Vermilion Lakes is a three-lake wetland, 440 hectares (1087 acres) in size and located at the foot of Mount Norquay in the Bow River valley. Its excellent accessibility via Vermilion Lakes Drive makes it a perfect location to relax and enjoy the view from one of the benches or jetties.
Coordinates: 51°10′41″N 115°35′56″W
The three lakes are fed by the Bow River. The third lake also has a hot spring. Because Vermilion Lakes is in a wetland area, it’s a habitat for many birds, some not found anywhere else in the park. The site is also home to many other animals, such as muskrats, beavers, elk, bald eagles, ospreys, and occasionally bears and moose.
Remarkable about this place is that the view makes you believe you’re in the middle of the wilderness. At the same time cars drive along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) right behind you. And behind the trees, on the edge of the lakes and at the foot of Mount Rundle, lies Banff town.
Thanks to its accessibility, you can easily take the famous photo of the lakes with Rundle Mountain dominating the sky in the background. Many photographers visit Vermilion Lakes at sunset because of the beautiful sky colors.
It often results in stunning photos. But also a visit around sunrise ensures spectacular images with the dew hanging over the water. In both cases, you are also more likely to encounter wildlife.
Table of Contents
LOCATION OF VERMILION LAKES
Vermilion Lakes lies in the middle of the Bow Valley, at the foot of Norquay Mountain to the north and northwest of Rundle Mountain. To the west, Mount Bourgeau rises high above the valley. The three lakes are about a 2.5 kilometer (1.54 mile) walk from the center of the town of Banff, perfect for a nice walk after dinner and enjoying the sunset.
HISTORY OF VERMILION LAKES
The area has been visited by first nations for many centuries. However, the railway construction through the Bow Valley has had the most significant impact on the area. Due to Canadian Pacific Railroad’s expansionism, a railway was built right through the area in the first half of the 1880s, which made human habitation possible for the first time.
Before long a cart track was built for transporting building materials. Several years later the road fell into disuse, but in 1894 it was connected on the north side of the lakes to Lynx Street, near the railway station. It meant access to the Vermilion Lakes.
After the founding of the town of Banff in 1885, boating on the lakes and the adjacent Bow River and fishing were among the first recreation modes. Later, Vermilion Lakes became the setting for ice skating, curling and ice hockey in the winter months.
ACCESSIBILITY OF VERMILION LAKES
Vermilion Lakes is located between the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the CRP Railway, west of the town of Banff. You can reach the lakes via the 4.3 kilometer (2.65 miles) long parallel road Vermilion Lakes Road.
The start of this road is only two kilometers from Banff town center. Coming from the direction of Lake Louise, you’ll find Vermilion Lakes Road at the junction of Mount Norquay and Banff town. Then take the first exit on your right-hand side.
Vermilion Lakes has few parking facilities. Fortunately, you can easily park your car along the road in many places. It is rarely swamped, so finding a place is no problem. The road is a dead-end, but at the end, it is widened so you can turn around your car or campervan.
SPENDING THE NIGHT OF VERMILION LAKES
Staying overnight at Vermilion Lakes is not possible, but Banff town is within walking distance. There you can choose from many dozens of accommodations. The nearest hotel is the Juniper Hotel. It is located behind Vermilion Lakes on the other side of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Juniper Hotel
Address: 1 Juniper Way, Banff
Phone: +1 403 – 762 2281
Camping
It’s possible to camp near Vermilion Lakes. The best place to do this is the Tunnel Mountain Village Campground. It’s located close to the town of Banff and consists of three separate campgrounds. A little further on, you’ll find Two Jack Lakeside Campground and Two Jack Lakeside Campground at Two Jack Lake.
Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground
Address: Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff
Phone: +1 877 – 737 3783
Overnight stay: subject to availability, reservations possible
Number of sites: 618
Facilities: camp kitchens, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, hot showers, flush toilets, handicap access, sani dump
Campfire permit: available at the campground
Kind of accommodations: motor homes and tents
Price: CAD 28.00
Period: 13 May – 4 October
Distance to Vermilion Lakes: 7 km (4.35 mi)
Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground
Address: Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff
Phone: +1 877 – 737 3783
Overnight stay: subject to availability, reservations possible
Number of sites: 188
Facilities: camp kitchens, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, hot showers, flush toilets, handicap access, sani dump
Campfire permit: available at the campground
Kind of accommodations: motor homes and tents
Price: CAD 33.01
Period: all year
Distance to Vermilion Lakes: 4.7 km (2.9 mi)
Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court
Address: Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff
Phone: +1 877 – 737 3783
Overnight stay: subject to availability, reservations possible
Number of sites: 321
Facilities: camp kitchens, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, hot showers, flush toilets, disabled access, sani dump
Campfire permit: available at the campground
Kind of accommodation: motorhomes
Price: CAD 39.04
Period: 13 May – 4 October
Distance to Vermilion Lakes: 4.7 km (2.9 mi)
Two Jack Lake Main Campground
Address: Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Alberta T0L 2C0
Phone: +1 877 – 737 3783
Overnight stay: based on availability, reservations possible
Number of sites: 380
Facilities: drinking water, flush toilets, cooking area, picnic tables, fire pits and sani dump
Kind of accommodations: motor homes and tents
Price: CAD 21.97
Period: 24 June – 7 September
Bus stop: Roam Transit
Distance to Vermilion Lakes: 11.9 km (7.34 mi)
Two Jack Lakeside Campground
Address: Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, Improvement District No. 9, AB
Phone: +1 877 – 737 3783
Overnight stay: subject to availability, reservations possible
Number of sites: 74
Facilities: camp kitchens, picnic tables, fire pits, flush toilets, hot showers, disabled access
Campfire permit: available at the campsite
Kind of accommodations: motor homes and tents
Price: CAD 28.00
Period: 21 May – 4 October
Distance to Vermilion Lakes: 10.7 km (6.65 mi)
BEST TIME TO VISIT VERMILION LAKES
Vermilion Lakes can be visited year-round. Even in winter, the road along the lakes is perfectly passable. Still, the best months are June to September. During this time the water is not frozen and the lakes form a beautiful backdrop for taking stunning pictures.
If you’re in the area in the winter, don’t miss Vermilion Lakes. It’s a great place for skating and the ice has an extraordinary texture due to the frozen methane bubbles which allows for beautiful and remarkable pictures. Provided, of course, that the lakes are not (yet) covered in a thick layer of snow. With a snowy Rundle Mountain in the background, you have all the ingredients for some Insta-magic here.
ACTIVITIES AT VERMILION LAKES
There are several activities around Vermilion Lakes, like hikes around the lakes and canoe-, kayak-, or paddleboard tours on the lakes. In the winter, there is excellent snowshoeing and skating.
Hiking around Vermilion Lakes
There are only two hikes you can do near the Vermilion Lakes. Both are short and easy. It’s a nice extra to visiting the lakes without spending a whole day on it.
| NAME | DISTANCE (round trip) | DURATION (round trip) | ELEVATION | TRAILHEAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fenland Trail | 1.8 km (1.11 mi) | 0.5 hour | 55 m (180 ft) | Mount Norquay Road |
| Echo Creek Heritage Trail | 3.5 km (2.16 mi) | 1 hour | 137 m (449 ft) | End of Vermilion Lakes Road |
Canoe, Kayak or Paddleboard Rentals
If you want to explore Vermilion Lakes from the water, renting a canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard (SUP) is a good idea. You can do this at The Banff Canoe Club on Wolf Street and Bow Avenue corner, in Banff town. Rentals are by the hour on a first-come, first-served basis. You can paddle up Vermilion Lakes via Forty Mile Creek. You can also explore Echo Creek.
Own Canoe, Kayak or Paddleboard
It is also possible to use your own canoe, kayak or paddleboard. You can launch yours at the corner of Wolf Street and Bow Avenue. The canoe docks are municipal recreation facilities and are open to the public.
Canoe Rental Vermilion Lakes
The Banff Canoe Club
Address: corner of Wolf Street and Bow Avenue
Phone: +1 403 – 762 5005
Fishing in Vermilion Lakes
Fishing is allowed in Vermilion Lakes. However, a national park permit is required. This is available at the visitor center in Banff, most sporting goods shops in town and also online [https://www.albertarelm.com/licensing.page]. Also, a national park pass is required. A provincial (Alberta) fishing license is not sufficient.
Any angler under sixteen may fish in the lake without a license if accompanied by someone under sixteen who holds a national park pass. The maximum number of fish to be caught equals the limit of the person holding a license.
There are two types of fishing permits:
Day Permit: CAD 9.80
Annual permit: CAD 34.30
Note:
– It is mandatory to put back caught fish to the place where it was caught.
– The use of natural bait is not allowed in Banff National Park.
– In addition to a fishing license, you must also have a National Park Pass.
Fish Species in Vermilion Lakes
Fish in the lake include brook trout, rainbow trout, redthroat trout and whitefish.
Skating on Vermilion Lakes
Vermilion Lakes is excellent for ice skating in winter. In fact, because the lakes are not too deep, Vermilion Lakes are the first lakes in the park where you can skate. Often as early as November. Add to that its location near the town of Banff and it can get busy with skaters, early in winter. In November and often in December the lake is usually not covered by a thick layer of snow. So no snow shoveling before you can glide over the ice.
Snowshoeing around Vermilion Lakes
In winter, you can also enjoy the view around Vermilion Lakes. One of those ways is snowshoeing. It allows you to walk with relative ease over the thick snow in the coldest months. There are no official snowshoe trails, but the Fenland Trail and the Echo Creek Heritage Trail (see above for both trails) are doable on snowshoes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Banff Visitor Centre
Opening hours (daily):
Address: 224 Banff Avenue, Banff
Phone: +1 403 – 762 1550
E-mail: pc.banff-vrc.pc@canada.ca
Lake Louise Visitor Centre
Opening hours (daily): 9 am – 5 pm
Address: Samson Mall, 201 Village Rd, Lake Louise
Phone: +1-403 – 522 3833
E-mail address: pc.lakelouiseinfo-infolakelouise.pc@canada.ca
Other articles you might be interested in:
• How to Make Sure Mosquitoes Don’t Ruin Your Stay in Banff
• Plan Your Banff Itinerary – Know the Distances
• How Much Does a Banff Vacation Cost in 2022? (Crazy Numbers)
