Top 10 lakes in Canada

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Head north of America and you’ll quickly discover a land of opportunities that tends to lean on the side of having adventures in the great outdoors rather than making it big in the city.

Canada is an absolutely amazing place and anyone who’s into trekking, biking, skiing or boarding need look no further than any one of the country’s 36 national parks which are just brimming over with natural beauty and awesome outdoor activities.

Aside from the ascents and descents, Canada’s Great Lakes are world famous - five, in particular (Erie, Superior, Huron, Ontario and Michigan), making up what is commonly known as the country’s Great Lakes system. This is the world’s largest series of interconnected fresh water lakes occupying just over 20% of the planet’s fresh surface water – around 95,000 square miles.

The Great Lakes aside and Canada boasts some equally spectacular lakeside alternatives with the western provinces of Alberta and British Columbia both sharing the undeniable freshwater highlights that are featured within the top 10 lakes in Canada listed below.

Kayak, canoe, water ski or simply sit and stare whilst contemplating life, the universe and everything, there is no finer place to do whatever you darn well feel like doing than by the side of a lake in Canada.

10. Spotted Lake, British Columbia
If you just so happen to find yourself in the south of BC then popping into the town of Osoyoos is always a great idea as not only is it close to the borders with Alberta and Washington state, it also has the warmest freshwater lake in Canada (Lake Osoyoos). However, it’s a slightly less busy stretch of water, just outside of Osoyoos, that should definitely be on your hit list and, although you can’t actually dive in, taking Highway 3 north is certainly an excellent option for all lovers of quirky nature photography. Spotted Lake certainly lives up to its name and from therapeutic mineral properties to some of the weirdest saline formations during the summer months, this is a unique lake experience that you won’t want to miss.

Book now: Our tailormade journey showcasing Canada's natural beauty and foodie scene includes a visit to Spotted Lake.

9. Waterton Lakes, Alberta
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Waterton Lakes dazzles with crystalline waters plunging 150 meters deep, making it the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers incredible hiking trails, abundant wildlife viewing, and the iconic scenic boat cruise to Montana across the international border. Experience dramatic mountain peaks rising abruptly from prairie grasslands, vibrant wildflower meadows bursting with colour, and pristine wilderness perfect for photography. Whether you're seeking adventure or tranquillity, Waterton delivers an unforgettable Canadian mountain lake experience.

Interested in visiting? Discover our family itinerary that includes a trip to Waterton Lakes. 

8. Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park's largest and most magnificent lake, stretches an impressive 21km through spectacular mountain terrain. Explore its turquoise waters by scenic boat cruise, kayak, or paddleboard, or scuba dive to discover a fascinating submerged ghost town beneath the surface. The lake offers excellent fishing for lake trout, numerous hiking trails with panoramic Rocky Mountain views, and wildlife spotting opportunities including bighorn sheep and elk. With its stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks, accessible location near Banff townsite, and year-round activities, Lake Minnewanka is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise.

Fancy an adventure? Our Canadian Rockies self-drive included this spectacular lake.

7. Lake Annette, Alberta
Another of Jasper’s well-kept secrets is Lake Annette which is hardly any distance at all from the town but provides one of the province’s most spectacular beach settings and the ideal spot to kick back and relax after a night spent kicking up your heels. Again, water temps are never going to be hot and you maybe pleased to hear that there are plenty of grassy hillsides and picnic sites to help you enjoy the glacial beauty from an altogether more warmer perspective. However, if you do steer yourself to take the plunge then water quality tests have marked Lake Annette as holding Green status which means that this lovely lady lake passes with flying colours practically 100% of the time.

Book now: Our Great Parks of the West tour takes you to this hidden gem.

6. Upper Arrow Lake, British Columbia
Although you won’t find much in the way of a day at the beach when visiting BC’s Upper Arrow Lake, you will find an incredible range of pine forest covered hillsides which more than allow for outdoor activities and plenty of shade during the summer months. As part of the Columbia River, the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, this is a great chance to explore and trek with a couple of ferries helping you cross from shore to shore without too much difficulty. If you prefer boating of a more personal nature then Upper Arrow presents plenty of chances to do so with sheltered anchorages and facilitated marinas enabling you to stay afloat all summer long.

Want to visit? We can tailormade this outdoorsy and foodie trip to include a visit to Upper Arrow Lake

5. Emerald Lake, British Columbia
Continued exploration through the incredible landscapes of British Columbia will finally take you into the Canadian share of the Rocky Mountains and in so doing you may just stumble across the awesome Yoho National Park. The name Yoho is Cree for awe and wonder which will no doubt whet your appetite for what you’ll find once you get out there and explore. Whilst visiting Yoho it would be rude not to pay your respects to the park’s largest of 61 lakes, Emerald Lake. As with the Cree name for the park, Emerald Lake more than justifies the title and with more than 3 miles of hiking track surrounding the water you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take photographs juxtaposed against a beautiful green backdrop. Canoe, trek or just enjoy the reflections of the President mountain range, whatever you’re thinking of doing in Yoho, Emerald Lake is an excellent option no matter what the time of year, and earns its spot among the prettiest lake in Canada’s contenders.

Discover more: Gorgeous lodges and beautiful lakes such as Emerald Lake make this road trip a true contender. 

4. Moraine Lake, Alberta
Another of Canada’s most celebrated national parks is Banff and if you’re into your ski or snowboarding then you’ll no doubt already of heard about the resorts and slopes which are such a magnet for lovers of the white stuff. During the summer, when the thaw has really kicked in, is often considered to be an equally, if not better, time of year to visit and one such location that draws the crowds is the glacial water of Moraine Lake which lies around 9 miles outside of Lake Louise village. Numerous hiking paths will lead you around the lake and put your hiking boots to the test as you discover just how Lake Moraine got its name however, once you’ve scaled the surrounding heights all of that scrambling will be long forgotten as you kick back and enjoy the gorgeous blue hues far down in the valley below.

Book now: Discover the beauty of Moraine Lake on this fabulous tour that includes rail journeys and a cruise!

3. Maligne Lake, Alberta
With some incredible colouration as well as more than its fair share of glacial mountain views, Maligne Lake in Alberta’s Jasper Park is one of the world’s most photographed natural places and always deserves to be around the top of any list relating to awesome stretches of water. Situated about 30 miles south of the town of Jasper and providing the starting point for one of the national park’s most popular hiking trails (the Skyline), Maligne Lake is just one of those places that you can’t help returning to and visiting the tiny island of Spirit on a summer’s day is pretty much as good as it gets. Other activities to try before the winter takes hold include: kayaking, canoeing and fishing with a couple of main camping sites (canoe access only) providing an ideal base to keep you outdoors and active all season long. A strong candidate for the most beautiful lake in Canada.

Get visiting: A wonderful motorhome tour gives you the opportunity to explore Canada's lakes at your own pace.

2. Peyto Lake, Alberta
Another beautiful Banff lakeside setting can be found, yet again, on the awesome Icefields Parkway and if you’re looking for an amazing opportunity to blow your colleagues’ screen saver shots out of the water then Peyto is probably the place to find it. One of the best locations to get the ultimate photograph is from the highest point on Icefields Parkway, Bow Summit, which, although busy in the summer time, has an awesome viewing platform to help you snap away until your heart’s content. Best advice for avoiding the hordes arriving by the coach load is to set off from the Bow Summit car park and take one of the trails which leads up the mountain via a paved footpath which then turns into a gravel track and presents some incredible and lesser visited viewing points to make the chaps back home green with envy.

Want to visit? A self-drive gives you the opportunity to design your itinerary how you wish - including how long to visit this impressive lake. 

1. Lake Louise, Alberta
Also known as the Lake of Little Fishes, Lake Louise is perhaps the best lake in Canada for combining accessibility with jaw-dropping beauty. Although the lake’s surface area cover less than a square mile it does hold some quite remarkable trails around the edge with the likes of Big Beehive, Saddleback Pass and Devil’s Thumb all commanding legendary trekking status if you pay heed to the knowledgeable locals. If you prefer to explore on two wheels or even four legs you’ll find that several trails make way for bikes and horses although its often a kayak or canoe that will take you out onto the water and give you one of the grandest views from an entirely new perspective. Best view point: if you fancy a quick hands and feet scramble to the 9,000 foot summit of Fairview Mountain then you’ll be treated to an amazing view of Lake Louise far, far below.

Book now: The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxurious way to see Canada's Great Lakes, including famous Lake Louise.