Best Lakes in Alberta
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Alberta is home to some of the most famous national parks in Canada (or even the world), including Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Within these parks, and surrounding areas, are some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Here are 8 that you cannot miss on your next trip to Alberta!
Even the lakes that didn’t make it onto this list provided us with some of the most beautiful views we’ve ever witnessed!
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During our time in Canada in October 2023, we spent 2.5 weeks living in Canmore with Rosh’s aunt and uncle, meaning we pretty much had our own personal tour guides who knew ALL The best spots. We extensively toured through Canmore, Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, with all three places immediately shooting up the list to some of our favourite places in the entire world.
Planning a trip to Canmore? Check out our video where we show you all the best sights to visit!
During our travels in Alberta, we visited so many beautiful spots, and in particular lakes. While this included some of the most famous lakes, it also included a few lesser known lakes that we definitely think you shouldn’t skip on your next trip to Alberta. So without further ado, let’s get into our favourites!
8) QUARRY LAKE, CANMORE
Quarry Lake was the first lake we visited during our time in Canmore, and it definitely set the bar very high! While Quarry Lake isn’t the most blue or the biggest lake, it arguably has one of the best backdrops of any of the lakes on this list and is easily accessible from Canmore by car, bike or on foot. If you’re able to visit on a super calm day, the reflection of the trees and the mountains on the water is second to none, making it a prime photo spot.
Quarry Lake actually used to be an open pit coal mine around, until it was turned into a recreational area, with the lake filled with mountain spring water around 50 years ago.
NOTE: We highly recommend visiting in September/October! Obviously the weather can differ year on year, however, in October 2023, the weather was perfect - not cold enough to be snowing outside the mountains just yet, none of the lakes have been closed yet for the winter (see Moraine Lake below) and the you can catch the leaves changing colours!
This was the first lake we visited and it definitely set the bar very high!
Quarry Lake is a popular summer lake in Canmore, flooded with people swimming and paddle boarding - it is essentially the public pool of Canmore (makes your local YMCA look pretty awful hey!). While it is a popular swim spot, the water is meant to be FREEZING, so jump in with caution - especially outside the summer months where we’d probably recommend wearing a wetsuit! There are also plenty of picnic tables so you can truly make a day out of it.
While summer is when visiting Quarry Lake is most popular, we’d highly recommend visiting around October. Obviously the weather and temperatures will vary year on year, but we thought the views of Quarry Lake with the snowcapped mountains in the background were incredibly beautiful. If you'd prefer to experience swimming and paddle boarding in the lake, than the warmer months may be better for you!
Note: If you are travelling to Quarry Lake by car, it is worth noting that parking fees have been introduced in recent years. While parking is free for Canmore residents, as a tourist, you will need to pay and this can be done at the booth in the carpark.
Quarry Lake is also home to a walking/bike trail which is incredibly beautiful. We were fortunate enough to ride some bikes on this trail past Quarry Lake and with the views of the snow capped mountains surrounding us, it was one of the most beautiful bike rides we’ve ever had. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the herd of Elk (also know as a ‘gang’), which sometimes hang around the lake!
Note: As with any outdoor activities in Canmore, if you are travelling on trails (e.g. by foot or bike), make sure you educate yourselves on what to do if you spot a bear, and carry some bear spray on you. While it’s one of the more rare occurrences, particularly closer in to Canmore town, it does happen and it is always best to be prepared!
If you’re staying in Canmore, this lake is definitely worth a visit and a lap around the lake. If you’re basing yourselves in Banff, we’d recommend at least one day trip to Canmore to explore the town, and Quarry Lake makes a perfect short pit stop! While it won’t be as impressive as many of the other lakes on this list, it is still an incredibly beautiful stop.
7) PYRAMID LAKE, JASPER NP
If you are making the trip to Jasper National Park during your time in Alberta, Pyramid Lake should definitely be on your list. Pyramid Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Jasper and it has the iconic view of Pyramid Mountain in the background. Another positive, is that it is only 5km from Jasper Town, which makes it really easy to find time squeeze in a quick trip to see it.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Jasper National Park, we stayed at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and it was incredibly beautiful! You can check it out here!
Similar to other lakes that will feature on this list, Pyramid Lake is home to many different activities, mostly in the summer, including kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, but it is actually also a popular fishing spot. In the middle of the lake also sits Pyramid Island, which you can access by a walkway from the mainland. A portion of the island can be hired out as a venue, and is set up with several benches looking out at the marvellous views of Jasper.
There were still flower petals on the ground from the last event that took place here!
The walkway across to Pyramid Island.
Not a bad back drop for a wedding!
While it doesn’t quite stand out in the same way some of the other lakes on this list do, it is definitely a must-visit if you are visiting Jasper National Park.
6) TWO JACK LAKE, BANFF NP
Two Jack Lake was the first lake we visited where we got to see the famous glacier blue water!
While Two Jack Lake is not as famous as other glacial lakes in Banff National Park, it is still incredibly beautiful and offers a year-round destination. It also is much closer to Banff Town than the likes of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, making it a great stop if you only have a few hours to spare.
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Two Jack Lake is a popular summer spot, offering many different activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. While you technically can swim in this lake, it is not the most enjoyable experience, as the water is still incredibly cold, even during the peak of summer.
Another popular option is to combine a visit to Two Jack with visits to the nearby Johnson Lake and Lake Minnewanka. They are all in close proximity to one another, and if you’re looking to utilise the public bus service, it makes stops at all three.
We combined a visit of Two Jack Lake with visits to Johnson Lake and Lake Minnewanka. You can check out our experience in our Part 1 video of our Banff series.
5) JOHNSON LAKE, BANFF NP
Now while Quarry Lake was our first lake we visited in Canmore, and overall during our time in Alberta, Johnson Lake was the first lake we visited in Banff National Park. While it does not have the distinctive glacier blue colour that some of the other lakes have, Johnson Lake was much more serene, with far less visitors than some of the other lakes on this list. For this reason, it is super popular among Banff and Canmore locals.
An underrated lake in Banff National Park!
Johnson Lake also provides for many different summer activities, including hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, bike riding and is actually one of the few lakes in Banff National Park that is comfortable to swim in. You can technically swim in most lakes in the national park, but given the glacier waters, it is not a pleasant experience. Given it is also less-visited than other lakes in the park, including the aforementioned nearby Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, it is the perfect place to set up for a summer picnic.
Have you heard of the famous Banff Springs Hotel? Aside from it’s incredible views and architecture, the Banff Springs Hotel is famous as it reminds people a lot of Hogwarts!
Not another soul in sight!
Given we visited in October, the weather wasn’t quite right for us to take up any of the above activities. We did however get to take in its beauty and enjoy the serenity, with only a handful of other people visiting at the same time. We’d highly recommend combining a trip to Johnson lake with Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, as they are all in close proximity to each other. If you don’t have a car, you can utilise the Roam Public Bus service, in particular, Route 6, which stops at all three of these lakes!
Johnson Lake is also a great spot to visit in winter, and if you visit on the right day, you may even be able to ice skate across it. Obviously, if you plan to ice skate, please ensure you check the ice before heading out.
4) LAKE LOUISE, BANFF NP
Lake Louise is probably a close second to Moraine Lake in terms of the most well-known and famous lakes in Banff National Park. Unfortunately for us, we visited it on the same day as Moraine Lake, so after the unmatched beauty of Moraine, we found Lake Louise a little underwhelming. By the time we made it to Lake Louise, it was also late afternoon, so the crowds had really settled in and it was very busy, plus the turquoise colouring it is known for wasn’t shining quite as bright, as the sun had begun to set.
The sun was starting to set as we visited, so the turquoise wasn’t popping as much as usual, but just another reason for us to return some time during the summer months!
While it remains one of the most popular lakes to visit in Alberta, it actually isn’t very big, recording around 2km in length and 0.5km wide! This doesn’t stop millions of visitors flooding in every year to see this natural beauty.
Unlike Moraine Lake which isn’t accessible by personal vehicles (more on this below), Lake Louise is very much open to private vehicles, making it very busy. Lake Louise is not too far from Moraine Lake, so combining these two lakes into one day is a popular option. In fact, many of the shuttles you can get during the summertime will stop off at both lakes.
Similar to Moraine Lake below, Lake Louise is widely considered one of the top places you must visit before you die, and similarly, it’s famous blue colouring is only around for a short period during the year while the lake is not frozen over. Differing from Moraine Lake though, Lake Louise is still considered a year round destination, and remains open to visitors during the winter time. In fact, it is a popular ice skating spot during the winter! During the summertime, there are plenty of hikes and trails in the area, or you can hire a canoe from the lakeshore and marvel at the beauty of the lake while on it!
While Lake Louise is accessible by car, due to the number of visitors it receives every day, the car park is usually full by 7 or 8am in the summer, meaning if you’re not an early bird, you may have to find an alternative way to get there. Fortunately, Parks Canada offer shuttles to and from Lake Louise as a great alternative. Additionally, if you’re looking to combine a trip to Lake Louise with a visit to Moraine Lake, there are plenty of tours that also operate and can shuffle you between the two.
Alternatively, you can also look to stay in Lake Louise. The Fairmont Château Lake Louise is probably the most famous accommodation in Lake Louise, however, there are plenty of other options in the town that will generally offer shuttles to and from the lake itself.
Did you know you can stay right on Lake Louise? The Fairmont Château Lake Louise sits right on the edge of the lake, making it the perfect place to stay for a romantic getaway, or if you’re looking to splurge a little!
Rosh admiring the views of Lake Louise, with the Fairmont Château Lake Louise pictured in the background.
Lake Louise is certainly a must visit lake in Alberta, and we’d definitely recommend visiting during July or August when you can enjoy the many activities on offer!
3) LAKE MINNEWANKA, BANFF NP
This pier provided the perfect photo spot!
Lake Minnewanka is a popular lake to visit, given it’s proximity to Banff town (10 minute drive), and is the perfect lake to combine with a visit to Johnson Lake and Two Jack Lake. Differing from some of the other lakes we’ve listed so far, Lake Minnewanka is MASSIVE! It is 21km long and 142m deep, making it the biggest lake in Banff National Park.
While known to most as Lake Minnewanka, the indigenous Stoney Nakoda First Nations people called it Minn-waki (Lake of the Spirits) because they respected and feared the lake for its resident spirits.
Aside from it’s size, Lake Minnewanka is also unique in that it is the only lake in Banff National Park that allows for the limited use of powerboats, with a popular activity being taking a scenic cruise on the lake. Aside from the cruises though, there are plenty of other activities that are popular on the lake, including kayaking in summer, and ice skating in winter! That’s right, the lake turns into a massive ice rink during the winter, making it one of the most unique places you may ever skate.
Despite this, the lake’s most unique activity is scuba diving! Yes, you read that right! Lake Minnewanka has quite the incredible history, including being home to one of the first resorts in Banff National Park. Over time, this area was expanded, becoming somewhat of a resort town, with restaurants, sailing companies and hotels.
Wondering how to get to Lake Minnewanka without a car? Check out Roam Route 6 which is a public bus service that conveniently has a stop at Lake Minnewanka!
Unfortunately, the resort town was completely flooded some time ago, as the power demand rose, and a new dam was built, raising the lake level by 96 feet, and therefore completely submerging the town. Divers from around the globe love to visit Lake Minnewanka and dive down to the bottom to see the remains of this resort town, which in our opinion, may be one of the most unique dives you can go on!
Aside from being a beautiful photo spot and home to many different activities, Lake Minnewanka also serves an important purpose for the town of Banff, providing it with a source of hydroelectric power!
The lake is accessible by car, bus and bike, and as mentioned above, is close in proximity to Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake, making that a perfect itinerary for one of your days in Banff National Park! While the lake is open year round for various different activities, we’d recommend visiting during the warmer months (June to October), to really take advantage of all the lake has to offer. We visited in October and the lake was incredibly beautiful, and the weather wasn’t too cold yet that it made being outdoors uncomfortable (particularly for two Australians who don’t experience anywhere near the low temperatures that this area of the world does!).
2) MORAINE LAKE, BANFF NP
One of the most spectacular views you will ever see.
It may be surprising to many that Moraine Lake has not taken out the coveted number 1 spot, but at the time of visiting it absolutely shot straight to the top, until it was overtaken by the next lake. By far one of the most famous lakes in Alberta, alongside Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is one of those places that absolutely lives up to the hype. In fact, Moraine Lake even used to be on Canada’s twenty-dollar bill!
It certainly is the “face” of the Canadian Rockies, with the bright, turquoise blue waters, and the Ten Peaks in the background, however, due to it’s popularity, Moraine Lake is a little more complicated to visit than our number one lake, and is certainly more crowded than any other lake on this list.
Moraine Lake draws in millions of visitors every year, and it’s not hard to see why. Don’t get us wrong, Moraine Lake is a MUST VISIT if you are travelling to Alberta. It is not one of those sights that is overhyped at all. Given this however, it requires a little extra planning and is not somewhere you can just decide to visit on the day.
Looking for ideas of things to do in Banff? Check out our first Banff video where we explore some of the lesser known gems, and then our second Banff video where we visit some of the most famous sights in Banff!
As with some of the other lakes mentioned in this list, Moraine Lake gets it incredible colouring from from rock flour that sits in the glacier waters, which refracts the sunlight. As we’ll discuss a little further below, the lake is actually frozen over for a good portion of the year, due to it’s high elevation (1,885 metres), therefore, if you’re hoping to marvel at it’s beauty, you will have to plan your visit between the months of June to October, when the water has thawed.
Tip: While visiting in October was incredibly beautiful, many suggest that visiting from mid-June to August is the best time to see the turquoise colouring, as this is when the lake is at its highest water levels.
There are several different hikes and trails at Moraine Lake that will provide you with different views, however, by far the most popular one is the Rockpile Trail, which will provide you with the most famous shot of the lake, better known as the “Twenty Dollar View”, given this is the shot that was featured on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill.
The famous “Twenty Dollar View”.
Now getting to and from Moraine Lake is a little different to the other lakes on this list. As of June 1, 2023, personal vehicle access to Moraine Lake is no longer permitted. This was mostly due to the lack of parking near the lake, combined with high levels of visitors, creating a negative visitor experience. The exception to this is if you have a parking placard for persons with disabilities, however, the parking spots will be on a first-come first-served basis.
Instead, there are several different options to get to Moraine Lake, the most popular of which are to utilise the shuttles. Parks Canada offer shuttles that will operate daily from June 1 to October 14, 2024, between 6.30am and 6.00pm. Reservations have to be made in advance and you can find more information on these here.
Alternatively, there are also private companies that offer shuttles to Moraine Lake, including for sunrise. You can check out some of these below!
Now if you are looking to visit Moraine Lake in fall, your options will be more limited, and depending on the date, the Route 10 Roam Public Transit shuttle may be your only option. This service operates purely between Banff town and Moraine Lake and also requires reservations in advance (these book out quickly). If you do miss out on a reservation, there will be a waitlist line at the bus stop where you can try your luck and hope someone misses their bus! You can find more information on this here.
If it sounds complicated, it is a little, but just know your transport options may vary depending on when you are visiting, and they will be come more limited the closer you get to the end of season. Yes that’s right, road access does close to Moraine Lake for the winter, as it sits in an avalanche zone. If you’re super adventurous, you can still access the lake through fat biking, snow shoeing or cross country skiing, however, it is highly recommended you only do so if you are experienced and have avalanche knowledge.
Want to book your next visit to Banff National Park? We’d recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible to ensure you don’t miss out! As an alternative, you can also check look to stay in the beautiful town of Canmore which is just outside the national park.
The lake does also freeze over and lose it’s magnificent blue colour outside of June to October, therefore even if accessible, it wouldn’t be the best time to visit. You will therefore have to wait until late May/early June, when the road tends to reopen.
1) PEYTO LAKE, BANFF NP
We had never heard of Peyto Lake before our trip to Canada and were immediately blown away by the beauty. Not only does it have the same bright blue colour as some of the other lakes in Alberta, the shape of the lake has an uncanny resemblance to that of one of the hardest to spot animals in Alberta - the wolf!
We were so in love with Peyto Lake we made sure we stopped at it again on our way back to Banff from Jasper!
During our time in Alberta, we won’t lie, we very much let Rosh’s aunt and uncle take the reigns and plan our days, and we went along with whatever they had planned. We made a stop at Peyto Lake during a road trip from Canmore to Jasper National Park, and we honestly were not expecting to get out of the car to see something this incredible. It somehow felt like Alberta’s greatest kept secret, although I’m sure it was just our lack of geographical knowledge that made it feel that way to us. Never having seen a picture of this lake made the experience even more incredible, as we were completely taken aback.
To get to the lookout, you will have to make a short trek through the forest from the car park, but honestly, this just makes it all the more special as you breakthrough and spot the lake for the very first time. While the views from the lookout are spectacular, we recommend carefully making your way down below to snap some cool shots as well.
Planning a road trip from Banff to Jasper? Check out our video we made travelling from Banff to Jasper (and back) to see some of the must-do stops on route, as well as some tips on what to see and do in Jasper itself!
Our favourite spot in all of Alberta!
While we’re sure the photo speaks for itself in terms of why this has taken out our number 1 spot, some of you may still be skeptical on putting this ahead of Moraine Lake. It is after all the most famous lake in Banff, and the lake that would feature the most on any advertising material for Banff and Alberta. Well a few of the things we mentioned above did also factor into our decision, such as not being able to access the lake by private car.
While Peyto Lake (in our opinion) doesn’t look as impressive when it is frozen over (you lose the turquoise blue colouring), you are still able to visit it, as compared to Moraine Lake which shuts during the winter. So if you’re unable to move your trip to Alberta to a time when Moraine Lake is open, at least you are still able to visit some of Banff’s other incredible lakes.
The one downside to Peyto Lake would be it’s location - it’s situated about 40km north of Lake Louise. While most of the other lakes in Banff listed in this article are relatively close together, Peyto would require a little bit more of a time commitment if you plan to visit it and return to Banff town or Canmore in the same day. Otherwise, it is the perfect stop if you are travelling along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park! The positive of this location is that it is far less busy than Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
What do you think of our list? We visited so many others that we didn’t include in the list, but were also beautiful, such as Bow Lake, and there are so many others we didn’t have time to visit. Alberta is a beautiful area of the world and should definitely be added to your travel bucket list!
Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park in British Colombia.
Honourable mention! Emerald Lake was one of our absolute favourite lakes that we visited, but it actually sits in British Columbia rather than Alberta so we left it off the list! Nonetheless, it wasn’t too far a drive from Canmore and Banff, so we highly recommend working it into your next itinerary!
