9 Gorgeous Lakes That are Alternatives to Lake Louise

The Canadian Rockies are blessed with an abundance of lakes that are sure to take your breath away. While Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are surely the crown jewels, they are very popular during peak times. There are plenty of other lakes to check out on your visit to Banff and Lake Louise, and if you visit at the right time you may even have them to yourself.

Canada has more lakes than any other country on earth, so make the most of your time here and add these Banff National Park lakes to your itinerary.

Bow Lake

Bow Lake is a brilliant gem along the Icefields Parkway and one of the park’s largest lakes. The impressive rock walls, hanging glaciers, and roaring waterfalls around the lake add to its grandeur. It’s a great spot for a canoe, picnic, or hike as the nearby Bow Falls is one of the best hikes in the park.

From the shore, you have terrific views of the Bow Glacier that feeds the lake in the summer months and is the Bow River source. That same river serves as a notable feature throughout much of the park, moving through Banff and onto Calgary before it ends in Southern Alberta, where it joins the Saskatchewan River.

Local's Tip: A guided sightseeing tour is the perfect way to explore this beautiful lake and other magnificent sites along the Icefield Parkway.

Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake has long been a favourite for locals, due to the warm waters that allow for swimming. It's a lovely lake that's a short drive from Banff town and is possible to reach by public transport.

Not only is it great for a swim, but it makes for a beautiful morning or evening walk around the short, three-kilometre lakeshore trail. Johnson is also not as wind-affected as nearby Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, making it a great paddleboard spot.

You can rent a paddleboard in Banff before heading out at the SkigBig3 Adventure Hub, Bow Valley SUP, or Black Diamond Adventures.

Local's Tip: The parking lot can fill up early, so to avoid disappointment, take Roam Transit Route 6 from Banff to Johnson Lake, which also stops by Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka for a small fare.

Waterfowl Lakes and Chephren Lake

Waterfowl Lakes

The Waterfowl Lakes are two peaceful lakes in the park that see a fraction of the visitors you'll see the other lakes on this list. They're also very conveniently on either side of the Waterfowl Lakes Campground, an excellent campsite in the park. The two lakes are glacial and have the classic blue color that radiates on a sunny day. Combine this with the hike to Chephren Lake, as the lakes are the starting point for the trek.

Local's Tip: Visit this lake on a nice still day to get perfect mirror reflections of the surrounding mountains.

Chephren Lake

Start from near Waterfowl Lakes, you head across the river and hten up a beautiful winding forest path. A hike up to Chephren Lake ensures a quiet experience with a glacial lake just as brilliant as the more famed lakes in the park. Chephren Lake can only be reached by foot, but it's a pretty straightforward hike with little elevation gain that's easy enough for almost all to visit. Once you arrive at the sparkling blue waters, stand in awe of the imposing Howse Peak and Mount Chephren, which flank the lake.

Herbert Lake

Herbert is often overlooked on the Icefields Parkway as you pass it not long after the gates. Its location and more famous neighbours mean the lake remains pretty quiet throughout the summer. It's a gorgeous lake with stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. If you're brave enough to jump in the water on a warm day, keep an eye out for the diving board.

Helen Lake

The trail to Helen Lake takes hikers through one of the best alpine meadows nestled in the Main Range in the Canadian Rockies. It's a breathtaking valley filled with marmots and wildflowers that offers spectacular views to the south of Mount Hector. At the end of the meadow, you'll find Helen Lake nestled below a massive headwall that leads up to Dolomite Pass. Scramblers can continue on to summit Cirque Peak if they are in the mood for more incredible views.

Peyto Lake

If you are after bright turquoise-blue water, then make sure to add Peyto Lake to your bucket list. Roughly 35 minutes away from Lake Louise, this iconic lake is situated along the scenic Icefield Parkway, amongst other beautiful photo-worthy stops.

A short 700-meter walk will take you to a viewpoint to get the best view of this vibrant blue lake. If you don't have a car, no worries! A few tour companies, such as Radventures and Brewster Sightseeing, stop by Peyto Lake along their tour of the Icefield Parkway.

Local's Tip: If you don't mind an early rise or a late evening, Peyto Lake provides picture-perfect sunrise and sunset views you won't want to miss.

Rock Isle Lake

Only accessible during the summer, Rock Isle Lake is a hidden gem found in Sunshine Meadows.

By taking the gondola at the Banff Sunshine Ski Resort, this picture-perfect lake is surrounded by vibrant wildflowers and photo-worthy mountaintops. You can either hike along the meadow trails for an up-close view of the lake or take the Standish Chairlift (included in the ticket) for panoramic views of Rock Isle Lake, Grizzly Lake, and Laryx Lake.

Take the free shuttle service from Banff provided by Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort and spend your time admiring the views rather than the traffic.

Local's Tip: Visit around the end of July or the start of August to experience peak wildflower season!

Boom Lake

Boom Lake should be added to your bucket list if you are after a nice hike with a beautiful alpine lake as the end reward. The trail is roughly 5 km one way and has an elevation gain of 175 meters. This quieter forest trail is a great option to experience a classic Canadian Rockies lake with brilliant mountain views.

This is a popular hike on hot days due to its shade for the entire hike. So make sure you get there early to ensure you can find a parking spot.

Local's Tip: Look for wildflowers during the summer, and if you dare to embrace the cold, take a refreshing dip in the lake once you reach it. This makes it the perfect summer hike.