Bow Lake Lakeshore Trail (9 km, Easy) – Banff National Park

Overview

About Bow Lake Lakeshore

Bow Glacier Falls is a moderate out-and-back from the Bow Lake parking lot to the base of the falls. The route follows the north shore of turquoise Bow Lake, then climbs through forest and across rocky terrain to the glacier-fed waterfall. The full return hike is about 5.6 miles, with the stored line following the 4.5 km one-way physical corridor once rather than duplicating the walk back; allow about 3 hours.

Why go

Turquoise Bow Lake shoreline with immediate mountain views
Glacier-fed waterfall and varied terrain in one moderate outing
Clear destination and manageable roughly three-hour round trip

Heads up

The 5.6-mile return route is longer than the initial lakeshore walk
Rocky, uneven terrain with wooden steps and a boulder field
Wind and fast-changing mountain weather; no services along the route

A scenic, varied route that combines an iconic alpine lake with a powerful glacier-fed waterfall. The lakeshore walk is only the first part of the outing; budget for the full return distance and the rocky climb to the falls.

Parkwolf’s verdictBottom line

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation1,938–2,082 m

TrailheadBow Lake Parking Lot51.67893, -116.46477

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Park at the Bow Lake parking lot, 36 km north of the Lake Louise junction on the Icefields Parkway, then continue about 400 m down the Lodge at Bow Lake access road to the trail start. Use the developed parking area and do not park on the highway.

Safety

Wind can be strong along Bow Lake and weather changes quickly. Expect wooden steps, uneven rock, a boulder field, and loose rock near the falls and rockwall; watch for rockfall, keep clear of unstable slopes, and use traction when snow or ice remains. Dogs must be leashed and there are no services along the route.

8 active Banff alerts

ClosureRed Deer River valley closed during ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison hunt taking place through November, for public safety during the harvest.Official details
ClosureJohnston Canyon closed for constructionJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area, including the washrooms and P1 parking lot, are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, for construction work to ensure public and worker…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 Bow Lake Lakeshore, 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

Historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Lake

Listen

“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 on the road 0.1 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

Hiking Bow Lake Lakeshore

Route and sceneryThe trail begins at the Bow Lake parking lot, about 400 m down the Lodge at Bow Lake access…

The trail begins at the Bow Lake parking lot, about 400 m down the Lodge at Bow Lake access road. It follows the lakeshore beneath broad mountain views before turning inland toward the Bow Glacier Falls basin. Expect forest, wooden steps, uneven rock, and a glacier-carved boulder field before reaching the base of the falls and the start of the Bow River.

Access and logisticsDrive the Icefields Parkway to the Bow Lake parking lot, 36 km north of the Lake Louise…

Drive the Icefields Parkway to the Bow Lake parking lot, 36 km north of the Lake Louise junction, then follow the Lodge at Bow Lake access road to the trail start. Parking is at the developed lot; there are no services along the route. Dogs must remain leashed.

Difficulty and safetyThis is a moderate hike with about 95 m of reported elevation gain and 20 m of loss.

This is a moderate hike with about 95 m of reported elevation gain and 20 m of loss. The shoreline can be windy and exposed, while the upper route includes stairs, uneven footing, and loose rock. Rockfall is possible near the falls and rockwall; stay alert, keep clear of unstable slopes, and do not climb around the waterfall. Mountain weather can change quickly, so carry layers and traction when snow or ice may remain.

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.

Bow Lake Lakeshore