Peyto lake is a glacier-fed lake located on the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada. I live around 4 hours from the Canadian Rockies and have visited Peyto Lake 4 times over the years during my adventures in Banff National Park! This is your guide and everything you need to know about visiting Peyto Lake.
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Peyto Lake: Everything You Need to Know
This wolf-shaped lake is named after a mountain guide, Bill Peyto, and is one of the most popular lakes in the Banff National Park (besides Lake Louise and Moraine Lake of course!). But, unlike other lakes in the Rockies, Peyto Lake is a viewpoint instead of being enjoyed on the lakeshore.
If you’re feeling up for it though, you can hike down the lakeshore. Although, once you’re down there it seems like every other lake in the Rockies and your time is probably better spent at other lakes! Especially if you’re short on time while visiting Banff.
Where is Peyto Lake?
Peyto Lake is located on Alberta’s most scenic highway – the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). This is the highway that connects Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper. It is just over a 2 hour drive from Jasper, an hour drive from Banff, and 35 minutes from Lake Louise.
Is Peyto Lake Open yet?
Yes, Peyto Lake is now open! From April 2020 to August 2020 Peyto Lake was closed in order to perform maintenance and upgrades on the infrastructure in the area. It is now open and you can visit whenever you want since it is open year-round!
How to Get to Peyto Lake
To get to Peyto Lake from Banff or Lake Louise, get onto Highway 1 towards Jasper and then exit onto Highway 93 North. Keep driving until you see the sign for Bow Summit. This is the sign for Peyto Lake!
To get to Peyto Lake from Jasper, get onto Highway 93 South and continue driving until you see a sign for Peyto Lake/Bow Summit. In the Town of Jasper, Connaught Drive West turns into Highway 93 South.
Parking
There is quite a large parking lot here, although it can fill up during peak times. Regular cars park in the lower lot and there are RV spots, accessible spots, and spots for tour buses in the upper lot. Just be sure to follow the signs on where to go!
Public Transportation
Unfortunately, there is no method of public transportation to get to Peyto Lake or anywhere on the Icefields Parkway.
Tours to Peyto Lake
If you’re visiting Banff or Jasper without a car, you can still visit Peyto Lake by signing up for a tour! Please know that most tours include the lake as a stop on a larger tour of the Icefields Parkway, so you’ll be able to see multiple places depending on what you choose.
- Banff round trip tour of the Icefields Parkway with Radventures: stopping at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, and the Weeping Wall.
- Columbia Icefields 1 Day Adventure from Calgary or Banff with Calgary Tours: A full day tour stopping at Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, Peyto Lake, and a view of the Crowfoot Glacier.
How Long is the Peyto Lake Trail from the Parking Lot
The distance from the parking lot to the main viewpoint is about 0.7 km in one direction (1.3km round trip) and takes most people around 15 minutes to get to the viewing platform. It’s a paved trail to the main viewing platform, meaning it is wheelchair and stroller accessible!
This is where most visitors stop, but you can follow the trail to the right and find a second viewpoint. This trail is not paved, and takes a little bit of exploring to find, but sometimes there are less crowds at this second view!
Peyto Lake Facilities
Because Peyto Lake is a main stop on everyone’s Banff Bucket List, there are quite a few facilities here for visitors.
The facilities here include:
- A large parking lot: Although the lot is large, it still does fill up. Come early in the morning or later in the evening to try and avoid crowds. The lower parking lot is for cars and normal vehicles, whereas the upper parking lot is for tour busses and there are some accessible stalls as well.
- Toilets at the Lower Lot and a few at Upper Lot: There are 4 toilets at the lower lot and 2 toilets at the upper lot if you need to use the bathroom while visiting.
- Paved pathway: There is a paved path to the main viewing platform that is wheelchair and stroller accessible. It also makes it easier for hiking!
The Best Time to Visit Peyto Lake
Late Spring and Summer are the best times to visit Peyto Lake. In the late Spring the snow will hopefully be all melted off the pathway to the viewing point, but still have snow hanging around on the mountains. In the summertime, the lake will be super blue and incredibly picturesque!
During the fall, there are not a lot of yellow colours in the Peyto Lake area. But, if you visit after the first snowfall, the lake will still be super blue and the mountains will be dusted in snow. This can be a beautiful time to visit!
When visiting in the winter, the lake will be frozen and probably covered in snow. It will also be chilly outside and the road in might be icy. Although it’s still beautiful in the winter, make sure to drive there with care.
How Long to Spend at Peyto Lake
You don’t need to spend a ton of time here. The main thing to do is to go to the viewing platform, absorb the incredible views, take a few photos and then continue to your next stop on the Icefields Parkway. Around 45 minutes should be a good amount of time to budget if this is what you’re interested in.
Otherwise, you can budget some extra time to hike looking for other views, or spend a long time trying to get the perfect photo!
Why is Peyto Lake so Blue?
Peyto Lake, and the other electric blue lakes in the Canadian Rockies, are so blue because they are fed by glaciers! This lake is fed by the Peyto Glacier, which as it slowly moves, it carves up rocks and creates a dust/rock flour. This glacial rock flour enters into the lakes and settles at the bottom. It then reflects the sunlight and makes Peyto Lake look super blue!
How to Avoid the Crowds
In order to avoid the crowds here, make sure to visit during non-peak hours. This means visiting at either sunrise or sunset and trying to visit on a weekday. This lake is especially busy during the summer months and on summer weekends.
In the winter, it is still quite popular but you will see fewer crowds during this time!
What to do at Peyto Lake
Viewpoint + Photography
The main attraction here is the viewpoint and admiring Peyto Lake and the surrounding landscape. For the best photos, try to visit during golden hour in the early morning or late evening. This will also help you to avoid crowds too.
Backcountry Ski
If you have a set of skis, this is supposed to be a good spot to go! To be transparent, I have never skied here. But, if you’re well equipped and interested, Bow Summit and Observation Peak are where you can ski at Peyto Lake.
Swim, Fish, SUP
Water activities at Peyto Lake require you to hike down to the shore of the lake. You can swim in the lake, but it will probably be very cold since it is glacial fed! You are also permitted to fish in the Lake, just be sure to buy a fishing license in advance. There is no cell phone reception at Peyto Lake so you’ll need to prepare for this beforehand.
You can also bring your SUP, but be prepared to carry it on your back to the lakeshore, since it will require a bit of hiking to get there! If you want to SUP but don’t want to hike to the lakeshore, Johnson Lake is a great option because it’s a short walk from the parking lot to the lakeshore.
Hikes At and Near Peyto Lake
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is incredibly popular, because it is absolutely stunning! And, there are some great hikes nearby that you can add to your Banff itinerary.
- Peyto Lake Viewpoint: I wanted to add this one first because it is technically a hike at Peyto Lake. This is the hike to the lake lookout! It is a 1.3km, out and back trail, with around 78m of elevation gain.
- Bow Summit: This hike leaves from the Peyto Lake parking lot/the main viewing platform, and gives a higher view of the lake and surrounding valley. You can also see Bow Lake from the top as well. The trail isn’t super well marked, but on a busy day you can usually ask other hikers for directions. It is about 6.8km, out and back, with 300m of elevation gain.
- Mistaya Canyon: I mentioned the Mistaya Canyon hike earlier in this post, but wanted to mention it again in case you’re planning your itinerary and missed it. This is a short, out and back hike on the Icefields Parkway that takes around 30 minutes to visit. Stop here on your way from Jasper to Peyto Lake or vice versa!
- Bow Glacier Falls: Another hike that is nearby is the hike to Bow Glacier Falls. It starts at Bow Lake, about a 5 minute drive South from Peyto Lake. This hike is 8.9km, out and back, with 282m of elevation gain. It’s a pretty hike to a pretty waterfall and great for beginner hikers! It takes most people around 3 hours to complete!
- Chephren Lake: The last hike in the area I wanted to mention is Chephren Lake, which is about 12 minutes North of Peyto Lake. It’s another great hike for beginners, but this one ends at a lake instead of a waterfall. It is 8.2km, out and back, with 254m of elevation gain. It takes most people just under 2.5 hours to complete!
Two difficult hikes in the area, that I’ve never done, are Observation Peak and Caldron Peak. If you are an experienced hiker then you can look into these 2 hikes if you’re interested.
Can you Hike Down to Peyto Lake?
Technically, yes you can! There is a small trail that will take you down to the lakeshore, however, it is a bit of a trek and once you’re down there, it looks like any other lake in Banff. I wouldn’t recommend hiking down unless you have absolutely nothing else to do – which probably isn’t the case since there are so many things to do in Banff!
Other Things to do Nearby
- As you self drive the Icefields Parkway, it can be fun to listen to this audio guide and learn about everything you’re seeing!
- Bow Lake: Around 6 minutes away is Bow Lake. This is another great option if you want to SUP but don’t want to hike in. Or you can explore the lakeshore and take photos here!
- Mistaya Canyon: A small hike with a pretty viewpoint, this is another stop on the Icefields Parkway that is about a 20 minutes North of Peyto. Make a quick stop here if you’re driving the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Peyto!
- Abraham Ice Bubbles in the winter: This stop is a little bit out of the way, but I still wanted to mention it because it’s super cool! There is a lake called Abraham Lake that is around a 45 minute drive from Peyto Lake, and in the winter it freezes over with little air bubbles trapped beneath the surface. It makes the lake look bubbly and if you have some extra time, it’s a cool detour to make! In the summer, the lake is a stunning blue colour. There are also some great hikes in the area as well, like Siffleur Falls trail.
- Continue on to Yoho National Park: If you have a nice amount of time to explore the Rockies, consider adding Yoho National Park to your itinerary! This park borders Banff, and has even more amazing sites like Emerald Lake, Lake O’Hara, and Takakkaw Falls.
Where to Stay Near Peyto Lake
In order to visit this amazing spot, you don’t need to stay nearby. It can easily be a stop on a road trip between Banff and Jasper National Park. Or, you can visit a few stops along the Icefields Parkway without driving the entire highway, and make Peyto Lake one of these stops.
But, if you’re wanting to be one of the first ones there in the morning, or visit late in the evening, it can be nice to stay nearby!
Campgrounds Near Peyto Lake
The closest campground to Peyto Lake is Silverhorn Creek Campground, which is around 7 minutes away. You can book a site here in advance at Parks Canada Reservation System, which typically opens up in late January or February for the upcoming summer. If there is nothing available when booking, then keep an eye out for cancellations leading up to your trip!
Or, you can try to get a First Come First Serve spot at Mosquito Creek Campground or Waterfowl Lakes Campground, which are also nearby.
Hotels and Hostels
The closest hotel to Peyto Lake is the Lodge at Bow Lake, which is around 5 minutes away by car. Another place to stay nearby is the Crossing Resort, which is about a 24 minute drive from the lake’s parking lot and is located on the center of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93).
There is also a hostel closeby, the HI Mosquito Creek Hostel if you’re traveling Banff on a Budget and looking for a cheaper accommodation option. The hostel is around a 12 minute drive away.
Peyto Lake in the Winter
Visiting in the winter is absolutely magical because everything is covered in snow; the mountain tops, the trees, and the lake have a different look to them when they are dusted in white and it is absolutely stunning!
When visiting Peyto in the winter, make sure to research road conditions before leaving. Vehicles on the Icefields Parkway require tire chains during part of the winter, and winter tires are also mandatory. Road conditions can be icy depending on the day as well. If you are not a strong winter driver, be careful before setting out (keep in mind there is no cell phone reception on the Parkway either). Make sure to budget more time as well, because driving may take you longer.
Winter in the Rockies is also cold, make sure to bundle up and be prepared for changing weather conditions!
Before hiking Peyto Lake in the winter, it is also a good idea to check any recent reviews on AllTrails.com. There is a small hike uphill to the viewpoint, and if the trail is icy, crampons on your shoes would be super beneficial for hiking.
Other Peyto Lake Tips
- There is no cell phone reception or data on the Icefields Parkway. Make sure you have your google maps downloaded to work offline, and anything else you might need for the day!
- Try to visit outside of peak times to avoid the crowds (and a full parking lot!).
- If you’re interested in exploring the area, make sure to budget some extra time to explore the trails that leave from the panorama viewing platform.
- Gas stations along Highway 93 are limited and typically more expensive. At the time of writing (updated March 2024), there is only one gas station on the Icefields Parkway, near Saskatchewan Crossing (at the Crossing Hotel). Make sure you have enough gas to last your day!
Frequently Asked Questions + Summary
Yes, Peyto Lake is definitely worth seeing! Everyone I talk to says that this is their favourite lake in the Rockies after visiting.
Yes, because the lake is located in Banff National Park, you will need a Canadian National Parks Pass to visit.
Yes! The trail to the viewpoint is paved which means that it is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
No, there is no cell reception on the majority of the Icefields Parkway or at the lake.
Yes, dogs can visit Peyto Lake but must be kept on a leash!
Technically, you can go down to the lakeshore. However it is a hike down and not very popular, because once you’re at the lakeshore it is similar to all of the other Rockies lakes.
Peyto Lake is around a 35 minute drive from Lake Louise, they are quite close by each other.
Final Thoughts!
Peyto Lake is one of the prettiest viewpoints in the Canadian Rockies, and should not be missed on your trip – especially if it’s your first time in the Rockies!
It is a great stop to make if you’re driving between Banff and Jasper, or it’s a great stop to work into your trip in just Banff National Park.
Remember that there is no cell service on Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway), so be sure to prepare in advance and download anything you may need in advance. Also be prepared if you’re visiting in the winter, and check road conditions before setting out.
Plan for some extra time if you’re hoping to do one of the hikes in the area, and bring enough food and water for your trip! Be sure you have enough gas as well, because it is limited on the Highway.
And don’t forget to bring a charged camera or phone to take pictures!
Hopefully this guide helped you plan your trip!
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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.
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