Parking
Use the signed Waterfowl Lakes Campground hiker parking area off the Icefields Parkway. Follow trail signs from the lot to the wooden bridge; park only in designated spaces, since roadside parking is prohibited.
Overview
About Chephren Lake Trail
Why go
- The lake and peaks make a strong payoff for a mostly forested walk.
- The signed fork keeps the Chephren route distinct from the Cirque Lake branch.
Heads up
- Most mountain views are intermittent until the lakeshore.
- Roots and uneven tread slow the Chephren branch.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,657–1,768 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 Chephren 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
Waterfowl Lakes Campground and Chephren Lake0:00 / 0:29
“You're approaching Waterfowl Lakes Campground, a wooded overnight base between the two lakes beside the Mistaya River.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Lower Waterfowl Lake beneath Mount Chephren
- The Cones That Stay on the Tree
- Finding Fish in a Water Sample
- White Coat or White Rump?
- 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 Chephren Lake Trail
The walkChephren Lake Trail is an 8.2 km (5.
Chephren Lake Trail is an 8.2 km (5.1 mi) out-and-back from the Waterfowl Lakes Campground hiker lot. Allow about 2.5–3 hours. You start by crossing a wooden bridge over the Mistaya River, then climb gently through forest for about 1.3 km to a signed fork. Keep right for Chephren Lake; the left branch goes toward Cirque Lake. Beyond the fork, the Chephren trail gets rootier and rolls through trees, with only brief views of Howse Peak and Mount Chephren before it drops to the shore.
At the lakeThe turquoise lake and the peaks across it are the payoff.
The turquoise lake and the peaks across it are the payoff. The shore is natural rather than a built viewpoint; a boulder or fallen tree can give you a place to sit. Most of the route is forested, so choose this for the lake and its wooded approach rather than a long run of open mountain scenery.
Footing and effortThe first stretch is gentle, but roots and short climbs make the full walk a moderate outing.
The first stretch is gentle, but roots and short climbs make the full walk a moderate outing. Expect uneven footing on the Chephren branch and a few ups and downs on the return. Dogwood berries have been noted along the trail in season, a small detail to watch for between the lake views.
Access and dogsEnter Waterfowl Lakes Campground off the Icefields Parkway and use the signed hiker parking…
Enter Waterfowl Lakes Campground off the Icefields Parkway and use the signed hiker parking area, then follow trail signs to the bridge. Park only in designated spaces; roadside parking is prohibited. Dogs can join on summer hikes unless trail restrictions say otherwise; keep them leashed and under physical control.
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.
