We’re deciding between a June and a September departure for the Rockies. We’d love the lakes at their bluest but could do without the peak-season crowds. For those who’ve toured there in either, did one time of year give you a noticeably better trip?
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Hey!! I went in mid-September, and for me it was the perfect time to visit. The only places where I really noticed bigger crowds were Emerald Lake (we got there around 11 a.m.) and walking around the town of Banff. At Lake Louise, we arrived around 7 a.m., and while we had no problem finding parking, I noticed the lot was already about half full, so I’d definitely recommend getting there early if you can.
Other than that, we never really found ourselves bumping into lots of people or struggling to get a good photo at viewpoints. Even the hiking trails felt surprisingly quiet, which made the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
The weather was definitely cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings, but I actually thought it was perfect hiking weather. We didn’t get much rain, the trails were all clear and well maintained, and everything we wanted to do was still open. Are you hoping to do much hiking while you’re there, or are you mainly planning to visit the lakes and scenic viewpoints?
Definitely September! As a Canadian who likes visiting new places, we ALL like to travel in the summer! It’s a time when I’ve always been the most active, most adventurous, and I find everywhere you go there are crowds.
September means most Canadian families are back to school and work, and the weather is still usually very temperate. Happy Travels!