CANADA'S MOUNTAIN Rocky Mountain Goats CANADA'S MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUNDS BANFF • JASPER • WATERTON LAKES • YOHO KOOTENAY ° GLACIER • MOUNT REVELSTOKE The National Parks of Canada ANADA'S NATIONAL PARKS are areas The National Parks of Canada may, for C of outstanding beauty and interest that purposes of description, be grouped in three have been set apart by the Federal Govern­ main divisions—the scenic and recreational ment for public use. They were established parks in the mountains of Western Canada; the to maintain the primitive beauty of the land­ scenic, recreational, wild animals, and historic scape, to conserve the native wildlife of the parks of the Prairie Provinces; and the scenic, country, and to preserve sites of national his­ recreational, and historic parks of Eastern Can­ toric interest. As recreational areas they pro­ ada. In these pages will be found descriptions vide ideal surroundings for the enjoyment of of the national parks in the first group—areas outdoor life, and now rank among Canada's which lie within the great mountain regions outstanding tourist attractions. of Alberta and British Columbia. Canada's National Park system teas estab­ * * * lished in 1SS5, when a small area surrounding mineral hot springs at Banff in the Rocky This publication is compiled in co-operation Mountains was reserved as a public posses­ with the National Parks Branch, Department sion. From this beginning has been developed of Northern Affairs and National Resources. the great chain of national playgrounds note Additional information concerning these parks stretching across Canada from the Selkirk may be obtained from the Park Superintend­ Mountains in British Columbia to the Atlantic ents, or from the Canadian Government Travel Coast of Nova Scotia. Bureau, Ottawa, Canada. Front Cover—Fishing in Banff National Park. Issued under the authority of THE HONOURABLE JEAN LESAGE Minister ot Northern Affairs and National Resources Banff Townsite from Park Headquarters BANFF NATIONAL PARK ALBERTA ANFF NATIONAL PARK in Alberta is probable that David Thompson entered what B the oldest and second largest of Canada's is now the park by way of the Red Deer River national playgrounds. It was established in in 1800, although the first recorded visit to the 1885, and has an area of 2,564 square miles. site of Banff itself was made in 1841. The park extends from the rolling foothills of That year, in August, Sir George Simpson, the Rocky Mountains on the east to the con­ Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, tinental divide on the west. penetrated the Bow River Valley from the Among its great mountain ranges, distinct east. He passed Lake Minnewanka and Cas­ in character from the Selkirk Mountains to the cade Mountain, ascended Healy Creek, and west, the snow-capped summits of hundreds crossed the summit of the Rocky Mountains of lofty peaks pierce the clouds. Between the by Simpson Pass. ranges the valleys are mantled with forests Reverend Robert Terrill Rundle, Wesleyan and coursed by streams or set with sparkling missionary to Indian tribes of the northwest, lakes. In the northern part of the park, camped by the Bow River in the vicinity of straddling the great divide of the Rockies, the mountains near Banff in 1841. In 1845 lies the vast Columbia Ice-field, a remnant of another missionary, Father Pierre jean de the Ice Age. Smet, crossed the Rocky Mountains from the The park also includes the famous resorts west by way of White Man's Pass. of Banff and Lake Louise from which radiate In 1858 and 1859 Sir James Hector, geologist systems of motor roads and saddle-pony trails. for the Palliser expedition, explored the Adjoining Banff Park on the north is Jasper National Park, and to the west in British region. Hector discovered the Kicking Horse Columbia are Yoho and Kootenay National Pass, which later came into use as the route Parks, all linked together by railway or high­ of rail and highway transportation across the way. summit of the Rockies. The pass and river received their name from an accident suffered Early History of the Park by Hector near Wapta Falls. Hector also More than a century has passed since this explored most of the territory now traversed region was first seen by the white man. It is by the Banff-Jasper Highway. Page 1 Administration Building from Cascades Rock Garden Bow Falls Discovery of the Hot Springs ment as Rocky Mountains—now Banff- The discovery of mineral hot springs on the National Park, thereby creating the first unit slopes of Sulphur Mountain during construc­ in Canada's system of national parks. This tion of the transcontinental line of the Cana­ area was later extended to include its present dian Pacific Railway was instrumental in proportions. attracting attention to this section of the How to Reach the Park Rockies. Although mentioned by Hector in Banff National Park is accessible by railway his diary entry of August 21, 1859, the springs and motor highway. It is served by the trans­ apparently were not actually located until continental line of the Canadian Pacific Rail­ 1883 by workmen engaged in railway con­ way, and the main stations are Banff and Lake struction. Louise. Rail connections may also be made Travellers over the newly constructed rail­ from many points in the United States. Visitors way line were so impressed with the mag­ may travel by air to Calgary where railway, nificence of the scenery that the Government bus, and automobile transportation are avail­ was urged to establish a national park in the able to Banff, 85 miles distant. vicinity. Accordingly, in 1887, an area of 260 The western section of the Trans-Canada square miles was set aside by Act of Parlia- Highway (No. 1) crosses the park from east to west, connecting with the provincial high­ Students from the Banff School of Fine Arts way systems of Alberta and British Columbia. From the east, the approach is by way of Calgary; from the west, an approach can be made from Vancouver and intermediate points, via the Big Bend Highway and Yoho National Park. Approach from the northeast may be made through Jasper over the Banff- Jasper Highway (1A). Connections with points southwest in Can­ ada and the Pacific States may be made over a hard-surfaced route from the International Boundary at Kingsgate, B.C., through Cran- brook to Radium Hot Springs. From this point the route is completed over the Banff-Winder­ mere Highway (IB) through Kootenay National Park to Banff. From Glacier National Park, Montana, a direct route leads to Banff by way of the Chief Mountain International Highway through Waterton Lakes National Park, and thence over Provincial Highways 6, 3, 2, and 1, via Pincher, Fort Macleod and Calgary. The Administrative Headquarters The town of Banff, situated in the valley of the Bow River, contains the administrative headquarters of the park. The Administration Building is at the south end of Banff Avenue, Page 2 Mount Eisenhower Recalling Historic Days facing Cascade Mountain, and contains the located at Two jack Lake, Johnston Canyon, office of the park superintendent and the post Mount Eisenhower, Lake Louise, Moraine office. Near the north end of Bow River Lake, Bow Summit, and at other points along Bridge on Banff Avenue is the Park Informa­ the Banff-jasper Highway. tion Bureau where visitors may obtain maps, literature, and information concerning travel Points of Interest at Banff and places of interest. Banff is also the main The Cascades Rock Garden surrounds the outfitting centre for motor, trail and hiking Administration Building. Constructed in a trips. As a government townsite, it possesses series of small plateaus, connected by small many interesting features. Its streets are broad cascades which tumble from pool to pool, the and well kept, and its public services include garden contains a profusion of flowers, plants, electric light, natural gas, water and sewer and shrubs. Rustic bridges, pergolas, and systems, hospital, churches, schools, banks, pavilions, connected by flag-stone walks, invite theatres, stores, hotels, public baths, and a visitors to stroll through this delightful area. museum. In addition to garages and service Near the Bow River Bridge is the Park stations, there are several transportation com­ Museum, with its exhibits of the fauna, flora, panies and outfitters. Another Information and geology of the region. On the banks of Bureau is located on the Banff-Jasper Highway Bow River, close to the museum, Central a short distance north of the junction with No. 1 Highway east of the Lake Louise Station. The Bow River Accommodation Excellent accommodation — ranging from luxury hotels to the modest comfortable cabins —is available in Banff National Park. The Banff Springs Hotel and the Chateau Lake Louise, operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, are both magnificently situated and contain ballrooms, heated swim­ ming pools, tennis courts, and complete trans­ portation systems. Several other hotels, bun­ galow cabin camps, tourist cabins, furnished cottages and rooms are available at Banff. Hotels, bungalows, chalets and mountain lodges, are available at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and other scenic spots in the park. Detailed information on accommodation in Banff National Park is contained in the pam­ phlet entitled "Accommodation in Canada's National Parks." For visitors carrying their own camping equipment, the public camp-ground on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain at Banff offers many facilities. It is provided with running water, electric light, camp-stoves, tables and kitchen shelters. Additional camp-grounds are Page 3 Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier Park forms an ideal place for picnicking. In Stoney Squaw Mountain to the ski slopes on addition to tables, benches, and outdoor Mount Norquay. An added attraction to this stoves, there are equipped playgrounds for area is the new chairlift on Mount Norquay, children.