Find out the latest on the conditions out on the trail.
Trail conditions and closures are monitored by the GDTA but much of this information is crowd-sourced and depends on trail user contributions. Please report trail conditions via email.
May 8, 2026
Spring is transition time on the GDT. Valley bottom trails at lower elevations vary from bare and muddy to slushy and icy, while trails at higher elevation remain snowbound. With warmer weather, trail conditions can change quickly from icy in the morning to slushy and slippery in the afternoon. Plan for varying conditions – warm layers, boots, snowshoes, cleats and/or poles are recommended. Please note that most trails are not maintained in the winter and downed trees won’t be removed until the trails are clear, usually in July.
Trail Closures and Notices
- SNOW MELT: Snow levels in the southern and central Rockies are generally above average for this time of year. Spring avalanche conditions continue to exist so prepare accordingly. For up to date snow level data in BC, check out the Snow Survey Stations Interactive Map. In Alberta, check out the Alberta River Basins map (turn on the snow pillow layer).
- ELK CALVING SEASON: mid May to June 30. Protective mother elk will aggressively protect their newborns by kicking and charging at people. Stay at least 30 metres away from all elk during this time of year. Pay attention to trail closures in known elk calving areas.
- TICKS: Tick season has started. Be extra careful when in areas with a lot of underbrush and check yourself and your clothing after your hike.
- BEARS: With spring’s arrival, bears are leaving their dens in search of food. Be bear aware on the trails this spring, make noise and carry bear spray.
- CAUTION – Collie Creek Alternate Route: A log bridge across the Blaeberry River near Cairnes Creek Rec Site was built in June 2024, restoring access to the Collie Creek Trail on the east side of the Blaeberry River. Two logs have been ratchet strapped together and two overhead tensioned grab ropes have been installed, but the bridge may have sustained damage over the winter so hikers should use this bridge at their own risk.
Access
- Highway 40 is seasonally closed from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House until June 15, 2026.
- A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for all vehicles visiting Kananaskis Country and provincial sites in the Bow Valley Corridor. The pass is not required for people arriving without a vehicle on foot, horseback or bicycle.
- The Yoho Valley Road seasonal closure is in effect until mid-June.
- BC Parks lists Walker Creek FSR as closed at km 37 due to unsafe road conditions, but the road has had some maintenance in the past couple years and remains accessible beyond that point for those with high clearance 4WD vehicles willing to drive the very rough and overgrown road all the way to the Bastille Creek trailhead.
- For more information, check out Alberta 511 and Drive BC.
National and Provincial Park Trail Conditions:
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park – Submit a Jasper trail condition report
Kootenay National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
Yoho National Park
Akamina‐Kishinena Provincial Park
Castle Wildland Provincial Park
Castle Provincial Park
Elk Lakes Provincial Park
Height of the Rockies Provincial Park
Kakwa Provincial Park
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Mount Robson Provincial Park
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park