Parking
Mount Norquay ski area. Use the first parking lot on the right from Banff; the trailhead is at the day lodge at the far end of the lot.
Overview
About Elk Lake Trail
Why go
- Reaches a remote lake and backcountry campground from the Mount Norquay access.
Heads up
- The 26.2 km return and stream crossings call for backcountry planning.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,606–2,207 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 Elk 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
Mount Norquay: The Big Chair and Cliffhouse0:00 / 0:35
“Up ahead is Mount Norquay, where the seasonal sightseeing chairlift takes you above Banff in an open-air seat. Choose this if you'd like the mountain view without a summit climb.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Norquay Green Spot: Banff from Above
- The Lake Left by a Block of Ice
- The Muskrat’s Winter Breathing Hole
- Fenland: Lunch and an Old Spruce Forest
- 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 Elk Lake Trail
Plan for the overnightElk Lake Trail is an out-and-back from the Mount Norquay ski area to Elk Lake and the Ek13…
Elk Lake Trail is an out-and-back from the Mount Norquay ski area to Elk Lake and the Ek13 backcountry campground. It is 13.1 km each way, 26.2 km return, with about 680 m of cumulative climbing. The published route itinerary splits the walk over two days, camping at Ek13. An overnight stay requires a reserved backcountry site and permit.
From the lodge to the Elk Lake routeStart at the day lodge at the far end of the first parking lot on the right.
Start at the day lodge at the far end of the first parking lot on the right. Follow the service road down through the ski area and past three chairlifts; a few metres beyond the Mystic Chair, take the trail toward Forty Mile Creek. The path drops steeply to the creek and crosses a large bridge. Follow the Elk Lake signs through the switchback climb. The Cascade Amphitheatre trail branches off to the right; stay on the Elk Lake route for the longer backcountry leg.
The long stretch to Ek13Past that junction, the route passes through forest and crosses three small streams before…
Past that junction, the route passes through forest and crosses three small streams before reaching Elk Lake. These crossings can run swiftly in spring, and Banff’s streams are generally highest in June and July. Give yourself time to assess the water and do not rush a crossing.
At the lakeThe route ends at Elk Lake and the Ek13 campsite.
The route ends at Elk Lake and the Ek13 campsite. Swimming, boating and fishing in the lake are prohibited, so plan on a quiet backcountry stop rather than water recreation. Dogs are allowed on trails in summer unless a posted restriction applies; keep them leashed and under 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.
