Spirit Island
The famous view.
Christian Abend from Laufen /, Bayern / Deutschland — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Saupra1984 at English Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hansueli Krapf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hansueli Krapf — CC BY-SA 4.0
The largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, stretching some twenty-two kilometres between snow-capped peaks and glaciers in Jasper National Park, with clear turquoise water, reached by a scenic mountain road from the town of Jasper. Its best-known sight is Spirit Island, a tiny islet covered in spruce in the middle of the lake against a backdrop of towering peaks, whose picture is among the most famous in all Canada. Visitors reach it only on the boat cruise or by a long paddle. The cruise lasts about an hour and a half with a short stop at the island, sailing between the mountains deep into the lake. At the north end is a historic wooden boathouse renting canoes, with trails along the shore. Bears and moose may be seen along the road. A Parks Canada daily pass of about C$12.25 per adult is required, and the classic cruise is about C$106 per visitor guides, booked weeks ahead in summer. The road and lake reopened after the 2024 Jasper wildfire, so check Parks Canada before visiting.
The famous view.
Between the peaks.
Canoes for hire.
End of Maligne Road, about 48 km southeast of Jasper town
On the Maligne Lake cruise, booked weeks ahead in summer, or by a long paddle.