Look no further, Alberta. We’ve got your boating bucket list covered. From the flat stretches of the Alberta Plains to the Rocky Mountains, Alberta has a boating adventure for everyone.
Explore glacier-fed Lake Minnewanka, nestled in the Rockies of Banff National Park, or experience a day of wake surfing on popular Lake Newell. Wondering where to launch your boat or looking for easy boating access?
Check out some of our favorite lakes and places for boating in Alberta, and get out on the water!
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is a large, glacier-fed lake located on the east side of Banff National Park.
It’s also the only lake located within the park that allows limited motorized boat operation. There are daily guided boat cruises to Devil’s Gap, or you can rent your own boat for the day from the Lake Minnewanka docks.
Plus, there are a multitude of other activities to choose from, including fishing, diving, hiking, mountain biking, and canoeing.
Lake Newell
Lake Newell is actually the warmest lake in Southern Alberta, so it’s no wonder that it’s a hot spot for summer activities, including boating, waterskiing, wake surfing, swimming, and paddling.
Be a beach bum for the day, or bring the kids along for an afternoon splash in the water! If you want to plan a longer visit to the lake, the Kinbrook Island Provincial Park & Campground are located on the lake’s East side. With over 160 campsites and a campground that offers a multitude of amenities, you can stay and play for days.
Lake Louise
If you haven’t visited Lake Louise, you haven’t experienced all that Alberta has to offer. Its sparkling turquoise waters and surrounding mountains are a site that must be seen to be fully understood.
Although power boating isn’t permitted, canoeing is a highly recommended activity. Canoe rentals and tours are available through the Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise, and no previous experience is required. You’ll find plenty of times to book a rental or tour, including sunrise and evening canoe experiences.
Sylvan Lake
This natural spring-fed lake is one of Alberta’s top tourist destinations, with year-round activities, food & entertainment. The nearby Sylvan Lake Provincial Park offers two boat launches and a 1.6 km long sandy beach.
Complete with ample boating and watersports opportunities, an aquasplash centre, waterskiing and wakesurfing, and Flyboard Jetpack Adventure packs, it’s the perfect summer family destination.
Visiting in the fall? Try axe throwing, paintball, or the indoor skate park! There’s no shortage of activities to choose from at any time of year!
Boating in Alberta’s Provincial and National Parks
As the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park boasts stunning mountain views, crystal clear lake waters, and an array of various water activities.
There are amenities available throughout the entire year, including seasonal cottages, winter cabins, and hotels. Once you’re there, choose from canoeing, white water rafting, scenic boat cruises, scuba diving, and wildlife and waterfall tours, or plan a longer stay and try them all!
Then Dinosaur Provincial Park is a desert-like provincial park located in the south of Alberta. It doesn’t exactly offer any water activities, but we wouldn’t be doing the province justice if we didn’t mention the stunning Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Enjoy a perfect day with your family while you check out the museum, wander the park looking for fossils, and marvel at the gravity-defying hoodoos.
Where to Go Fishing in Alberta
For the avid angler, head to Birch Creek for some fly fishing, or try your luck at reeling in any number of fish species at one of Banff National Park’s numerous lakes. Just be sure to learn about Alberta’s Fishing License rules before you cast your line.
Have Safe and Fun Adventures When Boating in Alberta
Be on the water in just a few hours, and know how to stay safe when boating and enjoying water activities.
Get your Alberta Boating License and experience Alberta’s waterways safely and legally. The best way to do this is to take the online boating education course for Canadians through BOATsmart! Our courses teach you everything you need to know to boat safely and pass the required exam to meet Transport Canada’s requirements for legal boating.
First published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy October 15, 2024.
