Best Lake Adventure in Jasper: Maligne Lake

Scenic view of Maligne Lake boathouse in Jasper National Park, Canada. Calm waters, snow-capped mountains, and forest reflect pristine wilderness and tranquility. — Adobe Stock

One of the many amazing things about Canada, and especially Alberta and Jasper National Park, is the stunning lakes scattered around the park.

There are dozens of amazing lakes to check out, but one lake stands out in particular as the most beautiful and worth a day trip while you’re in Jasper. That lake is Maligne Lake.

Getting There

Maligne Lake Cruise boat pier at spirit island. Maligne Lake summer scenery reflected on the water. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Canadian Rockies. — Adobe Stock

Located about 48 kilometers (about a 45-minute drive) from Jasper town, this massive and beautiful lake has so many activities to enjoy. One of the highlights is the Maligne Lake Cruise, which I highly recommend. The cruise is a 1.

5- to 2-hour journey up the lake to Spirit Island and back to the main dock near the parking lot. The cruise is absolutely beautiful and offers views of the lake you wouldn’t see otherwise.

Mornings on the Lake

Fog sits low to the water in the early morning on Maligne Lake — Olivia Franzman

The mornings here are especially magical. Often the fog stays low over the lake, moving slowly throughout the mountains. It adds this almost fake color and look to the water.

One moment the peaks are completely hidden, and the next, they’re shown through the mist and fog. Paired with the crazy reflection of the lake, it feels like you’re stepping into a movie.

Being on the first cruise of the day means you’ll get to see all of this before the crowds arrive, when the area is at its calmest and quietest.

Spirit Island

The cruise stops near Spirit Island, which is a deeply cultural and spiritual site for the Indigenous tribes who once lived in the area.

You can’t actually step foot on the island during the cruise, but you’ll get about 30 minutes to take in the view, with Spirit Island right in front of you and towering mountains and dense forest surrounding it.

The forests around the lake are so thick and green, filled with pines and spruces as far as the eye can see, adding to the magic of the lake. Standing on the boat, you really notice just how untouched and wild this place feels.

Guided by Experts

Views from the maligne lake cruise. — Olivia Franzman

What also makes the experience stand out is the staff. The workers know so much about the area, they’re not just reciting facts, they genuinely care about the park and its wildlife.

On our tour, the guide talked about everything from the glaciers that feed the lake to how wildfires are actually part of the forest’s natural cycle.

It really adds another layer to the trip, and you can tell they’ve spent a lot of time here learning about this environment.