Canoeing Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

Canoeing Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

What better way to experience Maligne Lake, than with a canoe trip?

But let me tell you… Canoeing is hard. I’ve kayaked before, but man, little did I know that canoeing takes quite a bit of effort. Most of the canoe pictures you find online look idyllic and calm. Like this one, that Nico took of me on our Maligne Lake canoe trip.

First Time Canoe Maligne Lake Trip
Peaceful…

Doesn’t look like hard work is involved, right? Well: wrong! First of all canoeing is THE relationship test (at least, that’s what they say). You have to be in sync with your partner, which isn’t always easy. PS: we survived.

Secondly, if there is any head wind, you’re paddling for nothing and might even go backwards. Add some snow to the party, and you’ll be freezing your hands and feet off. And we got both!

Having said that, canoeing in nature and almost all by yourself is a pretty unforgettable experience. Especially in the Canadian Rockies, early in the morning when reflections are going off.

Fisherman’s Bay Base  

Maligne Lake is the largest lake in Jasper National Park, and even the largest natural lake in the entire Canadian Rockies. You can imagine it is quite popular. To experience it to the fullest we decided to do a canoe trip and spend the night at one of the campsite locations right on the lake. These campgrounds are not accessible by road – only by canoe. It will just be you, some other camper and the wildlife.

We booked two nights at Fisherman’s Bay, 14km from the Maligne Lake shore, and rented a canoe via Pure Outdoors Rentals. They dropped it off in the morning, so we got an early start.

Sunrise at Maligne Lake
Sunrise at Maligne Lake

It was a sunny and cloudy day, making the water very smooth in the morning. Our plan was to paddle a bit and then take pictures, but after five minutes we were already going wild with our cameras.

Maligne Lake Canoe Trip - Jasper National Park
The water was mesmerising.

After tuning in to each other (‘the couple test’), we paddled for an hour and a half and arrived at the first picnic stop. A great place to stretch the legs and have snack. When we were about to leave we heard some noise in the bushes. The first thought that pops in your mind is “beaaaars”! But it turned out that it was a lovely and curious elk family.

Wildlife in Canada is amazing.
Happy to see this cute face instead of a bear…

An hour and a half later we arrived at the Fisherman’s Bay Campground. It’s a small backcountry campground with only eight campsites. Our site looked out on the lake, which was pretty special. A toilet; bear proof food storage and a cooking area were also provided.

Famous Spirit Island 

The famous Spirit Island is… not an island. Spirit Island is actually a peninsula, and turns into an island only certain periods of the year. We visited during a period when the water was lower, so it definitely wasn’t an island. But still pretty though!

Spirit ‘Island’ is only two kilometres (or 20minutes) away from the Fisherman’s Bay Campground. A quick paddle brings you there.

Beautiful Reflections at Spirit Island, Jasper National Park
Beautiful Reflections at Spirit Island, Jasper National Park

You’re privileged when camping at Fisherman’s Bay. There is no need to fight the crowds, as you can choose when to visit the island. Most people opt for the boat tour that drops you off at the view point. You get 15 minutes to soak in the view, and off you go.

Because we spent two nights at the campground, we had the chance to go often to Spirit Island and to stay as long as we liked. We went once for sunrise and twice for sunset. During the day there are many boat tours arriving, but the last one leaves around 6 or 7pm. Meaning: you have the island all to yourself at sunset.

Canoeing Maligne Lake
A canoe arriving at the Spirit Island viewpoint.
Sunset at Spirit Island
Love the red canoes!

Four Seasons in a Day

Getting up for sunrise got us a bit tired, so we decided to take a nap in the afternoon. We crawl in our sleeping bags, and when we wake up two hours later, it is snowing.

It felt so unreal and magical. We got out of the tent and entered a snowy fairy-tale. The beautiful, thick snowflakes just kept falling. At one point it stopped snowing and the sun peaked through, giving us some beautiful golden light. Magical.

Canoe Trip to Maligne Lake
After the snowstorm.. soft light!
Canoe Trip to Maligne Lake
Light touching the mountain tops!

After the snowfall we had to head back to Spirit Island, to get some shots in the snow. Mountains always look better with a layer of snow. And the cold, you just have to suck it up (and dress warm!)

Kayak at Spirit Island, Jasper National Park
A kayaker arriving at Spirit Island.
Enjoying the scenery at Maligne Lake.
Enjoying the scenery.

Canoe Conclusion

I had a not-so-long think about it, and I don’t think canoeing is my sport. After my three day Maligne Lake canoe trip I can say with confidence that I prefer hiking above canoeing. Don’t get me wrong, paddling in a canoe in the middle of nowhere is super special, but in my case only for five kilometers max.

I absolutely loved my first-time canoe trip to Maligne Lake, and it might even be one of my top three Canadian trips, but I discovered canoeing isn’t my thing. I definitely want to do it again, but my ideal canoe trip would be with some friends, taking wine, firewood and paddle for five kilometers to our campground. It is still a peaceful and unique experience, but without making the canoeing the main activity! Please don’t judge me 🙂

Canoeing Maligne Lake
Moody sunset reflections.

Where To Camp?

There are three backcountry campgrounds along Maligne Lake. There is Hidden Cove campground at 4km, Fisherman’s Bay campground at 13km, and Coronet Creek campground at 21,3km.

We chose Fisherman’s Bay campground, because it’s only a two kilometre paddle to Spirit Island, but I’ve heard that the Coronet Creek campground is pretty cool too. This area is very popular, so definitely book your campground in advance. We booked our trip a few months before arriving. You can book a camp site on the Parks Canada website.

If you are not really a camper and would like to spend the night in a bed, there are many options for hotels in the town of Jasper. Find them here: Jasper accommodation.

Where To Rent a Canoe?

There are a few options to rent a canoe, but I highly recommend Jasper Outdoors Rentals. They’re located in Jasper, and are the cheapest option around. The canoes are great, of good quality and pretty! You pay $80 per day per canoe, and get a 25% discount for multi-days rentals.

I found it super easy booking with them and getting the canoe. They delivered it right at the lake, easy peasy. We also got lifejackets and enough dry bags for all our stuff and camera gear (we don’t want that gear to get wet 😉 ).

How To Get To Maligne Lake?

You find Maligne Make in Jasper National Park. It’s a four hour drive from Edmonton or an hour and 15 minutes from Jasper.

From Jasper you take Highway 16 East towards Edmonton. Two kilometres from Jasper, turn right across the bridge onto Maligne Road. Continue for 46 km south on the Maligne Road to Maligne Lake. And then it’s time to enjoy the scenery!

Like it? Pin it!

Multi Day Canoe Trip on Maligne Lake, Canada

Disclosure: Some links might contain affiliate links. That means that by no extra cost of your own, you will be supporting this blog by buying something through these links. Thank you!

Read more about my Canadian adventures:

Hiking Garibaldi Lake

My First Aurora Borealis

Welcome To Canada

Have you done a canoe trip? Where was it? Should I check it out?

24 thoughts on “Canoeing Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

  1. Hey, thank you for writing such an informative article! I just wanted to ask whether it is possible to see enough of the lake canoeing for just a day? I have missed out on a place in all the campgrounds however do not want to skip this all together!
    Do you have any advice on this?

    Thank you

    1. Hi Georgie, it’s a pity that you didn’t manage to secure a camp spot, but I definitely recommend to take out the canoe for the day! If you’re used to paddle, you could even make it to Spirit Island, but it would be a looooong day on the water (definitely count 8hours return). I’d recommend to take the canoe out, take your time to enjoy the different sights and have lunch at one of the picknick stops. Enjoy!

  2. Your photos are amazing! I visited Maligne Lake but really need to give it another chance because the clouds were so low when I went that you couldn’t see the mountains and the lake was really dark! Not the same at all. 🙁 But this has made me want to go back!!

    1. What a bummer that you hadn’t any nice views! But I’m happy that you’re keen to go back. You won’t regret it as you can see in my article 🙂 It’s such a cool place. Try and stay a few days, so you can really soak in the scenery (and the clouds might go away 😉 ).

  3. I’ve been to the Canadian Rockies, but have yet to make it to Jasper at all. Maligne Lake is definitely on my list – these photos are stunning!

    1. You would love Maligne Lake! Try to do a canoe trip, even if it is a little one – it will make you see the lake away from the mass of tourist. Jasper is btw a small cute town! Try to visit Pyramid Lake as well, if you’re in the area.

    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Kate! I hope you’ll make it to the Rockies, so many photo opportunities and cool adventures! But if you don’t like the cold, then wait until next year May, because winter has just arrived here (-24°C!!).

  4. Hi, Lieselot! Yet another great story I really enjoyed reading! These photos are breathtaking. I`m sure many people wished to go there immediately after reading this article. Not judging at all, canoeing takes some serious practice to become main and enjoyable activity. I was wondering, how you packed for this trip?

    1. Thanks so much for your nice comment Nigel! And good to know that canoeing takes some practice 🙂 I’m sure I’ll try it again, in beautiful scenery like this. Regarding packing, we took enough dry bags and a mix of clothes. It’s important to take a mix of layers (’cause the weather changes quickly), and definitely enough warm clothes and extra food in case you get stuck!

    1. Thanks Charlotte! I hope you make it up there, it’s a beautiful lake, and the Icefields Parkway is pretty cool too!

    1. Haha, thanks Amy! I’m happy my pictures are sending your wanderlust in overdrive :), because you should check it out! It’s a wonderful place.

  5. OMG those views are unreal! I’m usually against all rowing related activities because I really suck at them (like…I can seriously kayak in circles for 2 hours haha), but I may have to reconsider because it looks like the perfect way to take in views like this!

    1. Hi Caroline, the views really made it worth it for me! The canoeing wasn’t my thing, but when you can do it in crazy beautiful scenery, that makes the sore arms worth it 😀

  6. I feel you! I went canoeing for three days last year in Killarney Provincial Park, and while I was sooooo happy about going off the beaten track and getting so close to nature, I’m also super happy we had good weather. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much… The portages were also pretty challenging, you probably didn’t have any staying on one lake right? Your photos are gorgeous – makes we want to do it too, despite the hardship 🙂

    1. I indeed didn’t have any portages, thank god 🙂 I enjoyed this trip, because the scenery was beautiful, but I would never canoe just to canoe haha. I haven’t been to Killarney Provincial Park yet, I’ll have to check it out! (but i don’t think I would canoe there, as those portages sound horrible!)

  7. Definitely not judging you 😉 From here I would say I’d love the experience but I’ve never canoed that much so maybe I’d end up feeling like you! Either way your pictures are gorgeous and this has just gone into the top of my bucket list!

    1. Pfewww haha. I didn’t die, but I was really sometimes thinking: I am faster walking. Haha. I still highly recommend canoeing at Maligne Lake, the scenery makes it worth it!

  8. Oh so pretty! I did a short paddle on Maligne Lake on my trip to Jasper a few years ago but we didn’t have enough time to very far from the dock – we just paddled up the lake for 30 min, and then fought the wind back to the dock for another hour. So I know how much canoeing against the wind can suck. But your photos make it look totally worth it! Even with the suckiness of canoeing, I’d love to camp there.

    1. Hi Taryn, next time you should definitely paddle to Fisherman’s Bay campground! You’d love it, and you’re definitely sporty enough to handle the sore arms 🙂 Or maybe I’m just very very weak and it is actually not difficult at all haha!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.