Around Jasper National Park, lakes abound, and the Athabasca River meanders through a valley on its way to the Arctic Ocean in the north. To fully enjoy the area’s stunning lakes’ natural beauty, make sure to visit them at all times of the year.
1. Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake is one of Jasper’s most well-known lakes. The iconic view of the lake is from the wooden boardwalk leading to Pyramid Island (see picture above), with the towering Pyramid Mountain in the distance.
Considering that Jasper is a recognized Dark Sky Preserve, Pyramid Lake is a well-liked location for observing the Northern Lights. It is essential to stroll around Pyramid Island. Keep an eye out for the 1933-built Pyramid Island Picnic Shelter, a designated Federal Heritage Building.
At Pyramid Lake Resort, throughout the summer, you can hire bicycles, canoes, or kayaks. Pyramid Lake is a wonderful location for ice skating, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides in the winter. A small area of ice has been scraped off next to the stunning hotel Pyramid Lake Resort. The public skating rink is free to use.
2. Patricia Lake
Princess Patricia of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, inspired the name Patricia Lake. Divers can also explore a WWII wreck and an underwater memorial plaque in the lake.
Pyramid Mountain can be seen from Patricia Lake’s eastern coast in majestic panoramas, and on calm days, the mountain may be seen reflected in the lake. However, I must say that because Pyramid Lake is closer to the mountain, it appears more imposing.
Patricia Lake North Loop and Patricia Lake Circle are two short treks that are close to the lake. The latter allows you to park at the lake’s modest parking lot, whereas the former begins before arriving at the lake.
3. Beauvert Lake
The most recognized hotel in Jasper National Park, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, is situated immediately next to Beauvert Lake, sometimes known as “Lac Beauvert,” which is the nearest large lake to Jasper townsite.
The majority of visitors come here to walk or cycle around the lake, taking in the magnificent blue-green color of the water (3.4 km, one hour). The trail is suitable for strollers. However, it occasionally gets muddy.
Additionally, there are walking paths that connect Beauvert Lake to Mildred Lake, Treffoil Lake, Annette Lake, and Old Fort Point, a fantastic climb with a view of Jasper, which is located to the south of the lake. On the lake, you can kayak, canoe, or swim.
4. Mildred Lake
Jasper Park Lodge is immediately close to Mildred Lake, a smaller but no less stunning lake.
Although there isn’t a walking path that around the entire lake, Mildred Lake is connected to Beauvert Lake to the south and Annette Lake to the north by a footpath that follows the Athabasca River.
Jasper Park Lodge regularly maintains the Mildred Lake ice skating circle, which is particularly well-known.
5. Annette Lake
Annette Lake, another stunning lake in the cluster east of the Athabasca River and Jasper townsite, is particularly well-known for its little Lake Annette Beach. If you have young children, this is one of the nicest sites in Jasper to go swimming or spend the day at the beach.
The 2.7 km (less than an hour) Lake Annette Loop is a kid- and a stroller-friendly simple walk around the lake that has plenty of benches for lake viewing. The hike around the lake can even be completed in the dead of winter.
6. Edith Lake
Edith Lake, the fourth (and last) lake in this group, is popular with residents and a little away from the tourist crowds of the first three lakes. It is located on the eastern bank of the Athabasca River, close to Jasper townsite.
Since Edith Lake is only a short distance off the Yellowhead Highway, it makes for a quick and simple visit if you’re simply traveling through Jasper along with Annette Lake.
The lake is one of the better ones for swimming because it isn’t quite as icy cold as most of the other day-use locations, which are numerous.
7. Medicine Lake
In the Maligne Valley Watershed, there is a long, narrow lake called Medicine Lake. In this valley, lakes and rivers vanish into underwater sinkholes before emerging miles away. The lake is located exactly east of Jasper townsite, as seen by a crow.
The lake, about midway between the highway and the more well-known Maligne Lake, is well worth a visit. When you first arrive, there is a tiny parking area and overlook with a staircase leading down to the water at the western end of the lake.
As you proceed near Maligne Lake, the drive along the northern side is also fairly amazing. But resist the urge to halt because this part of the road is prone to landslides.
8. Maligne Lake
It’s likely that Maligne Lake was depicted on a Jasper National Park postcard you’ve seen in the past—if a bear or moose weren’t the subjects.
In the lower third of this incredibly long and narrow lake lies a little island called Spirit Island that is connected to the shore. The lake is the biggest in the Canadian Rockies as a whole. A lake boat, which has even been called Canada’s most picturesque cruise, is the only way to get there.
Since this is a really popular activity, you’ll want to make reservations well in advance. The lakefront can still be explored without taking the cruise, but the views will be rather constrained. For a few minutes, one small trail circles the lake’s north shore.
9. Jasper Lake
Jasper Lake is the first lake you’ll actually get to stop at if you enter Jasper National Park from the east (like Edmonton). Other than that, surprise! Actually, it’s not a lake. In reality, Jasper Lake is only a very wide part of the Athabasca River, but due to its breadth and depth, it is considered to be a lake.
Perhaps because it is one of the first spots you can actually pull over and take in the Athabasca River splendor from your car, this is a very popular location. There are actually several beaches and sand dunes around the lake if you stroll along the shore.
10. Talbot Lake
The smaller Talbot Lake is located on the opposite side of the road from Jasper Lake. Between Jasper and Talbot Lakes, the roadway follows a narrow strip of land for a short while, so you’ll have stunning lakes on either side of you.
Talbot Lake feels more remote if you stop and visit it, even though you can see it from the highway. Many people travel to this location to kayak or canoe on the lake. The lake is a well-liked fishing location since it is teeming with pike.
11. Cavell Lake
You may view Mt. Edith Cavell (3363m), one of Alberta’s most iconic mountains, reflecting in the lake after a short and very simple 0.8 km (30 min roundtrip) climb brings you there.
The mountain and lake bear the name of a British nurse who, during World War I, saved the lives of numerous troops on both sides.
12. Horseshoe Lake
Would you like to dive off some cliffs into a stunning Jasper lake? Your location is here!
A short, 1.6 km trail along the lake’s southern edge leads to a number of locations with excellent diving opportunities. Just be careful, make sure the water is deep enough for you to leap into, and ensure you have a way to escape.
The trail is appropriate for young children and gives spectacular views of the lake even if you aren’t going for a swim. On sweltering summer days, it could be a highly popular location.
