Photo Via Shawn.ccf/Shutterstock
Alberta’s lakes are worth seeing in every season, but there’s a short window in the fall to enjoy them before the snow rolls in and everything freezes over. The cooler temperatures make for a much nicer time to explore; the trees shift from bright greens to shades of orange and red, and the mountain views are hard to beat.
So if you’ve been putting off that scenic drive or lakeside hike, consider this your reminder to get moving.
To help plan a fall escape, we’ve rounded up 10 beautiful lakes near Calgary that are worth the drive before winter arrives.
Tucked beneath the peaks of Kananaskis, Barrier Lake is a sprawling blue-green reservoir with a beach and mountain views in practically every direction. In the fall, the surrounding trees turn shades of yellow and gold, creating a spectacular contrast against the water.
You can spend the day walking along the shoreline, enjoying a picnic, or tackling one of the nearby trails.
Where: Located off Highway 40 in Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis, Alta.
You’ve almost certainly seen a photo of Peyto Lake before, but nothing quite matches the view from above. The famous bright blue water gets its colour from tiny rock particles carried into the lake by glacial meltwater. Getting out to the main viewpoint is relatively easy, with Parks Canada listing the lookout trail as a 0.6-kilometre route, so the payoff comes pretty quickly.
Where: Peyto Lake Viewpoint, Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North), Banff, Alta.
The combination of aquamarine water, golden trees, and views of Mount Rundle makes Two Jack Lake especially good in the fall. The lake is located just off the Minnewanka Loop and has plenty of seating areas and shoreline spots where you can stop and take in the scenery.
Where: 11 km Northeast of Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, Alta.
Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park, stretching for more than 20 kilometres through the Rockies. The lake has plenty of walking paths and hiking trails, and fall is a great time to explore them as the surrounding trees start to change colours. You can also take a scenic cruise across the lake and learn about its history. It’s a great way to get a sense of just how massive the lake actually is.
Where: Improvement District No. 9, Alta.
Once a working quarry, Quarry Lake has since become one of Canmore’s most popular spots to enjoy a walk by the water. A path circles the lake, with picnic tables and plenty of spots to stop and take a break. The lake is also minutes from downtown Canmore, so you can spend time exploring the town before heading to your next stop.
Where: Spray Lakes Road, Canmore, Alta.
You don’t necessarily need to head to the Rockies to have a lake day. Chestermere Lake is just 30 minutes away from Calgary and is home to parks, pathways, and plenty of places to sit by the water. The lake has been a recreation spot for Calgary-area residents for decades, with swimming, boating, and other water activities becoming popular during the summer. The lake covers roughly 750 acres, so despite being surrounded by a growing community, it still feels like a substantial body of water.
Where: 208 W. Chestermere Dr., Chestermere, Alta.
If you’ve ever seen those photos of mysterious bubbles frozen beneath the ice in Alberta, there’s a good chance they were taken at Abraham Lake. The phenomenon happens when methane released from the lakebed becomes trapped in the ice as the lake freezes. But you don’t have to wait until winter to visit. In the fall, the lake’s vivid blue water is on full display, making it a great time to see Abraham Lake before winter transforms it into the icy landscape it’s famous for.
Where: Located off Highway 11 in Clearwater County, Alta.
If you’re heading to Jasper this fall, don’t overlook the lakes just outside town. Lake Edith connects to Lake Annette and Lake Beauvert by a network of roads and trails, so you can easily visit all three in one trip. The lake has a beach and picnic area along its shoreline where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the changing colours reflecting across the water.
Where: Located off Lake Annette Road, Jasper National Park, Alta.
Sylvan Lake has long been a go-to summer getaway destination for Albertans thanks to its sandy beach and easy access from Calgary and Edmonton. In the fall, the summer crowds start to disappear and the trees along the shoreline transition to shades of red and orange. The lake stretches across more than 40 square kilometres, and waterfront boardwalks and pathways make it easy to explore on foot.
Where: 4403 Lakeshore Dr., Sylvan Lake, Alta.
Gull Lake is surrounded by the open prairie of Central Alberta, so it looks a little different from the mountain lakes farther west. In autumn, the grass and trees along the shoreline start changing colours, and the cool temperatures make it a good time to explore the area without the heat of summer.
Where: 27 Lakeview Ave., Gull Lake, Alta.
There’s only a short amount of time between summer lake days and full-blown winter adventures here in Alberta, so make the most of it while you can.
Which lake are you hitting first?
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