Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
438 reviews
Excellent
207
Very good
172
Average
47
Poor
11
Terrible
1
Worldwide Travel
Bangkok, Thailand4,726 contributions
Jan 2020
I would not recommend driving to Medicine Lake just to see this lake alone, in fact it's on the road leading to Maligne Lake about 20km farther down the road, which is a more important tourist attraction. However it is well worth stopping at Medicine Lake to enjoy the scenery especially since this lake has the special feature that it can "disappear" in the autumn when all the water drains out, only to be refilled in the spring when snow melts from the mountains around. The view in the winter is beautiful although less wildlife to be found.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnnnita
Napa, CA2,470 contributions
Oct 2022
Whether on a tour or traveling yourself, make sure to stop and take in this natural lake. It's worth a rest stop and photo opportunity. If you are heading to Maligne Lake, you will be sure to see this lake in some form. Depending on the time of year, the water level may vary. When we visited it on a tour in early October, it was fairly full on this end.
As you drive further along Maligne Lake Road you will find the water level varies and indeed can go underground, feeding from Maligne Lake itself. So, enjoy this water way along the way.
As you drive further along Maligne Lake Road you will find the water level varies and indeed can go underground, feeding from Maligne Lake itself. So, enjoy this water way along the way.
Written December 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChicagoKiteFlier
Chicago, United States26 contributions
Jun 2022
Unusual lake that sometimes drains down to nothing - but being here in the early summer there was a good amount of water in the lake. Nearby eagles were fun to watch through the binoculars. Beach was super muddy but I'm glad I went down to the water's edge. Beautiful colors.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulaDDuck
Toronto, Canada191 contributions
Sep 2021
This is a nice area to stop for a quick look at the lovely lake and the surrounding area. It is between the turn-off for the Maligne Canyon and the Maligne Lake. If you are travelling from the canyon to the lake, the turn-out for Medicine Lake will come after a sharp left bend and just before a sharp right one. You will catch glimpses of the lake just before you arrive at the parking lot. If you visit at different times of the year, the level of the water may be drastically different due to the underground sinkholes.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlen S
Orillia, Canada28 contributions
Jul 2022
This lake drains underground. We were lucky enough to see it overflow its banks and create a large, quick running river. The amazing thing is that this lake is created by spring melt. It is not there in early spring or late fal. It is dry. Wow!!!
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1girl_1passport
Vancouver, Canada1,041 contributions
Sep 2020
This was a pit-stop for us along the way to Maligne Lake.
There is a little pull in and a few picnic tables if you're looking for a place to rest for a little bt. You can also walk down towards the lake edge also during certain seasons, we were here at the end of September.
Worth stopping for a taking a few pictures.
There is a little pull in and a few picnic tables if you're looking for a place to rest for a little bt. You can also walk down towards the lake edge also during certain seasons, we were here at the end of September.
Worth stopping for a taking a few pictures.
Written November 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BelaN74
Mississauga, Canada4,171 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
This is a must stop for everyone. There is a staircase to get down to the lake so that may be difficult for some. The lake, rocks and mountains all together make for a very tranquil area. We stayed quite awhile to just enjoy the beauty.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marvi62
Horsham, PA589 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We first stopped at Medicine Lake on our vacation 11 years ago. Today (June 15) we stopped again. The water is not frozen, but the level seemed low to us. We could see a lot of burned trees in the area from a forest fire (last year? Older?) but also signs of new growth. If you bring binoculars, you can see a bald eagle nest (there are signs alerting you to the nest).
We enjoyed our stop here, but would rate it optional compared to all the other stunning sites we have seen.
We enjoyed our stop here, but would rate it optional compared to all the other stunning sites we have seen.
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaydee1244
Calgary, Canada72 contributions
Sep 2021
This is a must stop on the way to Maligne Lake! I went in September and the lake was full and green. Its a quick turn in off the road to Maligne Lake about 20 mins in. You walk down some stairs to the lake. There is also a small trail bordering the lake. The trees were burnt down in this area but it adds to the scenery!
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
buttercup1211
Winnipeg, Canada1,613 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
By our second week in the Rockies, we have seen so many lakes, but this one still took my breath away. It was so picturesque being surrounded by mountains, and the water was fairly still so the reflection was nice. The ride here was also eventful as we saw some elk and goats and moose along the way. It was very smoky when we were here due to the BC and US wildfires but still very pretty!
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bobcav
Manitoba, Canada515 contributions
The reviews I'v read so far say to stop on your way to Maligne Lake. Would it also make sense to stop on your way back? What side of the road is the parking lot lookout on? (Just wondering because we will have less time constraints on our way back from the boat tour of Maligne Lake)
thanks
jillybean238
Fort McMurray, Canada181 contributions
There are two spots where you can stop. There is the official pullout with the signs explaining everything about Medicine Lake. If you are traveling TO Maligne Lake, it is on the right hand side of the road, just shortly after you pass the winter road closure gates.
Alternately, there is a pullout BEFORE the winter road closure gates, also on the right hand side. This is our favorite of the two. There is more parking here and you can easily go down to the lake and scramble around on the rocks (if it's later in the summer). You can launch canoes and kayaks from this stop. The main pullout has the best views though.
Medicine Lake (Jasper National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Medicine Lake
- We recommend booking Medicine Lake tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 19 Medicine Lake tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Medicine Lake:
- Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island (From $56.58)
- Canadian Rockies Tour by Chauffeured Sidecar from Jasper (From $119.35)
- 5.5-Hour Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise from Jasper (From $120.27)
- Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Hike (From $71.84)
- Super DEAL! Canadian Rockies visit Banff, Jasper and Yoho, 5-days tour (From $1,002.56)
- Hotels near Medicine Lake:
- (0.00 mi) Wilcox Creek Campground
- (0.09 mi) Whistlers Campground
- (0.04 mi) Whistlers Inn
- (0.04 mi) Athabasca Hotel
- (0.15 mi) Jasper Downtown Hostel
- Restaurants near Medicine Lake:
- (0.01 mi) The Raven Bistro
- (0.02 mi) Scoops & Loops
- (0.02 mi) Whistle Stop Pub
- (0.02 mi) Sihtaw Restaurant
- (0.08 mi) SnowDome Coffee Bar