Maligne Lake & Spirit Island, Jasper
Maligne Lake
The longest glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies (22 km). A 90-minute boat trip takes you to Spirit Island in the middle of the lake, a small island framed by snowy peaks on three sides and one of Canada's most classic scenic photos.
Maligne Lake lies 48 km southeast of the town of Jasper, about an hour's drive along Maligne Lake Road, which passes Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake. It sits at an elevation of 1,670 m, is 22.5 km long and 97 m deep, and is the longest and deepest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Its water is a glacial turquoise-green, and at its far end it is surrounded by 3,000 m peaks including Samson Peak, Charlton and Unwin. The core experience is the boat trip to Spirit Island. Pursuit's 90-minute cruise leaves from the dock at the head of the lake and sails 14 km to a small island in the middle, where it stops for 15 minutes so you can take photos. Surrounded by snowy peaks on three sides, the spruce-covered island stands in the blue lake. In the 1960s, a huge Kodak advertisement at New York's Grand Central Terminal made it a byword for Canadian scenery. Spirit Island is sacred to the local Stoney people, so you cannot land on it and can only photograph it from a nearby viewpoint. The cruise costs about CAD 90 to 100 (Classic), and photography-guided sailings are also available. It runs from early June to early October and requires advance booking in summer. Those not taking the boat can rent canoes or kayaks at the lake head for about CAD 80 to 100 per hour, but paddling to Spirit Island takes 3 to 4 hours one way and requires an overnight camping permit. You can also walk the 3.2 km Mary Schäffer loop, named after the explorer who first reached the lake in 1908, or hike Bald Hills (10 km round trip with 500 m of climbing) for a view over the entire lake. Must-stops on the way are Maligne Canyon, a 50 m deep limestone gorge with a six-bridge trail that offers ice walks in winter, and Medicine Lake, where the water disappears through underground channels in autumn. Elk, black bears and moose are often seen along the way. The town of Jasper itself has also been affected by wildfire. In July 2024, a fire destroyed about one-third of the buildings in the townsite, and it reopened to visitors in 2025. Attractions include the Jasper SkyTram on Whistlers Mountain (2,263 m), Pyramid Lake, Miette Hot Springs, and stargazing in the world's second-largest dark-sky preserve, with the Dark Sky Festival in October. Transport: self-drive, or join a half-day tour from Jasper (about CAD 150 including the boat trip). There is no public bus. Note that the boat dock parking lot fills up after 10 a.m. in peak season, the lake is windy and cold so bring a jacket, and Maligne Lake Road often has snow and ice in winter.
Opening hours
Open all day (boat cruises approx. early Jun–early Oct 09:00–17:00; booking required)
Nearby sights
- Sunwapta Falls
- Medicine Lake
- Athabasca Falls
- Columbia Icefield Skywalk
- Valley of the Five Lakes
- Miette Hot Springs
- Mount Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier
- Maligne Canyon