How to Visit Maligne Lake in Jasper: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re in Jasper, one of the best things you can do is visit Maligne Lake. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the Canadian Rockies and makes for a perfect day trip from Jasper. There’s plenty to do once you’re there: explore Spirit Island, paddle out in a kayak or canoe, or take one of the nearby hiking trails.

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Maligne Lake, how to get to Spirit Island, tips for driving Maligne Lake Road and a few other things you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Jasper.

Visit Maligne Lake: Top Highlights in Jasper

What to Expect from Maligne Lake

I almost didn’t visit Maligne Lake on my road trip in the Canadian Rockies. I even thought, “It’s just a lake, how special can it really be?“. Well, I’m here to tell you I’m so glad I went.

Maligne Lake is about an hour drive from Jasper and the journey there is as stunning as the destination itself. While the first part of the drive on Maligne Lake Road still shows signs of the 2024 wildfires, the scenery is breathtaking.

Along the way, you’ll pass Medicine Lake, where you might spot some wildlife. On our trip, we were lucky enough to see two bald eagles perched at the top of a tree overlooking the lake. Definitely worth a stop.

Drive carefully, as wildlife encounters are pretty common along the road. If you go early in the morning or around dawn, your chances of spotting animals go way up.

When you visit Maligne Lake, you’ll find a few activities to choose from, including easy hiking trails, canoeing and the famous boat tour to Spirit Island.

The main attraction at Maligne Lake is Spirit Island, which is only accessible by boat, canoe or kayak. The View of the Gods, as it’s often called, is one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. And I’m not exaggerating! I’ve seen my share of breathtaking places—such as the Huayhuash Trek, Machu Picchu and the Uyuni Salt Flats—but this view completely took my breath away.

How to Get to Maligne Lake

If you plan to visit Maligne Lake, it is located in Jasper National Park and is about 48 km (30 miles) southeast of Jasper. The drive takes approximately 50 minutes and is worth stopping on the way. The road is fully paved and allows you to stop at scenic viewpoints, such as Medicine Lake.

On Maligne Lake road cell service is limited. Also, wildlife crossings are frequent and you’re likely to encounter bears, elk, moose and bighorn sheep along the way.

The best way to access Maligne Lake is by car. But there are several tour bus companies in Jasper that offer guided tours or transport to Maligne Lake. These packages often also include stops at Maligne Canyon or boat cruises.

Tips for Driving on Maligne Lake Road

If you’re spending just one day in Jasper, you HAVE to visit Maligne Lake. The drive there is easy and well-paved, but I’ve got a few tips to make it even smoother.

When driving along Maligne Lake Road, stay alert for wildlife, especially at dawn or dusk. There are also some narrow curves on the road, so keep a moderate speed and take time to enjoy the views.

You won’t find any gas stations on the way to Maligne Lake, so it’s a good idea to fill up your tank in Jasper before heading out.

There’s parking available at Maligne Lake, but it fills up fast, especially during the summer peak season. We arrived around 11 am and had to circle for a bit before finding a spot. If you’re willing to drive a little further toward Moose Lake, you’ll find additional parking spots along the way.

Where to Eat at Maligne Lake

If you’re looking for a spot to eat when you visit Maligne Lake, there are a few great options to choose from.

The View Restaurant sits right on the lakeshore and even offers a patio where you can dine with a stunning view. After hiking up the Big Beehive at Lake Louise and exploring Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park over the previous days, we decided to treat ourselves on our last day in the Canadian Rockies. So, we sat down to a delicious meal at The View Restaurant, basking in the warm sun.

💡Fun Fact: One of our waiters turned out to be from a small town in South Tyrol, not far from my hometown in the Dolomites. It was a complete surprise to both of us to meet at Maligne lake, so far from home!

Another spot to check out when you visit Maligne Lake is the Maligne Lake Waffle Hut. They offer a variety of sweet and savory waffles, perfect for satisfying your cravings.

And if you’re just looking for a quick bite, the Lake House Cafe is another solid option.

Things to Do at Maligne Lake

One of the main activities at Maligne Lake is taking the boat tour to Spirit Island. This is one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies, and the best part is, it requires very little effort to reach. The boat tour takes about 90 minutes and gives you a short but sweet opportunity to capture the stunning views of Spirit Island.

If you want to really visit Maligne Lake up close, kayaking or canoeing to Spirit Island is an unforgettable experience. If you choose to paddle, keep in mind that Spirit Island is about 14 km away (one way). Personally, I think this is best done as an overnight kayaking trip. And if you’ve got a bit more time, you could easily stretch it into a two or three day adventure on Maligne Lake.

Speaking of moose, although we didn’t spot one at Moose Lake, we did get lucky with an encounter on our way back to the car. This was my very first time seeing a moose, and I was so excited, I almost teared up with joy!

What is so Special about Spirit Island

When you visit Maligne Lake, Spirit Island is the main attraction and one of the most beautiful places in the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, this landscape looks like it’s straight out of a postcard.

For the Indigenous peoples, particularly the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, Spirit Island is considered a sacred place. They believed that spirits inhabited the land and waters of Maligne Lake, offering protection to both the land and its people. Even today, Indigenous communities continue to hold spiritual gatherings in the area.

Spirit Island is only accessible by boat, kayak or canoe, as there are no roads or trails leading to it.

💡Fun Fact: Although it’s called Spirit Island, this piece of land is actually connected to the main shoreline. So, technically it’s more of a peninsula. But locals thought calling it an island sounded more interesting, so the name stuck.

How to Get to Spirit Island

There are mainly three ways to get to Spirit Island: by boat, canoe or kayak.

Getting to Spirit Island by Boat

There’s only one company allowed to offer boat cruises on Maligne Lake. The captain told us that they’re the exclusive operator because they started offering tours long before Maligne Lake became part of Jasper National Park. Thanks to their longstanding presence in the area, they were able to secure exclusive rights to operate on the lake.

You can choose between a classic cruise (1.5 hours with a 15-minute stop at Spirit Island) or a premium cruise (2 hours with a 30-minute stop at Spirit Island).

In 2025, ticket prices averaged CAD $82 to $109 per adult. But booking online a day in advance usually gives you a small discount.

Boats depart regularly between 9 am and 4:30 pm daily, with extended hours during peak season.

Canoe or Kayak Rental to Spirit Island

Kayaking to Spirit Island is a true adventure and is best suited for those with previous kayaking experience. The total distance from the Maligne Lake dock to Spirit Island is about 28 km (14 km one-way), which typically takes a full day to complete. Personally, I’d recommend splitting the trip into two days at Maligne Lake, with an overnight stay at one of the campgrounds along the way.

You can rent a canoe or kayak for about CAD $145-175 per day (for two people). Keep in mind that kayaking or canoeing at the same time as the tour boats can make for a bumpy paddle!

If you can, try to start early in the morning when the waters are still calm (ideally between 8-10 am), or later in the afternoon (3-5 pm) when it’s less crowded.

What to Expect from a Boat Tour on Maligne Lake

If you’re short on time and don’t want to paddle for 4 hours one way to Spirit Island, taking a scenic boat tour on Maligne Lake is your best bet. You’ll be treated to some of the most stunning views in the Canadian Rockies. While you may have already visited Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, Maligne Lake holds its own unique beauty.

The boat ride isn’t very long (about 90 minutes for the round trip) and your guide will share some fascinating stories about the lake’s geology, history and Indigenous significance.

Once you reach Spirit Island, you’ll have the opportunity to take a short loop trail to capture stunning photos of the island and surrounding mountains. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking and it’s no wonder this spot is one of the most photographed places in Canada.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot some wildlife on the way there or back, such as bears along the shoreline or bald eagles perched high in the trees.

The boat isn’t too big, so it never feels like you’re on a typical tourist cruise. We went in the afternoon and got lucky with a very small group booking at that time. On our way back, we even spotted a moose at the edge of Maligne Lake: a win-win all around!

Final Thoughts

If you only have one day in Jasper, then Maligne Lake should be on your list. After the 2024 wildfires, many trails are still under maintenance but this is not the case for Maligne Lake. If you’ve driven along the Icefields Parkway from Banff, then a stop in Jasper is a must. What better way to spend a day in the Canadian Rockies than a visit to Maligne Lake and Spirit Lake.