Highlights of Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a glacial lake along the Icefields Parkway. Located near the headwaters of the Bow River, its shore offers mountain views encompassing Bow Glacier, the Wapta Icefield, and Crowfoot Mountain.
Bow Lake and the source of the Bow River
From the lakeshore, blue water stretches beyond wetlands and low shrubs, with rocky peaks layered with snow and ice in the distance. Bow Lake lies near the source of the Bow River, and the water flowing from here passes through Banff, Calgary, and other areas before continuing through the Saskatchewan River system toward Hudson Bay.
Crowfoot Glacier
From the parking areas near the lakeshore, you can see Crowfoot Glacier, with white ice remaining between the rocks on the mountainside. It was named for its former resemblance to a crow's three-toed foot, but one toe has disappeared as the glacier has receded. Meltwater from Crowfoot Glacier flows into the Bow River.
Trail to Bow Glacier Falls
The Bow Glacier Falls Trail follows the lakeshore to a basin where water flowing from the Wapta Icefield becomes a waterfall. This moderate route is 3.8 km one way, with 95 m of elevation gain and an approximate round-trip time of 3 hours. The time required differs from that for a short walk along the lakeshore alone. Current Parks Canada trail information may warn of falling rocks, so check conditions on the day and stay on the designated trail.
Bow Lake Basic Information
The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- On the official Parks Canada website, you can check parking at Bow Lake, the short year-round gravel road to the lakeshore, and road conditions on the Icefields Parkway.
Travelling the Icefields ParkwayPoints of interest and what to see and do on the Icefields Parkway, what you need to know before you travel, how to...parks.canada.ca - 📍 Location
- Bow Lake, Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North), Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
- 💶 Admission fee
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- Adults (ages 18–64) CA$12.25
- Seniors (65 and older) CA$10.75
- 17 and under free
- Family/group CA$24.50. Up to 7 people arriving in 1 vehicle
⚠️ This is the Banff National Park admission fee for 1 day. A valid national park pass is required to drive on the Icefields Parkway.
- ⏱️ Time required
- Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to enjoy the lake and viewpoints. Parks Canada estimates 3 hours for the round trip on the Bow Glacier Falls Trail. ⚠️ The time required varies with the weather, trail conditions, parking congestion, and how far you walk.
Getting to Bow Lake
From Lake Louise, head north on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North). According to Parks Canada, the Bow Lake parking area is 36km north of the Lake Louise junction and 400m along the access road to the Lodge at Bow Lake. Even on a short stop, you can enjoy views of the mountains and glaciers from the lakeshore.
Information on hiking trails around Bow Lake and current access conditions is available on the Parks Canada website.
For information on road conditions along the entire Icefields Parkway, winter equipment, and services along the route, see the article below.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Canadian Rockies: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transportation, and Suggested Itineraries”.
