Bow Lake

Turquoise waters and a location a little off the beaten path make Bow Lake a hidden gem. It’s only 37 km (23 mi) from Lake Louise and sits on the Icefield Parkway, but it doesn’t get nearly the number of visitors as that more famous lake. That’s too bad because Bow Lake is stunning. It’s Bow Lake is one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park and lies at the base of Bow Summit, which is perfectly reflected in its waters on calm days. Bow Lake The stunning lake is fed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield and forms the headwaters of the Bow River, which flows through Banff, Calgary and the Alberta foothills. Bow Lake is an excellent place for a picnic or an extremely bracing swim. Be sure to explore the trail that leads around the lake. It’s an easy hike that follows the shoreline and then takes hikers to the base of Bow River Falls.