5 Best Lakes in the Canadian Rockies

There are many beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies but today we’re going to talk about the top five must-see lakes, especially for first-time visitors. The Canadian Rockies are filled with pristine natural wonders and awe-inspiring mountain landscapes, but their lakes are really on another level!

With so many mountains and glaciers in such a concentrated area, each lake has an abundance of rock flour, which is the sediment from ground-up rock particles caused by glacial erosion. These particles reflect sunlight in a special way that gives each lake a brilliant blue color. Yet, somehow, each lake has its own unique color. The five lakes we’ve highlighted in this guide are all such a specific shade of blue that they can be identified by their color alone.

Some of these lakes are so popular that advanced reservations and shuttle services are required to get to them. We’ll cover how to secure your spot, how to get to each lake, and what to do when you get there. Just don’t forget your Park Pass! You’ll need it for all of the lakes on this list.

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5 Best Lakes in the Canadian Rockies

Although the Canadian Rockies are home to tons of amazing lakes, each with a distinct charm and character, there are a handful that simply stand out from the rest, and that’s what we’re covering in this guide. These five lakes are identified as the best of the best by travelers across the globe. Keep reading to find out why.

1. Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is probably the most iconic of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Its water is a vibrant and bold shade of blue and it sits against a backdrop of dramatic jagged mountains called the Ten Peaks. It’s so picturesque, it was once used on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill.

Moraine Lake is located in Banff National Park and the road leading to the lake is closed to personal vehicles year-round. From mid-May to mid-October you’ll need to make a reservation with a shuttle service to access the lake. Outside of these months, there is simply no access. You can technically hike to the lake at any time, but it’s over 17 miles (28 kilometers) round trip, and we do not recommend it.

The only exception to the road closure is for guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge. If you’re staying at the lodge, you will show your booking confirmation to the people patrolling the road, and they will let you through. This is the best way to get first-class access to the lake, without dealing with the shuttle service. It is quite expensive though and the lodge is only open seasonally from June 1st to October 1st.

If the lodge is out of your budget, you’ll want to book your shuttle reservation with Parks Canada Shuttles or Roam Public Transit. Parks Canada is best if you’re staying near Lake Louise because it leaves from the Park & Ride Lot located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Roam Public Transit on the other hand leaves from downtown Banff.

Reservations for these shuttles become available each spring and sell out quickly. A few extra seats are released each day in a rolling window, at 8:00 am MDT, two days in advance, throughout the summer. For more details about the shuttle options, routes, schedule, and costs, click here.

However you decide to get there, once you arrive at Moraine Lake, you’ll have immediate access to hiking, canoe rentals, and a restaurant. The most popular thing to do here is to hike the Rockpile Trail. The out-and-back trail is only 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) each way with an elevation gain of 32 feet (9.5 meters). Once you’re at the top, you’ll see the picture-perfect view that makes this place so iconic. Rockhill Trail is especially popular at sunrise.

Other things to do at Moraine Lake include hiking the flat trail that runs along the lake, going for a row in one of the lodge’s brightly colored canoes, or dining at the lodge restaurant. The canoe rentals are very expensive, at over $100 an hour, but it’s per canoe, not per person, so you can split the cost with a companion. Or if you’re a guest at the lodge, a 1-hour canoe rental is included with your stay.

_{💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — We chose not to use the shuttle service because we prefer to drive everywhere ourselves. We stayed at the Moraine Lake Lodge specifically so we could access the lake on our own. Although our room was expensive, we factored in the shuttle ticket savings, free breakfast (which was amazing), and two canoe rentals which were complimentary for hotel guests. This value made the cost of the room worth it.}

2. Lake Louise

Lake Louise is so picturesque it doesn’t even feel real. When you see it, you may find yourself rubbing your eyes or swatting the air in front of you, just to make sure you’re not imagining things. Lake Louise is a gorgeous shade of turquoise blue that takes on a pastel hue when the clouds hang low. And the rounded boulders that line the shore create a mesmerizing scene.

Unlike Moraine Lake, you can drive to and park at Lake Louise, although you’ll need a bit of patience and a lot of luck. Lake Louise is also located in Banff National Park, and during peak season, the parking lot fills up before sunrise and remains full until sunset. Throughout the day, visitors will drive up hoping to find a spot to park, only to be directed to the exit by traffic control. Every so often, when a spot does open up, the lucky driver who is approaching the people directing traffic will be let in.

You could technically drive the loop repeatedly until you’re the lucky recipient of a spot, but it’s not ideal. If you don’t have plenty of time to spare or you’re not willing to miss your chance to see Lake Louise, you should reserve a shuttle with Parks Canada Shuttles or Roam Public Transit instead.

The shuttle options for Lake Louise are the same as the options for Moraine Lake. The Parks Canada Shuttle leaves from the Lake Louise Ski Resort and the Roam Public Transit leaves from downtown Banff. Reservations for these shuttles become available each spring and sell out quicker than you’d think. It’s essential to book your shuttle as early as possible. For shuttle options, routes, schedules, and costs, click here.

Parks Canada also has a shuttle that runs between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise called the Lake Connector. Use of the Lake Connector is first come first serve and is included with your Parks Canada Shuttle Reservation. Those who purchase shuttle tickets through Roam Public Transit will need to upgrade their reservation to the Roam Super Pass if they want to use the Lake Connector.

Because each lake is rather difficult to visit, we do recommend visiting both lakes on the same day. Once you reserve your shuttle time to get to one of the lakes (you can start with either one), you can spend as much time there as you want, and use the Lake Connector as often as you want. Your shuttle ride back to where you started can be taken at any time.

Just like at Moraine Lake, the most popular things to do at Lake Louise include hiking and canoeing. Canoe rentals can be found at the boathouse on the edge of the lake, but they come with a steep price of over $100 an hour. Guests staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise do receive a discount on their rental, but it’s not complimentary like it is for guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge.

Other than canoeing, the famous Beehive Trails are the most popular thing to do at Lake Louise. These out-and-back trails are considered challenging and both begin at the Fairmont Chateau and have two different routes to choose from: Little Beehive and Big Beehive. Both trails lead to the Lake Agnes Teahouse, which is another hot spot in the area.

And if that isn’t enough, you can also book a horseback riding experience or grab a meal at one of the hotel’s many restaurant options. We recommend the Walliser Strube, which is known for its incredible cheese fondue!

3. Peyto Lake

Visiting Peyto Lake is a bit different than the other lakes on this list. Peyto Lake is found in Banff National Park along the Icefields Parkway and it’s viewed from an overlook (called the Peyto Lake Lookout) that’s accessed by a short trail. The lake is unique in shape and color, with bright milky blue water that reminds us of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

The out-and-back trail leading to the overlook is 0.8 miles (0.5 kilometers) round trip with an elevation gain of 229 ft (67 m). This is quite a gain in such a short distance so the trail may leave you a bit breathless at times, but it is a flat easy walk, and it’s even wheelchair and stroller accessible.

_{💣 Antisocial Tourist Tip — Peyto Lake’s blue color intensifies throughout the summer as the glacier melt increases. The further into the year you visit, the bluer the lake will be!}

You’ll find plenty of parking at the trailhead, but it does fill up quickly at peak times. This is one of the most popular stops along the Icefields Parkway. If no parking is available when you arrive, it might be worth circling the lot a few times before giving up, since so many people come and go throughout the day.

It is possible to hike down to the lake, but it’s not recommended. The best view of the lake is from the overlook and there’s no clear trail to follow down to the lake. Plus once you reach the lake there’s not much to do. Canoeing and kayaking are not allowed at Peyto Lake due to its location. So just stick to the Peyto Lake Lookout for the best experience.

4. Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is certainly well-named! It’s such a pretty shade of blue-green that we couldn’t seem to capture it in a photo. In addition to the rock flour that makes the water appear so blue, the sunlight’s angle on this particular lake gives it a green hue. Hence the emerald color.

Emerald Lake is located in Yoho National Park, about 30 minutes away from Lake Louise. Similar to Lake Louise, there is public parking, but it’s very difficult to secure a spot unless you arrive before sunrise or after sunset. Unlike Lake Louise, there won’t be anyone directing you away from the lot if it’s full, so you can more easily wait around to see if a spot opens up once you arrive. You’ll also see cars parked along the street in this location.

If you’re a guest of the Emerald Lake Lodge, you’ll park in a private lot labeled ‘Overnight Guest Parking.’ Once you park (again, for lodge guests only), you’ll find a telephone in a small cabin that connects to the front desk. You’ll call to let them know you’ve arrived and they’ll send a shuttle to pick you up and take you to the main office (otherwise it’s a bit of a walk).

Once you arrive at the lake, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails, canoeing, and a restaurant, similar to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Canoe rentals go for just under $100 an hour and they’re first come first served. The canoe rental office can be found on the shore to the left of the bridge leading to the lodge.

The most popular activity at Emerald Lake is the Emerald Lake Trail which leads around the lake’s perimeter. This 3.25-mile (5.2-kilometer) loop trail is considered easy and has very little elevation gain so it’s suitable for hikers of all levels. The trail is a mix of dense forest and open clearings overlooking the lake and surrounding glaciers. It’s an amazing walk and takes less than 2 hours to complete.

For those considering a stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, the location provides a unique and serene getaway. The lodge is the only hotel in the area and it feels secluded, cozy, and charming, with wood-burning fireplaces in each room and a lively restaurant and lobby.

The lodge sits on an island in the lake and is accessible by a one-lane bridge. There is no parking area on the island, which is why guests need to be shuttled in from the parking lot down the road. The shuttle requirement is a bit inconvenient but the lack of vehicles near the lodge creates a tranquility that more than makes up for it.

Which Lakes Can You Stay At in the Canadian Rockies

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Emerald Lake each have accommodation options that will leave you just steps away from their shores.

📍Moraine Lake Lodge

Moraine Lake Lodge is a 3-star hotel that overlooks Moraine Lake and the Ten Peaks. It’s quite expensive to stay here, but guests do receive a complimentary package that includes a guided hike, canoe rentals, and breakfast, which has significant value. The lodge is small and compact, placing you intimately next to the lake’s shore. Guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge also get to park on-site, which eliminates the need for a shuttle reservation.