The largest lake in Jasper National Park and the second largest glacier-fed lake in the world, picturesque Maligne Lake is surrounded by high peaks and lush forests. It’s a great destination for hiking, fishing and canoeing. History buffs will enjoy visiting Curly Phillips’ Boathouse, an early outfitting outpost in the lake, and walking the Mary Schaffer Trail to learn about the adventure of the first white woman to see the lake.The popular boat-cruise destination on Maligne Lake is Spirit Island. You can’t see it from the main tourist complex at Maligne Lake, but you’ve probably seen it on a slew of postcards for sale throughout the Rockies. It is well worth the boat outing to this delightfully charming island. The glass-enclosed boat is cozy on a chilly day. The outing operates from late spring until early fall and is fun for kids and relaxing for parents, with informative and friendly guides. Call ZeeLINX to book your trip to Jasper National Park and Maligne Lake.
While you're in the area, a great place to glimpse a moose and spot some impressive birds is Medicine Lake. The lake has a mysterious feel to it – it looks at first like any other, but there is no visible drainage outlet. The truth is that Medicine Lake is the result of holes poking up from a large underground river system. That explains why the lake is so much larger in spring – when meltwater raises the river level below. By fall, the river level drops so dramatically, there’s barely a lake to be seen at all. Early Native visitors to the area believed this enigmatic lake had healing powers and named it Medicine Lake. Halfway between Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, it makes a nice stop – keep your camera and binoculars handy!
