A Complete Guide to Peyto Lake
Is it worth visiting Peyto Lake in Banff National Park when road tripping Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies? Read more in our Peyto Lake travel guide, including tips on what to see and do, when to go, and how to get.
Peyto Lake is a top attraction in Banff National Park and, for many visitors, the best stop that you can visit along the Icefields Parkway. This says a lot about this natural gem, as this scenic road is not shy of beautiful places.
The views of the turquoise lake from the Bow summit viewing deck are simply breathtaking, and you shouldn't miss it, no matter how many amazing lakes in the Canadian Rockies you've seen already.
Peyto Lake is easily accessible, the trail to the best viewpoint is short and easy, and you can spend there as little as 30 minutes to see it all. If you're short on time, this is quite important as it gives you plenty of time to see other amazing places along the way.
And yes, you can find far better hikes in Banff National Park (technically, this is just a walk), but that doesn't change a thing. You are not coming to Peyto Lake for a classic day hike but for epic views.
While the Peyto Lake sits at an altitude of 1860 meters above sea level, the viewing deck is more than 2000 meters above sea level. Therefore, be prepared for true mountainous conditions and cold weather.
The informative panels you can find along the trail might enlighten you a bit more about the difficulties the local fauna needs to endure here throughout the year.
We've visited Peyto Lake many times in the past few years, and as the number of visitors has constantly been increasing for a long time, many necessary changes have been made to improve the guest's experience.
That's why we decided to put together this Peyto Lake travel guide - to help you with planning on visiting this postcard-like natural attraction.
So here's everything you should know before visiting Peyto Lake.
THINGS TO KNOW
One of the most important things you should know about Peyto Lake is that you actually don't go to the lake itself but rather to a viewing deck from where it is possible to see it from above.
While it's not impossible to get to its shores, almost nobody goes there. The views from the top are simply that good. Plus, there is no designated trail, and we believe it's for a reason.
Furthermore, there is so much to see and do on Icefields Parkway that making an extra trip to the lake would take up too much time from your itinerary.
And as mentioned above, the views from the top are vastly superior.
Lastly, there is an old fire road with an unmarked parking lot about 2.5 kilometers from the Bow Pass, which you could use theoretically for hiking to the lake's shores, but we would say it's only for more adventure souls or travelers with a lot of time to spare.
Color
So why is Peyto Lake so blue/turquoise? And why does it change its color? And is the color even real?
Those are some of the most common questions any visitor has before traveling to Peyto Lake. As usual, the answer is very simple.
A nearby glacier feeds Peyto Lake, and the glacial rock flour that flows into the lake gives it its unique color. As a result, the lake changes the color depending on the season or even the time of the day.
Yes, arriving to see the sunrise or in the middle of the sunny day will deliver different lake colors.
Due to its beautiful color and setting, Peyto Lake is one of Canada's most photographed and visited places.
Name
Peyto Lake was named after Bill Peyto, pioneer, mountain guide, and one of the first wardens of Banff National Park.
Shape
We heard many times that the lake reminds you of a bear paw, which makes a lot of sense given you're in a bear country.
I always saw a Christmas comet we put on the top of the Christmas tree, but that's probably just me.
Whatever shape you see in the lake (wolf's head?), it won't take away the fact that it's quite unique.
Crowds
Peyto Lake is easily accessible while offering one of the best views of the entire Canadian Rockies. So, you don't have to be exactly a rocket scientist to realize that you probably won't have this place for yourself.
It's not out of the question, but you should set your expectations right before you go to avoid disappointment.
The new bigger deck was designed with this in mind, so it now can accommodate even more people than before.
We've been to Peyto Lake several times, and the 'crowds' were not a big issue for us. Sometimes, you just need to go a bit further along the trail or wait for your moment.
Sure, the bus tours can occupy the trail and the deck for some time, but as they usually make only a short stop before heading to another, so you just need to wait a bit before they leave.
Or just embrace the fact that there will be other people with you.
Bear Spray
When traveling around the Canadian Rockies, you should be carrying a bear spray regardless of the length of your trip.
The Peyto Lake trail is heavily trafficked, but due to the characteristic of this country, the bear encounters are never out of the question.
So only you can answer this question of whether you need to carry a bear spray on the Peyto Lake trail or not.
Swimming
One of the common questions regarding this area is, can you swim in Peyto Lake? Technically, yes. Realistically? It's going to be a cold and unpleasant experience, so just dipping your feet might be more than enough for you.
Moreover, Peyto Lake's shores are not exactly that super friendly accessible, and lastly, you never see anyone swimming in these types of lakes, and there's probably a reason.
If you can't resist this urge, a nearby Bow Lake is arguably a better (but still very cold) choice.
IS PEYTO LAKE OPEN
After two years of improvements, Peyto Lake is finally open. Parks Canada reopened Peyto Lake on Saturday, October 9, 2021, though the improvements are mostly cosmetic.
The parking has been expanded, so it's now easier to park there than ever, old toilets were replaced, and a new viewing deck has been constructed to accommodate more visitors.
But most importantly, the scenery remained the same.
Increasing numbers of tourists with inadequate facilities leads to bigger damage to the area, so these efforts are important to allow tourists to visit places such as Peyto Lake more sustainably.
And being a responsible traveler is never a bad thing, right?
WHAT TO DO AT PEYTO LAKE
There is not much to do at Peyto Lake, and most visitors only make a quick stop there to see the lake from the main viewpoint and then carry on to their next stop.
It's not a bad thing; it's just the nature of this place. So here are some of the best things to do at Peyto Lake.
PEYTO LAKE VIEWPOINT
Even when road tripping the Canadian Rockies without any intentions of serious hiking, you need to get from the car from time to time.
From the parking lot, head west along the paved 500-meter trail that will take you to the main viewing platform. The trail is short, easy, and wheelchair accessible.
However, one of the sections is a bit steeper, so be prepared for that, as this part might be a bit harder for people with reduced mobility.
In less than 10 minutes, you will have a chance to enjoy this fine scenery, and once you are done, you can retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
However, if you have slightly more time and want to avoid the crowds, you can continue along the trail a bit further or take the upper trail from here.
By the way, you can find names such as Peyto Lake Viewpoint Trail or Bow Summit Lookout Trail (that's the official name), but they mean the same thing.
Peyto Lake is also a family-friendly stop along the Icefields Parkway, so you might want to take advantage of that.
Finally, if you are a more active traveler looking for more trails, find inspiration here: best hikes in Banff National Park and best hikes in Jasper National Park.
OBSERVATION PEAK
Rated as a medium to difficult hike, Observation Peak allows you to see Peyto Lake from a different perspective.
This 8-kilometer trail with an elevation gain of 1000 meters starts on the opposite side of the road leading to the Peyto Lake parking lot (technically, you could use the same parking, but it makes not much sense).
As some upper parts of the path lead over scree, you might want to bring a helmet for this scramble. Also, trekking poles will help you a lot on this trail.
When arriving from Banff, turn at the junction right onto an unmarked gravel road.
However, when coming from the opposite direction, you can't turn left, so you need to drive to the Peyto Lake parking lot first and then return back to the junction in order to join the access road safely.
For this hike, allow yourself at least 5-8 hours. And by the way, from the top, you can see not only Peyto Lake but also Bow Lake (on the left).
BOW LAKE
Only five kilometers south of Peyto Lake lies another gem of the Canadian Rockies, Bow Lake.
Unlike Peyto Lake, most of the visitors will enjoy its beauty from the shore, as that's where you will find the parking lot.
Remotely located, the lovely Num-Ti-Jah Lodge offers accommodation, but it's a bit rustic.
Bow Lake area offers multiple hikes, from easy ones such as Bow Lakeshore Trail, moderate such as Bow Glacier Falls, to more serious scrambles such as Circuque Peak or Jimmy Simpson Trail.
The best time to arrive in Bow Lake is early in the morning to catch the reflections of impressive Crowfoot Mountain.
HOW TO GET THERE
Getting to Peyto Lake is extremely easy if you are traveling around the Canadian Rockies by car.
If you don't have one, you should strongly consider renting a car.
From Banff, head towards Lake Louise and follow the main Trans-Canada Highway 1, and once you pass Lake Louise, turn right onto Icefields Parkway and continue until you reach the junction near the parking lot.
Peyto Lake is located 100 kilometers northwest of Banff, and it takes about an hour and ten minutes to get there (needless to say, without any stops).
Lake Louise is located roughly halfway between Banff and Peyto Lake, so it means that it takes about 30 minutes to get there from this village.
Jasper is 189 kilometers north of here, but take those two and half hours you get as an estimated travel time from your GPS navigation with a grain of salt.
Icefields Parkway is packed with top attractions such as Athabasca Falls, Athabasca Glacier, Parker Ridge, or Wilcox Pass, so you will most likely need a full day to see everything these scenic roads has to offer.
PARKING
The parking lot at Peyto Lake is signed as Bow Summit and Peyto Lake parking, and it's free.
The signage before the turn-off is not the biggest one (it's the regular brown sign with yellow writing), so make sure you don't miss it (it happened to us on one of our first trips).
When arriving from Lake Louise, the Peyto Lake parking will be on your left side.
There are two parking lots at Peyto Lake.
The lower Peyto Lake parking lot is designated for day visitors, while the upper one is for buses and people with disabilities (you can probably use it as a pick-up and drop-off point when needed).
ENTRANCE FEE
There is no entrance fee to Peyto Lake, but you need to have a valid Discovery Pass in order to enter Banff National Park.
Discovery Pass is hands down the best ticket Parks Canada offer.
It costs $139.40 per vehicle (up to seven people) or $69.19 per adult, and you can also use it in other parks such as Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park or Jasper National Park.
WHEN TO GO
Are you wondering when is the best time to visit Peyto Lake? Peyto Lake can be visited all year round, even in winter.
So unlike some other top places in the Canadian Rockies, such as Moraine Lake, you can visit Peyto Lake any time of the year you want.
However, there are some cons to it, and we'll talk about them down below.
If you are planning to see a sunset or sunrise at Peyto Lake, you need to realize that you will miss out on some scenery along the way.
We would only consider this option when traveling from Lake Louise's direction (and you would still miss the Bow Lake area (though you could drive back there later).
Summer
Obviously, summer is the best time to visit Peyto Lake as you have the highest chance for the best weather. However, you're in the mountains, and good weather is still not guaranteed.
Keep in mind that Peyto Lake (and the viewpoint) lies in higher elevation and this area receives extreme weather throughout the year.
So even in summer, you might want to keep your down jacket in your backpack just in case.
Autumn
If you are a fan of Larch Valley Hike in the Moraine Lake area, then you will be disappointed at Peyto Lake if you arrive here at this time of the year.
There is no autumn foliage here, so the scenery looks almost the same as in summer or spring.
However, arriving in the late autumn before the lake freezes, you might have a chance to experience the snowy scenery while still being able to see the lake's stunning color.
Good timing is essential here, but it's hard to predict, as it is a bit different every year.
Winter
In our opinion, we don't recommend you to visit Peyto Lake in the heart of the winter, as it will be frozen (which means you won't see its unique turquoise color).
In case of bad weather or heavy snowstorms, the road can be closed, but that rarely happens.
Also, even walking to the viewpoint might be difficult if you arrive there soon after a snowfall or early in the morning when the trail is icy (or if you want to hike a bit further), so you might need to bring microspikes or snowshoes.
Remember that due to the elevation, Peyto Lake can be snowbound from mid-November until mid-June.
And while it might seem like only a quick stop, never underestimate the harsh Canadian winter conditions.
Spring
Winters are long at Peyto Lake, but the scenery starts to change once again when the spring arrives.
However, the area is quite forested and rocky, so you won't find there those magnificent blooming meadows you've seen in places such as Mount Edith Cavell area.
It's not that they're not there; it's just a bit different environment. Spring is also a good time to visit Peyto Lake.
Just keep in mind that it's better to time your trip for a late spring period.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED
As said above, you will probably need thirty minutes for the main Peyto Lake trail. You can carry on the trail or even climb a bit up for more views.
Some say they're much better, but it's the same lake, just from a bit different angle with a slightly different foreground.
So if you are really short on time, then you won't miss anything. Of course, those who can afford to spend here an extra hour, or are returning to Peyto Lake, won't regret it.
If you also want to include Observation Peak into your itinerary, you can easily spend here 6-8 hours.
WHERE TO STAY
There is no accommodation directly at Peyto Lake, so you need to stay in one of the towns such as Banff, Jasper, or Lake Louise, as there are only a few places to stay on Icefields Parkway.
Hotels in the Canadian Rockies are not cheap, so it's important to know that you won't find many budget options here.
We believe it's worth making reservations in advance in peak season, as the hotels fill up quickly due to immense demand.
Here is our choice of the best hotels before or after your Peyto Lake trip.
Peyto Lake | HI Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel - A bit contradictory to what we've said above, HI Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel is a very affordable accommodation near Peyto Lake. However, it's very basic and rustic, and it's often booked out.
Lake Louise | Lake Louise Inn - A good hotel with an excellent location, Lake Louise Inn is a solid choice when staying in this village. The hotel has a heated indoor pool, hot tubs, two on-site restaurants, and free WiFi.
Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - With a great location directly in Jasper, this hotel offers a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, cozy rooms, and on-site restaurant.
CAMPING
If you prefer camping in the Canadian Rockies over staying at hotels, you can find a few campgrounds relatively close to Peyto Lake.
They're not located near the lake's shores but along the Icefields Parkway.
The nearest campgrounds to Peyto Lake are Mosquito Creek, Silverhorn Creek, Waterfowl Lakes, and Rampart Creek. The price per night in these campgrounds is roughly $20, and they're usually open from June to September.
Furthermore, you can reserve your campsite in Rampart Creek and Silverhorn Creek on the Parks Canada website.
Mosquito Creek and Waterfowl Lakes work on a first-come, first-serve basis, so getting a spot there often depends on your luck (and the time of your arrival).
The nearest large campground with all the facilities you need is in Lake Louise. Just make sure to make your reservations in advance, as the campsites fill up quickly in the main season.
IS PEYTO LAKE WORTH A VISIT?
As mentioned several times throughout this blog post, Peyto Lake is one of the most jaw-dropping places in Banff National Park. So, in a short answer, yes, you shouldn't skip it.
Unlike some other places in Banff National Park, such as Aylmer Lookout, you get the best views for almost no effort.
Plus, you don't need to drive several kilometers off the main road just to get there, as it's the case with Lake Louise.
Lastly, you can include it in your Canadian Rockies itinerary even if you are short on time and deciding which stops are worth your time and which aren't.
All these reasons combined together make Peyto Lake a worthwhile stop.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
