Maligne Lake: Blue Paradise Surrounded by High Mountains

We’re taking a short break in Jasper, Alberta, a quiet mountain town tucked in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, before we head to Maligne Lake. Though small in size, it’s surrounded by the jaw-dropping beauty of Jasper National Park, a place that draws millions of visitors from around the globe each year. But this year, something feels different.

Last year, massive wildfires swept through the region, causing significant forest loss both around town and along the roadways. The images we saw circulating on social media at the time captured only a fraction of the reality. Driving through the burned areas ourselves offered a far more powerful sense of the scale of devastation. Sadly, this wasn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last. Wildfires have become a constant reality in Canada, and the country has adapted to living with their presence.

Despite the devastation left by the fires, Jasper’s natural beauty remained undeniably captivating. Since our main destination was Maligne Lake, we didn’t spend much time in the town center. After a short walk and exploration around the area, we continued our journey deeper into this awe-inspiring landscape.

The drive wasn’t long; Maligne Lake lies about 50 kilometers from the center of Jasper. The road winds gently through the landscape, curving between hills and valleys, making the journey itself part of the experience. As we passed through stretches of scorched forest, the contrast between blackened trunks and the slowly recovering earth was a striking reminder of nature’s strength, and its fragility.

Our first glimpse of water came at Medicine Lake, a scenic spot where many travelers give a brake to take photos or simply soak in the view. We chose not to stop this time, but if you have the time, it’s a peaceful place to stretch your legs and take in the stillness.

After about an hour of scenic driving, we finally arrived at Maligne Lake. The first thing that caught our attention was the crowd; it was much busier than we had expected. Naturally, the parking lot was full, and finding a spot wasn’t easy. After circling for a while, we eventually found a space in one of the overflow lots further up the road. We left the car there and began our walk down toward the lake.

Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, stretching over 20 kilometers through a valley carved by glaciers. At its far end, the water meets the foot of Coronet Glacier, a dramatic reminder of the forces that shaped this landscape. Surrounded by towering peaks and dense alpine forest, the lake offers views that feel almost otherworldly. It’s no wonder this place draws visitors from around the world.

While planning our visit to Maligne Lake, I came across countless reviews praising the boat tours. Many travelers said the experience offered a chance to see much of the lake, along with commentary from knowledgeable guides. It sounded like the perfect way to fully appreciate the lake’s beauty and history. So, we decided to join one.

Our Maligne Lake boat tour was generously hosted by Pursuit, the company behind the Banff Jasper Collection website, a platform that offers a wide range of tours and experiences across the region. While I didn’t purchase the tickets myself, I used the site to explore the details of the tour and get a better idea of what to expect. It’s also a helpful resource for discovering other activities in Jasper and Banff. The interface is clean and user-friendly, and the website provides thorough, up-to-date information. If you’re planning a visit, it’s definitely worth browsing.

While waiting at the dock for our tour, one of the staff called out for our group. After a quick scan of our digital tickets, the staff directed us to our boat, Curly Phillips. Apparently, it’s the largest in the fleet, and it definitely felt that way as we stepped on board.

The boat was bright and spacious, with big wraparound windows that gave us incredible views of the lake and the surrounding peaks as we cruised along. At one point, we made our way to the open deck at the back, the fresh mountain air, combined with the stillness of the lake and the dramatic scenery, made it a moment worth savoring. Naturally, we took way too many photos.

After about 40 minutes into the tour, we arrived at Spirit Island, one of the must-see spots on Maligne Lake. Located almost right in the middle of the lake, this island isn’t accessible by road or trail. To get there, you either need to join a boat tour or paddle using a canoe or another non-motorized watercraft.

Although it’s called an “island,” Spirit Island is technically a peninsula. So why is it referred to as an island? The reason lies in the seasonal changes, during spring, melting snow and heavy rains cause the lake’s water level to rise, submerging the narrow strip of land that connects it to the shore and temporarily turning it into a true island.

Spirit Island is like an open-air studio for photography enthusiasts. Surrounded by the lake, mountains, and trees, it offers scenery that looks straight out of a Bob Ross painting, no matter the season. Especially during early morning hours or around sunset, it’s an ideal spot for capturing stunning, one-of-a-kind shots. Below you can see a few photos of Spirit Island’s world-famous scenery.

The First Nations people who lived in the region originally knew Maligne Lake as ‘Chaba Imne’ (Beaver Lake). The lake’s story began to change in 1907, when American-born naturalist, photographer, explorer, and writer Mary Schäffer Warren took an interest in Maligne Lake during her research on the Rocky Mountains.

(A quick note: The first European person to actually see Maligne Lake was Henry McLeod, who was scouting routes for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). However, McLeod never descended to the lake or explored the area in detail.)

(“Old Indian Trails – Nibs and His Mistress (cropped).jpg” likely by Mary W. Adams at English Wikipedia is in the Public Domain)

During her expeditions around the lake, Schäffer received help from a First Nation man named Samson Beaver. In 1907, Samson drew the first map showing the route to the lake and gave it to Schäffer. Using this map, Schäffer, with her assistant Mary Adams and guides Billy Warren and Sidney Unwin, reached Maligne Lake in 1908 to begin exploring the area.

Afterwards, Schäffer published many writings about the lake and its surroundings. These publications significantly contributed to the lake’s popularity and recognition.

Before wrapping up, here’s one more interesting detail: Schäffer herself named many of the mountains in the region. She chose names to honor the people who supported her in the discovery of Maligne Lake:

• Samson Peak (3,081 m): Named in honor of Samson Beaver.
• Leah Peak (2,801 m): Named after Leah Samson, Samson Beaver’s wife.
• Mount Warren (3,300 m): Named in honor of guide Billy Warren.
• Mount Charlton (3,217 m): Named after Henry Charlton, a promotional representative of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, who supported Schäffer’s research.
• Mount Unwin (3,268 m): Named in honor of guide Sidney Unwin.