Bow Lake, Banff National Park: Tickets, Tours, Address, Bow Lake Reviews: 4.5/5
Bow Lake
4.5
Tours & experiences
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2 within 3 miles
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4.5
529 reviews
Excellent
386
Very good
126
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
1
buttercup1211
Winnipeg, Canada1,569 contributions
Picture-worthy
Sep 2020 • Couples
If you’re in the Lake Louise area or driving through to Jasper, you have to make some time to stop here. It’s a big beautiful lake surrounded by majestic mountains and glaciers and it’s just breathtaking. Try to come early or mid-morning so you get perfect lighting, and to avoid the crowds. This is also a perfect place for a picnic lunch or a quick snack. The
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Indra C
5 contributions
Now lake
Sep 2020 • Couples
Nice view right by the Ice field hwy between Jasper and Banff . Is closer to banff. The lake is not settled most of the time. However we stroked luck. The reflections are breath taking. This photo I took with my phone.
Written September 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sayadil
New Delhi, India333 contributions
Very nice lake with beautiful water colour and a hangout restaurant`
Aug 2020
This lake is close to Peyto Lake which was shut so we ended up spending some time at Bow Lake. Colour of the lake is very nice and there's a small restaurant to hangout.
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
toddlerpants
Droitwich, UK983 contributions
Wow
Aug 2019
This is one of those places where you look and just go wow.
The mountains create the backdrop. the lake with its clear water make up the foreground and together you could just sit and look for a while.
The mountains create the backdrop. the lake with its clear water make up the foreground and together you could just sit and look for a while.
Written July 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
goochypapa
Yarrow, Canada79 contributions
Worth the Stop
Jul 2020 • Family
This is such an easy stop. Pull off the highway and snap a few photos. We’ve passed this in the winter and summer and have great pictures.
Written July 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trusstytraveller
Palmview, Australia970 contributions
Simply amazing
Jun 2019 • Couples
The reflection photos you can take here are amazing. No crowds and just amazing. Pristine countryside with snow capped mountains and crystal clear waters. A cute little trading post around the other side of hate lake. You are not restricted to where you can view the lake, it is simply stunning.
Written November 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EkMusafir
Pune, India2,206 contributions
Beautiful Lake Along Icefields Parkway.
Aug 2019
After visiting Bow Falls we departed from Banff and traveled along the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper. Our next stop was at Bow Lake which happened to be along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. It is the lake closest to the headwaters of the Bow River which runs down past Banff town to Calgary and beyond.
Bow Lake is a small but beautiful lake surrounded by the high peaks of the Waputik Range of mountains. Water in the lake is the meltwater from the Bow Glacier and is turquoise in colour with a bluish tinge. We walked down from the parking area to the historical Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, a quaint wooden building with a red sloping roof, to the lakeside. The water was very calm and serene and reflected the images of the mountain peaks.
Bow Lake is a small but beautiful lake surrounded by the high peaks of the Waputik Range of mountains. Water in the lake is the meltwater from the Bow Glacier and is turquoise in colour with a bluish tinge. We walked down from the parking area to the historical Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, a quaint wooden building with a red sloping roof, to the lakeside. The water was very calm and serene and reflected the images of the mountain peaks.
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah M
Bristol, UK444 contributions
lovely views :)
Apr 2019
i will give it 5 stars when i come back and see it melted, but it was competely frozen when we went so cant yet comment on the lovely blue water i know is underneath! when we went, it was frozen but again the surrounding mountain were beautiful and we took quite a few pics. will come again in the summer once melted :)
Written October 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
UniversalTraversal
Oakville, Canada833 contributions
Gorgeous blue lake, outdone only by its neighbour
Sep 2019
With Peyto Lake being temporarily closed, this is a moderately good substitute. While not as dramatic in size or location, it still possesses the striking blue colouration owning to mineral suspension. Not a must-see if you've already viewed Peyto, but as Bow lake is right by the road and less busy, it's also easier to access.
Written October 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patty J
Philadelphia630 contributions
Easy to view this beautiful lake
Sep 2019
This is a stop off the Icefields Parkway. The parking is convenient and looking at the view of the lake is wonderful.
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lauriehendrix
Columbus, OH45 contributions
Can you rent canoes at Bow Lake?
iancorby
Ellon, UK5 contributions
Yes you can
Dream14602249932
0 contributions
How quickly does the parking lot at bow lake fill up?
TalalZ
Mableton, GA388 contributions
Directly on Icefields Parkway there is a stop with small parking area overlooking Bow Lake. Shortly thereafter on left hand coming from Banff is a road to Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge with Bow Lake Car lot on it. There are toilets and benches. People also park on both sides of the road. You cal walk from parking lot directly to the lake or walk to lodge area where there is also a viewing platform on the lake.
Though parking areas could be busy early people do not stay long and move on. Waiting time should be short.
mizzles
210 contributions
Where exactly is the picnic area? Is it a separate stop from the lake? Is it at the North end or past the north end of the lake or anywhere close to Num-ti-Jah Lodge?
Miz
BMphotoTours
Banff, Canada104 contributions
The picnic area is at the lake but about 1km South from the turn off to drive into Num Ti Jah Lodge. That Lodge is the log building with the red roof.
