The lakes in Banff National Park are amazing, picturesque, and one of the main things to see! There are hundreds of lakes in and near Banff and a lot of them are really easy to get to. To visit most lakes, you can typically pull off into the parking lot on the side of the road, or see the lakes as you drive past. Some require a bit more effort to see, and you may need to hike or walk a little bit from the parking lot in order to visit them.
I live 4 hours from Banff National Park and have visited almost all of these lakes myself! The ones I haven’t personally stopped at, I’ve driven past and hope to stop there in the future :).
Please know this website is reader supported and includes some affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!!
Lakes Near Banff
These are all of the lakes that are within driving distance to Banff National Park that you might want to add to your Banff Bucketlist!
1. Moraine Lake
We can’t make a list of lakes in Banff National Park without mentioning the most famous one, Moraine Lake. This is actually one of my favourite lakes to visit, as I think it is so unique and so pretty, I’ve never seen a backdrop like it.
Moraine Lake has canoe rentals, a ton of hikes, a small little restaurant, and a beautiful hotel.
To get to Moraine Lake now, it does take some pre-planning. In the past you could just drive, park, and walk a little distance to the lakeshore.
Now, personal vehicles are not allowed and you have to get there by either:
- Parks Canada Shuttle Bus (book in advance)
- A Private Shuttle Company like Moraine Lake Bus Company
- ROAM Transit Bus (Book in advance)
- On a stop on a tour like this one that stops at Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, & Johnston Canyon
- Hiking or biking up yourself
If you like watching Youtube, check out my videos on How to Get to Moraine Lake, Tips for Booking the Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake, and Moraine Lake Tips!
Moraine Lake is only open during the summer season, usually from June 1 – mid-October (Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend). Visiting Moraine Lake in the winter is usually not recommended as it is in an avalanche zone. You can cross-country ski up the road, although the tracks stop before you reach the lakeshore.
2. Lake Louise
Super close to Moraine Lake and another super popular lake to visit is Lake Louise!
At Lake Louise you can rent canoes, do various hikes, have lunch at the Fairmont Chateau, and enjoy the scenery.
As of 2026, you can still drive to the Lake Louise Lakeshore, however they have upped the price of parking again. For Summer 2026 (May-October), the cost to park is $42.00. Unfortunately there is no option to pay hourly, you must pay for the whole day.
Parking at Lake Louise can also be very difficult, as it is very popular and the spots fill up super fast!
If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can normally combine your visit to Lake Louise with your visit to Moraine Lake when you book one of the above options for getting to Moraine Lake. They are super close together and if you aren’t doing any major hikes, like the Big Beehive Hike, I would recommend this!
You might also be interested in my Youtube Video where I share Lake Louise Tips!
3. Lake Agnes
This lake requires some hiking to get to as it is higher up in the mountain, but still so beautiful!
The trailhead for Lake Agnes starts at Lake Louise, and most people make the hike up to Lake Agnes to visit the Teahouse there.
The Lake Agnes Teahouse usually serves soups, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. Make sure to bring cash if you’re visiting, as the wifi and debit machines don’t always work up in the mountain. Also be prepared to wait in line cause it gets super busy!
4. Johnson Lake
This lake is super close to Downtown Banff and ROAM Transit Route 6 runs to this lake usually from May – October if you are travelling Banff without a car.
Johnson Lake is a popular spot for swimming near Banff, because there is a tiny sand beach, picnic tables, and beautiful views. I personally like to bring my Stand Up Paddleboard here as well. If you’re interested in a little hike, the Johnson Lake Loop is an easy Banff hike that is still super pretty.
5. Lake Minnewanka
Also accessible by ROAM Transit Route 6 from mid-May to early-October is Lake Minnewanka. This is Banff’s longest and largest lake in the National Park, which makes it a great spot to add to your Banff itinerary.
There is a lot to do at Lake Minnewanka, including snacks and icecream at the Black Anchor snack shop, a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise, hiking, picnic tables and canoe rentals.
You can choose to spend as much or as little time here as you want, depending on what you’re interested in doing!
6. Two Jack Lake
Super close by to Lake Minnewanka and Johnson Lake is Two Jack Lake. This is also a stop on the ROAM Transit Route 6 bus and is a great place for photos and/or a picnic. If you have a Stand Up Paddleboard this can also be a nice spot to bring that as well!
The parking lot at Two Jack Lake isn’t very big, so you might have to loop back if you’re visiting during a busy part of the day.
7. Vermillion Lakes
The Vermillion Lakes are very close to Downtown Banff which makes it a nice easy stop if you’re looking for something to do nearby the town or a late evening bike ride.
You can see the lakes from above at the viewpoint just off of Highway 1, or you can take a drive, bike ride, or walk on Vermillion Lakes Road to see them up close. There are also 3 docks along the lakes that you could sit at and admire the views of Mt Rundle in the background.
On Vermillion Lakes Road there isn’t much parking and it’s more recommended to bike ride the road, unless it’s early morning or late evening. You can also park at the Fenlands Trailhead and walk a bit of the path to get to Vermillion Lakes too.
I’ve visited this spot a few times and have seen elk along the road so be careful!
8. Herbert Lake
Herbert Lake is located on the Icefields Parkway near Banff and is usually not a very popular spot to visit. It is a nice lake and great for a picnic, photos, or a short walk, but a lot of visitors don’t tend to spend a lot of time here.
If you’re looking for a quieter lake to visit or enjoy, Herbert Lake could be worth checking out!
9. Hector Lake
Hector Lake is a lake that most people admire from the roadside viewpoint along the Icefields Parkway. It is a quick stop to see this beautiful lake that makes for amazing photos! If you wanted to get closer to the lake though, there is a hike that takes you down to the shoreline.
Make sure to check AllTrails for any trail closures or warnings before heading out for the day. There isn’t much for cell service or data on the Icefields Parkway so you most likely won’t be able to look things up once you arrive.
10. Bow Lake
Also on the Icefields Parkway, Bow Lake is a beautiful stop that is quite popular among visitors. A lot of photographers also bring their clients here because it is so picturesque!
The parking lot here isn’t huge, so as always it is recommended to come early or late in the evening if possible.
At Bow Lake, there are picnic sites and a pretty hotel with a coffee shop inside. Most people just stop to take photos and have a snack, but you can also bring your SUP here if you wanted to. There is also a popular hike that leaves from Bow Lake, called Bow Glacier Falls.
11. Peyto Lake
Visiting Peyto Lake is on everyone’s radar when they are coming to Banff because it is such a unique view.
The lake itself is in the shape of a wolf and you view the lake from above, which makes it perfect for photos. This spot gets super busy and the parking does fill up. It is only a few minutes from Bow Lake, so it’s nice to couple these spots together if you can.
There is a small hike up to the Peyto Lake viewpoint, and there are other hikes in the area to get different views of the lake. If you are exploring some of the trails, make sure to stay on trail, respect the “no walking” signs, and be prepared with all of the essentials for hiking in Banff (e.g., bear spray and knowing how to use it).
12. Waterfowl Lakes
A bit further down from Peyto Lake on the Icefields Parkway is Waterfowl Lakes.
You can see these lakes from the roadside turnout as you pass by, or there is the Waterfowl Lakes Campground which makes seeing these lakes even easier. This is also a popular spot to bring your SUP, especially if you are spending some time on the Parkway.
13. Chephren Lake
A hike that isn’t as popular as some of the other hikes in Banff, the trailhead is located at the Waterfowl Lakes Campground. Most can do the hike to Chephren Lake in around 1-1.5 hours with only 115m of elevation gain.
This is a nice option if you are camping in the area, or looking for a lesser visited lake and have time to hike. Make sure you look up conditions before setting out, because sometimes it can get pretty muddy or part of the trail can be flooded. There is no service in this area so look it up before getting to the Icefields Parkway!
14. Abraham Lake
Abraham Lake is a super pretty, turquoise lake near Banff, a little bit off of the Icefields Parkway. This one is definitely the furthest lake on this list, but I thought it would be worth mentioning, depending on your route and where you’re staying. Sometimes when I drive from Edmonton to Banff, I take the route that goes past Abraham Lake so that I can get to the Icefields Parkway faster, or explore some of the David Thompson area which also offers great hiking outside of the National Park.
This is also a great spot for camping, and just a beautiful place to be.
Abraham Lake is also a popular spot to visit in the winter time, because of the bubbles that get trapped in the ice, making it look super cool!
15. Quarry Lake
Just outside of Canmore, which is a town super close to Banff, Quarry Lake is a great spot to spend a hot summers day swimming, especially if you have kids. It isn’t the picturesque turquoise lakes that Banff is known for, because this one isn’t glacier fed. This means it’s not as cold, especially as the sun warms it up throughout the day, and like I said, perfect for swimming near Banff!
16. Grassi Lakes
To see the Grassi Lakes requires a bit of hiking. This is known as typically a family friendly hike, because there isn’t as much elevation gain and it is generally easy. The Grassi Lakes are a beautiful turquoise-green colour, and are best for photos instead of swimming.
If you’re looking for a nice easy hike in the Canmore area near Banff, this is a great and popular option for a reason!
17. Lake O’Hara
This lake is located just over the provincial border in British Columbia and Yoho National Park, although it is just a few minutes from the border of Banff.
This is one of the prettiest places I’ve been in the Canadian Rockies, and it is described as a hiker’s paradise because of how stunning it is. There are multiple day hike trails that leave from Lake O’Hara, and the views are just amazing.
The trouble is, the only way to get to Lake O’Hara is by reserving a spot on the shuttle bus or at the campground, which is incredibly difficult to do. You can also book a stay at the Lake O’Hara Lodge (a bit pricey!) or hike the fire road in, however it is a lengthy hike and once you arrive to the area, you then would start doing the day hikes, which can make for a very long and tiring day.
Parks Canada limits the amount of people who can visit Lake O’Hara each day, which is why it’s so difficult to visit, but also the reason it is so amazing. If you’re interested in visiting Lake O’Hara, check out my Youtube Video Lake O’Hara Guide on it or my blog post on How to Visit Lake O’Hara.
18. Emerald Lake
Also in Yoho National Park in BC, this lake is stunning and not that far from Banff. A lot of visitors to Banff also make the trip to this lake because it is also just so pretty!
The unique thing about Emerald Lake is the Emerald Lake Lodge sites basically in the middle of the lake, making it a beautiful backdrop for photos. The lake itself is also a beautiful turquoise-green colour. This is a great stop for a small hike around the lakeshore, or if you have a Stand Up Paddleboard or want to rent a canoe.
Just a heads up, Emerald Lake can get incredibly busy, and the road in and out can get pretty tight as cars park along it. Some people recommend going here instead of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to avoid the crowds, however, each time I’ve gone, it’s been pretty crazy too.
Final Thoughts
There are so many amazing lakes by Banff to visit. Some are that beautiful gatorade blue, others not so much, but still beautiful in their own way!
Definitely make sure to plan time to visit at least some of these lakes during your trip to Banff, and make sure your camera is charged up.
Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake, Vermillion Lakes, and Lake Minnewanka are all super close to Downtown Banff, that they can all be visited in the same day or even the same afternoon if you keep an eye on the time.
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are so beautiful and popular for a reason, I think they’re worth the headache of planning your transportation there and dedicating some of your Banff itinerary to visiting them.
If you have a car, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever done, and Peyto Lake and Bow Lake are worth the stop. If you can only choose one, I would choose Peyto Lake over Bow Lake.
The other lakes in the list are also amazing, and can be worked into your itinerary if you’re in the area and you have the time!
Hopefully this post on Banff’s Lakes was helpful in your trip planning! Follow me on Instagram and Subscribe on Youtube if you’re interested in following along or looking for more travel inspiration.
Save This Post!
Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
