Spring is here and I am already daydreaming of leisurely drives in the Rocky Mountains with stops for hiking and lakeside picnics.
I recently wrote about the beautiful lakes in Alberta and now I want to get more specific and share with you the gorgeous lakes you can visit close to Banff.
In this post I’m sharing 13 stunning lakes in Banff National Park that you should visit. Each one has a unique beauty and I hope you enjoy exploring all of these Alberta lakes.
You can easily visit several during one excursion, all of these lakes are excellent day trips from Calgary.
Beautiful Lakes in Banff National Park
1. Boom Lake
Let’s start out with one of the lesser known lakes around Banff, and one that you must hike to in order to see it, Boom Lake.
This is a wonderful hike through the forest to an extraordinary location in the Rockies. Bring your picnic lunch so you can enjoy a lakeside break with a spectacular view of the mountains at Boom Lake.
Get details about Boom Lake hike.
Boom Lake view in Banff National Park – perfect day trip from Calgary
2. Vermilion Lakes
Vermilion Lakes is only 2 km from the town of Banff. This is a wonderful place to stop and listen and observe wildlife. I once watched a moose eating dinner at Vermilion Lakes.
On the Trans-Canada Hwy there is a pullout and viewpoint for Vermilion Lakes with a great view of Mt Rundle.
It’s easy to stop in and visit Vermilion even if you have no plans to go to Banff, it’s easy access from the Trans-Canada.
While if you are staying in Banff, I recommend taking a bike ride to Vermilion Lakes.
This is a great all-season spot to relax and soak up the beauty of nature.
LEARN MORE: 12 Best Things to Do in Banff in Winter
Vermilion Lakes in Banff National Park
3. Lake Minnewanka
Big and beautiful Lake Minnewanka is an excellent day trip location. Spend some time walking the lakeside trail or get on the water for magnificent views of the Rockies.
From Banff head northeast on Banff Ave and turn right onto Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive and follow it to the lake.
Bring your own boat or hop on a boat tour of Minnewanka for a great day outdoors.
You can also visit Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake when you drive the loop on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive.
And bonus, stop at Cascade Ponds either on the way to Minnewanka or on the way back to Banff. It’s a beautiful picnic area with marvelous views of the mountains. Watch for the sign close to the Trans-Canada highway.
LEARN MORE: 5 Epic National Parks in Alberta
Lake Minnewanka Banff National Park
4. Two Jack
From Banff head northeast on Banff Ave and turn right onto Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, continue about 5 km to Two Jack day use area.
You can do the 2 mile (3.2 km) hike around Two Jack or sit down and relax in one of the red chairs and watch nature do its thing.
There is a lakeside campground at Two Jack, a beautiful place to camp and wake up by the water, magical.
Two Jack Lake Banff National Park
5. Johnson Lake
From Banff head northeast on Banff Ave and turn right onto Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, then right onto Johnson Lake Road.
Hike the short and easy 1.9 mile (3.1 km) loop around Johnson Lake. It’s a nice family friendly hike with lovely views of Mount Inglismaldie.
Watch for the fork in the trail and go see the old cabin, built in 1910 by Billy Carver who became known as the Hermit of Inglismaldie.
Johnson Lake in Banff National Park
Next up, there are several lakes that make great stops on the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) which connects Lake Louise/Banff to Jasper.
6. Herbert Lake
Herbert Lake is the first named glacial lake you’ll come across on the Icefields Parkway, it’s on the left side of the road, only a few kilometers from the Trans-Canada. It’s a 10 minute drive from Lake Louise.
You can often catch amazing reflections of the mountains on the surface of Herbert Lake.
There is a non-maintained trail around the lake with a portion of the trail right beside the highway, best to save your hiking energy for other trails in Banff National Park.
Serene mountains in backdrop of pine forest surrounding Herbert Lake
7. Hector Lake
Another gorgeous glacial lake surrounded by beautiful mountains of the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies. Hector Lake is about 15 km from Herbert Lake.
Hector Lake is a dreamy turquoise and it’s a lovely stop on the Icefields Parkway road. From the parking lot to Hector Lake is a little over 2 km (1.2 miles) and when you get to the river go left to follow a path to the lake without crossing the river, although you may have stream crossings.
Hector Lake in Banff National Park
8. Bow Lake
Drive 15 km from Hector Lake to beautiful Bow Lake, created from the meltwaters of the Bow Glacier, this is the headwaters to the Bow River.
Bow Lake is an extraordinary turquoise jewel. Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge sits along the shores of Bow Lake.
Bow Lake is glacier fed. Take a road trip along Icefields Parkway to see this stunning aquamarine color lake
9. Peyto Lake
Fox shaped Peyto Lake is the most famous and most popular of the lakes on the Icefields Parkway highway. It’s one of the tour bus stops, but the tours only go to the overlook close to the parking lot.
You can hike up a trail to a better lookout point where it is not as crowded with tourists. Read more about Bow Summit Peyto Lake Trail.
Turquoise color and shaped like a fox, Peyto Lake is a memorable landmark
10. Waterfowl Lakes
A perfect road side stop on the icefields highway, there is a small parking lot that is right next to the Lower Waterfowl Lake. This is a nice place to stretch your legs and see the brilliant turquoise glacial lake.
There is something truly uplifting when viewing glacial lakes and the wondrous shades of blue. In between Upper Waterfowl and Lower Waterfowl Lake there is a campground with over 100 campsites.
Waterfowl Lakes Banff National Park
The last few lakes on the list are the most famous lakes in Banff National Park.
11. Moraine Lake
Surrounded by the ten peaks, Moraine Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. It’s another super popular attraction in Banff.
Moraine Lake Road is now closed to all private vehicles year round! So, book your shuttle bus ticket in advance. The Moraine Lake shuttle starts in June and runs until md-October, shuttles run every 20 minutes from 8:10 am to 5:30 pm to the lake.
You could also bike to Moraine Lake. Now that there are no personal vehicles on Moraine Lake Road it should be more enjoyable!
If you are into hiking, there are several great hikes that start out from Moraine Lake. Especially in fall the Sentinel Pass Trail is one of the best larch tree hikes in Alberta.
LEARN MORE: 15 Famous Landmarks in Canada
Moraine Lake Banff National Park
12. Lake Louise
The most well known of the lakes around Banff, Lake Louise is a beauty. But it’s also the busiest lake to visit in Banff.
Take a hike alongside Lake Louise. In summer you can rent a red canoe and paddle around Lake Louise. In wintertime you go ice skating under the stars.
During peak season the easiest way to get to the lake is to reserve a ticket for the Lake Louise shuttle which starts on May 14 and will run until October 11.
If you decide to drive to Lake Louise be aware the parking lot fills up early and access is closed once it’s full. The new parking fee at Lake Louise is $11.90 per vehicle.
Kayaking at Lake Louise Banff National Park
13. Lake Agnes
I like to think of Lake Agnes as a sister lake to Lake Louise. Lake Agnes is another lake that you must hike to in order to see it. Once you get to the lake there is also a cute teahouse at Lake Agnes.
Be advised that the teahouse fare is expensive. If you want to save a few bucks just pack your own special picnic lunch and enjoy your meal while sitting next to the beauty of Lake Agnes.
Lake Agnes Tea House Hike – this view of Lake Agnes and the Rocky Mountains is your reward!
Remember to pack the ten essentials on all your hikes, bring bear spray and know how to use it.
Have fun exploring Banff National Park!
If you have any questions or recommendations please leave them in the comments section below.
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