Maligne Lake canoe trip

Maligne Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Jasper National Park known for its peaks, blue-green water and Spirit Island. Explore Magazine picks it as one of Canada's best canoe regions, saying the island is better seen from a canoe in the early morning mist than from the tour boats. The trip has no portages.

Parks Canada lists a 22 km paddle to the end of the lake with three campgrounds: Hidden Cove at 4 km, Fisherman's Bay at 13 km and Coronet Creek at 21.3 km. Overnight trips need a backcountry permit, booked well ahead in summer, with a two night limit at each campground. Gas motors are banned, and the water stays near 4°C. Tour boats and wind can raise waves, so Daily Hive suggests setting out early.