When it rains, it pours! That has been the main story from mid-July through my visit (July 22-25, 2025) to Banff National Park. Driving from Bayfield, WI after my 5-day photography course in Madeline Island to Banff National Park was rainy and foggy. Following semitrucks created dangerous spray and shooting gravel. Bemidji MN had just had a 120-mph windstorm creating devastating damage at the Grant Haven State Park. I stayed at the Grant Haven RV Campground closeby; the hosts were so helpful. My stay at Jan’s RV Park and Lodge in Leeds, ND was also comfortable and cost only $20 with the Passport America pass. Got to meet Jan, who was very helpful. But the rain continued ever so persistently. Highway 2 is a delightful way to drive through Minnesota and North Dakota. You will learn that Rugby, ND is the geographical center of North America! The marker has flags from Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
ARRIVAL AT CANADIAN PORT OF ENTRY: I arrived early morning at the Canadian Portal entry south of Estevan, Canada around 10 am. I was the only person in the line, with one truck up ahead. The U.S. Customs person only wanted to know 1) was I travelling with anyone else, 2) why was I going into Canada and for how long, 3) where was I going next, and 4) was I carrying any firearms or ammunition? He then sent me to the Canadian customs officer next in line, a young woman in her late-20’s. She seemed cautiously nervous as she asked the same questions repeatedly. But after the firearms and ammunition question, she wanted to know how I was going to protect myself in Alaska. She wanted to know if I had ever been to Alaska. I told her no, and I would have to count on my strong common sense and my usual good luck. I told her I don’t hike alone and that I have prepaid reservations at very nice RV parks every night on my trip. I mentioned I did not do stupid or unrealistic things when wildlife could be present. She then asked me a second time, “Are you carrying any firearms or ammunition and are you alone in your vehicle?” She seemed amazed at my answers. She asked, “Will you be sleeping in your vehicle?” This served to put the fear of Canada and Alaska in me talking to this young woman who did not seem to like the fact I was traveling alone, had never been to Canada or Alaska, and had no firearms or ammunition. I wasn’t afraid to travel alone, but she was extremely nervous about me traveling alone! Or … was she just trying to ferret out that I really did have a firearm, which is NOT allowed in Canada. A fellow frequent traveler recommended that I NOT provide any unsolicited answers to the customs agent questions.
The drive to Moose Jaw was uneventful and looked amazingly like Minnesota with grazing land for cattle and farms.
I stayed at the newly designated KOA there, but it rained/sprinkled the entire time. The only wildlife I saw thus far was a precious squirrel who lived in the trees of my campsite here. She begged for food for nearly 20 minutes. I finally got out of my RV and talked to her for about 10 minutes, explaining to her that I simply could not give her any food (despite what other campers may have done), and that she had to find her own food in order to survive the next Moose Jaw winter. She seemed satisfied with that bit of attention and climbed back up the tree!
On to Medicine Hat in the persistent rain. Saw my first moose crossing sign on this Trans Canadian Highway, which was a better road than most in the U.S. The terrain changed to look more like North Dakota, then western Nebraska, and finally a little like the high desert in Arizona. The Gas City Campground was impressive and well managed, just a bit difficult to find in heavy traffic.
Driving to Banff was uneventful except for more rain, rain, rain. It was foggy and sprinkled the entire time. My photos of Banff entry highlight the true story.
I stopped first at the Lake Louise Visitor Center. There was only one single ticket available to see Moraine Lake within the next three days (can only make a reservation 48 hours in advance), but I had an hour to get to the park and ride site to catch the shuttle [the only way anyone can now get to Lake Moraine]. It was sprinkling, but this was my only chance to see the beautiful Moraine Lake.
There were so many people present, but in between I was able to take a few pictures.
The Lake Louise Campground is the perfect spot to see everything in this part of Banff. The next morning, I got up very early and was at the Lake Louise parking lot by 5:30 am! The parking lot was ALMOST FULL! The parking ticket charge was $36.75 CAD, and you must walk a long distance to pay for the ticket and then take it back to your vehicle. Place the ticket prominently on your dashboard. Be sure to have your license plate number handy or you will have to walk back to your vehicle twice!!
Photos of Lake Louise show the continuing foggy, rainy weather. But I walked the entire lakeside trail; it was delightful.
Remember to take rain gear for these walks/hikes! Interestingly, up to today I have seen NO wildlife whatsoever. I took a photo of a three-toed woodpecker, but it was quite blurry in the rain!