Maligne Lake Tours
18 Reviews
With its vivid aquamarine waters and impressive backdrop of jagged, glacier-studded peaks, Maligne Lake has visitors to the Canadian Rockies reaching for their cameras. The glacier-fed lake is the largest in Jasper National Park. Tiny tree-topped Spirit Island stands in the middle of the lake and is the subject of countless postcards.
The Basics
As one of Alberta’s—and indeed Canada’s—most-hyped beauty spots, Maligne Lake is included on many sightseeing tours of the Jasper and Banff regions. Chauffeured sidecar and coach tours generally make stops at natural attractions such as Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon, and other Rocky Mountain hot spots. Maligne Lake is also often included on the itinerary.
Some half and full-day sightseeing tours incorporate boat cruises on the lake, and guided nature and wildlife-watching walks around the lake. Several backcountry campgrounds, accessible by canoe, are located on the lake’s edge. Canoes can be rented from the Maligne Lake Boathouse.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Moose, grizzly bears, and caribou are known to roam the regions near the lake, making it perfect for wildlife-viewers.
- Maligne Lake is open to paddlers and electric motor boats only.
- Dress in layers as sudden weather changes are common here.
- Part, though not all, of the Mary Schäffer Loop, which winds around the shoreline, is paved and suitable for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Maligne Lake is at the end of Maligne Lake Road, about 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Jasper. As there is no public transport in the area, the best way for car-free travelers to get here is by organized tour. Driving from Jasper will take about an hour.
When to Get There
The best time to visit Maligne Lake is between late May and early October, when boats and paddlers can go out on the water. Though the north part of the lake can become busy, quieter spots—accessible only on foot or by boat—can always be found to the south. In winter, the frozen lake is peaceful, attracting only a few hardy snowshoers, though road conditions in the park can sometimes make the lake difficult to access.
How to See Spirit Island
In theory, visitors can paddle or kayak to Spirit Island, though it’s about an 8.5-mile (14-kilometer) one-way journey and it can take the best part of a day. Unless you’re a fit, experience kayaker, and have booked a lakeside campsite to stay at, you’re better off doing a Maligne Lake cruise, which will get you out to within view of the island and back in just 90 minutes.
Address: Jasper National Park, Jasper, Alberta, Canada, Canada
Admission: Adults: $9.80; Children: free
5 Tours and Activities to Experience Maligne Lake
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Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Hike
Jasper National Park is an amazing place to experience nature in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Let a guide take you through some of the best spots for lake and mountain vistas, beside a waterfall, and on a lakeside hike on a forest path. This tour will take you to Maligne Canyon and its mountain waterfalls, disappearing Medicine Lake, and on an interpretive hike beside Maligne Lake.
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From
$68.27
From
$68.27
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Jasper City Sightseeing Tour
Discover all that Jasper has to offer during this excursion covering the top natural attractions near town. During your trip you'll explore the towering limestone walls of Maligne Canyon during a walk to check out the waterfalls below, and gaze at the beautiful alpine waters at Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake. You'll also have a chance to scout for local wildlife like sheep, elk and bears that populates the area around Maligne Lake. This half-day trip near Jasper also includes round-trip transport from multiple locations in Jasper.
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From
$106.56
From
$106.56
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Canadian Rockies Tour by Chauffeured Sidecar from Jasper
Feel the rush of the open road and the wind on your face as you tour the incredible landscape of Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park in the sidecar of a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by a professional driver. Pick from among a range of destinations for your ride, customized to meet your interests, including Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, Angel Glacier, Miette Hot Springs or Mount Edith Cavell. Along the way, spot local wildlife and listen to insightful commentary from your guide about the area’s history and natural scenery. Your motorcycle ride can accommodate up to two passengers and also includes round-trip transport from your hotel or the train station, and 1-, 2- or 3-hour ride options.
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From
$124.47
Price varies by group size
From
$124.47
Price varies by group size
Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island
Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes and majestic canyons. Check out Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon, and Maligne Lake during your trip, keeping your eyes out for area wildlife and learning about the unique natural history (and more recent human settlement) of the Canadian Rockies. Over the course of the day, you also get to enjoy short walks through the beautiful scenery, and choose between a boat ride or guided hike at Maligne Lake. Your Maligne Valley trip also includes round-trip transport from your Jasper hotel.
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From
$58.46
From
$58.46
Jasper City Sightseeing Tour and Maligne Lake Cruise
Get to know picturesque Jasper on a short sightseeing tour before heading toward striking Maligne Lake. A guided cruise offers excellent views of the pretty shoreline with dense forests and glacial peaks that rise steeply from the water’s edge. Don’t forget your camera, as the opportunities for spectacular landscape photos are endless!
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From
$156.13
From
$156.13
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience