Vermilion Lakes Drive
Just minutes from downtown Banff, the Vermilion Lakes scenic backroad drive offers serene lake reflections, quiet walking trails, and a peaceful retreat at sunrise or sunset. Often missed in favor of bigger lakes, it's a photographer's hidden gem.Vermilion Lakes Drive is a stunning scenic route that meanders along the tranquil Vermilion Lakes just west of Banff, offering visitors a serene and photogenic escape in the heart of the Rockies. The winding road follows the lake shores, providing numerous pull-offs and parking spots where you can stop to snap photos of golden sunrise glimmers or vibrant sunset hues reflecting on the mirrored waters. The backdrop features dramatic mountain vistas - including Mount Rundle and Mount Burgess - while the surrounding marshlands teem with wildlife, such as geese, ducks, elk, and occasionally even moose browsing near the water’s edge. Ideal for wildlife watching, birding, and leisurely strolls, the area also attracts landscape photographers drawn to its composite reflections and soft glacial light.
Along the drive, easy footpaths and rustic boardwalks grant access to several vantage points, perfect for peaceful walks, picnicking, or simply soaking in the alpine ambiance. Canoe rentals are available seasonally nearby, allowing for a gentle paddle under the towering peaks. In winter, the scene transforms into a silent, snow‑blanketed wonderland - ideal for cross‑country skiing or snowshoeing along the lake’s edge. With minimal development, limited facilities, and an emphasis on unspoiled nature, Vermilion Lakes Drive offers a quietly immersive experience within Banff National Park, where the interplay of water, wildlife, and soaring peaks reminds you why this region is a UNESCO World Heritage treasure.
Vermilion Lakes Drive
Vermilion Lakes Drive offers one of the most accessible yet breathtaking scenic experiences in Banff National Park, located just minutes from downtown Banff. The drive itself is a gentle, paved road that runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway but feels worlds apart in its peaceful atmosphere. It stretches for about 4.3 kilometers along the eastern edge of the Vermilion Lakes, a chain of three shallow lakes that form part of the Bow River’s wetland system. These lakes are surrounded by marshes, sedge meadows, and forested fringes, creating an ecologically rich habitat and a perfect refuge for wildlife. The still, shallow waters often reflect the jagged ridgelines of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, making the area a favorite among photographers, especially during dawn and dusk when the skies are painted with soft alpenglow.Several viewpoints and wooden docks line the drive, allowing visitors to park, walk out over the water, or simply sit and take in the quiet. Interpretive signs at a few stops provide insight into the area’s ecology, geology, and Indigenous history. The lakes and wetlands play an important role as a migration corridor and are home to many species of waterfowl, amphibians, and aquatic plants. In the early morning, you may spot elk grazing near the shoreline or a heron wading through the reeds, while in late spring and summer, dragonflies buzz over blooming wildflowers. It’s also a known location for occasional moose sightings, especially around dawn.
In addition to being a driving route, the Vermilion Lakes area is popular for non-motorized activities. A portion of the Legacy Trail - a multi-use paved path - runs parallel to the drive and connects to other cycling and walking paths around Banff. Paddling is also a peaceful option here, as the calm waters are ideal for canoeing or kayaking, particularly in the early morning when the wind is still and wildlife is most active. In the colder months, the lakes partially freeze, and the landscape takes on a stark, frozen beauty, with snowy peaks towering above and tracks in the snow hinting at unseen animal movement.
Despite being so close to the townsite, Vermilion Lakes Drive offers a quiet, uncrowded refuge that feels deeply immersed in nature. It’s a perfect spot for a slow-paced exploration, a moment of reflection, or an impromptu wildlife encounter - making it one of Banff’s most beloved yet understated natural gems.
Tours and Attractions in Alberta
Best Tours in Banff National Park »Best Tours in Jasper National Park »
Best Tours in Lake Louise »
Hikes in Banff National Park »
Hikes in Jasper National Park »
Best Hikes in Lake Louise »
Bow Falls »
Lake Louise »
Moraine Lake »
Peyto Lake »
Bridal Veil Falls »
Cascade Ponds & Bow Valley Parkway »
Lake Minnewanka »
Sulphur Mountain & Banff Gondola »
Tunnel Mountain »
Banff Park Museum »
Banff Upper Hot Springs »
Cave & Basin National Historic Site »
Johnston Canyon »
Mt. Norquay »
Sunshine Village »
Icefields Parkway »
Bow Valley Parkway »
Bankhead Ghost Town »
Cascade Ponds »
Cave and Basin Marsh Loop »
Fenland Trail »
Healy Pass »
Hoodoos Trail »
Johnston Lake »
Silverton Falls »
Upper Stoney Lookout »
Vermilion Lakes Drive »
Lake Minnewanka Viewpoints »
Norquay Green Spot Viewpoint »
Sulphur Mountain Summit Boardwalk »
Tunnel Mountain Summit »
Vermilion Lakes Scenic Drive »
Bow Falls Viewpoint »
Cascade Gardens Mountain Viewpoint »
Hoodoos Viewpoint »
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls »
Mount Edith Pass »
Surprise Corner Viewpoint »
Upper Stoney Lookout »
Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls »
Athabasca Glacier & Jasper Columbia Icefield »
Athabasca Falls »
Dark Sky Preserve & Northern Lights »
Jasper SkyTram Up Whistlers Mountain »
Maligne Canyon »
Maligne Lake & Spirit Island »
Medicine Lake »
Miette Hot Springs »
Mount Edith Cavell & Cavell Meadows »
Pyramid Lake »
Skyline Trail »
Whitewater Rafting on the Athabasca River »
Hike Jasper | Tour Canadian Rockies | Jasper Columbia Icefield | Maligne Lake Boat Cruise | Jasper Wildlife | Book Banff National Park | Book Jasper National Park | Banff Gondola | Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise | Athabasca River Rafting | Jasper Wildlife Tours| Rocky Mountain Train Tickets | Maligne Ice Walk | Shopping Jasper | Columbia Icefields Glacier Skywalk | Jasper SkyTram | Jasper Maligne Lake Cruise | Johnston Canyon | Golden Skybridge | Banff Boat Cruise | Tour Moraine Lake