything else inside the closure area is off-limits.

Why This Is Happening? Tunnel Mountain and its surrounding slopes are prime winter habitat for cougars, wolves, and coyotes, as well as winter range for elk and other ungulates. According to Parks Canada, limiting off-trail human activity helps carnivores hunt and consume prey without disturbance. The goal is healthier wildlife populations and fewer risky encounters with people.

What Visitors Are Asked To Do. If you are hiking, biking, jogging, or walking your dog on open trails, Parks Canada is urging extra caution. Travel in groups, stay alert, avoid earbuds, and be especially careful at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active. Dogs must stay leashed at all times. Bear spray is strongly recommended and should be easy to access.

If you encounter a cougar, wolf, or coyote: do not approach, do not run, face the animal, back away slowly, make yourself look bigger, and be loud and assertive if needed. Leave the area immediately if you see or smell a dead animal, which can indicate a recent kill nearby.

Why It Matters Locally? Tunnel Mountain sits right beside town and is one of Banff’s most heavily used trail networks. This order is a reminder that even close-to-town terrain is active wildlife habitat in winter, especially when deep snow pushes animals into lower elevations.

The Fine Print. The restriction is in effect until March 31, 2026. Violating the order can result in charges under the Canada National Parks Act, with fines up to $25,000. Wildlife sightings should be reported to Banff National Park Dispatch at 403-762-1470.