Parking
Park at the Bow Lake/Num‑Ti‑Jah Lodge lot off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93N), by the outhouses; the trail follows the north shore of Bow Lake.
Overview
About Bow Glacier Falls
Why go
- Varied terrain in a short package: lakeshore, gorge, outwash, and waterfall
- You can stand close to a glacier-fed cascade for a true sense of scale
- Historic Num‑Ti‑Jah Lodge trailhead area has parking and basic washrooms
Heads up
- Staircase bypass in the gorge has been reported in rough shape at times
- Late-season flow can diminish the waterfall’s drama
- Braided creek and rocky footing near the falls can be wet and slippery
Bow Glacier Falls is a rewarding out-and-back from the Bow Lake/Num-Ti-Jah Lodge trailhead. The route follows the north shore of Bow Lake, then climbs through forest, gorge and glacial outwash to signed viewpoints for the glacier-fed falls.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy this hikeMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,938–2,070 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 Bow Glacier Falls, 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 trailhead
Historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow LakeListen
“The historic building with the bright red roof coming into view is the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, sitting right on the shore of Bow Lake.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Crowfoot Glacier's Missing Toe
- Helen Lake & Dolomite Pass: Fossils in the Meadows
- The Rockies’ Hidden Ice: Rock Glaciers
- Bow Summit: Highest Point on the Parkway
- 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 Bow Glacier Falls
The experienceThe opening miles are relatively gentle, with turquoise water and mountain views beside the…
The opening miles are relatively gentle, with turquoise water and mountain views beside the lake. The trail becomes rockier and steeper after the lakeshore, with stairs, uneven rock and a final approach across gravel and boulders. The mapped corridor is about 2.8 miles one way; total visitor distance is about 5.6 miles (9 km) round trip, with roughly 475 feet (145 m) of cumulative ascent in the verified terrain profile.
What you’ll seeThis short valley packs in a turquoise lake, a river-carved gorge, glacial outwash, moraines…
This short valley packs in a turquoise lake, a river-carved gorge, glacial outwash, moraines and the Bow Glacier above the falls. The signed viewpoint area provides the destination for this hike; the separate Bow Hut route and other alpine routes are not part of the represented experience.
Crowd level and worth-it factorBow Glacier Falls is popular because the scenery arrives early and the waterfall makes a…
Bow Glacier Falls is popular because the scenery arrives early and the waterfall makes a dramatic finale. Start early in peak season for quieter lakeshore miles and softer light on the water.
Logistics and tipsDistance is round trip from the Bow Lake trailhead.
- Distance is round trip from the Bow Lake trailhead. A valid Parks Canada pass is required for Banff entry and parking.
- Sturdy footwear is important for the rocky gorge, stairs and bouldery approach. Expect wet or slippery footing after rain or during heavy melt.
- Bring layers because glacial winds and spray can make the falls area cooler. There are basic washrooms at the trailhead but no facilities along the route.
- Wildlife lives here. Carry bear spray, make noise and do not rely on bear bells.
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.
