8 Jaw-Dropping Paddles You Need to Experience in Banff and Lake Louise

Banff and Lake Louise's turquoise lakes, glacier-fed rivers, and stunning views make them perfect for a sightseeing paddle. These breathtaking canoe, kayak and SUP lakes in Banff National Park will wow anyone, from the novice to the experienced paddler.

8 Banff and Lake Louise Paddles

1. The Bow River
2. Vermillion Lakes
3. Johnson Lake
4. Two Jack Lake
5. Lake Minnewanka
6. Lake Louise
7. Herbert Lake
8. Waterfowl Lake

Make sure to clean, drain, dry, and certify your boats, paddles, and other water devices before entering any body of water in Banff and Lake Louise. This helps to protect our precious lakes and rivers from Aquatic Invasive Species.

Help Fight Against Aquatic Invaders in our Waters

Parks Canada is on a mission to shield our precious freshwater ecosystems from aquatic invasive species (AIS). These unwelcome visitors, plants, animals, and diseases not native to our waters, pose a real threat. They multiply rapidly and can overtake the species that naturally belong here.

What’s the Plan?

To safeguard the crystal-clear waters of Banff National Park and waterways across Canada, Parks Canada has rolled out the Clean Drain Dry initiative. It’s a call to action for everyone who loves water sports!

How Can You Help?

It’s simple! Before and after you head out on the water:

• Clean your watercraft and gear of any hitchhiking plants, animals, and mud.
• Drain every drop of water onto dry land.
• Dry for a minimum of 48 hours after use in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, or the territories of Canada, including use in the national parks AND a minimum of 30 days after use in the United States or provinces other than British Columbia, Alberta and/or the territories of Canada.
• Certify Users must obtain an AIS Prevention Permit for all watercraft and water-related gear before entering a waterbody in Banff National Park or the surrounding National Parks - Yoho and Kootenay.

By embracing these easy steps, you become a vital ally in halting the spread of invasive species. Together, we can preserve Banff National Park's stunning beauty for generations to come.

1. The Bow River

• Launch Point: Banff Canoe Club.
• Rentals are available at the launch point.

If you’re staying in downtown Banff, you don’t have to drive to find waters that feel wild. Just walk to the Banff Canoe Club to rent a canoe, kayak, or SUP, (by the hour or the day) and launch from their docks on Bow Ave, just off of Wolf St.

Head upstream on the Bow River, and within minutes, you’re completely surrounded by mountain vistas, feeling like you’ve left the town far behind.

If you explore this section in the evening, you’re bound to see wildlife like beavers, deer, and elk. Remember to give wildlife space, never approach and enjoy the view from afar.

Echo Creek

Echo Creek is a small creek to the north of the Banff Canoe Club, as you paddle upstream on the Bow River. A shallow, narrow and scenic passage that meanders towards the first lake at Vermilion Lakes. Please note that water levels vary and are, at times, too low to paddle deep into the creek.

2. Vermilion Lakes

• Launch Point: Docks at Lake 1, 2, and 3.
• Rentals can be found in the nearby Banff townsite.

The three lakes that make up the Vermilion Lakes, nestled beside the Banff townsite, are a great location for beginner paddlers looking for the perfect place to dip their paddles. The lakes are free from all motorized watercraft and are generally calm. Best of all, you can paddle between lakes 1 and 2 without leaving your boat, meaning you have plenty of open waters to explore.

To get to any of the three lakes, head to Vermilion Lakes Drive on the west side of the Banff townsite near the Mt. Norquay overpass from Highway 1. Along the road, you will find three different lakes with docks where you can put in your canoe, kayak, or SUP.

The shallow, marshy lakes are home to plenty of wildlife. You could see elk, muskrats, beavers, herons, loons, and bald eagles.

3. Johnson Lake

• Launch Point: Johnson Lake beach.
• Rentals can be found in the nearby Banff townsite.

Johnson Lake is the perfect place for a gentle float while soaking in the glorious mountain views. It’s big enough to meander but small enough to feel safe for inexperienced paddlers. Sunset is a spectacular gem and the perfect capper on a big day in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Keep an eye out for deer and elk along the shoreline, loons gliding across the surface, and waterfowl tucked into the reeds. On calm days, Johnson Lake’s clear water lets you peer down to the lakebed, where fish and other small aquatic life move beneath you.

To access Johnson Lake it is recommended to take Roam transit route 6 that goes out to Lake Minnewanka. Parking at the lake is limited, so if transit isn’t an option, carpool to increase your chances of finding a spot, and please only park in designated stalls.

4. Two Jack Lake

• Launch Point: Lower day-use parking lot.
• Rentals are available in the Banff townsite.

With Mount Rundle towering above the tree line, it’s safe to say you’ll want to bring a camera for photo ops on this paddle. Two Jack Lake is next to Lake Minnewanka, but is significantly more intimate. Once you enter Two Jack Lake, paddle south, and you can paddle up the Two Jack Canal.

End your paddle with a lakeside picnic at one of the day-use sites along Two Jack.

Access the lake by taking Roam Transit route 6 to Lake Minnewanka.

5. Lake Minnewanka

• Rentals are available at the Lake Minnewanka Boat dock.

Lake Minnewanka is a protected waterbody in Banff National Park, which means personal watercraft are not permitted for paddling on the lake.

To paddle here, you’ll need to rent approved watercraft directly from the Lake Minnewanka Boathouse. Get a kayak, canoe or small motorboat from the dock, which you can use to explore the lake's shoreline.

The lake is not for the novice paddler. It takes some strategy to explore its shores, as gusts of wind pick up quickly, often change direction, and cause sudden, large waves or storms. The safest way to explore is to stay close to the shore and explore a section of the lake.

For more experienced paddlers, this lake is well worth the visit, but be prepared for other boats, including tour boats and recreational motorboats.

Not only is the lake striking in its vastness, it also has a rich history. The name Minnewanka comes from Minn-waki, meaning “Lake of the Spirits” from the Stoney Nakoda, who have inhabited the area for millennia.

Take Roam Transit Route 6 from Banff to Lake Minnewanka.

6. Lake Louise

• Launch Point: Lake Louise Lakeshore.
• Rentals available at the Lake Louise Boathouse.

Lake Louise lives up to its reputation as one of Banff National Park’s most iconic sights.

Brilliant turquoise water, stunning Victoria Glacier, massive mountains, everywhere you look, there is a jaw-dropping sight.

With rentals available by the hour from the Lake Louise Boathouse, this lake is a great option if you’re visiting the national park without a canoe, kayak or SUP.

Parking at Lake Louise fills up very early, it is recommended to take a shuttle bus to visit Lake Louise.

7. Herbert Lake

• Launch Point: Lake Shore.
• No rentals nearby.

When you turn onto the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93 north) off of Highway 1 West, you’ll have to keep a lookout for the Herbert Lake turn. It’s the first turn on the left.

Tucked away at the start of the Icefields Parkway, this lake is worth the stop. Bring your watercraft out, and you’ll feel even more secluded on the water.

With glorious views of Saddleback Mountain, Mount Temple and Mount Victoria, as well as secluded sections in the trees, it’s the perfect paddle if you’re travelling the Icefields Parkway and want a serene place to go.

8. Waterfowl Lakes

• Launch Point: Lakeshore.
• No rentals nearby.

Waterfowl Lakes, set within the splendour of Banff National Park, is a haven for paddlers seeking the tranquillity of pristine waters and the grandeur of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. These twin lakes, Upper and Lower Waterfowl, are easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway, offering a convenient yet remote experience.

To get there, if you're coming from Lake Louise, simply head north on the Icefields Parkway for about 61 km. The lakes will greet you with their shimmering blue waters and the rugged, glacier-covered peaks that stand guard around the valley.

Early mornings are especially magical, as the waters are often still, reflecting the towering mountains and the sky's changing hues.

Rent a Canoe, Kayak, or SUP in Banff and Lake Louise

You don't need to worry about hauling your canoe, kayak or paddle board all the way to Banff National Park to paddle one of these incredible lakes. You can easily rent a SUP, canoe, or kayak.

Where to Rent a Standup Paddleboard

You can rent a SUP in Banff for a half-day or a day from:

• Black Diamond Rentals.
• SkiBig3 Adventure Hub. 
• Banff Canoe Club.
• Bow Valley SUP.

Where to Rent a Kayak or Canoe in Banff National Park

To experience a more classic mountain travel experience, try renting a canoe or kayak.

You can rent directly on the shores of the Bow River from the Banff Canoe Club, right on Lake Minnewanka from Lake Minnewanka Boat Rentals at the boat dock, and at Lake Louise, grab your rental canoe from the Lake Louise Boathouse.

Make Paddling Part of Your Banff Itinerary

Paddling in Banff National Park offers a clear, on-the-water view of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, whether you’re canoeing on Lake Louise or exploring calmer sections of the Bow River. It’s an easy way to add variety to your itinerary while experiencing iconic scenery from a different perspective.

Canoe and kayak rentals are available at key locations, making it straightforward to plan ahead and fit paddling into your day.

Start planning your trip to Banff and Lake Louise today, and add paddling to your itinerary for a classic summer experience on the water.