Parking
Limited unlined paved parking at the Vista Lake viewpoint on the east side of Highway 93 South. Park only in the designated area; parking on the highway is illegal and unsafe.
Overview
About Arnica Lake and Twin Lakes via Vista Lake
Why go
- Four-lake day linking Vista, Arnica, Upper Twin, and Lower Twin without a shuttle
- Larch colour and Storm Mountain cirque scenery around Arnica Lake
- Quieter alpine setting beyond the first lake
Heads up
- Limited designated parking at the Vista Lake viewpoint
- A sustained final climb from Vista Lake back to the trailhead
- Rooty, rocky, and muddy sections with exposed mountain weather
This four-lake mountain day links Vista Lake, Arnica Lake, Upper Twin Lake, and Lower Twin Lake on a quieter route beneath Storm Mountain. Arnica’s larches and cirque setting are especially striking in fall, while the Twin Lakes basin adds a more secluded alpine finish.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,580–2,140 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
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
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Arnica Lake and Twin Lakes via Vista Lake, 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
Boom Lake: Big Lake Views Without a Big ClimbListen
“Coming up is the trailhead for Boom Lake. This is a fantastic option if you're looking for the payoff of a big mountain lake without a steep, difficult hike.”
Plays on the road 1.2 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Continental Divide and the Fireweed Loops
- Avalanche Paths: Scars with a Purpose
- Storm Mountain Lodge: Historic Off-the-Grid Cabins
- Berry Season in Banff: Nature’s Sweet Signals
- 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 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.”
Trail guide
Hiking Arnica Lake and Twin Lakes via Vista Lake
The hikeStart at the Vista Lake viewpoint on Highway 93 South and descend about 1.4 km to Vista Lake.
Start at the Vista Lake viewpoint on Highway 93 South and descend about 1.4 km to Vista Lake. From the lakeshore, the trail climbs through larch forest on sustained switchbacks to Arnica Lake, then continues over rolling terrain to Upper Twin Lake before descending to Lower Twin Lake. Expect a narrow dirt tread with roots, rocks, and muddy sections. The complete out-and-back is about 10.5 miles (16.9 km) and usually takes 6–8 hours; the stored line follows the outbound corridor once, from the trailhead to Lower Twin Lake.
What you’ll seeVista Lake appears near the start, followed by Arnica Lake’s cirque, subalpine meadows,…
Vista Lake appears near the start, followed by Arnica Lake’s cirque, subalpine meadows, larches, and the quieter Upper and Lower Twin Lakes. Forest openings provide intermittent views toward Storm Mountain and the surrounding valley. Marmots, pikas, and bears inhabit the area.
TipsStart early because parking is limited.
Start early because parking is limited. Carry bear spray, extra layers, food, and a water filter, and check Parks Canada trail conditions and closures before leaving. Stay on the established path toward the Twin Lakes and save energy for the final climb from Vista Lake back to the car.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
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 mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
