Lakes in Canada, particularly in British Columbia and Alberta, are undeniably gorgeous. With their turquoise colored water, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks they are special attractions for tourists. They offer facility of numerous leisure activities like swimming or motor-boating, skiing, snowshoeing etc. Nearly 9% of the total area of Canada is covered by freshwater including lakes, rivers, and glaciers. The country is known for its abundance of fresh water. About 31,752 of lakes in the country are greater than 3 square km in size. 561 of these lakes have a surface area that is more than 10 square km.
Canada is a land of thousands of graceful lakes. Some of these lakes in Canada are undeniably gorgeous paving their way through the high mountains. So, just in case you are planning your vacation, here is the list of the top ten most beautiful lakes in Canada.
Lakes in Canada
1. MORAINE LAKE
Moraine Lake is a glacial-fed lake in Banff National Park, Alberta. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of 1,885 m. The lake covers an area of 120 acres. This lake is the world famous and most recognizable lake to be found. Moraine Lake is famous for its blue colour and the amazing surroundings with high mountains, snowy peaks etc. Many hiking tracks are also trodden by visitors from all around the world making it one of the most popular natural attractions in Banff National Park. Also, read about surprising facts about Canada.
2. LAKE LOUISE
Lake Louise is a hamlet in Alberta, named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. This gorgeous lake is surrounded by the mountains and snowy peaks. In winters, it turns into one of the most spectacular skating rinks of the country. It is really fun to arrange a trip in winter and hit the skating rink. Banff is a popular destination, so visitors can have easy access to this place. Lake Louise experiences a subarctic climate with an annual snowfall of 3.3m and winter temperatures below −50 °C. Summers consist of frosty mornings with crisp and cool days. Also, snow can occur in any month of the year.
Lake Louise is a ravishing azure lake outlined with huge mountains and snowy peaks. This lake is a perfect vacation spot, irrespective of the seasons. You can swim if you dare in the cold, cold waters of Lake Louise or take a hiking trip around it or even go skiing in the snow during winter. It is almost the centrepiece of tourist attraction in Canada.
Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in Austria
3. PEYTO LAKE
It is located in the Banff National Park at an elevation of 1860 m above the sea level. It is a glacial-fed lake with bright torquise color making it a popular and the most visited spot in Alberta. The lake is surrounded by three high peaks and features panoramic views. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area. Hiking, climbing and camping can be done in summer, while skiing is the most beloved activity in the winter season. The area around the lake is a beautiful sightseeing spot for tourists which can be best seen from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway.
4. MALIGNE LAKE
Stretching for almost 21 km (13 miles), this elongated lake is the longest lake in the Canadian Rockies. Located in the Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, the Maligne Lake (pronounced meLEEN) is most known for the colour of its water, the snow-capped peaks as a backdrop and also Spirit Island, an intermittently photographed islet. You can go kayaking, fishing and canoeing or also take a hike around the lake or even visit the Spirit Island, which is a small island with plenty of trees and shrubs, which would make it the ideal day in a hot summer season. Also, read about best places to visit in Canada.
5. EMERALD LAKE
The Yoho National Park in British Columbia, Canada is home to the Emerald Lake. The name Yoho is Cree for awe and wonder and the Emerald Lake does no injustice to the name. This lake is the largest lake in Yoho Park which contains 61 lakes and ponds. Emerald Lake is one of the premier tourist attractions in the Yoho National Park. It is an excellent place to visit no matter what the time of the year, although July might be a good time to visit since the emerald green water would look the prettiest. Visiting in the winter would mean one of the best skiing experiences ever.
6. GARIBALDI LAKE
It is a turquoise-colored alpine lake in British Columbia. The lake is found in Garibaldi Provincial Park, which encompasses beautiful mountains, glaciers, trails, forests, flowers, meadows, waterfalls etc. The park is a wildlife protected area to be found in Vancouver and is, therefore, a very popular attraction. It provides numerous leisure activities such as canoeing and swimming in summer, while in winter visitors can enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. The dark blue lake surrounded by tall peaks like Black Tusk is a wonderful viewpoint in Canada.
It is one of the prettiest lakes in the country. This lake provides activities throughout the year as well. In summer, it is a resplendent place for swimming and canoeing whereas, in winter, the tourists can go hiking among other outdoor activities. Only a 90-minute drive from Vancouver, this site attracts tourists all round the year.
7. LAKE SUPERIOR
It is the one of the five Great Lakes of North America and generally considered as the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It is also the world’s third-largest freshwater lake by volume and the largest by volume in North America. Lake Superior has a surface area of 82,103 km2 with a maximum length of 560 km and maximum breadth of 257 km. It features a long and nice coast, with sandy beaches, therefore it attracts thousands of tourist every year. The temperature of the area near Lake Superior varies seasonally but it almost remains constant at 39 °F.
By surface area, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. It actually contains 10% of the total freshwater in the world. Created by a volcanic explosion, it is one of the oldest lakes ever as well, existing since hundreds of millions of years. Unlike other lakes in Canada, this lake has a lovely coastline which can be enjoyed throughout the year. The southern portion of the Lake Superior divides the United States and Canada and this portion is commonly called the ‘Graveyard of the Great Lakes’ because of the high number of shipwrecks around here. Recently, this part of the lake has been converted to an underwater reserve.
8. ABRAHAM LAKE
This is an artificial lake on Saskatchewan River in western Alberta, Canada. Abraham Lake has a surface area of 53.7 km2 and a length of 32 km. Abraham Lake was created in 1972, with the construction of the Bighorn Dam. Its tranquil surroundings give a spectacular view during winter. The temperature falls below -30 degrees Celsius, thus making it a big lake freeze. The unique bubbles freeze because of flammable methane gas, coming from the depth as result of bacterial decomposition of organic material. This creates the unusual phenomena, which looks so incredible in winter. Abraham Lake has become a popular destination for photographers because of this.
This lake and its surroundings have the effect ambience for a good hike enveloped only by nature as far as the eye can see. Abraham Lake is actually an artificial lake on the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta, Canada. The temperature around here drops to -30 degrees Celsius or even lesser during winter which freezes the entire lake. This makes it is one of the most eye-pleasing sights during winter. The uncommon yet outstanding bubbles found on the surface of the lake are due to the flammable methane gas. This creates a distinctive phenomenon in winter making this lake utterly beautiful.
Image Source: Wikimedia
9. UPPER ARROW LAKE
Found in British Columbia, Canada, this lake makes the list only because of its beautiful view during the night. Although this lake doesn’t offer much of a view during the day, it is covered up by the sublime sight in the night. Covered totally by an incredible range of pine forest it gives a great opportunity for outdoor activities and also shades during the summer.
10. SPOTTED LAKE
The Spotted Lake is a saline-alkali lake located in the in the valley of British Columbia, Canada. The ‘Spotted’ lake certainly lives up to its name, not because of the water but due to the great variety of minerals present in the lake. The best time to visit this lake is during summer. When the water evaporates due to the heat, it leaves behind a lake bottom of a variety of colourful mineral ‘spots’. These mineral spots harden during the summer due to the extensive heat.
So, these are the beautiful lakes in Canada. A totally different lake than what you had expected, right? That is exactly what Canada offers.
