Top 14 lakes in Canada

Formerly known as the “Lake of Little Fishes” by the Nakoda people, Lake Louise has risen to international fame. This iconic lake is a firm favourite for guidebook covers and is one of the most photographed places in the world. We can confidently say that this natural wonder lives up to expectations—in fact, it must be seen with the naked eye to truly appreciate its beauty. Did you know that the turquoise water is created by the friction of glaciers against the Rockies? Surrounded by towering mountains, you’ll find yourself saying “wow” over and over again. Located in Banff National Park, your tour of two of the country’s most impressive and famous lakes will take you past glaciers, rushing rivers, and alpine and boreal forests.

Also in Banff National Park, and accessible only by tour, is the arguably even more spectacular Lake Moraine. This glacier-fed lake has previously featured on Canadian banknotes and in Leonardo DiCaprio’s film “The Revenant.” Surrounded by hiking trails and dating back to the last ice age, Lake Moraine retains an edge-of-the-world feel despite the presence of other tour groups.

Similarly to Lake Louise, Peyto Lake is another turquoise glacial lake, but with fewer tourists. This is a great spot to visit, as you have the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the water and surrounding sub-alpine forests, as the main viewing station is above the water rather than beside it. There are several hiking trails in the area, including short walks and more challenging routes where you can explore the surrounding mountains and forests, to be fully immersed in nature.

Emerald Lake is right on the border of Alberta and British Colombia. Aptly named because of its emerald green colour, this lake is very different from neighbours Lake Louise and Peyto Lake. To complete the scene, the lake is surrounded by the dramatic President mountain range, creating one of the best views in the Rockies. In the summer you can explore the calm waters by canoe and enjoy incredible views from the centre of the lake.

Moose Lake is one of many picturesque lakes that you will sail past in your hire car whilst journeying through Alberta, as it’s located along the Yellowhead Highway. We loved this lake because it offered a magical panorama of mirror-like water, dense pines, and snow. As the name suggests, this area is a popular place to spot Moose, especially around the edge of the lake, but its also common to spot deer, bears and a variety of bird species.

Yet another beautiful turquoise body of water, this incredible lake located in Banff National Park can be found near the famous Icefields Parkway, meaning that it is surrounded by jaw-dropping glaciers, and definitely shouldn’t be missed. Why not check out the Bow Glacier Falls trail while you are here?

Famous for the spirit island at its centre, this is a picturesque location that screams all things Canadian. This is the largest lake in the Rockies, and you can even take cruises across it to visit the island. We recommend visiting this lake at the same time as visiting Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Featuring gorges, waterfalls and scenic walkways, this is an absolute must-see!

A stone’s throw from Jasper town you will find Lac Beau Vert, or the ‘beautiful green lake’, so named because of its stunning emerald waters. This lake is accessible from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and is surrounded by hiking trails and it is possible to hire a kayak or swim in the water.

Located in the Maligne Valley, near Maligne Lake and canyon, this lake is currently home to a bald eagle nest visible from the roadside, a large cave system deep underground, and one of the natural world’s enduring mysteries: disappearing water. Season on season, the water levels here fluctuate, to the extent that they sometimes disappear altogether and then return later in the year. This has been attributed to spirits, or sinkholes in the aforementioned cave system.

Set against the awe-striking backdrop of a very photogenic 3000 M tall Pyramid mountain, Pyramid Lake is particularly famous because of the small island, accessible by bridge, at its centre. This traverse is arguably one of the best photo ops in Alberta. You can hike, bike and swim around here. What’s not to like! This is also one of the many lakes that you will visit on your Jasper photography and wildlife tour.

Just a 30-minute hike, or a five-minute drive from Pyramid Lake you will find Patricia Lake. It would be silly not to visit both! Whilst this may be the (marginally!) less unique of the two, it has an interesting history. During World War two, attempts were made to build an unsinkable aircraft carrier from ice at a secret location- a.k.a Patricia Lake. Eventually, the project was abandoned, but it’s a good fact to wow the family with.

A stone’s throw from the highway that connects Clearwater town to the rest of BC, you will find the Dutch Lake. This is an exceptional picnic spot, RV parking lot, and generally picturesque location to soak up some British Colombian sunshine after driving through snowier climbs. You can swim and kayak on this lake, and if you happen to be here Wednesday to Sunday why not grab a bite to eat at the Painted Turtle, which has an excellent range of vegan and vegetarian options?

If you are staying at our in-style property, Alpine Meadows in Clearwater you will wake up to the tranquil beauty of Hallamore Lake which can be viewed from your cosy lodge window. We recommend taking out one of the free kayaks and sailing to the other side of the lake where you can spot painted turtles. This incredibly hardy little species has very characteristic colourful markings on its shell and can survive months underwater without oxygen

Perhaps the most surprising lake on our list, this vast body of water does not hold much notoriety as a tourist hot spot, yet was a real take-your-breath-away moment as we took the winding road from the built-up and dusty town of Kamloops into the golden mountain ranges of Highway 5. We recommend taking a moment to drink in the incredible view that is almost reminiscent of a scene in a sci-fi movie. Are there lakes on Mars?

So there you have it, the ultimate rundown of the top lakes from the Rockies and beyond. One of the best perks of exploring Canada by hire car is that you have the ultimate freedom to indulge your wanderlust and visit whatever landmarks you fancy all along the open road, at your leisure. There is a tangible feeling of freedom in this way of travel when coupled with the spacious open roads, dramatic scenery and fresh mountain air. Don’t forget to send us your photos!