Peyto & Bow Lake

Peyto & Bow Lake

July 8, 2026

Looking down on the town of Banff in the Bow Valley from a high viewpoint — Mount Rundle and the Bow River winding through forest below, snow-dusted peaks marching to the horizon

This was our second drive up the Icefields Parkway, the same road we took to the glacier, except this time we stayed with the lakes closer to Banff. On the way out of town we stopped at a viewpoint over the valley. You can see the whole town below Mount Rundle, with the Bow River bending through it.

A person standing at a railing on a viewpoint boardwalk, looking out over the valley and distant peaks

Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake from the overlook — a turquoise glacial lake below, framed by snow-streaked peaks and dark green forest, with spruce trees in the foreground

From the viewpoint we carried on up the parkway to Peyto Lake. It’s a short walk up to the overlook, and then you get the view everyone comes for. The water is an odd pale blue-green, which I’m told comes from rock flour the glaciers grind up and carry down. It was busy at the top, but there’s enough room that it didn’t bother me.

A person standing on the rocky overlook with the turquoise lake and mountains behind them

Bow Lake

Bow Lake — calm water reflecting the sky, a low forested shore, and snow-capped peaks behind, with a single spruce in the foreground

Bow Lake is a little further up the road. You look down on Peyto from above, but at Bow you can walk right to the water. It was quieter here. The lake is fed straight off the glacier so it’s cold, but it’s a pleasant spot to stand around for a while.

Four people standing together at the shoreline of Bow Lake, mountains rising across the water

We only did the first stretch of the parkway and didn’t try to push further north. Two lakes was plenty for one afternoon.