Banff National Park, Alberta

Park Location / Overview:
Located about 130 km from Calgary (about 80 miles) nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Unlike US National Parks, most Canadian Parks have a town within their boundaries. Banff has two, Banff and Lake Louise. Banff is a complete tourist town similar to Boulder Colorado or Park City Utah. It is filled with shops, hotels, and restaurants. I must admit, I have only stopped there long enough to get gasoline, and a shower. Outside the town there is no place quite as spectacular as the Rockies. The mountains in the park are phenomenal, even to a lifetime resident of the Rockies. Banff National Park is one of my favorite places on this earth. There is a peace here like no other place. There are a few things you should know. Right through the middle of the park is the Trans-Canada highway where people speed by. Be sure to get off the highway in Banff and drive the Bow Valley Parkway. This park offers many sights right off the road. From the glacial blue waters, to the hanging glaciers, Banff has it all.

Must See Photo Spots:
I recommend leaving the town of Banff as soon as possible and travel to the Lake Louise area. On your way out of town be sure to get a sunset shop of Mt. Rundle and the Vermilion Lakes. Once in Lake Louise be sure to photograph Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. You will never see glacial water so turquoise blue anywhere else. This is a great place for a sunrise shot. Be sure to stop at Peyto Lake and get a birds eye view of the spectacular scenery. There is a small lake just outside of Lake Louise called Herbert Lake. It is a small lake and in the middle of the day quite ugly. But, if you get there at sunrise, it is the most photogenic place in the park. Most people are not even out of bed yet when this lake is perfect. Get up early, it is worth it.

Best Time to Visit:
It is always a good time for Banff! If I had to choose, it would be early summer as the snow still clings to peaks, but the water is free of ice. Early winter is also a great time to visit as the mountains are just dusted with snow. If you plan of traveling during the summer, be aware the park is always crowded with tourists and tour busses. Canada loves to monopolize its National Parks with tours and extravagant events.

Photo Tips:
This park takes time to learn to photograph; yet it can be a place where great images are found. However, if it is your first visit you will still get spectacular images. Be patient, map out where you want to photograph before getting there and plan ahead. Be sure to take your polarizer and a Neutral Density Filter. The best film for the area is Fuji Velvia or Fuji Reala. While immersed in your photography, be sure to stop and just admire the beauty that surrounds you.
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Mt. Revelstoke & Glacier National Park, British Columbia

Park Location / Overview:
These are two separate parks with 16 km between (10 miles) and both are fairly small. They are located between Calgary and Vancouver along Highway 1. These parks are not much more than a single road through the middle of extremely tall mountains. If you are not willing to get out in the brush and hike the peaks there is not much to do in this park. If you are, this can keep you entertained for days. Mt. Revelstoke is known for spectacular wildflower displays. And Glacier for what else "glaciers" and tall peaks.

Must See Photo Spots:
In Mt. Revelstoke be sure to drive the windy road up to the "Meadows in the Sky." Here there are spectacular meadows of wildflowers of all varieties. This is a great place on a cloudy day or during a small rain. The colors stay vibrant in this type of light. In Glacier there is no one-stop place along the road. If you want to climb, hike up the Rogers Pass trail head. Here you can get some different angles of the surrounding peaks.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit these parks is in the summer. In the winter, they are often impassable. Besides, the flowers of Revelstoke are only out in the summer, around July-August. They don't grow too well in 50 feet of snow!

Photo Tips:
There is a lot of blue light in this area so bring your warming filter, and polarizer. Fuji Velvia works well in this area especially for the flowers and foliage.
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Jasper National Park, Alberta

Park Location / Overview:
If Banff has a challenger, it is definitely Jasper. Located directly north (288 km) of Banff, it is a continuation of the spectacular Canadian Rockies. This park, like most contains one town, Jasper. This is a great little town surrounded by granite walls. The mountains in this area are just mind blowing and offers endless opportunities for us photographers.

Must See Photo Spots:
There are so many it is hard to pin down just a few. Be sure to visit Mt. Edith Cavell, Pyramid Lake, and Maligne Lake. These places are best at sunrise, except for Maligne Lake, which is best in the evening. There are endless possibilities in this park. There is one thing to miss. Be sure to miss the Athabasca Glacier. In order to promote tourism they built these huge buses that actually drive people onto the glacier. If you want to experience a true glacier, get out there and walk it on your own, don't take a shuttle.

Best Time to Visit:
Like Banff, the best time is in the summer or early winter. There are plenty of tourists here but they stick to the sights and do not venture much into the mountains.

Photo Tips:
Be sure to bring all your photography skills and equipment. The most used equipment is wide-angle lenses, polarizing and warming filters. The best film for the area is Fuji Velvia and/or Fuji Reala.
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Kluane National Park & Preserve, Yukon Territory

Park Location / Overview:
Located in the southwest portion of the Yukon Territory this park is immense and most definitely wild. Grizzly bears still wander in the glacial foothills, Dall Sheep still cling to the ridges and the mountains continue to be shaped by the harsh elements of mother nature. Located on the outskirts of Haines Junction a hundred or so miles from Whitehorse. If you are not comfortable and experienced in wild lands, perhaps you should keep driving. If you thrive on such wild lands and are comfortable living with grizzlies and wolves for days at a time, then this is the place for you. It is so untouched by man that you immediately become a part of the ecosystem the moment you step off the road. The mountains are wild and you will need to be well trained in mountaineering and survival skills. This is a northern territory and as such is cold most of the year, with summer highs rarely going over 50 degrees, so be prepared.

Must See Photo Spots:
You will drive past Kluane Lake, which is absolutely huge! Unlike most large lakes it is always like a mirror, and reflects the surrounding scenery with precision. This provides stunning landscape photography. The lake is formed from the Kaskawulsh glacier some 8-10 miles away. This is a nice hike if you don't mind mud and glacial silt. Be advised this is wild land and there are no real established trails. When you venture out, you venture into the wild alone, where nobody will come looking for you if you get lost or hurt, so be prepared! Be aware of the wild animals that are very present here and offer wonderful photo opportunities.

Best Time to Visit:
Summer is best, for winter is brutal! The animals are out, the ice off the lake and the temperatures pleasant. In the late summer (July) the fireweed covers the park in a brilliant purple color.

Photo Tips:
This is not a place to experiment. Be sure your skills are sharp, and that you can quickly adapt to the changing environment and weather. Fuji Velvia and Provia are great films.
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Kootney & Yoho National Parks, British Columbia

Park Location / Overview:
Located just to the West of Banff National Park, and along the border between British Columbia and Alberta. Kootney is to the south and Yoho to the north. These parks are not quite as developed, or more run down in comparison to the parks in Alberta. The mountains are spectacular, but your not quite in the heart of the Rockies like in Banff or Jasper.

Must See Photo Spots:
In Kootney be sure to catch a walk in Marble canyon in the evening. In general you will not see very many people in the parks in the morning or evening hours. IF people come to these parks it is generally a quick stop in the middle of the day. By dinnertime they are back in town and the park is vacant. The facilities are pretty run down with very little maintenance in comparison to Banff. In Yoho be sure to get a sunset at Emerald Lake and the wispy Takakkaw Falls.

Best Time to Visit:
Summer time is best for weather reasons. Early winter is also nice as the snow dusts the surrounding peaks.

Photo Tips:
Be sure to bring your polarizer and warming filters. The best film for the area is Fuji Velvia and Fuji Reala.
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Glacier & Waterton International Peace Park, Alberta

Park Location / Overview:
This international peace park between the United States and Canada is located on the US/Canadian border in northwestern Montana. You can expect to spend a few hours in your car no matter what major city you are journeying from. This is a high elevation park located in the heart of the Rocky Mountain Range. Expect ever-changing weather and sometimes harsh conditions. There are multiple accommodations within the park, which means you can stay for days and never leave the area. Upon arrival to any park, see the Visitors Center to inform yourself on rules, regulations and current conditions. Glacier is a huge park! With only one road meandering through it, you are sure NOT to see everything this park has to offer. The best way to explore this area is by foot. There are multiple trails and back country camping sites, and if you don't mind living out of a tent, this is the way to go.

Must See Photo Spots:
If I was to layout the best places to photograph in this park, I would say the best place to photography wildlife is Logan Pass. It is usually the best place to find Big Horn Sheep or Rocky Mountain Goats, plus it is just off the road. Hike the Garden Wall trail in the morning and you are sure to see an animal out and about. Bears are usually found deeper in the forest, accessible only by backpacking. Ask a Ranger for tips on locating bears. One place that is beautiful is Avalanche Creek, located just above Lake McDonald. This creek contains deep blue water with brilliant green foliage surrounding it. Don't miss this! Another must see is a sunrise on St. Mary Lake with wild goose island in the foreground. Be sure to scout out your location prior to arriving in the morning. Arrive early, for you may be competing for a place. On the Canadian side be sure to catch a sunrise at Bowman Lake. This offers still waters and alpenglow peaks that are spectacular.

Best Time to Visit:
In my opinion the best time to visit this park is early summer. If you arrive to soon, Logan Pass may be closed. In the early summer, most of the snow is gone and the animals are out and about. Waterfalls are flowing at a steady rate and the foliage is green. If you wait until late summer, the rivers and foliage is dry with a little less splendor.

Photography Tips:
Photography in this area is tough. It takes time to explore the park and really get a feel for how to photograph it best. The best times for picture taking are early and late in the day. Luckily, it is also the best time to find wildlife out and about. In the summer time, early morning light fades very fast, and details soon wash out into blue light. Pick your site before you arrive to insure you're there at the right time. Don't try hiking around early morning, looking for a good place to photograph. By the time you find one it will be too late! Bring your 81A-warming filter to helps offset the blue cast early in the day. If you plan to take pictures of the waterfalls, bring your polarizer. The best film for this area is a slow film such as Velvia. If you are shooting wildlife, your best bet would be to shoot a faster film such as Provia. If you are shooting print film, Fuji Reala will give you your best results.
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