In Alberta, Canada’s Banff National Park, Bow Lake is one of the numerous lakes that line the Icefields Parkway and is a well-liked stop for tourists. One of our top suggestions for a rest stop along the Icefields Parkway is Bow Lake. Whatever you choose to do, don’t forget to visit Bow Lake. Here is everything you need to know about this stunning lake in Banff.
1. Bow Lake: An amazing spot in Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway’s Bow Lake is a fantastic place to stop, and it’s one of our favorite lakes in Banff. Although it is not a sizable lake by global standards, the Canadian Rockies consider it to be so.
When the lake thaws in Banff during the summer, the glacial melt from the Crowfoot Glacier and Wapta Icefield causes it to turn an eerie blue.
The huge Wapta Icefield, the hanging glacier, and the sheer rock face of Crowfoot Mountain all have a natural ability to humble anyone who looks at the area.
At a height of 1920 meters, Bow Lake is covered in ice for most of the year. This makes it a well-liked location for winter sports like ski touring and snowshoeing. The Bow River, a well-known river in Banff National Park that flows through Banff, Canmore, and Calgary, originates at the lake.
2. How to get to Bow Lake
Bow Lake is along the 93N or Icefields Parkway. A few minutes west of Lake Louise, on Trans-Canada Route #1, the highway starts. The remaining 35 miles will get you to Bow Lake. On Google, click here to find the exact position.
Watch for signs directing you to Num Ti Jah Lodge as you exit the Icefields Parkway; if you are coming from the Trans-Canada or Jasper, the turnoff will be on your left. It is advisable to combine Bow Lake with Peyto Lake if you are traveling to Peyto Lake.
3. What Time of Year Is Best To Visit Bow Lake?
The months of June through September are ideal for visiting Bow Lake in Banff. Around June, spring arrives, and it is a fantastic time as the lake melts. You can see a lake that is a bright blue color and a ton of wildflowers.
The lake is always a pleasure to visit and is always packed in the summer. Since there are hardly any larch trees in the fall, from late September to early October, there are no fall colors. The optimum time to hike around the lake is from mid-July to mid-September.
4. Best Activities at Bow Lake
Take pictures
Bow Lake is one of the most well-liked photo locations in Banff National Park because of Crowfoot Mountain’s tremendous rock wall face, the dangling glaciers, and the vibrant blue.
Parking close to the Num Ti Jah Lodge and taking pictures close to the tiny footbridges by the water’s edge is the traditional angle. Beautiful Alberta lakes can be seen there. If you’re a photographer preparing your shots, we believe evening light is ideal; the image above was taken approximately an hour before sunset.
Take a Hike
Around Bow Lake, there are a number of outstanding walks. In later sections of the post, we’ll talk more about the hikes. Access to the ACC Bow cabin for backcountry and mountaineering expeditions is also possible from the parking lot.
Conquer some peaks
For those who enjoy scaling peaks, the area around Bow Lake is home to many mountains that make for fantastic scrambles. At least for daytime goals, the views around Bow Lake are some of the nicest in the entire Banff National Park!
Go Fishing
Almost all of the waterways in Banff National Park, including Bow Lake, allow fishing. Bow Lake is ideal for anglers who wish to spend some time with a beautiful view while fishing. Permits and licenses are necessary. The fishing season here runs from July 1 to October 31 and is strictly catch and release.
Canoe/Kayak
Paddling around Bow Lake’s waters is a wonderful experience. Since the large body of water can experience gusts that make the surface a little too bumpy, we advise using a canoe or kayak rather than a SUP. You must have your own watercraft in Bow Lake because there are no rentals available.
Wapta Traverse
Backcountry skiing can be done on a number of slopes, but the Wapta Traverse is the most noteworthy. Many people think that the well-known mountaineering and ski tour is one of the best excursions in North America.
It is a hut-based excursion that travels across the huge ice field above Bow Lake. The Peyto Lake to Yoho Valley route is the most popular one.
Camping
The backcountry hostel and campsite in Banff that is most convenient to Bow Lake is Mosquito Creek. The trip to Bow Lake’s shore takes a little under five minutes from the campsite. It is a reasonably priced campground that frequently doesn’t get too busy throughout the summer.
If you want to visit the wonders along the Icefields Parkway, it makes an excellent base. If you don’t have the right gear for camping, think about sleeping at the HI-Mosquito Creek Hostel, but be aware that it is extremely basic lodging and necessitates some independence.
5. Advice for Traveling to Bow Lake
- Avoid the crowds by getting there early. Grab a thermos of coffee, and take in the breathtaking vistas while breathing in the crisp morning air.
- Always remember to pack proper attire. Every month of the year is chilly, and even in August, temperatures below zero are not uncommon at mountain tops.
- Insects and mosquitoes should be avoided because they can emerge in large numbers during the height of summer.
- Even if you do not intend to trek, it is worthwhile to go a short distance past the viewpoint in order to avoid the throng.
- Since there is no signage or service, if you intend to hike in the region, bring a GPS or download a map to your phone.
