Travel Guide of Peyto Lake in Canada by Influencers and Travelers
Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is near the Icefields Parkway. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area.
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Pictures and Stories of Peyto Lake from Influencers
20 pictures of Peyto Lake from Alex Hawthorne, Tyler Lillico, adrian and other travelers
- Peyto Lake rarely disappoints. This evening was no different ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Tyler Lillico | ©Unsplash
- lakes and mountains...the best combo ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Patrick Hodskins | ©Unsplash
- Peyto Lake - Banff National Park ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Gary Corken | ©Unsplash
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How to visit Peyto Lake ?
To get to Peyto Lake, fly into Calgary International Airport and rent a car or book a shuttle service to Banff National Park. The lake is approximately 185 km (115 miles) from Calgary and can be reached via the scenic Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). The drive takes around 2.5 hours. Once in the park, follow the signs to Peyto Lake and the Bow Summit, which is the highest point along the parkway.
It is not necessary to book anything in advance to visit Peyto Lake, as it is easily accessible along the Icefields Parkway. However, during peak season (July and August), parking at the Bow Summit can fill up quickly. Arriving earlier in the day or later in the afternoon can help avoid crowds.
There is no entrance fee for Peyto Lake itself, but you will need to purchase a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to enter Banff National Park. The pass costs $69.19 CAD for an adult and $34.30 CAD for a child (6-16 years old) for a single day. Family/group passes are available for $139.40 CAD for a single day.
Some of the best things to do at Peyto Lake include hiking, photography, and wildlife spotting. The short hike (approximately 20 minutes) from the parking lot to the Peyto Lake viewpoint offers incredible panoramas of the lake and surrounding mountains. For a more challenging hike, consider the Bow Summit Lookout Trail, which takes you higher up for an even more stunning view.
When it comes to dining, there are no restaurants at Peyto Lake itself. However, you can find a variety of eateries in nearby Lake Louise or Banff. A couple of suggestions are The Station Restaurant in Lake Louise, serving Canadian cuisine in a historic train station, and The Bison Restaurant in Banff, offering locally sourced dishes and a rooftop terrace.
For accommodations, consider staying in Lake Louise or Banff. In Lake Louise, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers luxurious rooms and amenities with stunning lake views. For a more budget-friendly option, check out the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre, a cozy hostel with private and shared rooms. In Banff, the boutique Moose Hotel & Suites offers comfortable rooms and a rooftop hot pool, while the Banff Aspen Lodge provides a more affordable option with a complimentary breakfast.
Off the beaten path: For a unique travel experience, consider visiting Peyto Lake during the winter months. The Icefields Parkway is open year-round, but fewer tourists visit during this time, so you'll have a more peaceful experience. The lake may be frozen and covered in snow, but the surrounding snow-capped mountains make for a truly magical scene. Enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing while exploring the area, but be aware that services and facilities may be limited during this season.
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Map of Peyto Lake
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More Travel spots to explore around Peyto Lake
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❄️ Glacial lake spots ⛰️ Highland spots ⛰️ Hill station spots ⛰️ Mountain spots ⛰️ Mountain range spots ❄️ Glacial landform spotsLearn More about Peyto Lake
About this lake
Located along the Icefield Parkway, Peyto Lake is one of the most beautiful postcards of a trip to Canada. Surrounded by thick coniferous forests in the heart of Banff National Park, the famous "wolf's head" lake is a sight to behold with its intense turquoise blue color. The location is perfect for hiking in the middle of nature. At the entrance to the park, a trail leads to a lookout point with a wonderful view of the lake, the valley, and the glacier, whose eternal snows shine in the distance.
A lake with a strange blue colour...
Lake Peyto is a bright blue lake. it is a glacier-fed lake, the glaciers grind up the rock and turn it into rock flour, which is then transported to the lake. It is this rock flour that refracts the light and gives the lake a blue color.
It's a beautiful landscape. Other lakes in Banff National Park are also blue, including Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Sherbrooke Lake, Bow Lake and Hector Lake. All of these lakes are accessible to visitors and each offers unique landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Peyto Lake
Hotels are available in Banff for a few days, but if you want to visit the area and only spend a few days visiting the national park you can stay in Calgary or in the town of Jasper which is a 3.5-hour drive from the park.
Banff National Park is relatively remote, the nearest airport is Calgary (YYC), then it is about 2 hours drive to the National Park.
Where to Stay near Peyto Lake
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