Consolation Lakes

Overview

About Consolation Lakes

Consolation Lakes delivers outsized scenery for minimal effort: two quiet alpine lakes tucked beneath Mount Babel and Quadra Mountain, with the Quadra Glacier looming above. It’s the perfect escape from the Moraine Lake crowds—close by, yet far more peaceful.

Why stop

Big alpine views and glaciers for a modest, easy hike
Quieter than Moraine Lake with a serene lakeshore vibe
Frequent marmot sightings and classic talus-and-creek scenery

Heads up

Rocky boulder field makes the final lake approach tricky
Mosquitoes can be fierce in summer; bring repellent
Logistics: Moraine Lake requires shuttle/approved transport

You get a sampler platter of Moraine-area terrain—rockslide, creekside forest, alpine meadows, talus slopes—and then those calm, reflective lakes framed by dramatic walls and glacier views. It’s big scenery without the big grind, and the second lake offers a lovely perspective back toward the Moraine basin.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhat Makes It Special

Map

Where it is

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SightConsolation Lakes51.31575, -116.15264

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Consolation Lakes

Book your Moraine Lake shuttle in advance; no general private vehicle access.
Wear grippy footwear—the last stretch is a boulder hop to the shore.
Carry bear spray and check Parks Canada bulletins for Group Access rules.
Bring bug repellent in summer; the lakes’ wetlands attract mosquitoes.
Add the short Rockpile loop at golden hour for classic photos before or after.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Early July through late September offers snow-free trails and wildflowers. Go early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer people, especially on weekdays. Midday (around 11 am onward) sees more spillover from Moraine Lake. Pairing a quick Rockpile viewpoint stop with this hike works best at sunrise or late day for photography.

8 active Banff alerts

ClosureRed Deer River valley bottom closed for ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison harvest taking place through November.Official details
ClosureLake Minnewanka and Aylmer area closureLake Minnewanka Trail, Aylmer Pass Trail, and campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22 and Lm31 are closed to all users because black bears are displaying food-seeking behaviour.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Banff Tour Guide

Your drive to Consolation Lakes, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this area

The Famous 'Twenty-Dollar View' at Moraine Lake

Listen

“You're getting close to Moraine Lake, and the first thing you'll want to find is the Rockpile Trail.”

Plays on the road 2.4 km from Consolation Lakes in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

More about Consolation Lakes

The HikePlan on 6–6.5 km round trip with roughly 120–150 m of gain, taking most people 2–3 hours.

Plan on 6–6.5 km round trip with roughly 120–150 m of gain, taking most people 2–3 hours. The route starts near the Moraine Lake Rockpile, briefly crosses rockslide debris from the Tower of Babel, then settles into an easy forested path along Babel Creek before opening to meadows and a bouldery approach at the lakes.

WildlifeExpect hoary marmots basking on sun-warmed rocks; porcupines and bears are also reported in the…

Expect hoary marmots basking on sun-warmed rocks; porcupines and bears are also reported in the area. Carry bear spray, hike in a group, and check current wildlife advisories—Parks Canada occasionally implements Group Access requirements here.

Know Before You GoThe final approach involves a large boulder field; sturdy footwear and steady footing are…

The final approach involves a large boulder field; sturdy footwear and steady footing are essential if you want to reach the water’s edge.
Mosquitoes thrive in the wetlands around the lakes—pack repellent in summer.
There are no facilities at the lakes or along the trail. Plan to use services at Moraine Lake area before starting.
Personal vehicles aren’t permitted to Moraine Lake (with limited exceptions). Book a shuttle or other approved transport.

Is It Worth It?If you’re already at Moraine Lake and want real mountain solitude without a punishing climb,…

If you’re already at Moraine Lake and want real mountain solitude without a punishing climb, absolutely. Consolation Lakes is the “high reward, low stress” pick in the area.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Banff

All Banff wildlife maps

122 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.