Parking
Start at Boom Lake Day-use Area off Highway 93 South. The lot’s capacity, fee, washrooms and potable water were not confirmed.
Overview
About Boom Lake Trail
Why go
- Cliff-framed alpine lake
- Mostly gradual, shaded forest climb
Heads up
- Long approach with few views
- Rough descent and uneven lakeshore boulders
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,743–1,948 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
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
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Boom Lake Trail, 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 tourRecorded for this trailhead
Boom Lake: A Forest Walk to the Cliffs0:00 / 0:24
“You’re nearing Boom Lake trailhead, where a long forest walk ends at an alpine lake beneath steep cliffs. Allow three to four hours for the roughly ten-kilometre round trip, mostly on a gradual, shaded climb.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Vista Lake and the Climb to Arnica Lake
- The Life in Pink Snow
- The Painters Behind the Museum
- The Road Deal That Made a Park
- 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.”
Trail guide
Hiking Boom Lake Trail
The routeBoom Lake Trail is a 10.2 km (6.
Boom Lake Trail is a 10.2 km (6.3 mi) out-and-back from Boom Lake Day-use Area to the lake’s east shore. Allow about 3 to 4 hours for the full return. The path climbs gradually through mostly shaded forest, then drops over rougher ground to an alpine lake beneath steep cliffs. Go for the lake at the end: much of the middle stretch has few views.
Through the forestFrom the day-use area, the route crosses Boom Creek on a wooden footbridge and climbs through…
From the day-use area, the route crosses Boom Creek on a wooden footbridge and climbs through forest. The long middle is straightforward but view-limited; mud is possible early in the season or after heavy rain. The surrounding forest includes large subalpine trees.
Last descent and lakeshoreA boardwalk marks the approach to the lake, then the trail descends to the eastern shore.
A boardwalk marks the approach to the lake, then the trail descends to the eastern shore. A past rockslide left boulders around the water, so the final stretch and shore are rough and uneven. Stay on Boom Lake Trail at the signed Taylor and O’Brien Lakes junction; that branch is a separate hike. At the shore, include a few foreground boulders with the lake and cliffs for a sense of scale, and watch your footing as you choose a place to sit.
Before you goThe published 5.1 km distance is one way; the return follows the same path.
The published 5.1 km distance is one way; the return follows the same path. Bring food and drinking water for the walk: none was confirmed on the route, and only picnic spots were noted at the trailhead. Dogs are allowed on Banff trails in summer unless a restriction is posted; keep them leashed and under physical control. Check current trail conditions and restrictions before setting out.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
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 mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
