Canada is home to some vast forests, mountains, rivers and lakes – and if you’ve explored Canada like I have, you would know that it is breathtaking. I find myself wishing to revisit Canada just for the beautiful attractions, such as its lakes. I live in Vancouver, and so that’s perhaps why some of the most beautiful lakes that I visited were in Alberta or British Columbia, two of the most popular places to live in Canada. But with that being said, I do think Western Canada has some of the best lakes in the country – and I will tell you why.

1. Lake Louise in Alberta

Lake Louise is located within the Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, very near the town of Banff. It took me only 40 minutes to get there. Lake Louise is a glacial lake, and around a million visitors visit it every year just to enjoy its beauty. Millions of tourists visit it, and it’s one of the prettiest lakes you would ever find (perhaps only second to Moraine Lake).

The lake is surrounded by vast mountains and a village called Lake Louise Village, which is also a very famous spot to hang out. I found the lake as the main attraction at Banff National Park for its scenery and outdoor activities.

The last time I went there, I had a blast enjoying activities like canoeing and boating at Lake Louise. Depending on when you go and the weather, you could also try out skiing, ice climbing, hiking, and mountain biking.

Whenever I wanted, I could easily rent a canoe from the boat dock. Interestingly, the lake used to be called ‘Ho-Run-Nam-Ney,’ which means the lake of little fishes.

As Lake Louise was frozen for almost half of the year, my preferred winter activity when I visit around January is ice skating.

2. Emerald Lake in British Columbia

Emerald Lake, located in Yoho National Park is another eye-catching lake in British Columbia, Canada. The lake is known to be extraordinary because of the beautiful shade of water in it. I visited the lake in Summer, the most favourable season, and tried swimming in it. A heads up: you should be aware that the water is always very cold in Emerald Lake. Most of the locals and even tourists enjoy having lunch near the river. It is awe-striking to see such blue water in this freshwater lake.

I spent a terrific day enjoying Emerald Lake’s array of activities. Hiking along the shoreline and canoeing on the lake were two of my favourite activities. It was also well known that this lake was a great place to cross-country ski. I had a great time sliding through the snow and taking in the beauty all around me. At Emerald Lake, which provides a tranquil connection with nature, fishing and camping were also on the schedule. I chose to spend my time at the little Emerald Lake Lodge, which is tucked away in gorgeous surroundings. The lovely experience was further enhanced by the delicious cuisine given by Cilantro, the on-site café. The lake itself was enjoyable, but the beauty of the surroundings added to its allure.

3. Spotted Lake in British Columbia

The Spotted Lake is a small lake nestled between some hills, located in the eastern Similkameen Valley of British Columbia.  The lake looked like it had a lot of polka dots of blue, green, and yellow scattered around, and the surface area of each dot was very different.

Interestingly, I discovered that this lake is a very sacred place for people. For a very long time, it has been believed that every spot has different medicinal and beneficial properties. There is a very high concentration of minerals, magnesium, sodium sulphates and calcium in the water of the lake, and the different colours that are present here are due to differences in the number of minerals present in each spot.

It is not allowed to go down to the shore, so I had to see the lake from the road due to the environment and fragile nature. The lake is like another world, fascinating and impressing many people who are interested in the area’s history and cultural importance.

4. Moraine Lake in Alberta

Moraine Lake is also a very beautiful glacier-fed lake in the valley of ten peaks of Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The water is a shade of turquoise, which mesmerized many people-including me. The colour also changes throughout the year, as in summer, the glaciers melt. The Lake is surrounded by a lot of things like mountains and beautiful waterfalls and all of this combined looks like an amazing painting. Around Moraine Lake, there were tons of fun things to do while admiring the gorgeous surroundings. I hiked in the hills around the lake and went cross-country skiing, which is a popular activity. However, because access to the lake was restricted in the winter owing to the possibility of natural disasters, these activities were somewhat difficult.

I was fortunate enough to stay at Moraine Lake Lodge, which offered first-rate lodging near the lake in Banff National Park. I was able to fully immerse myself in the stunning surroundings of the lodge, taking in the tranquil atmosphere of the lake located in the valley of ten peaks. It was quite amazing to see how beautiful the surroundings were.

5. Peyto Lake in Alberta

Banff National Park contains many beautiful lakes, including Peyto Lake. The view of the lake was breathtaking!

The lake is worth a watch as it is very easy to get there. You can also climb up to some stops above the lake for some wonderful views. The whole scene of surrounding peaks is so eye-pleasing that it was really hard for me to leave and get back to the same old routine in the city. The Government of Canada has also invested a lot of capital in the lake’s infrastructure, and because of this fund, the facilities are better. The colour of Peyto Lake is blue, which looked even better when I visited in the summer months.

6. Lake Superior in Ontario

Lake Superior is one of the largest freshwater lakes. It is fascinating to know that around 200 rivers deposit water in Lake Superior. There were 30 lighthouses in Lake Superior, and beaches with clear water near the lake were also open, so one could opt for swimming.

People often drink the clear and pure water of Lake Superior because it’s known for being really clean. I tried it too, and the water was so crisp, giving a surprisingly refreshing taste. I got to see lots of fishes, flora and fauna in the lake. There are also reports that there are whales in Lake Superior, but I was not fortunate enough to witness them. 

7. Maligne Lake in Alberta

Maligne Lake is located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. When I talked to the locals, I got to know that this lake was earlier known as the “Chaba Mine”. It was named this by the indigenous people who used to live in Jasper. The colour of the water was alluring and vibrant, and it was such a stunning lake that I was not able to take my eyes off it.

Maligne Lake offers a variety of activities to choose from, like going for a leisurely stroll around the lake’s edge. Sadly, swimming is not on the list because the water was too cold to take a dip in. Maligne Lake does provide some thrilling things to attempt, though. You can go on a canoe ride and take in the breathtaking scenery. You can also have a great time on the cruise to make the most of your vacation. In addition to being entertaining, the location had fantastic dining options.

8. Lake Annette in Alberta

Annette Lake, located in Alberta, Canada, is another pretty lake I visited. My family accompanied me to this lake where we spent our time in the picnic areas near Annette Lake that were very beautiful. In addition to chilling at picnic areas, I had a great time hiking on the hills near the lake. It allowed me to become familiar with the surrounding areas and ranges. Getting food around the area was easy, and I even had the chance to encounter some animals nearby.

I noticed that Annette Lake is loved by everyone, regardless of their age. Kids were playing, and elders were enjoying the calm environment and admired the beauty of the surroundings.

9. Garibaldi Lake in B.C.

Garibaldi Lake is a very beautiful lake in the area of British Columbia, Canada. The water was turquoise-coloured. I had the opportunity to plan a day for hiking and camping at Garibaldi Lake, a renowned spot for these activities. The water’s clarity was truly pleasing to the eyes, enhancing the overall experience. Being an ideal space for fishing, I easily enjoyed this activity at Garibaldi Lake. While swimming was an option, the water’s consistently cold temperature throughout the year made it a chilly yet refreshing experience.

10. Upper Arrow Lake in B.C.

Lastly, I explored Upper Arrow Lake, nestled near the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia. The area around the lake had a park and a beach, creating a beautiful sight when combined.

When I visited, it was summer, and I had a great time boating, bird-watching, and fishing. The lake was a popular destination for boating enthusiasts like me. While on the boat, I savored the nearby scenery, enjoying the peace and calm.

You Don’t Need to Visit all Lakes – but do visit some of them!

There are hundreds of lakes in Canada. And most are so beautiful that it is really hard to not admire them. You can enjoy activities like ice fishing, hiking, backcountry skiing, and many more. Though Canada has so much to offer to tourists, you may want to visit these lakes when you can. They offer some great ways to click pictures and create memories with your loved ones during the visit.

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by soubhik