The Canadian Rockies offer photographers some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, including snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and glaciers. Add in the changing character of the landscape through the seasons, the diverse wildlife, and the clear, dark skies that are ready made for night sky photography and it's easy to see why photographers return to this area again and again. In order to see some of the most famous and photogenic sights, you could easily spend a month exploring Banff, Jasper and Yoho National parks and driving the Icefields Parkway but to get you started, here's our take on the top photo spots to visit in the spectacular Canadian Rockies.
Best Banff Area Photo Locations
Banff is a serious draw for photographers. The nearby Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake are great sources of year round inspiration while Mount Rundle looms large over the town of Banff and provides a stunning backdrop for photography. The mountain is especially beautiful during the sunrise and sunset hours when the light creates a warm glow. Nearby Sulphur Mountain offers breathtaking views of the Bow Valley and the surrounding mountains and be sure to take the Banff Gondola to the top of the mountain, where you can capture stunning panoramic shots of the area.
Johnson Lake
Close to Banff town center, Johnson lake is a small recreational lake, often busy with canoes and swimmers when the weather permits. Walk to the right from the ample parking lot towards a small bridge that provides a great vantage point for photographers, with the mountains in the background and some good foreground options.
Vermillion Lakes
Located just outside of the town of Banff and home to a variety of wildlife including beavers, elk, moose and countless birds, the Vermillion lakes are a must visit location, particularly at sunset. Mt Rundle provides a stunning backdrop for the lake which is often mirror-like, providing countless compositional options. With changing seasons, weather, and lighting conditions during the day, no two visits to this location are ever the same!
Bow Valley Parkway Photo Locations
Showcasing stunning views of the Rockies and the Bow River, The Bow Valley Parkway is a scenic road that runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff National Park. The area is surrounded by forests and mountains, creating a picturesque setting for landscape photography in any season, but particularly in the fall and winter. The Bow Valley is home to bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and wolves, to name a few, making it a popular spot for wildlife photography.
Johnston Canyon
A narrow canyon carved by the Johnston Creek, Johnston Canyon features a series of waterfalls and clear blue pools. The Upper and Lower falls both offer good photography opportunities with the off-and shoulder seasons being the quietest, as summer can be very busy with tourists.
Morant's Curve
Named for Canadian photographer, Nicholas Morant, who captured the iconic image of a steam train crossing the Bow River in the 1930s, this spot has become popular for photography as it offers a stunning view of the railway and the Canadian Rockies in the background. Trains still regularly pass through Morant's Curve, providing plenty of photo opportunities for visitors.
Best Lake Louise Area Photo Locations
Lake Louise
Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Louise is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers, creating a picturesque setting for photography. Lake Louise has a rich history, with the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel built in 1890 remaining a popular destination for visitors from around the world who come to enjoy the lake and nearby hiking and skiing. The lake itself is a great sunrise photography location as the sun comes up and bathes the mountains and glacier in warm red and orange light which provides a great background for a variety of foreground material - the colorful red canoes at the boathouse and the simple rocks that line the side of the lake are both popular choices.
Moraine Lake
Located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and just down the road from Lake Louise is iconic Moraine Lake. Instagram has made this beautiful lake so popular that some planning is necessary to be able to shoot the sunrise at this location which offers the best light and still water. But the planning is absolutely worth it. The stunning glacier-fed turquoise water of the lake (the color caused by the refraction of light off the rock flour that is suspended in the water) and surrounding mountains are on everyone's must shoot list and there are many compositional options, either along the shoreline, or on the famous rock pile that offers fantastic views of the lake and the snow covered peaks.
Emerald Lake
In nearby Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake is well worth the drive if you are staying in the Lake Louise area. A stunningly beautiful location, the glacial lake, famous for its emerald green color, provides endless photography opportunities. One of the best ways to explore is simply to take the walking path around the lake and keep your camera handy.
Best Icefields Parkway Photo Locations
Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, The Icefields Parkway is a 144-mile (232-kilometer) road that runs through the Canadian Rockies, connecting Lake Louise in Banff National Park to Jasper National Park and offering breathtaking views of glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and mountain peaks along the way.
Peyto Lake
Driving South to North, one of the first must shoot locations on The Icefields Parkway is iconic Peyto Lake. You will have seen literally thousands of photographs taken from the viewpoint, but there is a reason this vantage point is so popular, so take that shot and then wander a little further up the path and see what else you can discover!
Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a narrow and deep canyon where the crystal-clear turquoise water of the Mistaya River which originates from the Wapta Icefield flows into the North Saskatchewan River. The canyon itself offers countless compositions including wide angle views up the river to the mountains beyond, or detailed studies of the water as is flows over smooth rocks.
Parker Ridge
Hiking Parker Ridge offers spectacular views and is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Banff National Park. The trail is relatively short and easy, making it a great option for hikers of all levels. It's only 5.4 km round trip and takes about 2-3 hours to complete but offers stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier, the surrounding mountains, and Peyto Lake. The view from the top of the ridge is particularly impressive.
Sunwapta Falls
Located in Jasper National Park and located just off the Icefields Parkway, Sunwapta Falls is formed by the Sunwapta River as it flows through a narrow canyon and drops 61 feet (18.5 meters) over a broad shelf into a deep pool below, creating a spectacular display of water and mist. The falls are easily accessed from the parking lot and there are also several hiking trails in the area that provide access to other viewpoints and the surrounding wilderness. The falls are particularly impressive in the spring and early summer when the water levels are highest, but they are a beautiful sight to see year-round.
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls is one of the most powerful and scenic waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies, and a popular destination for photographers traveling the Icefields Parkway. The falls are formed by the Athabasca River, which flows over a layer of hard quartzite and erodes the softer limestone beneath, creating a deep and narrow gorge. The water then plunges down a drop of 23 meters (75 feet) into a pool below, creating a thunderous roar and a mist that can be seen from a distance. The falls are easily accessed and particularly impressive in the spring and early summer when the water levels are highest.
Best Jasper Area Photo Locations
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake's vibrant turquoise color contrasts beautifully with the surrounding green forests and snow-capped mountains, creating a stunning visual display that is hard for any photographer to resist. The lake is also home to Spirit Island, a small, picturesque island located in the middle of the lake and surrounded by the pristine waters and towering mountains which make for iconic pictures when the light is right. Photographers wanting to spend time in this area should plan ahead as Spirit Island is only accessible by boat.
Pyramid Lake
Photographers looking for a more accessible, but no less beautiful lake to photograph while in the Jasper area, can look no further than Pyramid Lake, a stunning glacial lake located at the base of Pyramid Mountain which rises over 9,075 feet (2,766 meters) above sea level. The lake is known for its calm and serene waters, which reflect the surrounding mountains and forests, creating potential for beautiful photographs, particularly at sunrise when the sun bathes Pyramid Island and the surrounding mountains in golden light.
With this small sampling of photography opportunities, we've only scratched the surface of what this amazing region has to offer. Photographing the Canadian Rockies is an incredible experience for any photographer with endless opportunities for capturing stunning natural beauty. We hope you make this special place part of your life's journey.