Exploring Bow Lake: A Serene Retreat on the Icefields Parkway
Discovering Serenity on the Icefields Parkway
As we traveled along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park, we made a memorable stop at Bow Lake. It was early June, a time when nature starts to wake up from winter. The sky was grey and cloudy, and some snow still lay on the peaks, holding on against the warming weather.
The lake is the headwater of the Bow River which flows south through the mountainous regions and descends through Calgary before merging with the Oldman River and ultimately reaching Hudson Bay.
Bow Lake welcomed us with a calmness that we could really feel. The lake was still and quiet, reflecting the stunning mountains behind it, blending the sky and land into one beautiful scene. It felt harmonious—a perfect mix of everything that made the view feel like the definition of the word “peaceful”.
We were in no hurry to move on from that place. It seemed like we had no schedule at all. Timelessness often finds its way to us when we are in beautiful places like Bow Lake.
Why We Stopped at Bow Lake
The Icefields Parkway, renowned for its unparalleled scenic vistas, had already mesmerized us with its array of towering mountains, dense forests, and glacial blue rivers. We had been told a day earlier not to be in a hurry when making the drive from Banff to Jasper National Park, and that advice was spot on.
If one was to make the drive without stopping, it would take about three hours from point-to-point. It took us about eight hours to complete the drive due to all the stunning natural attractions along the way. We had no reason to rush, and Bow Lake was one of the first stops we made along the way.
As we strolled along the lakeshore, the partly cloudy sky provided a dramatic backdrop against the landscape. Although the images on this post reflect a loneliness and absence of noise and people, that was not the reality. The lakeshore was quite busy with tourists all wanting a perfect picture or a personal portrait with the lake and snowy peak in the background.
Even though the place was buzzing with people, everyone was polite and waited patiently as groups took their turns snapping photos and taking videos.
We commented at the clarity of the lake’s waters, which revealed rocks and fish beneath its surface.
Conclusion
After about an hour, we jumped back into Alice and continued along towards Jasper National Park. Bow Lake would certainly stick in our minds as one of those classic must-see spots—like, seriously, nature outdid itself for us that day. The chilly waters, the moody sky, and those snowy mountains all came together for an ambiance that was both humbling and serene.
In retrospect, our stop at Bow Lake was more than a mere stop off the parkway. For us, it was an introduction to the Canadian Rockies. Regardless of the beauty we saw at Bow Lake that day, it was only one among a list of places including Parker Ridge and Wilcox Pass in Jasper National Park that would continue to captivate us on our trip up north.
