Bow Lake is by far one of the easiest lakes near Banff to get to. There’s no 10-minute walk up a trail like at Peyto Lake, and no shuttles to book like at Moraine Lake.
It’s just a simple pull-off from Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway.) In fact, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake are only about a 5-minute drive from each other.
But the water is no less blue! Bow Lake is fed by the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield, which is shared by both Banff and Yoho National Parks.
The silt and sediment that flows in from the glacier reflect the light in the most magical way! Depending on the time of day, the water has all kinds of teal and emerald tones. In the center of Bow Lake is the Crowfoot Mountain.
Overall, Bow Lake is an underrated but very worthwhile pit stop as you travel the Icefields Parkway. It’s a great place to spot grizzly bears, as they love hanging out away from the crowds.
Related: How to Stay Bear Safe when you Visit the Canadian Rockies
Table of Contents
Directions to Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a little further out from the Town of Banff, and is not a stop on Banff’s public transportation routes. To visit, you will need your own vehicle or to book a tour that includes Bow Lake. (See below for recommendations.)
From Lake Louise, Bow Lake is about half an hour away driving North on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). It’s in between Peyto Lake and Hector Lake.
From Jasper, Bow Lake is about an hour’s drive South on the Parkway.
It’s pretty easy to spot – you’ll see a big lake on the side of the highway, and a large cabin with a bright red roof! It’s also worth checking out the Crowfoot Glacier right next to Bow Lake.
Bow Lake Map
Because Bow Lake is located in Banff National Park, you will need a Parks Pass to visit (good for both Banff and Jasper.)
Parking at Bow Lake
There’s a big parking lot at Bow Lake, as well as an overflow parking lot. You can even park along the side of the Highway if you need to.
Bow Lake tends to be a bit less busy than the more famous spots like Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, and many travelers don’t stop here for long. So it’s typically not too hard to find parking here, even in the summer time.
Traveling Without a Vehicle?
Bow Lake is not a stop on Banff’s public transportation routes. If you’re traveling without a vehicle and want to see Bow Lake, here are some tours that include it on their schedule.
They leave from Calgary, so you can fly in and hop on the bus without needing to rent a vehicle.
Washrooms at Bow Lake
Washrooms are located in the parking lot and easy to access. There are also some picnic tables, making Bow Lake a great place to stop for a picnic if you packed a lunch.
Grab a Bite to Eat: the Bow Lake Lodge
The Bow Lake Lodge is a uniquely shaped building with an interesting history, and is worth stopping to look at too! It has a cute little gift shop and café that make it the perfect place to stretch your legs and take a little rest as you travel the Icefields Parkway.
Best Time to Visit Bow Lake
Like most lakes in the Rockies, the best time of year to visit is from around the end of May to mid-October while the water is most visible. In the winter time, the Lake freezes over and the famous blue hues wont be as apparent.
July to mid-August are the best months to visit if you want to see wildflowers blooming here and even along the sides of the Highway. With that said, these are also the busiest (and most expensive!) months so avoid if you don’t like the crowds.
If you love winter activities, there’s still lots to do at Bow Lake in the winter time. It’s a popular spot for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as hiking, fishing, having a picnic and just hanging out during the summer.
Spending the Day at Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a quick rest stop for many people to stretch their legs and use the restrooms. But many visitors and locals could easily spend a day here too. There are several great hikes in this area, and it’s the perfect place to bring your watercraft or have a picnic in the summer. In the winter time, Bow Lake is popular for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Hikes Near Bow Lake
Because there’s no cell service in this area until you get to Lake Louise, your best bet is to download the AllTrails map to your phone to use offline before you head out on your hiking trip. Many of the trails in this area are not super well marked and it can be easy to get turned around.
| Hike Name | Trailhead Location | Trail Length (Round Trip) | Elevation Gain | Time to Complete | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk Around Bow Lake | Bow Lake | 3.5 km | 5 meters | 30 minutes | Easy |
| Chephren Lake | 5 minutes north of Bow Lake | 8.2 km | 254 meters | 2.5 hours | Easy |
| Bow Glacier Falls | Bow Lake | 8.9 km | 240 meters | 2.5 hours | Moderate |
| The Onion | Bow Lake | 17.5 km | 882 meters | 8 hours | Difficult (Scramble) |
| Mount Jimmy Simpson | Bow Lake | 15km | 1125 meters | 5-9 hours | Difficult (Scramble) |
There are many great hikes in this area, with even more options starting from Peyto Lake just down the road.
Boating at Bow Lake
You can canoe, kayak and SUP at Bow Lake. There are no boat rentals at this lake though, so you’ll have to BYOB (bring your own boat!) You’ll also need to fill out a permit.
Because it’s quite open here and not surrounded by mountains, it tends to get very windy! But you’re more likely to have the lake to yourself here, as most visitors rent a canoe at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake.
Fishing at Bow Lake
Fishing is permitted at Bow Lake between July 1st and October 31st.
You will need to buy a permit from one of the visitor centers in Banff, Jasper or Lake Louise. (Note the permit is specific to fishing in the national parks, and must be purchased separately from Alberta’s provincial fishing license.)
Fishing at Bow Lake is catch and release only. Frequently caught species include lake char, rainbow trout and brook trout.
Places to Stay Near Bow Lake
The Bow Lake Lodge
Located right beside the lake, The Bow Lake Lodge (formerly Num-Ti-Jah Lodge) is your most obvious choice for hotels in this area. It’s open for the winter season between February and April, and again for the summer from June to mid-October.
The Lodge is a beautiful, historic log cabin with a bright red roof that you can easily spot from the highway. It was built in 1922 by Jimmy Simpson, a well known mountain guide in the Banff and Lake Louise area.
The Lodge was originally just a small cabin meant to house a few guests – who arrived on horseback from Lake Louise. But in 1937, as Highway 93 from Banff to Jasper was being built, 24 more guest rooms were added that make up the Bow Lake Lodge as it’s known today.
More accommodations can be found in the nearest town, Lake Louise.
Pin this to Your Banff Board!
The Next Stops on Your Banff Road Trip
Heading towards Banff:
- Lake Louise (35 minutes)
- Moraine Lake (35 minutes)
- Morant’s Curve (40 minutes)
- Johnston Canyon (1 hour)
- Castle Mountain (1 hour)
Heading towards Jasper:
- Peyto Lake (5 minutes)
- Mistaya Canyon (15 minutes)
- The Big Bend (40 minutes)
- Athabasca Glacier (1 hour)
- Mount Edith Cavell (2 hours)
