Parking
Taylor Creek day-use area on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway, about 8 km west of Castle Junction or 17 km east of Lake Louise. Park in the signed Taylor Lake lot and begin at the back of the lot through the wildlife gate.
Overview
About Taylor Lake
Why go
- Beautiful subalpine lake and meadow payoff after a steady forest climb
- Clear, well-established out-and-back route with a quieter feel than Banff's marquee larch hikes
- Separate O’Brien Lake and Panorama Ridge East extensions are available for a longer day
Heads up
- Limited views for much of the forested approach
- Sustained climbing, early-season snow or mud, and parking pressure during larch season
Taylor Lake is a classic Banff destination hike: a steady forest climb that opens into subalpine meadows and a glacial lake beneath Mount Bell. The approach is mostly shaded and quiet, while the lake and surrounding meadows provide the main scenic payoff.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy this hikeMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,472–2,082 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureLake Louise area trails and access areas closed for wildlifeMentions Lake Louise, referenced in this guideThe Bow River Trail, Louise Creek Trail, lower Tramline Trail, and Great Divide Trail parking area are closed because the closure prevents wildlife from being displaced from an essential travel…Official details
- 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
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Taylor Lake, 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
Fire Followers: Woodpeckers in Burned ForestsListen
“If you’re passing through a burned forest, you're in the territory of some special birds. Look for black-backed and American three-toed woodpeckers.”
Plays on the road 1.2 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Life Beneath the Lanes: Banff's Wildlife Crossings
- Castle Mountain Internment Camp: A Hidden WWI Story
- Baker Creek Resort: Unplugged Log Cabins by the Creek
- Storm Mountain Lookout: River, Rails, and Peaks
- 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 Taylor Lake
Route and statsStart at the Taylor Creek day-use area and follow the signed Taylor Lake Trail through the…
Start at the Taylor Creek day-use area and follow the signed Taylor Lake Trail through the wildlife gate. The route is an out-and-back to Taylor Lake, with a continuous uphill approach on packed dirt and sections of rock, roots, and two small bridge crossings. Parks Canada lists 6.3 km to the lake and about 585 m of elevation gain; the current mapped corridor measures about 6.65 km one way. The visitor distance is therefore about 8.3 miles (13.3 km) round trip. Allow roughly 4–5 hours for the complete hike, depending on pace and time at the lake.
Trail experienceThe lower route stays in dense forest with limited views.
The lower route stays in dense forest with limited views. Near the upper meadows, the landscape opens around Taylor Lake, with larches, a stream, and views toward the surrounding peaks. The O’Brien Lake and Panorama Ridge East branches are separate extensions and are not part of this Taylor Lake route.
Planning and accessThe trailhead is on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway, about 8 km west of Castle…
The trailhead is on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway, about 8 km west of Castle Junction or 17 km east of Lake Louise. Parking is at the Taylor Creek day-use area; the route begins at the back of the lot through the wildlife gate. Dogs are allowed on leash. Camping and fishing are subject to Parks Canada rules and permits where required.
SafetyThis is active bear country: carry bear spray where it is immediately accessible, make noise as…
This is active bear country: carry bear spray where it is immediately accessible, make noise as appropriate, and follow current Parks Canada wildlife guidance. Close the wildlife gate behind you. Snow and mud can persist early in the season, and high-country weather can change quickly; use sturdy footwear, carry layers and navigation tools, and check official trail conditions before setting out.
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.
