For many going for a paddle in Banff National Park is a bucket list adventure and for good reason! Pristine blue and green waters surrounded by huge mountains mean you can canoe in some of the most majestic landscapes the mountains have to offer.
Going for a paddle in Banff National Park first thing in the morning or at dusk, usually means that the water is calmer and the reflections can be out of this world. Plus, you’ll likely find your paddle spot is fairly quiet if you don’t have the place to yourself that is.
Top 6 Places To Paddle In Banff National Park
1) Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake is one of my absolute favorite spots for a paddle in Banff National Park. It is just a five minute drive from Banff town and offers insane views of Mount Rundle. A popular spot, you’ll want to get there earlier or later in the day for the best chance of getting a parking spot. Alternatively, there is a campground right on the lake, the Two Jack Lakeside campground. The campground has direct lake access, making it an amazing option to spend a few nights.
2) Lake Louise
No list of incredible places to paddle in Banff National Park would be complete without mentioning Lake Louise. The jewel of the Rockies, it is a must stop at spot and if you can paddle on this bright blue lake, even better!
Lake Louise is an insanely busy spot in the summer months, if you want to go for a paddle, I’d recommend the shoulder seasons or first thing in the morning. It is a walk from the parking area to the lake, so if you are bringing your own boat, I’d recommend bringing a cart. There is also the option of renting canoes at the lake, the wait can be a bit lengthy at times.
3) Waterfowl Lakes
If you are driving the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, you will almost certainly have seen Waterfowl Lake right off the highway. It is bright blue with the towering Mount Chephren in the back.
There are a number of pull outs from the highway which give direct access to the lake, making this an incredible spot for a paddle in Banff National Park. There is a campground on the shore of Waterfowl Lake as well, a great spot to disconnect and go for a paddle.
4) Bow Lake
Just down the road from Waterfowl Lake is the popular Bow Lake, a beautiful spot for a sunrise paddle in Banff National Park. There are two parking areas for accessing Bow Lake but they do fill up with sightseers, paddlers and hikers so sunrise is the perfect peaceful time to take a paddle on Bow Lake.
5) Bow River To Vermillion Lakes
Vermillion Lakes just on the edge of the town of Banff is a perfect beginner friendly spot for a paddle, with gorgeous views of Mount Rundle. The easiest access is to put in beside the canoe docks in Banff and then paddle up the river to Vermillion Lakes.
Check the water levels, they do vary throughout the summer and at some points the lakes can be cut off and inaccessible to paddlers. This is the perfect spot for beginner paddlers as the Banff canoe docks have rentals available and they will guide you how to paddle and where to go when you rent your boat.
6) Moraine Lake
The famous Moraine Lake, for many is the perfect place for a paddle in Banff National Park, however with the closing of the road in 2023, it will no longer be possible to drive your own canoe or kayak up to the lake, leaving you with only one option to paddle on Moraine Lake, renting from the lodge at the lake. A true bucket list activity, for many renting a boat will be worth it, however, it certainly isn’t cheap. Hence Moraine Lake comes in at number 6 in my places to paddle in Banff National Park.
Tips For Paddling In Banff National Park
The water is cold year round, falling in can have serious consequences! Make sure you know what to do in case you fall in and always wear a life vest!
Pack a spare paddle, seems silly but you never know what might happen and if you drop your paddle and lose it, you are going to have a slow paddle back to the docks from wherever you are.
If you are going out alone, always tell someone where you are going and how long you anticipate being gone for. That way if you don’t return as expected someone knows your plans.
Check the weather before heading out, it can change quickly in the mountains. When you arrive at a lake it can be very calm, however the wind can pick up in a second, making the water choppy. We prefer to paddle close to shore, especially on bigger lakes, so if anything were to happen and we capsized, we are closer to shore and more likely to be able to swim to it.
Where To Rent Canoes In Banff National Park
The Banff Canoe Docks – located in downtown Banff, you can rent canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards by the hour.
Lake Louise – Canoes can be rented from the boat house on the lake shore, operated by the Chateau Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake – Canoes can be rented from the canoe docks on the lake, operated by the Moraine Lake Lodge.
