The Bow Valley has grown increasingly popular in recent years, as anyone who lives in or visits the area can attest. Traffic jams, limited parking, long lines at iconic spots like Johnston Canyon, and crowded trails have become the norm.
Not long ago, escaping the crowds was as simple as putting on a backpack and heading out for a hike. However, even the hiking trails are now bustling with visitors. This surge in activity has not only diminished the experience for people but also poses significant challenges for wildlife, particularly grizzly bears and wolves.
A new study highlights the significant impact of busy recreational trails on grizzly bears and wolves. Published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the research conducted by the University of Alberta demonstrates that human activity along trails forces these species to avoid critical habitat areas, raising concerns about their long-term survival in this heavily visited region.
Led by Peter Thompson, a postdoctoral fellow, and his supervisor, Colleen Cassady St. Clair, the study involved an extensive analysis of data gathered from over 1,600 remote camera traps. These cameras, placed across the Bow Valley and surrounding national parks from 2007 to 2022, captured more than one million human detections and tens of thousands of images of grizzly bears and wolves. Using advanced statistical modelling, the researchers quantified how human presence disrupts these animals’ natural behaviour.
And the impact was startling.
Avoiding Humans
Grizzly bears were found to avoid areas within 300 meters of high-use trails, while wolves, which are even more sensitive to human activity, maintained a distance of up to 600 meters. These “zones of influence” are far more significant than previously assumed, emphasizing how recreational activities significantly reduce the quality of surrounding habitats for these species.
“Our results show that human recreation has significant effects on wildlife, substantially influencing their behaviour even hundreds of meters away from the trail,” said Thompson. He added that these impacts are compounded by the dense network of trails in areas like Canmore, where human activity continues to increase. Finding a spot 300 to 600 metres from a busy trail in the Canmore wildlife corridors is virtually impossible for a wolf or a bear.
The Bow Valley, which encompasses parts of Banff National Park and adjacent areas such as Canmore and Kananaskis Country, is a world-renowned destination for outdoor recreation. In 2024, Banff National Park alone recorded over 4.1 million visitors. Activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking draw people to the region year-round, but this human activity surge creates significant challenges for wildlife conservation.
Growth And Visitation’s Impacts
While Banff enforces strict regulations on development, Canmore has experienced rapid growth over the past two decades, leading to more trails and recreational pressure in critical wildlife corridors. The study notes that even illegal “pirate trails”—unauthorized paths created by recreational users—contribute to habitat disturbance. These trails showed 65 percent as much human use as formal ones, further straining the landscape.
Thompson and St. Clair emphasize the importance of proactive land-use planning to mitigate these effects. Rerouting trails away from high-quality wildlife habitats and establishing designated quiet zones could help balance human recreation with the needs of wildlife. “This research highlights the critical need to manage human use in a way that allows people to share the landscape with these wary predators,” said St. Clair.
The study also sheds light on cumulative effects—the combined impact of multiple activities over time. Dense networks of trails, roads, and infrastructure exacerbate habitat fragmentation, making it increasingly difficult for species to navigate and thrive. Thompson pointed out that the Bow Valley, a crucial corridor linking the prairies to the Continental Divide, has already been heavily altered by human activity. “So much of the valley has been cut down and destroyed for highways and railroads,” he noted. “It really brings home how pinched we already are with respect to wildlife corridors.”
Coexistence Strategies
Moving forward, the researchers hope their findings will guide better coexistence strategies. Limiting trail density, closing certain areas during peak wildlife activity, and educating the public about minimizing their impact could help preserve the region’s biodiversity. “When you’re in a natural area, it’s important to be mindful of your impact on wildlife,” said Thompson. “The effects are often bigger than what you see.”
The study’s message is clear: human activities have far-reaching consequences for wildlife, and addressing these impacts requires collective effort. With thoughtful planning and increased awareness, the Bow Valley could remain a haven for people and its iconic wildlife.
