Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is a wonderful alternative for canoeing if the boathouses at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake get too busy. What really stands out is the value; the canoe rental rates are significantly more affordable here than at the other major lakes. The staff that operates the boat house and the attached gift shop were wonderful, incredibly friendly, and helpful. While the lake is certainly less crowded than its more famous neighbors, parking can still a challenge. Expect to spend around an extra 20 minutes to park, and be prepared to walk a short distance from your spot to the water's edge. Once you're there, it's well worth the effort. There are also several beautiful, easy-to-moderate trails circling the lake to explore the scenery on foot after your paddle. Cilantro on the Lake restaurant can get busy, but The Window walk up food counter is quick, and perfect for grabbing some food for a picnic in the canoe. Highly recommended for a more relaxed and less crowded scenic mountain experience! read more

Emerald Lake - Emerald Lake - Yoho National Park - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

I go to see three beautiful lakes on my first day in Banff National Park. Our last stop was at Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Yoho National Park is one of the four contiguous national parks in Canada's Rocky Mountains. Emerald Lake is a freshwater lake near the town of Golden. The lake has a emerald green color to it and is enclosed by mountains of the President Range. I had a nice time here. I did some of the hiking trials and saw a little bit of wildlife along the way. This lake is less crowed than Louise and Moraine lakes which I enjoyed. I enjoyed the views while hiking and came across a plaque about the fossil-bearing deposits of the Burgess Shale in the area. I grabbed lunch at the Cilantro on the Lake restaurant before heading out. There are canoe rentals at Emerald Lake if you want to get out on the water. read more

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Highly recommend this stop while visiting Yoho National Park! The lake is a gorgeous emerald green, hence the name. They offer canoe rentals so you can get up close and personal with the beautiful water. We walked around the lake then up to the lodge for lunch. We came during Fall, so the crowds were tolerable. The parking lot was full, so we parked along the road by the parking lot entrance. Highly recommend! read more

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The snowy weather gave it a different magic. We came for three days in Calgary/Banff and booked two day tour including a short stop to this place and I'm so glad this is part of the itinerary. The bridge divided to pedestrians and one way vehicle pass made that small town preserved feel. Canoe place rental was closed for the weather but it is such a dream like view! read more

Emerald Lake - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

This is a stunningly beautiful lake, especially its striking emerald color. Many of the lakes in this part of Canada have a bluish-green color I learned due to the tiny pulverized rock particles in the water that the glaciers ground away over the eons. These suspended particles scatter light more strongly in the blue-green spectrum, and thus the lakes' striking appearance. This particular lake had the most striking color of all the lakes we saw and we saw quite a few awesome lakes. There is also an Emerald Lake lodge with a view of the lake that makes this a typically congested scenic stop given the additional lodge traffic. Canoe rentals are also available here. read more

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So I came here a 6AM so I could snag a parking spot right up in front of the lake. If you don't, let's say you come at 8AM, you're probably parking along the long road and walking up to the lake itself. So that's my advice to you, early bird gets the worm. Also depending on what time of the year you come, it's quite the sight to see the fog dissipate as the sun rises to see the emerald water with the mountains in the back. Highly recommend hiking around the lake itself as in the back, there's an amazing landscape to take in of the Canadian Rockies. It's like it's straight out of the Windows screensaver. read more

Why 5 stars? Because canoeing on this lake was one of the best and most memorable experiences of my life. --- --- --- We were in Banff for three days and Emerald Lake was one of many stops we wanted to make. We ended up saving it for the last day and I'm so glad we did, because it might have made some of the other days to feel anti-climactic if we had done Emerald Lake earlier. When we arrived, one of the first things we noticed were the people canoeing. I didn't really think anything of it, but the wife said she wanted to do it. We found out it was $90, so we kind of dropped the idea. But as we ate lunch in the lodge, she resurrected the idea and kept hinting at wanting to do it. I was kind of luke warm on the idea, but eventually she talked me into it. This was the best decision ever. Every moment that we were on that canoe, I was thinking, "OMG, I never want this to end." It didn't even feel like real life. Every picture and video we took looked like something out of a movie. I tallied 863 pictures/videos my phone from our trip and these are the best. DO NOT come to Banff without visiting Emerald Lake. And DO NOT come to Emerald Lake without canoeing on it. I will remember that hour for the rest of my life. read more

Really enjoyed canoeing on this beautiful lake! It was so beautiful and peaceful. The water was so clear and emerald. The canoe prices ($100 Canadian per hour) are much lower than at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Was overall a great experience. read more

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The view of this lake is so pristine and just out of this world. It's unbelievable seeing the reflection of the mountains and the sky while looking at the crystal clear water. Out of all the places we visited on our trip, this easily tops the lake Morraine and lake Louise. I would come back just to see this lake again. read more

Emerald Lake - Left side view - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

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The Emerald lake trail is a must. It borders the lake and is a popular trail. You can venture to three other trails at the end of it. The views are beautiful any time of day. Parking is limited, so arriving before 8am to secure a spot is recommended. It's in Yoho National Park which has alot of other trails nearby. Spend at least a day exploring a couple trails in the area to take in the beauty of the mountains and lakes. read more

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Phenomenal place to visit and get in touch with nature! So serene that it will melt away your worries and leave you without a concern in the world! It's absolutely beautiful and awe-inspiring! It is so quiet that you can hear the gentle breeze and nothing but the sounds of birds chirping when you canoe to the middle of the lake! Definitely worth a visit even if you're on a busy schedule! Take time out to slow down and take in the views! read more

Emerald Lake - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

Emerald Lake is one of the primary highlights to see in Yoho National Park. Thing is...with so many incredible attractions within such a close proximity to this lake...when I had to make comparisons in the bigger picture...I found the setting here to be okay. That's not to say you shouldn't come and check things out. It's just...this area of the wondrous Canadian Rockies is filled with so many memorable spots to visit...Emerald Lake had no spectacular qualities. It's a lake, as the centerpiece/focal point, with a charming - rustic lodge situated beside it (called the Emerald Lake Lodge) and with activities to do such as hiking, kayaking and picnicking. Some details about Emerald Lake... Since I believe you only need 1 full day to explore Yoho NP... 1 - 2 hours is enough time to become acquainted with the surroundings. Emerald Lake is... - 39 kilometers west of Lake Louise Village. - 12 kilometers north of Field, BC - where the Yoho Visitor Center is located. - 7.5 kilometers north of Natural Bridge - another popular part of Yoho NP. If you are coming from Lake Louise Village (which I believe almost every tourist does), I'd suggest... 1. Yoho National Park Welcome Sign - take a picture. 2. Lower Spiral Tunnel - roadside stop to exit your car. 3. Town of Field, BC - walk around town and stop in at the Yoho VC. 4. Natural Bridge - overlook with a river flowing through a canyon ravine. 5. Come here to Emerald Lake. 6. Takakkaw Falls - best viewed in the afternoon time. 7. Wapta Falls - out of the way...a 47 kilometer drive south of Emerald Lake. Overall, I'd characterize Emerald Lake as a quiet, yet colorful lake (but only when the sun is out) with a singular snowcapped mountain peak set in the distance. It is a far cry from the sights along Icefields Parkway where the mountains are a sight to behold...but coming here is more of an under the radar getaway if you have the time. Still, even stopping by in the middle of June, the parking lot was full and I had to leave my car along the side of Emerald Lake Road and then walk 10 minutes to the entrance area. Upon arriving, there is a wooden boardwalk to hang out at and view Emerald Lake from. This part of seeing the lake was decent. If you'd like to get a more in-depth perspective, there's a flat/dirt hiking trail that circles around the lake. I walked it and the scenery was alright, giving you a chance to take some pictures and be among nature. In the end, if you're coming to Yoho NP for the day, then it's fine to come to Emerald Lake. It fits into the whole itinerary. But, from my pov...this place won't knock your socks off like witnessing more high profile - Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. read more

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We stopped there for few hours. Stunning view. Smart phine Camera can't capture the real beauty of this place. The only thing that was the issue was washrooms that we donot understand the type. The toilets were like upside down big buckets. read more

Emerald Lake is found in Yoho National Park, actually not a bad drive from Lake Louise. This is another picturesque lake, free to visit aside from parking costs. Speaking of parking, get there early or you may have a good walk to the lake. We heard that renting canoes here is far more reasonable than at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. Unfortunately we were later getting there than we wanted so we skipped this. There is a lovely looking restaurant on-site called Cilantro's, if you are looking to have a meal and enjoy the views. Reservations recommended as it was busy. read more

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This will be one of those places you talk about with your friends, but have a hard time describing or even doing it justice with photos. Our camera cannot capture the true beauty or magnificence even with photoshop and color grading. This is near Moraine Lake which is a stunner on its own, but make a trip to this lake. You'll need google maps. Make sure to download it to help plot your map and location because you will lose signal. Parking is very limited and when we were driving in we saw shuttles going by, cars on the sides of the street, but we felt lucky. We drove up and happened to find a spot near the entrance. The noise of hikers and visitors will soon be drowned out by the natural white noise of the rushing creeks and trees swaying. There is a cute gift shop that you can also rent a canoe to go onto the lake. We opted to walk around it and just enjoyed the scenery. Many families were here with their parents and kiddos enjoying a bbq or picnic. I would love to come back just to see this in different times of year. It is enchanting and dreamy. read more

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Emerald lake is easily overlooked in comparison to lake Louise but it's definitely a stop worth making. What makes it unique is the emerald (green-blue) colour of the lake which is very interesting to see. The parking area is just a short walk to the lake itself. There's a resort where you could actually stay by the lake if you wanted. There's a nice wooden bridge as well as hiking around the lake you can do. All in all - worth a stop if you're in the area to enjoy the emerald colour read more

If you visit Juneau you might get the itch to take a ride along the Klondike highway to see the sights and visit the local towns. Given the close proximity of Alaska to British Columbia, you'll find yourself wandering into Canadian territory. At South Klondike Highway # 2, not far from Whitehorse, Yukon YT Y0B Canada, at mile 73.5 miles (117 km) from Skagway, Alaska, you'll find the Emerald Lake. It's a sightseers destination in and of itself. Emerald Lake is noteworthy for its intense emerald green color that stems from light reflecting off white deposits of marl, a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, at the bottom of the shallow waters of the lake. The colors and setting will astound you. Stop by on a trip to Carcross. You won't regret it and, you can't miss this site. It stands in plain view along side the Klondike highway. read more

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Rented a canoe right as they opened and got to the middle and far side of the lake within an hour. Best view in the house of the environs of the Canadian Rockies. Wonderful turquoise water due to the sediment flour from the glaciers that is so unique to the area. Hike around the lake interesting with a dry side to start and a really wet side coming back. Went a bit farther toward the basin and was treated with the raging waters coming down. Wonderful experience. read more

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Emerald Lake Lodge was definitely an experience. I know that the purpose is to disconnect and be with nature, but the rooms are SO outdated for the price, which would be my only reason for a four star review rather than a five star review. Everything else on the grounds was pretty amazing. Do not sleep on the on-site restaurant as this was one of the most amazing meals I have ever had. There is a hot tub area onsite as well which was pleasant after a long day. Everyone that works on the grounds is very accommodating and helpful. I would prefer to have a mini refrigerator in the room. We stocked up on some food / alcohol prior to arriving as we didn't plan to leave for a few days and were a little bummed out we had no where to put anything. We basically had to throw all our cheeses/ dips we bought out and drank all our beer warm. We went during NHL finals and another person in our party was *insistent* upon watching a game, so there is a TV in the clubhouse to watch games if you're with a sports fan during a big game. Overall, it was amazing to stay there as it's just so dang beautiful and really get to connect with everyone as there is no WiFi, etc. My only criticism is that I felt like I was staying in a motel 6 for $20 a night when in reality it was very expensive! Would go again, though. read more

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This was a pretty lake to stop at in Yoho National Park. Parking was a bit of a pain when we got there around 12, but we managed to grab a spot as someone as pulling out. The lake wasn't nearly as green as I was expecting it to be based on the name. It was a pretty teal color though. There's a hike around the lake, but we didn't do it because we didn't think the views would be much different and it was raining. I think it's worth a quick stop to see this lake. read more

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After seeing how crowded the canoeing was on the ever-popular Lake Louise, we drove out of Banff National Park to have a peaceful, less touristy day in Yoho Park at Emerald Lake. This lake offered lots of canoes without the wait times. We loved how beautiful the lake was. The water is unbelievably blue with bright green trees surrounding it and a delicious cafe lakeside. I highly recommend coming to this lake to canoe so you can enjoy the peace of the park. read more

Alberta has some beautiful lakes, and Emerald Lake is definitely part of that collection. The water is very still with a beautiful turquoise color - no filters necessary when taking your photos. If you're ever in Yoho National Park, this is definitely worth a stop. Canoeing is also much cheaper here than Lake Louise ($60 /hr vs $100 /hr). I did enjoy the trail around the lake. It's an easy trail that goes around the lake so you can see it from all angles. Some areas of the trail let you see the wild flowers, making for some beautiful meadows with the mountains in the background. Fair warning there are quite a few mosquitos out when it's warm, so bring bug spray! Parking was a little difficult when we came - although not nearly as busy/crazy as Lake Louise and Morraine Lake, the parking lot was already full by noon and we had to park along the side of the road. Not too bad, but just something to consider when exploring here in the summer. I'll have to come back when the weather use clear and not smokey from wildfires to truly appreciate it, but even then ther color was amazing. read more

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Simply beautiful. The lake is located about 30 km west of Lake Louise and is very much worth seeing. Parking is limited but you can always park on the side of the road. We rented a canoe ($70 / hr) and got a better view of the lake and a feel of the crystal clear lake water. There is a trail that goes around the lake as a well but canoeing is a lot more fun than walking any day of the week. Overall, this is another lake that's a must see near Banff. Highly recommend! read more

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WOW. Never have I ever seen such beautiful, naturally glowing turquoise waters. It is unreal. This place is so picturesque, #nofilter necessary. The color of the water here pwns Lake Louise 10x over. Plus Emerald Lake is much less touristy/crowded, and the canoe rides here are cheaper ($60/hour at Emerald vs $105/hour at Lake Louise). The loop around the lake is easy and gives you a gorgeous view of the lake at all angles. At one point in the trail, you can even see/touch the giant ice patch that hasn't melted yet. In certain areas there are some mosquitoes so I'd bring along some spray if you're prone to being bitten. Plz ~don't~ come here so I can keep this place all to myself! ;) read more

Emerald Lake - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

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Take a walk around this lake. You won't regret it. Even on an overcast day, the lake was still an unbelievable turquoise blue. There are picnic tables, walking trails and kayaks for rent for $60/hour. Definitely a must see place (even if you've seen a million pictures of it)!! read more

Emerald Lake - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

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Very pretty! I had never heard of Emerald Lake, but the car rental company suggested driving out there, so we decided to check it out! Our first photo op stop was from the road. From there, you can see all the pretty green in the lake. Great for pictures! Afterwards, we decided to get closer to the lake for a more level view. From there, the lake didn't look as green, but it was nice being able to see it up close. If you're doing your own day excursion from Skagway, make sure to check out Emerald Lake! read more

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Absolutely gorgeous and worth the trip! Plenty of hikes nearby and the loop around the lake itself is very accessible. Can't wait to go back and canoe in warmer weather! read more

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This is a MUST stop in your travels. 15 min to 3-4 hours. Small parking area with lots of tour busses. Food avail at lodge over bridge. Outdoor bathrooms. read more

Emerald Lake - Hiking Near Me - Field, British Columbia

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In most places, Emerald Lake would be the main attraction. Around Banff, it is a little bit of an afterthought for most visitors. While there were plenty of tourists at the entrance to the Lake, I walked the full loop around it and found it to be a serene location to escape the large crowds at the three main lakes in Banff. The Canadians Rockies features stunning lakes that have a pristine mirror lake effect. Naturally, Emerald Lake has that same stunning feature. However, it is also a lake in the Rockies where you can have space to think and reflect on all the beauty you have seen and are seeing as you walk a loop around the Lake. It offers a rich emerald green color in contrast to the gray shale and limestone of the surrounding mountains. In contrast, the Lake also appeared turquoise at times. At the opposite end of the entrance of the Lake and the loop, there is a clearing with a great view of the Lake. Behind it, you can also get a closer look at the glacier that feeds it. At the entrance, it appears that the glacier is immediately next to the Lake. From that clearing, you get to see and realize that the glacier is much further back. Emerald Lake is approximately a half hour drive from Lake Louise. I spent an hour and a half walking around the loop and taking plenty of time to snap photos. The trail takes you through the cabins of the Emerald Lake Lodge, where you can stay. Visitors can also rent a canoe. At a current rate of $70 per hour, it is much more economical than renting at canoe for $115 hour at Lake Louise. In addition, it has a small parking lot. Nevertheless, there is plenty of street parking at the road that leads up to it. If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary/ recommendations, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is incredibly beautiful.  It was overcast and raining while we visitied. However, the view of the lake did not disappoint. When the sun shined on the lake it was magical. This is definitely a popular destination.  So, parking is hard to find.  We had to park along the side of Emerald Lake Rd down from the parking lot. read more

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The views at this lake was just astounding. Many water activities to do and food options. When we went there even was a wedding ceremony with the emerald lake view. read more

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My only regret about coming here is not having the chance to stay at the Emerald Lake Lodge (and Conference Centre) and experiencing a few sunrises and sunsets at this magical place. As Sapna G. strongly infers, Emerald Lake is gorgeous and well worth the trip, even if you've earlier visited Lake Louise or even Moraine Lake on the other side of the Kicking Horse Pass. I've been here in February and June and enjoyed completely different and equally breathtaking scenery. During my summer visit, I relished the 5.2 km walk around the lake. The remarkable colours are caused by fine particles of glacial sediment (rock flour), which are suspended in the water. read more

Emerald Lake is beautiful and a must see in Yoho National Park. The hike is an easy one around the lake and there is no need to rush. Take your time, bring a picnic, read a book. You'll thank me when your soul is refreshed being out in nature. It isn't as busy as the surrounding lakes so it's worth it! read more

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Absolutely breathtaking! Not as crowded as the other famous spot in Banff. Is the largest lake in Yoho national park, you can also rent a canoe half the price compared to moraine or Lake Louise. On the drive up is a must to stop at the natural bridge. read more

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One of my favorite places! The water ranges from emerald green to icy blue in a matter of feet it seems! Stunning views whether you're standing on the dock, at the shore or in the middle of the water in a kayak. This is a bit more remote than other lakes in the Rockies, but still crowded in the middle of the day. read more

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Last weekend I was on a hiking kick (there's a pun somewhere in there...) and I stopped over at Emerald Lake. Let me just start by saying that my words CANNOT do this place justice. The view is breathtaking and the lake is differently coloured from any other lake I have ever seen. Enclosed by mountains, Emerald Lake is paradise on earth. Whether you choose to sit by the water, hike the 5.2 km walk around the lake, canoe, or stay at The Emerald Lake Lodge, Emerald Lake will leave you happy in mind, body and spirit. You know this place is amazing when someone gives it five stars (hands down) despite having been stung by a bee on its premises (I guess there's a first for everything...owwww!). Seriously though - grab someone special and plan a trip out to Emerald Lake. You can thank me later. read more

Right beside the GIGANTIC parks of Jasper and Banff likes a smaller park called Yoho national park. Now it might not seem as much but there is a beautiful gem hidden in this park called Emerald lake! Now it is just like the other lakes around in Alberta except in glows emerald green instead of the usual glacier blue! This place has hiking trails if you head to the left facing the vehicle/pedestrian bridge. And no you can't drive your car over the bridge for it is only for service vehicles only! When you cross the bridge , there is a restaurant as well as a cute lodge that you can stay in! You can hang around this area and there is a very neat little dock to your left as you pass the bridge! That, in my opinion is the best view for pictures in the area. Of course you'll most likely see people taking photos there. We literally had two girls there doing self photoshoot for at least 15 minutes! And then they asked me to take over which I didn't mind too much. After I done their photoshoot, I went on the dock and it was so serene , so gorgeous. There are so many things here to do also just like kayaking and other water activities. Parking is large but I'm sure it packs up a lot since I got here around 8PMish. Even if you are in Jasper or Banff, this is a little detour, however, it is well worth the stop! read more

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If you have an itching to go canoeing on one of these amazing Canadian lakes but balk at the line and $65/hour fee at Lake Louise, just head over to Emerald Lake. It's $45/hour and a lot less crowded. It's just as beautiful as Lake Louise in my opinion. After our hour on the lake, we went to hike the Emerald Basin Trail. It takes you away from the lake & towards a river made by glacier run-off. The trail is moderate - there's heart rate elevating elevation climbs - but we saw kids on the trail who seemed to be doing well. FYI, you don't need trekking poles for this hike. Bear spray - maybe. I did see some bear poop close to the trail and at times, we were the only people on it. read more

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Wow I love the natural wonders of the world!! Such beauty amazing colours and shades in this lake with beautiful walk ways around it. In the summer it seems to offer canoeing which I will definitely take a trip back for. We took a walk up through the lodges that can be rented it had a nice hot tube looking over the lake and mountains. A nice BBQ camp fire pit again right over the lake it looks like a nice secluded area with no cell phone coverage which is a plus on a trip like this. It was my first time here and even tho it was a foggy cloudy day it was still beautiful I can not wait to see it again under a clear blue sky!! I would also like to see it frozen over to see if the colours are as bright however it might be closed as the roads to it is avalanche danger area I will try tho!! read more

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A great lake to visit. We stayed at this lake for 2 nights. There is a 2 hour trail that wraps around the lake with beautiful views. I would recommend renting a canoe for an hour and heading out into the water. Price is only $44 CAD which I was told is the cheapest around all the lakes in Banff area. We saw a black bear so hike in groups and keep an eye out! read more

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