Sadhya If you’ve ever taken a drive along the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff National Park, you’ve probably spotted the Bow Lake. It’s hard to miss its stunning turquoise-blue color, like a beautiful ribbon winding through the landscape.
Bow Lake is a lovely spot in the Canadian Rockies, not far from Lake Louise. It’s surrounded by big mountains and glaciers. In the morning, when the water is calm, you can see Crowford Mountain’s reflection in the lake.
You can stop by Bow Lake for a little bit while driving along the Icefield Parkway or spend a whole day there. You can do fun stuff like kayaking or canoeing, and hiking. It sits at a higher elevation, about 6,300 feet up, on the Bow River. It gets its water from the Bow Glacier, which is part of the big Wapta Icefield shared by Banff and Yoho National Parks.
It’s a great spot for a picnic, with benches by the lake. You can eat and enjoy the amazing views of the mountains.
How Does Bow Lake Get the Vivid Blue Color?
When glaciers melt, they rub against rocks in valleys, making them grind down. This creates a kind of dust made of tiny grains called glacial flour. Because these grains are so small, they stay floating in the water instead of sinking to the bottom.
The amazing blue color of Bow lakes happens when sunlight hits this rock flour. Lakes with smaller rock flour grains look even bluer because more light reflects off them than off bigger grains.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bow Lake is from June to September. During these months, you can see the lake’s beautiful turquoise water and lots of wildflowers all around.
In the daytime, there are more people at the lake, and it can be hard to find a parking spot. If you want fewer crowds and great lighting for pictures, try to come early or in the morning. Evenings are special too, with amazing sunsets and a peaceful atmosphere.
In winter, Bow Lake is perfect for snowshoeing or skiing. The lake is covered in snow, so you won’t see the bright blue color, but the mountains around are still stunning.
Getting here to Bow Lake
You can find the google map here.
To get to Bow Lake, you’ll need to travel along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Here are the general directions:
- From Banff: If you’re starting from the town of Banff, head northwest on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) towards Lake Louise.
- Merge onto Icefields Parkway: After driving for approximately 57 kilometers (35 miles) from Banff, you’ll reach the junction where you’ll merge onto the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) towards Jasper.
- Continue on Icefields Parkway: Stay on the Icefields Parkway for about 37 kilometers (23 miles) until you reach Bow Lake. It’ll be on your left-hand side if you’re heading north.
- Arriving at Bow Lake: Look for signs indicating the Bow Lake parking area. There, you’ll find parking facilities and access to the lake and surrounding trails.
Things To Do at Bow Lake
At Bow Lake, there are several popular trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes. Some of the most popular trails include:
- Bow Glacier Falls Trail: This moderate hike takes you along the shores of Bow Lake and then up to the stunning Bow Glacier Falls. The trail offers spectacular views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.
- Bow Lake Loop Trail: This easy trail circles around Bow Lake, offering beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It’s a great option for a leisurely stroll or a family-friendly hike.
These trails vary in difficulty and length, providing options for hikers of all abilities to explore the beauty of Bow Lake and its surroundings.
Where To Stay around Bow Lake
Bow Lake Lodge ($$$) is the closest place to stay on the lake. If you like camping there are campgrounds nearby. Also, there are hotels available in the area at Lake Louise, Paradise Hotels and Bungalows is one of them to check out.
Mosquito Creek Hostel
Mosquito Creek Hostel offers a cozy place to stay in Banff National Park, Canada. With dormitory-style accommodations, it provides a budget-friendly option for travelers. Guests can relax in the common areas, which include a kitchen for preparing meals and a lounge for socializing. Mosquito Creek is nearby, providing opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking. The hostel is located about 24 kilometers (around 15 miles) from Bow Lake.
Mosquito Creek Campground
Mosquito Creek Campground is a scenic camping spot located along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It has around 32 campsites, so it’s not too crowded. The hostel is located about 24 kilometers (around 15 miles) from Bow Lake. Situated amidst towering trees and surrounded by stunning mountain views, the campground offers a tranquil retreat for nature lovers. It features tent and RV campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, providing a comfortable outdoor experience.
Waterfowl Lake Campground
Waterfowl Lake Campground is a nice place to camp in Banff National Park, Canada. It has around 116 campsites, so there’s plenty of room for everyone. It’s about 17 kilometers (around 10 miles) from Bow Lake, so you can easily visit both spots if you’re exploring the area. It’s surrounded by big mountains and pretty forests, giving you a real nature vibe. You can set up your tent or park your RV at the campsites, which have picnic tables and fire pits for cooking.
Near By Attractions
If you have time, you can also visit Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, which is only 8 kilometers away. It’s another beautiful glacier-fed lake and is considered one of the best in Banff National Park.
There are lots of glaciers nearby, like the Vulture, Bow, Peyto, and Yoho Glaciers. If you’re into skiing, you can try the Wapta Traverse, a famous 40-kilometre ski tour between huts.
How To Plan Your Trip to Bow Lake
Accommodation: We love using Booking.com to find hotels. You can find deals on hotels, apartments, resorts, and villas in 80,000 places around the world.
Tours & Activities: Make your trip even better with amazing tours and activities from Get Your Guide , Tripadvisor and Viator.
Car Rentals: Discover Cars is a great website for comparing car prices and finding awesome deals. Book online to get the best rates.
Flights: We love using Trip.com to find airline tickets. You can compare millions of flights and find the best prices for both standard and budget flights.
Hop On Hop Off: Explore Banff National Park at your speed with a ticket for the Hop-On bus. Get your ticket early to ensure a spot on the shuttle that goes to different cool places in the park.
Our Favourite Activities and Tours in Banff
- Banff Gondola Ride Admission : Explore on top of Sulphur Mountain
- Banff Hop On Hop Off Bus
- Lake Minnewanka Cruise: Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful lake.
- Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks
- Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Guided Tours
FAQs
Yes, you can swim in Bow Lake. However, the water in Bow Lake comes from glaciers, which means it’s extremely cold, even in the summer months.
There are picnic benches along the shoreline where visitors can enjoy their meals while taking in the scenic views. The restrooms are in the parking area. At Bow Lake Lodge Café, you can get light snacks and fresh baked goods every day.
The big mountain you see above Bow Lake is called Crowfoot Mountain. When the water is calm, you can see its reflection in the lake. The Crowfoot Glacier is on the northeast side of the mountain.
They named Crowfoot Mountain in 1959 because the Crowfoot Glacier used to look like a crow’s foot. But now, the glacier has shrunk, and only a little bit of the crow’s foot shape is left.
At Bow Lake, there are two places where you can park your car.
The first one is a small area right off the Icefields Parkway. It’s just a quick stop for about 5 to 10 minutes. From there, you can see Crowfoot Mountain and Bow Peak. It’s mainly for taking a fast photo and then moving on.
The other parking area is near Num Ti Jah Lodge. There’s space for about 100 cars there. Parking is free at Bow Lake, but you’ll need a Parks Canada pass to visit Banff National Park.
At Bow Lake, there aren’t any visitor centers. But there are good bathrooms at the parking lot close to Num Ti Jah Lodge. You can have a great picnic by the lake. In the summer, there’s a small café called The Paintbrush Gallery with snacks and coffee. But it’s a good idea to get snacks in Banff or Lake Louise Village before driving on the Icefield Parkway. After that, your next chance for food is at the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
