Kicking Horse Canyon 2021 closure and detour must-sees

Highway 1 between Hwy 93 turnoff and Golden is NOW CLOSED until May 14th.

It was inevitable… highway 1 between Banff and Golden needs to close for the ongoing road widening of Kicking Horse Canyon. Those of us who’ve travelled this stretch of the highway, which is located on the Alberta, BC border and stretches through Yoho National Park, know what a little menace it can be at times. Whether trying to zip through in the summer, or navigating its icy bends in the dead of winter, this particular section of the route has always proven a tough one. Slow moving vehicles, occasional accidents and terrifyingly-steep cliffs don’t help either.

This year will mark the beginning of the final phase of this multi-phase construction project, with the hopes of making highway 1 a smoother one. Let’s hope! Below we’ve highlighted a few dates you’ll need to know about, what to expect, as well as a some must-see things to do when you need to detour south on highway 93 or 95.

There is a handy calendar you can check before you go. Click Here.

Key Kicking Horse Canyon Construction Dates

March and early April, 2021

“Single-lane alternating traffic will be common with delays of 20 to 30 minutes.”

By end of March, 2021

“By the end of March, there may be weekday overnight closures of up to nine hours between 10 pm and 7 am. During any overnight closures, Trans-Canada Highway traffic will be diverted to the alternative route of Highways 93S and 95 through Radium Hot Springs.”

April 12 – May 14, 2021

Full extended closure of highway 1 with detour south on Hwy 93 (if heading west from Banff) to Radium Hot Springs, then north on Hwy 95 (the opposite if coming East from Golden). Approximately 2 hrs 20 min detour.

Summers 2021-2023

• Highway 1 through the Canyon will remain fully open and free of interruptions during the daytime, other than occasional and short traffic control for turning vehicles.
• Interruptions from 20 minute stoppages to 8 hour closures overnight are possible.

Winters 2021-2023

• May see stoppages from 20 minutes to 2 hours during daytime.
• There may be closures of up to nine hours overnight.
• Expect multi-day extended closures from April 1 to the end of May and from mid-September to the end of November.
• Open for Easter and Thanksgiving long weekends

93/95 Detour Must See and Do

Stuck having to detour south on either highway 93 or 95? We’ve got you covered with a list of places to check out and that will add a bit of adventure to the extra hour or so drive. Or, spend an extra night staying in and exploring the area. This is a part of the Rockies you may not realize is loaded with goodies.

Towns and Recreation Sites: Radium Hot Springs, Lake Windermere, Invermere.

Golfing: Spur Valley Golf Resort, Eagle Ranch, Copper Point, Greywolf.

Attractions: Beeland at Spillimacheen, World’s Largest Paddle, Panorama Mountain Resort: Mountain biking, skiing, Marble Canyon, Paint Pots, Stanley Glacier,

Hot Springs: Lussier Hot Springs, Ram Creek Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs and Columbia Lake

Where to camp along highway 93, highway 95 or nearby

If you want to extend your trip along the highway 93/95 detour, there are a host of campgrounds for you and your campervan. Depending on what you’re looking for, options for camping in the Kootenay’s of BC include Provincial Campgrounds, Private Campgrounds and Provincial Recreation Sites.

Canyon RV Campground in Radium Hot Springs (Private)

Marble Canyon, Redstreak, McLeod Meadows, Crook’s Meadow in Kootenay National Park

Edgewater Hilltop RV Park (Private)

Dry Gulch, BC Provincial Campground

Sun Valley RV Resort (Private)