Bow Lake
A glacial lake at the headwaters of the Bow River, beside the Icefields Parkway, with the Crowfoot Glacier and red-roofed log lodge reflected in the water. The road runs right to the lakeshore.
Bow Lake lies about 37 km north of Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway, at about 1,920 m. It is the source of the Bow River and the easiest large lake to reach on the Icefields Parkway, with the road hugging the shore. At the head of the lake are the Bow Glacier and the Crowfoot Glacier. The red-roofed Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, built in the 1920s, stands on the shore and makes a classic foreground. On calm mornings, the reflections of the snowy mountains are at their most complete.
A lakeside trail leads to Bow Glacier Falls (about 9 km round trip, 3 hours). Admission is free (a national park pass is required). The lake can only be reached by car or tour, about 30 minutes from Lake Louise. Continuing about 6 km north brings you to Peyto Lake, and the two are often visited together. The altitude is high and the wind is cold, so bring a jacket even in summer.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Peyto Lake
- Takakkaw Falls
- Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
- Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
- Natural Bridge, Yoho
- Lake Agnes Tea House
- Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
- Lake O'Hara