Banff Canoe Trips: Lake Louise to Castle Junction

Take a fantastic canoe trip in the Canadian Rockies this summer.

There are all kinds of ways to see Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies. You can raft, bike, hike helicopter, drive, ski… the list goes on and on, but today I’d like to recommend trying a canoe trip on your next Rockies vacation.

Canoeing in Banff is a great vacation activity in the Canadian Rockies.

Canoes offer a way to get around Banff and the Rockies quickly and quietly. The give you a chance to see wildlife, view some of the Rockies amazing sites, and enjoy the peace and quality that the park offers on it’s waters.

Below you’ll find a quick guide to a canoe trip starting in Lake Louise in Banff National Park. To get a peek at Banff, check out our Banff webcam.

Lake Louise to Castle Junction

Distance: 22 km (usually a 3-4 hour long trip)

Difficulty: Intermediate

This segment of the Bow River begins downstream of Alberta’s hamlet of Lake Louise. It sits between the Trans-Canada Highway on the west, and the Canadian Pacific Railway line and Highway 1A (Bow Valley Parkway) on the side. The Bow River flows steadily on its way through the valley. There are plenty of riffles and Class 1 rapids on the way, and you may encounter logjams and sweepers. Although this section contains many islands and side channels, finding your way is pretty easy.

Put your canoe in at a small side channel approximately 750 metres east of the Trans-Canada Highway bridge over the Bow River, east of Lake Louise. You can park at the service road turnoff, just don’t block the road when you park your car. This channel flows into the main river in about 100 metres. The first 3k are fast with tight corners, so be prepared for some skillful maneuvering. At the viewpoint, you’ll find a continuous section of quick water, with waves, and tight bends. These high-risk areas should be approached with care and after scouting for dangers.

The next big landmark is river left at the confluence with Baker Creek, about 5k downstream from Moraine Creek. From here out, the river slows a bit. For the next 14.5 km, the river winds down the valley below the cliffs of Castle Mountain. This brings you to the end of this section at the bridge at Castle Junction. Take out on river left at the parking lot just downstream of the bridge.