Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area, and with the vastness of space comes some of the most beautiful sights imaginable. These attractions include volcanoes, forests, mountains, and more than a million lakes. With that many lakes in the country alone, it’s almost impossible to decide which of Canada’s lakes are the best or most beautiful. I’ve done my best to scour the country to pick the most stunning lakes for you to visit, and though I could never have seen them all, there’s a growing consensus that the mentions in this list are the top choices in the country.
1. Lake Ontario – Ontario
Lake Ontario isn’t only a lake that boasts some of the most stunning scenery across a picturesque lake lined with beaches, cliffs, and city centres. Lake Ontario is the most well-known lake in Toronto and provides drinking water to more than 9 million people across Ontario and New York. The lake is incredibly beautiful but equally as functional, with tons of biodiversity that includes plants, trees, and animals that all rely on Lake Ontario for survival. Days Inn by Wyndham Stouffville is a popular hotel within walking distance of the lake.
2. Berg Lake – Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia
Berg Lake is considered by many, especially BC locals, to be the most beautiful of the lakes in Canada. Mount Robson is the highest peak in the country, and this turquoise blue lake in Canada is perched right in front of the mountain and surrounded by icebergs year-round. To get to Berg Lake, you hike along one of the most incredible landscapes along the Berg Lake Trail, which passes through the Valley of 1,000 Waterfalls. The Berg Lake Trail is a bit strenuous and roughly 19 km (12 miles) long but well worth the hike once you reach the lake shores. The Sandman Inn Mcbride is located in McBride, a short trip away from Mount Robson National Park.
3. Lake Louise – Alberta
Lake Louise is a must-visit for those searching for the great lakes in Canada. It’s located at the foot of Mount Victoria, one of the largest peaks in the country and the star attraction of Banff National Park. Banff National Park is the first national park in Canada and home to an array of glacial lakes, Rocky Mountain peaks, mountain towns, and varied wildlife. There are over three million visitors to Banff National Park every year to partake in the various activities at the park, including biking, hiking, camping, and skiing, amid some of the most beautiful mountain peaks. One of the most popular things for visitors to do is a hike to Canada’s Lake Louise.
4. Lake Superior – Ontario
When talking about the most beautiful or best lakes in Canada, you can’t have a list without Lake Superior on it. Lake Superior is a large lake in Canada and possibly the most famous Canadian lake. It’s the largest known freshwater lake in the world and is larger than several countries. One of the things that makes Lake Superior, well, superior, is that it’s one of the few famous lakes in Canada that you can swim in.
The majority of the other lakes on this list have water temperatures too cold to swim in for more than a couple of minutes, while Lake Superior is known to go above 15°C in the summer, especially in August.
5. Garibaldi Lake – British Columbia
Garibaldi Lake is located in the Garibaldi Provincial Park, in BC, and is one of Canada’s famous places, as well as one of its most beautiful. The clear turquoise surface of the lake reveals the plentiful wildlife not-so-hidden beneath the surface, including various kinds of fish, rocks, fallen trees, moss and so much more. The water to the lake is fed by a glacier, which makes swimming a chilly affair but certainly possible. During the summer months, the water is often warm enough to swim in for a fair amount of time.
Garibaldi Lake is almost entirely surrounded by alpine forests and mountains and is one of the most sought-after camping spots in British Columbia. The most favoured time to visit the lake for most is in winter, when you can enjoy the beauty of the lake while skiing or snowshoeing along the snow-capped peaks.
6. Moraine Lake – Alberta
Another one of the Banff National Park lakes, and possibly the most enchanting of the lot, is Moraine Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada and the most photographed lake in Banff National Park. It’s another one of the glacial-fed lakes, so the water is very cold throughout the year. If you’re not used to swimming in icy cold water, consider giving it a skip unless you’re there in the middle of summer and want to see what it feels like. Moraine Lake sits in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and serves as the starting point for one of the most famous hiking trails in Alberta, the Perron Route. The Perron Route is an 8 to 10-hour climb up to the Neil Colgan Hut.
7. Thetis Lake
If you’re planning on spending your time in one of the warm parts of Canada, like Victoria, take the time to visit Thetis Lake. Although it doesn’t quite have the same allure that the glacial-fed lakes have, nor is it surrounded by as striking scenery, Thetis Lake is a popular year-round attraction that you can swim in, snorkel in, kayak on or simply camp close to. One of the most popular reasons for visiting Thetis Lake is the somewhat challenging hike around the upper and lower sections of the lake. The more challenging trails up Seymour or Scafe Hills lead to beautiful panoramic views of the lake and surrounding hillside.
8. Maligne Lake – Alberta
Maligne Lake is situated in the breathtaking Jasper National Park, a short drive away from the town of Jasper and is widely considered to be one of the most serene lakes in the country. Its location amid the Canadian Rockies and being fed by numerous glaciers, coupled with the azure-coloured, crystal-clear water of Maligne Lake, is what makes this a premier destination all year round.
There are a wide array of things to do around the lake throughout the year. The summer months are generally good for hiking, fishing, canoeing, boat tours and more, while the winter months are generally good for skiing and snowshoeing. Again, because the lake is fed by glaciers, swimming isn’t recommended unless you’re used to very cold water. It is, however, a great place for a quick cold immersion for health benefits.
9. Lake Muskoka – Ontario
Lake Muskoka is the largest lake in the area, and although it isn’t nearly as well known as many of the lakes on this list, it’s certainly one of my favourites because of the surrounding wildlife, incredible fishing opportunities and the expansive shoreline. Lake Muskoka is situated in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario and is a popular getaway location for many Canadians hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The biggest allure of the lake is the fishing, with a robust lake trout population and other species like herring, walleye, whitefish, brook trout and rainbow smelt. You’ll find readily available fishing charters going out on the water every day, which are a great choice for the inexperienced anglers among you.
10. Lake Memphremagog – Quebec
Located between the US state of Vermont and the Canadian city of Quebec, Lake Memphremagog is an exquisite lake surrounded by rolling hills along the eastern shore and mountains on the west. There are roughly 21 different islands on the lake, about 15 in Canada and 6 in the US. There are at least 175,000 Canadians that get their drinking water from the lake, which offers people a wealth of activities such as fishing, kayaking, boating and more. Yachts of all sizes are a popular sight on Lake Memphremagog, and the sailing club provides training for all levels.
11. Kootenay Lake – British Columbia
Kootenay Lake is part of the Kootenay River and lies between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges in British Columbia. It’s one of the largest lakes in BC that was formed through a combination of nearby glaciers melting and the erosion of the river. Kayaking along the surface of the lake is a popular activity, as is fishing around the lake, paddling, sailing, and experiencing salmon spawning. The rare inland rainforest around the lake offers incredible scenery to explore on foot.
Hikers of all levels come to this part of the country year-round to hike along the edge of the lake and deep into the forests. Kootenay Lake is a place where local otters play, eagles nest, and ospreys dive. A living landscape, home to a rich history and diverse wildlife that can be explored in a multitude of ways, including paddling, canoeing, or boating. There are local operators providing guided tours, but travellers are also welcome to bring their own gear.
12. Kluane Lake – Yukon
Situated in Kluane National Park in Yukon, Canada, Kluane Lake is a glacier-fed lake that’s the largest in Yukon and most well known for its species of fish, including whitefish and lake trout that draw in thousands of fishermen during the season. Another benefit of Kluane Lake is the Kluane and Aishihik caribou herds that migrate to the nearby areas. The best time to visit the lake is during the summer months, when you can hire paddleboards, kayaks or boats and explore the lake. It also might just be warm enough during the summer to swim for longer than a couple of minutes.
13. Emerald Lake – British Columbia
Emerald Lake, located in the heart of Yoho National Park, amid the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia, is the largest lake in the national park and one of the finest lakes in Canada. Visiting during the summer is recommended, when you’ll get the best view of the natural surroundings and an opportunity to swim in the lake. Emerald Lake is home to a plethora of activities to indulge in, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating and hiking along the shoreline. During the winter, the lake is a popular destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing.
Hikers from around the world make their way to the lake every year to explore the Emerald Lake Trail, a lakeshore trail around the lake that’s suited to all levels. The reason hikers come here isn’t the difficulty of the trail but the beauty it affords everyone who comes to visit. The surrounding greenery is coupled with mountain peaks and rolling hills.
14. Peyto Lake – Alberta
Peyto Lake is another top attraction in the popular Banff National Park and is considered by most visitors to be the best stop on the Icefields Parkway. The lake is easily accessible through the Peyto Lake Trail, with the walk to a popular viewpoint being around 30min or so. Visitors don’t come to Peyto Lake for the hiking trails, they come to the lake for the breathtaking views it offers. Swimming in the lake isn’t advised, since it’s difficult to get to the water’s edge and the glacier-fed water is ice-cold throughout the year. Some of the best things to do include walking to the Peyto Lake Viewpoint, the Observation Peak or Bow Lake nearby.
Bow Lake is equally as cold but a better choice if you can’t resist the urge to jump in the water. Summer is widely considered the best time to visit Peyto Lake, but it’s a year-round destination that offers stunning views in any season.
15. Lake Kliluk – British Columbia
Lake Kliluk, otherwise known as the Spotted Lake, is located in the Similkameen Valley in Osoyoos and is one of the most bizarre lakes in all of Canada, an endorheic body of water that only has spots show up in the summer. Spotted Lake is replenished by groundwater, rainfall, and snowmelt rather than by flowing rivers. During the spring and summer months, the lake blooms and reveals thick pastel colour spots that make the lake look like something out of a Dr Seuss novel. The one thing you need to be aware of is, despite pictures showing people on the lake, it’s now forbidden and you won’t be able to do much except look at the lake.
Once you’ve explored the lakes in Canada, have a look at a couple of our other posts and start planning your next holiday around lakes in other parts of the world. One of my favourites is the list of pink lakes in Australia, which are formed through the high salt content combining with the green algae in the water and turning a vibrant pink.
A couple of the lakes worth visiting include Hutt Lagoon and Lake Hillier in Western Australia, and Lake Hart, Lake Eyre, and Lake MacDonnell in South Australia.
Switzerland is another beautiful country home to several beautiful lakes situated amid the backdrop of gorgeous mountains. Lake Geneva is one of the most popular lakes in the country, located in Geneva, the most sought-after destination in Switzerland along the lake shores.
