Best time to visit
- Summer for swimming and picnics—arrive early on weekends for parking.
- Early mornings for calmer scenes and fewer people.
- Evenings are lovely, but remember it’s day‑use only and wardens enforce clear‑out.
Overview
About Annette Lake
Annette Lake is Jasper’s go-to day‑use hangout: a glacially fed, turquoise lake with a sandy beach, big mountain views, and an easy paved loop. It sits just east of town off Maligne Lake Road, beside Lake Edith, so it’s an effortless add to any Jasper itinerary.
Why stop
- Sandy beach with loads of picnic tables and fire rings
- Paved 2.4 km loop with interpretive signs and mountain views
- Clear, calm water that’s great for swimming and paddling
Heads up
- Gets very crowded on warm summer days
- Water stays cold even in peak summer
- Occasional litter; day-use only with no food services
Unlike many alpine lakes, Annette pairs beautiful color and scenery with actual beach vibes—think sand underfoot, picnic tables everywhere, and open grassy areas for games. The 2.4 km paved circuit wraps the shore with interpretive signs that name surrounding peaks and touch on local geology, including the glacial silt that gives the water its hue.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhat Makes It Stand OutMap
Where it is
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Annette Lake
Arrive early on hot weekends—parking fills fast.
Bring your own food and water; there are no vendors on site.
Expect chilly water year‑round; midday on hot days is the most comfortable for swimming.
Pack out all garbage and keep food secured to avoid attracting wildlife.
Pair it with nearby Lake Edith if you want a quick, quieter change of scene.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to visit
Facilities
8 active Jasper alerts
- ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedStay out of closed wildfire-impacted areas and facilities in Jasper National Park; closures protect public safety after the 2024 wildfire and remain in effect while recovery and safety work continues.Official details
- Closure93A (Wabasso Road) no through travel during roadworkFrom mid-October to early November 2026, plan for 93A (Wabasso Road) to be accessible from the south entrance only; no through travel is expected during roadwork.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Jasper Tour Guide
Your drive to Annette Lake, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Jasper 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 Jasper audio tourRecorded for this place
Lake Annette Beach and TrailListen
“Ahead is Lake Annette, which is essentially Jasper’s local beach. Unlike many of the more rugged lakes, this one has a sandy shore and lots of picnic tables, so it's a popular place to relax.”
Plays as you drive up to Annette Lake in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Kettle Lakes: Annette and Edith
- Lake Edith: Jasper's Quieter, Warmer Beach
- Edith Lake: A Quiet Swim and Historic Cabins
- Mildred Lake's Winter Skating Loop
- 157 audio storiesacross Jasper’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 91 trails, 129 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Annette Lake
Things to DoSwim and sunbathe: It’s a favorite summer swim spot, though the water is brisk.
- Swim and sunbathe: It’s a favorite summer swim spot, though the water is brisk.
- Walk the loop: The paved shoreline circuit is an easy, scenic lap.
- Picnic and BBQ: Fire rings and many tables make this a social, family‑friendly stop.
- Paddle and fish: Calm water suits canoes, kayaks, and SUPs; non‑motorized craft are the norm.
WildlifeKeep your eyes up for osprey hunting over the lake.
Keep your eyes up for osprey hunting over the lake. Elk and deer commonly roam nearby, and bears occasionally pass through—store food properly and give all wildlife space.
Atmosphere & CrowdsOn warm summer days this place is buzzing—expect full lots and a lively, city‑park feel set…
On warm summer days this place is buzzing—expect full lots and a lively, city‑park feel set against pristine Rockies scenery. Quieter windows are early morning or on cooler weekdays.
Rules & EtiquetteThe main beach is dog‑free and smoke‑free, with designated areas nearby for both.
The main beach is dog‑free and smoke‑free, with designated areas nearby for both. Rangers clear the area in the evening; pack out all trash and leave fire rings clean.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Jasper
174 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
43 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
40 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
315 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,028 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
