Valley of the Five Lakes Overlook

• The most vivid views are over the Fourth and Fifth Lakes, with clear, jade‑green water and forested shorelines.
• On clear days, distant peaks peek through for layered backdrops.
• In late spring and summer, small wildflower patches brighten the shoreline.

The overlook is partway along the loop, not at a road pullout. Start from the Valley of the Five Lakes trailhead off the Icefields Parkway, follow the signed paths around the lakes, and you’ll reach the Red Chairs viewpoint. Expect a moderate, family‑friendly loop of about 4.6 km with minor ups and downs.

Keep an eye out for loons, ducks, geese, and songbirds on the water. Squirrels and chipmunks are common; beavers or muskrats show occasionally near the lakes. Deer, elk, and even black bears are possible near dawn or dusk—give wildlife space and store food properly.

The lakes rest in glacially carved depressions dating to the end of the last Ice Age. Their striking greens and blues come from glacial silt and minerals interacting with light, all set atop the sedimentary bones (limestone and shale) of the Canadian Rockies.

• There are no facilities at the overlook—use the vault toilets at the main trailhead and bring water and snacks.
• The trail can be muddy after rain.
• Mosquitoes are a thing here in early summer; repellent helps.
• As of 2024–2025, parts of Jasper have seen wildfire closures—always check Parks Canada for current status before you go.