Shadow Lake Lodge

Overview

About Shadow Lake Lodge

Why stop

Private cabins, a communal kitchen and heated washrooms in a remote mountain setting.
A base for hikes among meadows, lakes and alpine passes.

Heads up

The 14 km approach and self-catering supplies make it a committed backcountry trip.

Map

Where it is

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Full map

LodgingShadow Lake Lodge51.16818, -115.94677

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your stop

Before you go

8 active Banff alerts

ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…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 Shadow Lake Lodge, 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.

See the Banff audio tour

Recorded for this place

Redearth Creek and the Long Walk to Shadow Lake

0:00 / 0:30

“Redearth Creek trailhead is coming up, the start of the long walk to Shadow Lake.”

Plays as you drive up to Shadow Lake Lodge in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive

★★★★★

“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”

tesja22App Store review

4.7 from 8,600+ ratings

Guide

More about Shadow Lake Lodge

A real backcountry stayShadow Lake Lodge is the Alpine Club of Canada’s lodge in Banff’s Redearth Creek backcountry, a…

Shadow Lake Lodge is the Alpine Club of Canada’s lodge in Banff’s Redearth Creek backcountry, a group of private sleeping cabins and shared lodge spaces among montane meadows and high peaks. It is about 14 km from the Redearth Creek trailhead, roughly 40 km north of Banff townsite, so treat it as a destination stay, not a quick stop. Reservations go through the Alpine Club of Canada, and members and non-members can book.

What to expect insideThe lodge has private cabins, a communal kitchen and shared common areas, along with heated…

The lodge has private cabins, a communal kitchen and shared common areas, along with heated washrooms and hot running water. Plan to self-cater and check your booking details with the Alpine Club of Canada for current meal and bedding arrangements before heading in.

Make the lodge your baseIn summer, the lodge is a starting point for hikes through meadows and valleys toward nearby…

In summer, the lodge is a starting point for hikes through meadows and valleys toward nearby lakes and alpine passes. Winter visits use skis or snowshoes. Banff’s main hiking season runs from May to October, but higher passes can stay snowbound into late June and snow can fall at elevation even in summer. Check current trail conditions and lodge dates before you travel.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Banff

All Banff wildlife maps

123 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

69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

466 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.