Bow Lake is one of the many lakes that line the Icefields Parkway and is a popular stop for visitors to Banff.  The Canadian Rockies are renowned for their stunning vistas and lakes, with Bow Lake standing out as a highlight.

Bow Lake is a must-visit destination along the Icefields Parkway and a favorite among visitors to Banff. Although not large on a global scale, Bow Lake is significant within the Canadian Rockies.  In the Banff summer months, when the lake thaws, it turns a dizzying blue from the glacier melt of the Crowfoot Glacier and Wapta Icefield.  The towering rock wall of Crowfoot Mountain, the hanging glacier, and the vast Wapta Icefield create a landscape that inspires awe and humility in all who behold it.

Bow Lake sits at an elevation of 1920 meters and spends most of the year locked away in ice. This makes it a popular spot for winter activities like snowshoeing and ski touring. The lake acts as the source of the Bow River, a notable river in Banff National Park that flows through Banff, Canmore, and Calgary.