Lakes and Rivers in Banff

Many lakes in Banff National Park have a emerald, turquoise color. It is unique to the glacier-fed lakes in the Rocky Mountains, such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Bow Lake, to name a few. The glaciers have ground the rock into a flour-like substance, which once carried into the lakes reflects the beautiful color. These areas are havens for hikers, adventurers, and other travelers looking for a place to unwind. Many of the lakes have a lot of tourist traffic, particularly Lake Louise, but others are almost completely ignored by the crowds.

One of Canada's cherished views is Moraine Lake with the Valley of Ten Peaks. It is a hikers' and photographers' dream location. The lake is a particularly colorful one, and it is perfectly framed by the mountain peaks with glaciers all around. This is the type of place that people come to just for the beauty. No activity is needed. Just sit back and look.

Lake Louise is also iconic and heavily visited. The Chateau Lake Louise sits right on the banks of the lake, and it is the base for many of the lake-related activities, such as canoeing, dog sledding, horseback riding, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The annual ice carving competition is world-famous.

Lake Minnewanka is very close to the town of Banff, and it gets a lot of visitors to its picnic area and hiking trails. This lake has a lot of attractions, such as boat tours, fishing, mountain biking, and even scuba diving.

Bow Falls, which are just down the hill from the Banff Springs Hotel, is one of Banff's top draws. There are bus loads of tourists taking pictures of the falls every single day. The area around Bow Falls is a great place to stroll about. There's lots of little trails to follow and also little tea houses around there to enjoy.

Moraine Lake

expert pick

P.O. Box 70

Perfect for hiking, photography, and being awe-struck...
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Lake Louise

expert pick

Famous lake with dog sled rides, hikes, and cross-country trails...
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Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake

Recreation area for hiking, biking, fishing, and scuba...
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Kicking Horse River Whitewater Rafting

White Water Rafting...
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Bow Falls

Bow Falls Drive

An easy hike and a great spot for photographs...
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Vermillion Lakes

Top bird-watching spot in Banff National Park...
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Rocky Mountain Raft Tours

Wolf Street
PO Box 1771

Leisurely River Exploration along the Bow...
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Bow Lake

A small lake that's great for hiking and fishing...
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Banff Fishing Unlimited

PO Box 8281

All-season Fishing Outfitters...
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Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls Day Trip from Banff

Day Trips to Banff's top sightseeing spots...
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