Ten Breathtaking Lakes of Canada

Updated on Oct 01, 2023 | Canada Visa Online

Canada has more lakes than all the other countries in the world combined. Canada’s lakes are integral to the country’s iconic landscape. A holiday to Canada simply wouldn’t be the same without those incredible lakes as highlights along the way.

Visiting Canada is simpler than ever since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the simplified and streamlined process of obtaining electronic travel authorisation or Online Canada Visa. Online Canada Visa is an travel permit or electronic travel authorization to enter and visit Canada for a period of less than 6 months for tourism or business. International tourists must have a Canada eTA to be able to enter Canada and explore this beautiful country. Foreign citizens can apply for an Online Canada Visa Application in a matter of minutes. Online Canada Visa Application process is automated, simple, and completely online.

Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia 

An almost 9,000 year old Garibaldi Lake was initially formed when the lava from the volcano Mount Price blocked the valley giving birth to the beautiful 10 kilometer long and 1,484 meter deep waterbody. The lake sits in the Garibaldi Provincial Park that is home to many mountains, glaciers, meadows and forests. The alpine lake is known for its beautiful turquois water that flows from the neighboring glaciers. The lake can only be reached by following the 9 kilometers long Garibaldi Lake Trail.

The winter is a great time to visit the lake to enjoy backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and the scenic glaciers that surround the glorious lake.

Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia

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Online Canada Visa, or Canada eTA, is a mandatory travel documents for citizens of visa-exempt countries. If you are a citizen of a Canada eTA eligible country, or if you are a legal resident of the United States, you will need eTA Canada Visa for layover or transit, or for tourism and sightseeing, or for business purposes, or for medical treatment. Learn more at Online Canada Visa Application Process.

Emerald Lake, British Columbia

Emerald Lake, British Columbia

Located in Yoho National Park, the emerald lake does justice to its name by being one of the most beautiful Canadian Rockies lakes. The lake is seated 1,200 meters above the sea level and surrounds itself with the President Range Mountains creating a backdrop so picturesque that it could be confused with a painting. Next to the lake is the Emerald Lake Lodge to have lunch surrounded by the scenic landscape. The Lake offers several recreational activities ranging from canoeing, hiking and fishing during the summer and cross-country skiing through the winter as the lake remains frozen through November to June.

The lake has very easy access being a few kilometers off the TransCanada highway and is accessible by road.

Lake Louise, Alberta 

Lake Louise, Alberta

A beautiful glacier fed Lake Louise rests in Banff National Park at an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level. The lake was named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and is one of the major attractions of Alberta. Its exquisite turquoise color, for which is it is famous for, results from the rock flow of the glaciers that feed the lake. In its backdrop lies the magnificent Mount Victoria. During the summer months the national park and lake offer a plethora of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. The lake remains frozen during November to the first week of June and tourists that enjoy cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding and snowboarding. On the eastern shore of the lake sits the Fairmount Chateau, a luxury hotel built by Canadian Pacific Railway that offers a soul-stirring view of the lake and the surrounding mountains from its rooms and dining area. 

Although the lake can be reached by a car, many hotels nearby offer shuttle services to help you avoid the hassles of finding a parking spot.

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Whitehorse, which is home to 25,000 people, or more than half of Yukon's entire population, has developed recently into a significant hub for the arts and culture. With this list of the top tourist attractions in Whitehorse, you can discover the greatest things to do in this small but intriguing city. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Whitehorse, Canada.

Moraine Lake, Alberta

Moraine Lake, Alberta

Another beautiful lake within Banff National Park is Lake Moraine with an elevation of 1,880 meters. The glacial lake has the loveliest blue-green color attributed to the flow of rock salt that changes as the summer progresses. The trail reaching Lake Moraine is used for trekking, bird-watching and houses several camp-sights. It rests on the Valley of the Ten Peaks and attracts skiers and snowboarders through the winter. Shuttle services can be used to reach the lake.

Spotted Lake, British Columbia 

Spotted Lake, British Columbia

Located in the Similkameen Valley of British Columbia, the alkali lake rests within a drainage basin drawing water from snowmelt and ground water. This phenomenal lake dries up during the summer leaving behind the minerals that take shapes of large spots and change color as evaporation increases altering their concentration. The lake’s minerals were used to manufacture ammunition during the First World War. First Nations, the Canadian indigenous group believes the lake to have magical healing powers and resisted the attempt to transform the lake into a tourist hotspot.

The lake is easily accessible by Highway 3.

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Before applying for the Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) you must make sure to have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country, an email address that is valid and working and credit/debit card for online payment. Learn more at Canada Visa Eligibility and Requirements.

Abraham Lake, Alberta 

Abraham Lake, Alberta

Lake Abraham sits on the North Saskatchewan River in West Alberta. The lake is artificially created lake and came into existence due to the construction of the Bighorn Dam in 1972. During the winter the lake looks magical with frozen bubbles that form below the surface. These bubbles are formed from the decaying plants that were submerged when the dam was constructed. The plants release Methane gas that cannot be released because of the ice sheet creating ice bubbles. Although boating is not permitted on the lake due to high winds and high-rise waves, during the winter wind skating on millions of bubbles can be a magical experience. The lake is easily accessible by car and several shuttle services.

Lake Memphremagog, Quebec 

Lake Memphremagog, Quebec

Lake Memphremagog lies between the United State of Vermont and Quebec Canada, with 73% of the lake falling within the Canadian territory. The lake covers 51 kilometers and is a home to 21 islands, 15 of which are possessed by Canada. The scenic freshwater lake offers paddle-boarding, swimming and sailing. During summer yachts of all sizes sail through the ocean blue waters. 

The lake is also said to be the home of the Canadian folklore monster, Memphre so if you run into him make sure you have something he can munch on or else!

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Many of the activities to do in Halifax, from its wild entertainment scene, laced with maritime music, to its museums and tourist attractions, relate in some way to its strong association with the sea. The port and the city's maritime history still have an impact on Halifax's daily life. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Must Visit Places in Halifax, Canada.

Berg Lake, British Columbia 

Berg Lake, British Columbia

Located within the Mount Robson Provincial Park on the Robson River, the glacial lake is fed by the glaciers of Mount Robson, the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies. The lake is miraculously surrounded by frozen icebergs even during the summer months. The peaks and valleys in the backdrop of the lake look straight out of an oil painting. The lake is only accessible by a hike through the Berg Lake trail which is twenty-three kilometers long and is lined with waterfalls, bridges and creeks. There are numerous campsites on-route for overnight hikers to rest in. 

If you are not a fan of long hikes but want to visit the lake not to worry, a helicopter service will help you directly reach the lake. The park is also a hotspot for mountaineering and rock-climbing.

Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories 

Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories

The Great Slave Lake is the deepest lake in North America with the depth of 614 meters. The lake is fed by many rivers originating in the Wisconsin Mountains. Sitting along the shores of the lake is the capital city of Yellowknife that is a home to many local communities that depend on the lake for their livelihood. Several dozen houseboats house tourists that want to spend some days floating on the beautiful lake. Other activities to enjoy while visiting this lake include sailing, freshwater paddling, rides on floatplanes and enjoying the mesmerizing Northern Lights that light up the night sky from mid-November to April. 

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Ontario is the home to Toronto, the largest city in the country, as well as Ottawa, the nation's capital. But what makes Ontario stand out is its extensive stretches of wilderness, pristine lakes, and Niagara Falls, one of Canada's most popular natural attractions. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Must Visit Places in Ontario.

Maligne Lake, Alberta 

Maligne Lake, Alberta

The splendid azure blue lake is located within the Jasper National Park of Alberta overlooks three glacial mountains and a beautiful Spirit Island that is tucked within the mountain valley. One of the most photographed sites in all of Canada, the magnificent lake sits at an elevation of 1,670 meters. 

The Maligne Lake Cruise, a famous tourist attraction that was awarded the title of the “Best Boat Cruise in Canada” by the Reader’s Digest, is a cruise experience that is unmatched. The national park is a home to many other beautiful sites like the Maligne Canyon and the Skyline Trail. 

The lake is accessible by road but also by several hiking trails that run along gorgeous waterfalls and meadows. 


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