10 Beautiful Lakes in Jasper for Swimming and Kayaking

Best Lakes in Jasper

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Everyone is always talking about Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in Banff National Park. But why is no one talking about Jasper’s gorgeous crystal clear lakes?

When we visited Jasper, we weren’t expecting to stumble across so many beautiful lakes and we ended up spending an entire day lake hopping with our paddleboard! In my opinion, Jasper has some of the best lakes in Alberta for swimming so if you are planning a trip to Jasper, you should make time to check out some of the lakes!

Paddle boarding is such as great Summer activity and a good excuse to get out to a lake and take a refreshing dip at the same time.

This guide lists the very best and most beautiful lakes in Jasper for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking.

Girl paddleboarding on Lake Annette in Jasper

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📍 Where are the Best Lakes in Jasper National Park

The map below shows the best lakes to kayak in Jasper as well as the best swimming spots and paddle boarding spots in Jasper.

Click here to open the map in Google Maps!

🦺 Safety First – Everything you should know about Safety Regulations before Paddle boarding in Alberta

Paddle boarding laws and safety regulations differ widely depending on where you you are in the world. You should always make sure you are aware the local current paddle boarding laws and regulations to ensure you are staying safe at all times. If you don’t follow the rules, you could be subject to a fine which will completely ruin your paddle boarding experience.

Parks Canada have a guide on paddle boarding safety which I recommend reading before heading out for your first paddle board in Canada. For the official laws and regulations when paddle boarding, you can check out the Government of Canada website.

Wear a Life Jacket or PFD (Personal Floatation Device)

When paddle boarding in Canada, you are required by law to wear a Lifejacket” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow” title=””>life jacket or PFD” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow” title=””>PFD (Personal Floatation Device).

The reason for this is because the water can be really cold here in Canada. A lifejacket is your best defence against cold water shock.

For guidance on the best types of floatation devices, check out the Government of Canada website.

Other Water Safety Tips

🛶 10 Beautiful Lakes in Jasper

This is a list of the best lakes for kayaking and paddle boarding in Jasper.

Beauvert Lake

Beauvert Lake or Lac Beauvert as it is also called has some of the most beautiful crystal clear blue water I have ever seen! On a sunny, calm day, when the water is still, you can see straight through the water to the bottom in the shallower sections.

The Fairmont Jasper is located right on Beauvert Lake and you can rent paddleboards and kayaks from them to take out on the lake.

Annette Lake

Annette Lake is located about a 15 minute drive from Jasper Town centre and is right next to Edith Lake so it makes sense to check out both lakes at once.

Annette Lake, like Lac Beauvert, has some of the clearest water I have ever seen! There is also a nice little beach and a dock in one section of the lake which we found had the calmest water.

If the beach is busy, there are plenty of little grassy areas off the main path around the lake which you can set up your towels and gear on.

Edith Lake

Edith Lake is only a short walk from Annette Lake so if you find that Annette is too busy you can head over to Edith Lake to find a free spot.

The water is again, just as gorgeous and the lake is surrounded by mountains.

Pyramid Lake

Pyramid is an 11 minute drive from Jasper and located along Pyramid Lake Road. The lake has a view of Pyramid Mountain and you can walk across a little bridge to an island called Pyramid Island. It is a pretty awesome place!

You can even stay at the lodge by the water which is called, YOU GUESSED IT! Pyramid Lake Lodge!

The lodge has a restaurant with views of the lake so if you get hungry while paddling, you can grab a bite to eat there while enjoying the incredible views.

Patricia Lake

Patricia Lake is on the way to Pyramid Lake and also has a view of Pyramid Mountain from the lake. Patricia Lake has amazing reflections of Pyramid Mountain in the water so is a great place for a photo even if it is just from the shoreline.

Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is one of the best places to paddle board or canoe in Jasper. Maligne Lake is HUGE and you probably don’t want to go too far from the shoreline but it is a lovely, wild place to paddle. You can rent kayaks or canoes at the Maligne Lake Boat Rentals.

Watch out for the Spirit Island Cruise Boats as you paddle as they leave from the Maligne Lake dock.

Look out for wildlife on the shore as you paddle along and then grab at bite to eat at the Waffle Hut or The View Restaurant. If you still have some energy, you can hike around the side of the lake and back again.

🐻 TIP: Look out for wildlife along the road on the way to Maligne Lake (We saw a couple of Grizzlies on this road early in the morning!)

Jasper Lake

Jasper Lake is located around 20 minutes from the town of Jasper and is right next to the highway. Jasper Lake actually forms part of the Athabasca River.

There is a parking area where you can stop and admire the views of the lake with the mountain backdrop and if you have your own paddle board or kayak, you can go for a paddle.

Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake is also known as “Disappearing Lake.” During Summer, all of the Winter melt run off allows the lake to maintain its depth, so you can go for a swim or paddle board on it.

After Summer however, the water disappears down an underground drainage system and the water ever all disappears, turning the lake into a muddy dirt patch.

Medicine Lake is about 30 minutes from Jasper.

Horseshoe Lake

Horseshoe Lake is located along the Icefields Parkway and is about a 25 minute drive from Jasper. It is one of the deepest lakes in the Jasper area and people go there not only to paddle board, canoe and kayak but also scuba dive!

Cliff Jumping is also super popular at Horseshoe Lake. However, I don’t recommend jumping off any cliffs into the water unless you are 100% sure the water is deep enough and you are a good swimmer.
Cliff Jumping is a dangerous activity and should not be taken lightly.

Honeymoon Lake

Honeymoon Lake is also located along the Icefields Parkway about a 40 minute drive from Jasper town. There is a campground located at Honeymoon Lake and also a day use area which you can park in and use to go paddle boarding or kayaking for a few hours.

Honeymoon Lake, like many of the lakes in the area, is gorgeous with a mountain and forest backdrop which on a calm day, is reflected in the lake and makes a stunning photo!

🏪 Places to Rent Paddleboards and Kayaks in Jasper

The Boathouse at the Fairmont Jasper – located on Beauvert Lake at the Fairmont
Translucid Adventures Inc – located at Lake Edith
Maligne Lake Boat Rentals – located at Maligne Lake

🛶 Canoe and River Rafting Tours in Jasper

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in a traditional Canadian Canoe? This tour will take you across Pyramid Lake where your guide will help you spot wildlife along the shoreline while you are absolutely blown away by the epicness of the Rocky Mountains.

Alternatively, if you are more into adrenaline activities, then the Athabasca Falls Run Tour might be the one for you! This river rafting experience will take you along the Athabasca River to places that can only be accessed by boat.