Over 50 locations in Banff and Lake Louise in one guide, download today: DOWNLOAD HERE
Intro
Astrophotography is always exciting, getting to see your favourite locations set under the Milky Way is endlessly rewarding and having the knowledge and ability to capture the scene is even more so.
As in most locations in the world, there are only a few months of the year where you can capture the milky way core in the rockies so doing some research is key. You can normally capture the milky way during the months of May, June, July and August but you will also need to take into account the moon phases and cloud cover to get the best shots. I recommend apps like Stellarium and Photopills to help with this planning. I’ve gone in to more depth in how to plan and execute a Milky Way shot here.
In general though you’ll be looking for compositions that look to the south, here are a list of some of the best locations I’ve found so far!
1) Two Jack Lake
This location couldn’t be more perfect for photographing the Milky Way. During the spring and early summer the Milky Way core sits perfectly above Mount Rundle and reflects in Two Jack Lake below. The lake itself is just a short drive from the town of Banff and then the shore front is an easy walk from the car park. Easy access and perfect alignment really makes this a great location for anyone to capture the stars.
2) Policemen’s Creek - Three Sisters
This creek is a pretty famous spot for photography in Canmore, even during winter there is often enough open water to get epic reflections of the three sisters. This location does however come with a warning! Cougars live in the woods surrounding the short trail from the road to the creek. I myself have heard them whilst walking back in the middle of the night, I also know other people who have had run ins with Cougars in this area. So if you go, don’t go alone and be sensible, respect the wildlife, at the end of the day you are in their territory!
3) Vermilion Lakes
These famous lakes close to the Banff townsite offer great photography day or night. During Milky Way season you can get some great shots. especially from the last lake on the road. Here you have a small dock with mountains in the background and the opportunity for more Milk Way reflections!
4) East End of Rundle
Now this location takes a little more planning. I had had this shot in mind for several years, I knew at the right time of year the Milky Way would sit above Ha Ling Peak it was just a matter of waiting for the right moon phase and weather. This image is taken from about half way up the East End of Rundle trail where there are fantastic views of the great peak opposite. We hiked in the dark for just over an hour and then spent several more sat here watching the stars. It’s a night I’ll always look back on with fond memories, hanging out with like minded people in the dark and cold!
Again this region is home to wildlife, most notably bears live here! There are always precautions you should be taken whilst hiking and this is no different at night. Use a head torch, hike in a group, be aware of your surroundings and make noise as you travel. Bears don’t want to run in to you as much as you don’t want to run in to them, if they hear you coming the chances are you’ll never see them!
There are of course lots of other places to shoot the stars in the Bow Valley these just happen to be some of my favourite shots from over the years. I’ve captured the nights sky at Lake Minnewanka, Moraine Lake, Kananaskis and further afield. If you aren’t after the Milky Way itself there are always star trails to play with too, you can learn more about shooting star trails here.
If you know of any other epic locations I would love to hear them so leave a comment below!
Over 50 locations in Banff and Lake Louise in one guide, download today: DOWNLOAD HERE