10 Best Lakes Near Banff

If there’s just one lake near Banff that you’ve heard of, it’s Lake Louise. This iconic turquoise lake has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, thanks to its coverage in everything from esteemed travel magazine spreads to influencer Instagram feeds.

As for what to do at Lake Louise, it varies quite a bit by season. During the warmer months of the year, canoe your way across the lake or enjoy the views with a sunny hike. And when the lake reaches its freezing point, take to the skies on the Lake Louise Gondola or stay on land with a magical sled ride.

Just 20 minutes from Lake Louise lies Moraine Lake. Situated in Banff National Park and in the Valley of Ten Peaks, this glacier-fed Banff Lake is practically guaranteed to be beautiful based on its location alone.

While you can just enjoy the views of Moraine Lake, there are a few more activities that you can add to your itinerary. Test your paddleboarding skills, go for a picture-perfect canoe ride or get a (nearly) birds-eye view of the lake from the Tower of Babel during your visit.

While Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are both known for their bright turquoise color, Emerald Lake is a little bit unusual. As its name implies, the water at Emerald Lake has more of a vibrant green tint, unlike most of the other lakes near Banff.

Although Emerald Lake looks a little different from the rest of its Banff Lake counterparts, you can do many of the same activities. Bring out that handy canoe for a paddling adventure, spend the night at the charming Emerald Lake Lodge or stick to the shore for a picturesque picnic.

As you drive your way up and along the scenic Icefields Parkway, you’ll see waterfalls and mountains galore. And when you think you can’t get much higher, you’ll turn a corner and see the stunning Bow Lake.

This bright teal lake is perched at 1,920 meters high, so it's a little too chilly for a dip. That said, you can still hike one of the many surrounding trails, go for a high-altitude canoe ride or even do a little fishing while at this Banff Lake.

Lake Minnewanka has quite a storied past. For thousands of years prior to colonization, Native American tribes settled around this striking glacier lake. As a matter of fact, the lakeshore is filled with archeological sites and artifacts from up to 14,000 years ago.

While the historical side of Lake Minnewanka is captivating, there’s also the lake’s alluring natural beauty. Why not take a scenic cruise on this sparkling blue lake? Add the surrounding mountain views into the mix, and it becomes an unbeatable sight.

Many of the lakes near Banff are relatively hard to access. As a matter of fact, most of them require a bit of a hike. But that isn’t the case for Peyto Lake.

Peyto Lake is one of the most accessible lakes near Banff. While the main carpark still requires a 10-minute hike to Peyto Lake Lookout, there’s a much closer carpark for elderly and disabled visitors. In other words, nearly everyone can get a glimpse of this brilliant blue Canadian lake.

Want your own little slice of lakefront paradise? Look no further than Johnson Lake. Compared to all the other lovely lakes near Banff, Johnson Lake – complete with bright blue water and snow-capped mountains – tends to be quieter and less crowded.

As for what to do at Johnson Lake, there are many choices. Want to go on a hike for epic lake views? Check out the Johnson Lake hike. Hoping for a paddling adventure? Kayaking or SUP to your heart’s content. Or want to stay dry with an Instagram-worthy picnic? That’s a great option too.

Just down the road from the famous Lake Louise lies Hector Lake. All it takes is a relatively easy 3 to 5-kilometre hike to get there! There is an icy river fjord on the trail that you’ll have to cross. Avoid hiking in late spring/early summer, when the fjord is at its largest, and instead opt for an end-of-summer hike.

Once you reach Hector Lake, you’ll never want to leave. You’ll want to kayak your way around the eye-catching blue lake for hours on end. Everywhere you turn, you’ll see something different – from the towering green trees to the snow-capped mountains to the hanging glacier.

Located in Banff National Park, Two Jack Lake is a popular spot for some summer fun. While the warm sun is out, kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard and fish to your heart’s content – all with the towering Mount Rundle in the background.

And while summer is by far the most popular time to visit Two Jack Lake, winter isn’t so bad either. Once the snow flutters down, this Banff Lake turns into an enchanting winter wonderland, complete with ice skating, ice hockey and snowshoeing opportunities.

If you’re looking for a Banff day hike with a gorgeous lake at the end, look no further than the Helen Lake Trail. This 13-kilometre hike usually takes trekkers about 6 hours. Considering the 585 meters of elevation gain, it’s not the easiest hike in the world, but the nature views along the way make it worth it.

At the end of the trail, you’ll get to enjoy some stunning views. In addition to the brightly colored Helen Lake, you’ll also see Bow Lake, the Wapta Icefield, a few snow-capped mountains and the rest of the thriving valley. It’s, without a doubt, one of the best views in Banff.