While May is often associated with the start of summer in other parts of North America, that is not the case in the Canadian Rockies! The entire month of may is “shoulder season” in Banff and there are some factors to consider. Here are my top tips for visiting Banff National Park in May!
Manage Your Expectations
I’ll be honest, whenever I think of “May” I automatically think of “summer”. Unfortunately that is not the case in the higher elevations! Before visiting Banff National Park in May, it’s important to remember that this still shoulder season, and you can experience winter and summer in the same day. Several attractions that I wanted to visit were still closed for the season, and I had to readjust my plans. However, the views of the mountains are no less stunning this time of year, and it’s a great time to take advantage of fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations!
Read More- Visiting Banff in May: Pros and Cons
Pack for Different Climates
When visiting Banff National Park in May, you need to remember that these are the mountains, and the temperature changes as you go up and down in elevation! In the towns of Banff and Canmore, expect warmer temperatures. I found myself perfectly comfortable in leggings and a tee shirt. However, as you climb up the mountains into the town of Lake Louise, expect the temperature to be drastically different! Especially as you stand at the shores of the lake, you’ll get a very cool breeze off of the (semi) frozen lake and snow capped mountains. In the early mornings, I wished I had a pair of gloves and a hat! As always, dressing in layers is key so you can add/remove as the day goes on.
How to See the Bright Blue Water
If seeing Banff’s bright blue water is on your bucket list, this won’t be the best time for you to visit. I was warned of the same before my trip, but naively thought I’d be lucky and the lakes would be thawed. Spoiler alert: they won’t be. Lake Louise was thawed only at the shoreline (but enough to see a killer mountain reflection!) and the road to Moraine Lake was completely closed. While that was disappointing, there are other ways to see the milky blue water!
About 30 minutes west of Lake Louise is Natural Bridges, which is technically in Yoho National Park in British Columbia. It’s a quick drive with an easy parking lot. Here, you’ll get to see a rock formation that creates a natural bridge over a river with bright, milky water. The photo above isn’t photoshopped- that’s really the shade of blue! It was such an unexpected surprise.
Waterfowl Lakes was the other place I was pleasantly surprised to see bright blue water! This lake is found along the Icefields Parkway that connects Banff and Jasper National Parks. It was one of the most scenic drives I’ve ever done in my life! It was perfect in May because the roads were clear, but the mountains were still snowcapped. Picture perfect!
Where to See Thawed Lakes
In addition to the milky blue Waterfowl Lakes, there are plenty of other scenic lakes to enjoy that will be thawed. Emerald Lake is a gorgeous blue/green lake that is technically west of Banff in Yoho National Park. You won’t need a separate admission ticket to view this lake, and it’s a quick drive from the town of Lake Louise. When I visited the last week of May, it was completely thawed. An employee on site told me it usually completely thaws around mid-May.
Back in Banff National Park (and only a few minutes drive outside of the town of Banff) were two of my favorite thawed lakes. Two Jack Lake is surrounded by lush, green hills and mountain views in the distance. It was the perfect place for a quiet, low-key stop. A little further up the road was Lake Minnewanka. Lake Minnewanka is a little more commercialized with cruises and gift shops, but the views are worth it. Plus, there was a ton of wildlife along the road- I saw a whole herd of bighorn sheep!
Buy Tickets in Advance
Buying attraction tickets in advance is one of the easiest ways to save both time and money! During my planning, I looked up how much certain attractions like the Banff Gondola or the Golden Skybridge would cost. I was content with the prices and figured I’d just buy them day-of so I could keep my plans a bit more fluid.
Don’t do that! I was floored when the price for the gondola was $70 at the door, and only $48 on the website a few days prior. Ouch! I asked the ticket agent if they’d match the rate I saw and she said that was for advance purchases only. Such a silly way to lose $22! The Golden Skybridge was only about $10 more at the door, which is a little easier to stomach. I still was angry that I unnecessarily overpaid twice!
Plus, if you buy your tickets ahead of time, you can breeze right through the lines and maximize your time!
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