Â鶹APP

Photo by C. Löser – Wikimedia

Top 10 Most beautiful lakes in Canada

Canadian lakes are not only a source of beauty to the country but also supply drinking water. There are thousands of lakes in Canada, from glassy glacial lakes, volcanic lakes to desert lakes. 

Canada has about 563 lakes that are more than 100 kilometres wide. The Great Lakes are also found on the border with the United States. There are more lakes in Canada than in any country in the world.

To give you an idea of the number, there are more than 2 million lakes in this vast country. Out of these, 31,752 are larger than three square kilometres.

About 18% of the world’s largest amount of freshwater lakes are found in Canada alone. Each one of the ten provinces in Canada boasts of a lake either natural or man-made.  

You are probably wondering which of these lakes are beautiful and worth visiting. Say less, here are our top10 picks of the most beautiful lakes in Canada.

1. Emerald Lake; Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Photo by Natulive Canada – Wikimedia

Nestled in Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake steals the title of the largest lake within a park’s boundary. There are 61 lakes in Yoho National Park.

As the name suggests, the lake has a beautiful green colour. The floor of the lake is made up of glacial sediments. Lake Emerald is surrounded by mountains and sits at an elevation of 1,200 metres.

There is no doubt that this lake is the best attraction in this park. Between November and June, Lake Emerald remains frozen. A visit to this Lake is ideal any time of the year

Activities: canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, photography.

2. Spotted Lake; Osoyoos, British Columbia

Photo by AndrewEnns – Wikimedia

This is a natural wonder found in British Columbia. The Spotted Lake gets its name from the spots of mineral deposits left after water evaporates.

To see this natural spectacle, visit the lake during summer. The lake is in Osoyoos town, in the desert, and can be easily accessed using a vehicle.

What is more amazing is that the spots change in size, colour and location as summer progresses. This is because of increased evaporation.  

You cannot get too close to the lake because it is a protected area. There is a fence around it where one can take photos of the lake.

Activities: hiking, photography

3. Lake Superior; Isle Royale National Park, Ontario

This is the largest of the Great Lakes in Canada. It stretches from the south of Ontario to Michigan. More than 200 rivers supply this lake with fresh water, making it the 3^rd largest freshwater lake by volume.

Found in Isle Royale National Park, the lake is surrounded by 200 islands and can be accessed using boats or a seaplane.

There are also wild animals in the forests and cliffs around the lake like wolves and mongooses. Other than the forests, the islands have beautiful beaches and crystal clear water.

Activities: water sports, camping, canoeing, swimming, hiking.

4. Lake Ontario; Ontario

Photo by C. Löser – Wikimedia

Lake Ontario, a freshwater lake, is the source of clean drinking water to over nine million people in Ontario and New York in the US states.

The lake is right below Niagara Falls, which links the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean and St. Lawrence River.  

This is one of the five Great Lakes subsequently the largest freshwater lake in the world. There are several public beaches found at Lake Ontario.   

Activities: paddleboarding, windsurfing and canoeing

5.  Bow Lake; Banff National Park, Alberta

Bow Lake is not the largest in Banff National Park but is the most beautiful and colourful in the Park. It is close to the Canadian Rockies.  

Surrounded by white peaked mountains, the lake’s colour pops out even more. A visit to the lake in the fall season serves you a beautiful panorama of the snowy landscape.

There is a spacious parking lot where you can set your picnic and take in the vista.

Activities: hiking, picnicking, nature and landscape photography

6. Lake Louise; Banff National Park, Alberta

Photo by Chensiyuan – Wikimedia

This glacial lake may be small, but it is extremely breathtaking. Its green water sparkles in the backdrop of the tall mountains surrounding it.

Lake Louise is cushioned at the foot of Mount Victoria and is one of the main attractions in Banff National Park.

There is a cosy Chateau on the eastern end of the lake, one of Canada’s luxurious hotels. Lake Louise skiing area is also close by.

The best viewpoint of the lake is from the top of Fairview Mountain at 9,000 feet above sea level.   

Activities: hiking, mountain biking, boating, ice climbing, skiing, ice fishing.

7. Garibaldi Lake; Garibaldi National Park, British Columbia

Photo by Jonhall – Wikimedia

Garibaldi Lake is another beautiful glacial lake located 1450m above sea level. This turquoise lake is enclosed by snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows.

The lake is 5km long and 4km wide. There is only one way to access this lake and it is by foot. The entire hike to and from the lake covers about 21km.

Hiking through the forested turns and alpine meadows is as rewarding as basking in the glory of Garibaldi Lake. Wild blooms blanket the forested area during summer.

Popular trails include Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge. They offer incredible views of the lake from above.

Activities: hiking, camping.

8. Peyto Lake; Banff National Park, Alberta

Another beautiful lake is found in Banff National Park. It is elevated at 1,860 metres above sea level. Its elevation may make it seem impossible to access, one can get to it by driving up.

The drive to the lake is quite scenic and you can stop at Bow Summit to view the lake. There is a hiking trail you can take to the lake from the viewpoint.

Hiking to the lake covers a distance of 3 km to and fro. There are two viewpoints along the hike, the best being at Petyo point. You will get the best views from here during summer.

Activities: hiking.

9. Lake Huron, Ontario

Photo by Chris Light -Wikimedia

Lake Huron is the second-largest Great Lake in Canada at 23,000 square miles. This used to be an important shipping route by Native Americans.

French explorers used to call it La Mer Douche. More than 1,000 shipwrecks were reported on this lake due to the heavy storms that occurred.

There are coves, islands and sandy beaches begging that are worth exploring.

Activities: swimming, beach strolls, water sports

10. Moraine Lake; Banff National Park

The landscape around Moraine Lake is a dreamy postcard photo. It is surrounded by pine forests and rugged mountain peaks.

This glacial lake is a close neighbour to Lake Louise. It covers about 120 acres and is 50 feet deep. Moraine Lake is by far one of the most photogenic lakes in Canada.

Activities: hiking