Maligne Lake & Spirit Island: Canada’s Most Photographed Spot (Jasper, Alberta)

Maligne Lake and Spirit Island are two iconic locations in Jasper National Park, Alberta. Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake within the Canadian Rockies. The turquoise waters and rocky peaks surrounding it make it just spectacular to visit, especially in the summer time!

Spirit Island is located about 14km into Maligne Lake. (Despite the name, it’s actually attached to the shore by a small strip of land, making it a peninsula.) It’s only accessible by boat, as there are no trails that lead to it around the Lake.

Together, Maligne Lake and Spirit Island are one of Canada’s most photographed spots! Their beauty has made the pair iconic symbols of Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies. Over one million people visit annually to see these breathtaking places!

Getting to Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is located in Jasper National Park, about 45 kilometers (30 miles) from the town of Jasper in Alberta, Canada.

From Jasper: Head Northeast on Highway 16A (towards Edmonton) until you see the sign for Maligne Lake Road. The turn off isn’t far outside of town – about 5 minutes. Take a right onto Maligne Lake Road and drive the (extremely beautiful and picturesque) route for about an hour until you see the Lake!

There’s another beautiful lake around the halfway point of this drive that’s worth stopping at, called Medicine Lake.

Maligne Lake Map

Parking at Maligne Lake

Even though there are close to 300 parking spaces at Maligne Lake, it can still get pretty crowded during July and August. Your best bet is to arrive early (before 10 a.m.) if you want to make sure there’s parking available.

Avoiding the weekends can help beat the crowds, as well as planning your trip for the less busy months. Maligne Lake is still amazing to see in June or September, when the lake is still thawed out but not as busy.

Bathrooms at Maligne Lake

There are bathrooms in the parking lot when you first arrive at Maligne Lake, as well as in the Boat House. The Maligne Lake Chalet, which houses a restaurant, café, boat rentals, and a gift shop, also provides restroom facilities for visitors.

There are no bathrooms on the tour boat to Spirit Island.

Best Times to Visit Maligne Lake

Being at such a high elevation, Maligne Lake stays frozen from around late October to the middle of June. You wont be able to see the famous turquoise hues while the lake is covered in ice! The boats to Spirit Island are also only operational during these months. With that said, the road to the lake is open all year, so you can visit any time.

Spending the Day at Maligne Lake

It’s easy to spend the day at this beautiful scenic location. You can find lots of different activities to do, and grab a bite to eat at the Boathouse and Chalet.

Take the Spirit Island Boat Cruise

The 14km boat ride to Spirit Island is one of the biggest attractions at Maligne Lake. Reader’s Digest called it the Best Boat Cruise in Canada! You can choose between the shorter cruise (about an hour and a half round trip) or the extended one (two hours) which gives you a little extra time at Spirit Island.

It’s a good idea to book your seats in advance as the boats do have limited capacity and tickets sell out. The boats are fully enclosed in glass and heated, so you’ll be nice and comfy regardless of the season! They’re also wheelchair accessible.

Canoe or Kayak Around Maligne Lake

Another option is to rent (or bring) your own boat and explore the Lake at your own pace. If seeing Spirit Island at sunrise or sunset is important to you, this is pretty much your only option! Taking your own boat also lets you travel further into Maligne Lake than Spirit Island and to visit the Valley of the Gods just beyond it.

Keeping in mind that Spirit Island is 14km from the Boat House, it can take upwards of 4-5 hours to paddle there yourself. If you’re ambitious, you can squeeze a day trip in and be back for the evening if you leave early enough in the morning.

There are also three different back country campsites around Maligne Lake if you’d rather take your time and spend a few days exploring the area (covered below.)

Boats must be human-powered as no personal motor boats are allowed on the Lake. As a matter of safety, remember that Maligne Lake is glacier-fed and the temperatures hover just above freezing, even during the warmer months. It’s typically advised to stick close to the shore and to always wear your life jacket while you’re in the boat (don’t just sit on it!)

Maligne Lake Boat Rentals

You can rent canoes, kayaks, pedal and rowboats at Maligne Lake. Safety equipment like life jackets, whistles and waterproof bags are provided with your rental. It’s best to reserve your boat ahead of time just to make sure it will be available. But they do often have boats available on a first come first serve basis when you arrive.

Camping Near Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake has three backcountry campsites only accessible by canoe. If you want to book a spot, you have to be prepared for when the reservation system opens on February 1st each year. They book out really fast – within an hour or two!

Camping is a great way to see Spirit Island without needing to book a boat tour – that way you can really take your time. They are quite remote and do not have electricity or running water. They do have outhouses, fire pits, bear lockers, and picnic tables.

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The Next Stops on Your Jasper Road Trip

• Medicine Lake (30 mins)
• Maligne Canyon (40 mins)
• Sunwapta Falls (1hr 30 mins)
• Pyramid Mountain (1hr 40 mins)