Going to Banff for the Labour Day long weekend? Plan ahead to avoid the traffic jams

People heading out to the mountains this long weekend are being reminded to plan ahead to avoid the heavy traffic.

Banff National Park visitor experience manager Greg Danchuk says the park gates are busiest between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. so it's best to avoid those times.

But on the Friday before the long weekend, heading west out of Calgary is part of the challenge ongoing road work just west of Calgary, at Old Banff Coach Road and Highway 563, hadthe Trans-Canadabacked up all the way past Stoney Trail in the northwest.

Once you make it to the park, Danchuk alsosaid buying a park pass online through Banff-Lake Louise Tourism can save lots of time.

"Then drive right through the drive-through line you don't have to be in those lines at the gate," he said.

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Danchuk says all of the reservable campsites are spoken for, but there may still be some first-come, first-serve sites available in the Castle Mountain protection area and locations along the Icefields Parkway.

Danchuk says there are more animals foraging in the Bow Valley this time of year so visitors should check for any wildlife warnings before heading out.

"Particularly bears looking for food to bulk up going into winter. So they are a little more active and closer to where people might be," he said.

"So, heads up all the time, make noise, know where you're going. If you see wildlife from the side of the road, get your picture and move along."

Danchuk says Calgarians no longer need to drive to the park.

There's a shuttlebus that runs from Calgary to Banffduring weekends and holidays although book early and once you're there, you can easily get around town and much of the Bow Valley using the Roam Public Transit service.

It costs $10 to take the bus to Banff from Calgary and you can bring your bike.