We love to go on paddle trips, so we decided to compile a list of our favourite paddle trips in the Rockies. We typically take these trips in our canoe although they could all be completed in kayaks if that is your preference. For the sake of ease, this list of paddle trips in the Rockies are mostly within a four hour drive of Banff, since that is where we are based.
If you are looking at trying your first paddle trip, I can’t recommend camping at Hidden Cove on Maligne Lake enough, although I didn’t include this as a trip within its own right, it is the perfect beginner spot to try out paddling with a full boat and getting your gear dialed in, while still staying fairly close to your starting point.
Paddle Trips In The Rockies
1.) Maligne Lake, Jasper
Probably the most well known and scenic multi day paddle trip in the Rockies is a paddle on Maligne Lake. With three campgrounds on the lake which are only accessible by paddling, this is an incredible trip.
There are campgrounds at 4kms, 12kms and 22kms, and only 20 tent pads in total across the three sites. So lots of peaceful paddling and camping to be experienced. A highlight for me is always paddling out to Spirit Island from the Fisherman’s Bay campground and experiencing it, after the tour boats have finished.
2.) Point Campground, Kananaskis
Point campground is located on Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park; there are two access points to the lake, depending on how far you want to paddle. I will say, hit the water early here, we have tried to do this trip twice.
The first time it was so windy we couldn’t make it out of the first bay and had to turn around and bail on the trip. The second attempt we made it but it was tough paddling against the wind and in the waves. When we paddled back though the weather was much better and it was a beautiful paddle.
The point campground is a beautiful spot to stay at during a paddling trip in the Rockies, with lots of sites having lake views, the gorgeous cooking areas have nice views and are well equipped and there are separate hang out areas with big log benches to relax on.
3.) Athabasca Island, Jasper
Of all the paddle trips in the Rockies, the paddle to Athabasca Island is the only one which involves paddling on a river. There are a number of different put in points available, for those less experienced, like myself, put in just a few kilometres up from the island for a shorter, easier to navigate paddle.
The Athabasca Island campground is literally on an island in the middle of the river. With only two tent pads, this spot is the definition of peacefulness. When we visited we had the whole place to ourselves.
When the water level is low, the island is surrounded by sand banks, making it feel like you are anywhere but the Canadian Rockies. The paddle out is via Jasper Lake which is a beautiful spot. Because the trip is along a river though, you’ll need a car shuttle to complete this trip.
4.) Lake Minnewanka, Banff
Lake Minnewanka is the only one of the paddling trips in the Rockies, which allows motorised boats as well as man powered boats. The lake can get very rough when the wind picks up, so stick to the shores and get an early start when the lake tends to be calmer.
There are a number of different campsites along the shore of Lake Minnewanka, all of them are accessible by a hiking trail along the lake shore but it is also possible to take a boat as they are all really close to the lakeshore.
Expect a busier camping trip here as the sites tend to be larger and it is a very popular hiking destination.
5.) Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit
Slightly further away than the rest of the paddling trips in the Rockies, is the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit. I’d say you want some experience completing paddling trips before setting out on this guy. It’s a massive 116km circuit which involves paddling and portaging and can be booked via the BC Parks reservations service.
An incredible experience you’ll want to do over and over again, this is a bucket list trip for many paddlers and for good reason. With no set schedule you are free to go lake to lake, finding a camping spot everyday, whenever you get tired.
We encountered very few people when we did this trip, it was the perfect, quiet, week on the water you dream of but it is hard work, with long paddling days and the only one of the paddling trips in the Rockies on this list which involves portaging. There are also a number of fast moving river sections which need to be navigated by a competent steerer.
Tips For Paddle Trips In The Rockies
All of the paddling trips in the Rockies I have mentioned are in Provincial or National Parks and therefore all require a reservation. Paddling trips in the Rockies are incredibly popular and getting reservations for a lot of these trips can be quite difficult. Make sure you know when reservations open for each trip and be online to book your spot when booking opens. Otherwise there are often cancellations last minute which you can take advantage of.
In the mountains, the wind tends to pick up later in the day, we make sure to always get on the water early. This means easier paddling and glass like water with beautiful reflections. Worth the early alarm everyday.
If you want to try fishing while on one of the paddling trips in the Rockies, you’ll need the proper fishing license, from either the provincial government or Parks Canada, depending on where you are paddling.
