5 Stunning Lakes By Banff You Have To See
If you've seen incredible pictures of turquoise Canadian lakes backed by snowy mountains and thought to yourself that's what heaven must look like, it's likely you've been looking at pictures of some of the lakes by Banff.
Even though Lake Louise is the most famous of these lakes, Banff National Park is FULL of stunning bodies of water where you'll just want to stop in awe to soak in the sights all around you.
In this post, we'll be showing you 5 incredible lakes by Banff that are easy to get to from the town, and definitely worth a visit.
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Lakes?
The best months to visit the lakes by Banff depend on the type of experience you're seeking. If you're dreaming of snow-capped mountains and apres ski, visiting between December and March will suit you best. However, if you want to see the vibrant blues and greens of summertime on the picturesque lakes, between June and August is when you should visit
What Is The Weather Like In Banff?
The weather in Banff goes from one extreme to the other. During the winter, you'll find temperatures as low as -30°C overnight. Between September and April, when hiking around the lakes by Banff, you should expect the temperature to be below freezing. In mid-winter, the snow averages around 26cm deep. During the summer, it's a whole different story. Banff has been known to see temperatures as high as 37°C, but be warned, the nights can still get chilly. Whilst it might seem tempting to dip into one of the lakes to cool off, the lakes stay extremely cold year-round. For example, the water in Lake Louise rarely gets above 5°C, so you would have to be very brave to enjoy a quick dip.
How To Get To Banff
The closest international airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport. From there, it's approximately a 90-minute drive to Banff. You can rent a car from the airport, or take a shuttle bus directly to Banff. There are several companies providing airport shuttle services, such as Banff Airporter. You don't need to worry about finding this 140km journey boring, as the drive is extremely scenic.
Is Banff Safe?
Banff is extremely safe for solo and female travelers, and although as always you should keep your wits about you, safety shouldn't be a concern when booking a trip to Banff. Canada is the safest country in the Americas and the 10th safest country in the world. If you're looking for travel buddies, you won't need to look far, there are plenty of bars around the town full of other travelers. There are also plenty of opportunities to join a walking tour, which is an easy way to make friends. You could also join our community and see if any like-minded females are in the area. Make lifelong friends, share travel experiences, and spark interesting conversations by signing up here.
5 Lakes By Banff
These lakes are all located within Banff National Park. Whilst all of the lakes are free to roam around, in order to enter the national park, visitors will need to buy a daily pass. For adults, the cost is $10.50 CAD. More information on other types of passes is available on the Parks Canada website.
Lake Louise
You've probably heard of Lake Louise. It has one of the most famous mountain views in the world, and it's not hard to see why. The lake itself is 2km long and is known for its bright turquoise water. What makes the water so blue is the rock flour which is carried into the lake straight from the glaciers by melt-water. The luxury Fairmont Chateau hotel sits on Lake Louise, and there are plenty of activities to do around the lake including hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and kayaking. There is also a nearby ski resort named after the lake.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake within the Banff National Park at 21km long, and is the only lake within the park to allow the use (although limited) of power boats. An interesting fact about Lake Minnewanka is that there is a fully submerged town sitting on its bed, caused by a dam that raised the lake by 30m. Visitors can go scuba diving in the lake to view the site of the old town.
The lake also helps to keep the town of Banff running smoothly by providing hydroelectric power. In the summer visitors can enjoy picnics and boat cruises, and in the winter time, this massive lake makes an amazing ice rink.
Moraine Lake
Another one of the best lakes by Banff has to be Moraine Lake. It is another glacially-fed lake which accounts for its brilliant blue colour. The lake is 14km away from the village of Lake Louise, so if you're looking to visit both lakes, they can be done in a day.
Moraine Lake is closed from early autumn until late spring every year due to a high risk of avalanches. Because of this, the lake can get crowded throughout the summer. A great way to avoid the hustle and bustle of other tourists is to head to the lake at sunrise. We promise that the view of the sun rising up from behind the mountains and lighting up the lake won't disappoint.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake was closed for almost 2 years due to construction works but has finally reopened to allow visitors back in. The viewpoint is what is so famous here so be sure to take your hiking boots to see the shimmering blue lake from above. Peyto is another glacially-fed lake which means you can rely on the color to be pretty spectacular. This is the third most visited lake in Banff National Park (after Lake Louise and Moraine Lake) so it is another one that sees flocks of tourists. While the pictures you see of the lake can make it look deserted, the viewing platform can get rather crowded in the summer with bus loads of visitors racing to get the best picture. Once again the early bird catches the worm, and the earlier you can arrive, the more solitude you'll have.
Vermilion Lakes
Vermilion Lakes are a group of 3 lakes within Banff National Park, that sit in the Bow River valley at the base of Mount Norquay. These lakes are a popular spot for birdwatching, and visitors can enjoy standup paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking on the lakes in the summer. Vermillion Lakes are known to be one of the best spots to catch sunset in the Canadian Rockies.
More Lakes By Banff
If you've got more time to spend in the Canadian Rockies, there are plenty of lakes to keep you busy. Some other great lakes to hike around and marvel at are Bow Lake, Two-Jack Lake, Johnson Lake, Hector Lake, Herbert Lake, and Lake Agnes.
Final Thoughts
Just like Goldilocks, everyone has their own perfect lake in Banff National Park, which gives you an excellent excuse to visit many of the lakes by Banff, to see which one is your favourite. We think you'll agree though that they're all pretty heavenly and it might be difficult to choose between them!