Kayaking Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
BEAUTIFUL!! I just wanted to scream those words. I was so blown away with the Maligne Lake scenery in Jasper National Park. It was much, much grander than I expected. And kayaking Maligne Lake is one of the best ways to experience the grandeur, especially once you get past Spirit Island.
Maligne Lake is only 44 km (27 miles) from the town of Jasper. It’s an incredibly popular spot to take the Maligne Lake boat cruise (including Spirit Island) – which I highly recommend doing, but only if you’re not inclined to canoe or kayak.
Kayaking Maligne Lake is an exceptional experience and one that gets you into a part of Jasper National Park few people see.
As a day trip from Coronet Creek Campground, you can hike the Henry MacLeod Trail – and you probably won’t see another soul.
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Kayaking Maligne Lake summary
Permits: You do need a Parks Canada pass to go kayaking on Maligne Lake.
Number of nights: I’d recommend three or four nights out – with two nights at Coronet Creek Campground and one or two nights at Fisherman’s Bay.
Type of watercraft: Canoes, kayaks or a boat powered with a tiny motor – 3 horsepower or less I believe are allowed.
Facilities: Bear lockers are provided as are tent pads at each campsite. There are outdoor privies too.
Map: For the Maligne Lake kayaking trip it’s Gem Trek Jasper and Maligne Lake.
Weather: Bring a tarp and pack for every possible type of weather – from sun to snow.
Fires: You can have a fire in the fire ring. As the summer progresses firewood will be increasingly difficult to find. Consider loading up your kayak or canoe on the way down to the campsite.
Dogs: Allowed on a leash – even at the campsites.
Rentals: You can rent canoes and kayaks right on Maligne Lake though the prices are steep.
Before you get to Jasper: Clean, drain and dry your boats and any paddling equipment that will go in the water well before you travel to Jasper to prevent aquatic invasive species from getting into the lake’s ecosystem.
Recommended reading: Kayaker’s Checklist: 100 Items to Pack
Getting campsites on Maligne Lake
Kayaking Maligne Lake for its full 22 km length was our plan so we could camp at the Coronet Creek Campground. At precisely 8 AM, with two phones going, I nabbed the last campsite on the day I booked.
Weekdays are easier to book than weekends. Phone (780) 852-6177 (MST) or book a backcountry reservation in Jasper National Park starting on January 29, 2025 at 8 AM MT. You can also call 1-877-737-3783 or from outside North America, 1-519-826-5391.
It costs $11.50 to make a reservation and $12.75 per person per night to camp.
You can camp for a maximum of two nights at each of the three campsites. Wardens come around and check that you have a valid permit.
- Hidden Cove is the first one you reach, 3.5 km from the Maligne Lake launch site. It’s got four sites in a sheltered cove and the distance is perfect for families.
- Fisherman’s Bay is next, 13 km down from the launch site, just past the Samson Narrows and only one kilometre from Spirit Island. It has 8 campsites. Reportedly it’s a great place for fishing – but be sure to get a permit.
- Coronet Creek is 21.3 km down from the put in. It’s a beautiful spot with 8 campsites.
If you didn’t get the campsite reservation you were looking for, don’t give up. Be the first to know when there is a campsite cancellation for your desired trip dates by visiting Schnerp.
Location map of Maligne Lake
The best time for kayaking Maligne Lake
We did the Maligne Lake kayaking trip over the July long weekend. Bugs were never a issue but often from early July until mid-August the bugs can be a royal pain and detract from the trip. Of course if it’s windy that’s not a problem – except for paddling.
September can be a great time to paddle – but you have to keep an eye on storms. It varies a lot from year to year.
If you do go in the buggy season be sure to take lots of insect repellent and perhaps a bug jacket.
Photographs showing what its like kayaking Maligne Lake
Where to stay the night before kayaking Maligne Lake
It’s a good idea to spend the night before in Jasper so you can get an early start on the morning you want to paddle. You can certainly book a campground in Jasper – but do that well in advance.
Recommended reading: Everything You Need to Know About Camping on the Icefields Parkway
Your other option is one of the many hotels on the strip in Jasper. In summer, they tend to book up quickly.
Suggestions include The Crimson Jasper, Pine Bungalows and Tekarra Lodge.
Some gear to take on the kayaking trip
There are a couple of items I’d suggest for your kayaking trip.
Take some Tenacious Tape – in case you rip something like your tent or jacket.
A camp pillow makes a big difference to how well you sleep.
Don’t forget to take a water filter or tablets for water purification.
Further reading on paddling in western Canada
- Kayaking Murtle Lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC
- 7 of the Best Places to go Kayaking in BC
- 3 of the Best Canoe Routes in British Columbia
- Paddling the Peace River: A Fabulous Alberta Adventure
- Powell Forest Canoe Route – The Full Experience
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
Random question – do you know the size of the tent pads at Coronet or Fisherman’s Cove? Trying to figure out which tent will fit the best. Thank you!~
Hi Sara, I’d say the average backpacker tent that sleeps 3 will not be an issue. I did see someone with a giant family sized tent and they made it work but it was off the pad. When I did it, there were just dirt pads so it wasn’t an issue.
Hi, I am just beginner in Kayaking. Done couple of kayaking trips last year. Can I be able to pull off kayaking in Maligne Lake without any issues?
@Chakri Commonsense goes a long way as does being prepared. You could aim for the family-friendly campsite on a first tour and see how comfortable you are. It’s in protected waters and only 3.5 kms from the launch. Start with easy and build up. Get out a few times before you go on a camping trip. Take a course to build your confidence.
This is an incredable trip, with the ease of launching right from your car and well maintained wilderness campgrounds, makes for a prefect experience. I took my wife to Coronett Creek for her first kayaking trip and she loved it. Scince then we have kayaked around northern BC, California and had just done Myrtle lake this past september with our five and three yr old girls. We have fallen in love with kayaking and it all goes back to our first trip to Magline Lake. For anyone who wants to do this trip just go! It changed my life. 🙂
@Uriah It’s some of the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever seen while kayaking! We also kayaked Myrtle Lake this past summer and loved it! Here’s the link to that trip – https://hikebiketravel.com/kayaking-murtle-lake-in-wells-gray-park/. Interesting how one trip can start the cascade of similar trips. So nice to hear from you.
argh! Now I regret not taking a peek down that road. Just finished the drive from Banff to Jasper and I want to go back and do it again and again. Your photos are wonderful.
Well, I wish I could have been along on this trip. The McAdams family knows how to celebrate a holiday. Fun trip and fabulous photos.
@Cathy There haven’t been many 5 satr experiences lately but the location of where we’ve camped has more than made up for it.
You certainly don’t have to kayak to enjoy Maligne Lake – though kayaks can go to the far end of the lake where motorboats can’t go.
Love the photos! Kayaking or not, this place is added to my dream list.
@Laurel I think the boat rides are $55 per person (+tax). Kayaking or canoeing is definitely the way to go. In fact one couple who hugged the shore the whole way back came across a family of moose. We missed that as we took the shortest route across.
@Marcia It wasn’t easy leaving. At the far end of the lake there are no motorboats and it is incredibly peaceful.
I’ve been to Jasper several times, but have never been on Maligne Lake. I know the boat rides are expensive, but I think that canoe or kayak would be a much better way to explore it anyway.
Seriously, Leigh, this is the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen! How did you leave?
Absolutely beautiful. A most tantalizing post.
Wow – what incredibly beauty – so cool, clear and serene with all temperatures showing in the colours. Love the goth birdy, too.
Obviously I haven’t been to this lake, but it is drop-dead gorgeous, and I’m impressed that you kayaked the whole way. I’d definitely love to take that cruise you mentioned sometime just to get to see this beautiful area for myself.
But it is BEAUTIFUL! So grand. That first photo certainly conveys why you felt like screaming it out loud. Canada is such a great place for outdoor enthusiasts