Top 10 Bodies of Water in Kananaskis Country, Canadian Rockies

June 16, 2021 Augustus Redeker

Discover the best top things to do in Kananaskis Country, Alberta including Wedge Pond, Grassi Lakes, Upper Kananaskis Lake, Spray Lake, Quarry Lake, Mt. Lorette Ponds, Rummel Lake, Barrier Lake, Chester Lake, Warspite lake.
Restaurants in Kananaskis Country

1. Wedge Pond

Kananaskis Trail, Alberta Canada +1 403-678-0760 http://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/spray-valley-pp/information-facilities/day-use/wedge-pond
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Wedge Pond

Reviewed By jeanfran_oist800 - Montreal, Canada

Right across the road, you gotta stop for a hike or a piknik. Went there with my little one (1 and a half) for a 30 minutes walk around the lake. The view was stunning! Lots of trees and mountain to view. It was in autumn so there was a lot of color

2. Grassi Lakes

Canmore, Alberta Canada
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,620 reviews

Grassi Lakes

Reviewed By bogdank739 - Edmonton, Canada

Nice hike from the parking lot near the lake up through old forest to a view point and a beautiful waterfall

3. Upper Kananaskis Lake

Canmore, Alberta Canada +1 800-252-3782 http://www.tourismcanmore.com/things-to-do/upper-lower-kananaskis-lake
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 214 reviews

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Reviewed By sigv21 - Leduc, Canada

What a beautiful place to spend your day with family. We always enjoyed being outdoors with scenic attractions --- mountains, fresh air, woods, lake, trees, rocks and some friendly animals, it feels great that Upper Kananaskis offered all of these! Very relaxing and peaceful, you can actually feel being reconnected with nature. My kids (Ages 5-11) were able to play by the lake and throw rocks. We did some hiking and explore. Picnic tables are available as first come first serve. What I like most is we had privacy and distance with other people, we also put up our tent in case it rains or to take a nap and yes it was very useful! Toilet room is available too, just bring your own sanitizer, toilet paper, gloves, disposable seat cover, and mask! Overall experience was great and I highly recommend it for people of all ages!  Things to do: Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, (Bring your own) What to wear: Layers/ raincoat/ summer attire (weather changes unpredictably) Shoes: running shoes slip resistant (lake sides are more on rocks) Foods/ drinks: Bring your own Parking space: adequate ~ The earlier the better * Don't forget your camera *

4. Spray Lake

Kananskis Valley, Alberta Canada +1 403-678-0760 http://www.albertaparks.ca/spray-valley/information-facilities/day-use/spray-lake.aspx?id=st-day:6946
Excellent
47%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Spray Lake

Reviewed By suekd2016 - Belvidere, United States

We drove to Spray Lake to hike across from it on the High Rockies Trail and Sparrowhawk Tarns. Took a look at the lake after our hike and your could see the lake from the trails too.

5. Quarry Lake

Spray Lakes Road Quarry Lake Park, Canmore, Alberta Canada https://canmore.ca/recreation-facility/parks-playgrounds-sports-fields
Excellent
54%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 193 reviews

Quarry Lake

Reviewed By 201jackz - Canmore, Canada

On a hot summer day it feels so great to jump off the low cliffs (only 5-10 feet off the water) into the cool water below. A beautiful spot at the base of Ha Ling peak, just on the way to the Nordic Centre, Quarry Lake is a hidden gem in Canmore. Relax in the sun laying on the natural grass, or jump in for a swim. Quarry Lake is a superb place in the summer.

6. Mt. Lorette Ponds

Hwy 40, Kananaskis, AB near Barrier Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta T0L 2H0 Canada +1 403-678-0760 http://www.albertaparks.ca/kananaskis-country
Excellent
64%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Mt. Lorette Ponds

7. Rummel Lake

Smith Dorrien Trail, Alberta Canada
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Rummel Lake

Reviewed By KellyNagle

Awesome trail with fresh snowfall and peaks of sunshine. Didn’t need snowshoes and it wasn’t slippery. 5.5km one way, mostly up at a reasonable “hiker” grade. We got sweaty. We saw some awesome mountain views across spray lakes valley and some cozy forest creatures along the way. I much preferred this winter trail over Rawson Lake nearby. Also a recommended similar length/effort/reward trail is Moose Meadows to Ink Pots on the 1A near castle junction.

8. Barrier Lake

Highway 40 1 hour's drive east of Calgary, Alberta T0L 2H0 Canada +1 403-673-3663 http://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/bow-valley-pp/information-facilities/kananaskis-contacts/barrier-lake-visitor-information-centre/
Excellent
52%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Barrier Lake

Reviewed By melaniemg - Calgary, Canada

This glacial fed lake is a wonderful spot to use a kayak/canoe/SUP that you bring or rent onsite. It is also a beautiful spot to picnic with a family, go on hikes but no swimming the water is too chilly. Go early in the busy seasons as it can get really full by early afternoon especially on the weekends.

9. Chester Lake

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta Canada +1 403-678-0760 http://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/peter-lougheed
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Chester Lake

Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada

This was a beautiful 9.5 km hike in Kananaskis (hiked on September 26, 2020). I was not expecting winter, but winter arrived in full force (you never know what to expect in the Rockies) and it snowed heavily along most of the hike! The snow added to the beauty and it was so magical and dreamy. A winter wonderland! ⁣ The trail started by climbing through the pine forest along gradual but steady switchbacks. It then became steeper and continued climbing until around 2.6 km in. The trail opened up to an expansive clearing with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains! It re-entered the forest for a little ways and then opened up again before arriving at the lake. ⁣ ⁣ The lake was gorgeous and the pops of yellow on the larch trees looked incredible against the snowy mountainous backdrop. The trail continued around the perimeter of the lake and became narrow, rocky and full of roots to navigate. The rocks were snow covered and slippery so a little treacherous. I loved seeing the lake from different perspectives! So many good photo opportunities. It then followed back along the same trail back to the beginning. This trail was moderately challenging. The uphill was difficult at times, but was a good leg burner. ⁣I completed the trail in 3 hours. ⁣ The “highway” leading to this trail was HORRENDOUS - pothole filled, washboard bumps, loose gravel and large rocks along a narrow and winding road, that was steep uphill at times also. Thankfully, the hike made the drive worth it. The parking lot was huge but there were already close to 40 cars there when I arrived at 8:30 am. Arrive early to get a spot. When I returned, there were hundreds of cars in the lot and parked for miles down the road. This hike was incredible and rewarding, and I can see why it’s so popular!

10. Warspite lake

Alberta Canada
Excellent
50%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2 reviews

Warspite lake

Reviewed By PeterR942

Discovered this little hidden gem while researching hikes in the Kananaskis Country. It is a beautiful, family friendly, and popular hike that starts off in a big parking lots that has outhouse facilities. The path will also take you to Mount Black Prince. The trail starts off at a signed trail head -- leads you to the Smith Dorrien Creek where you will cross a bridge and ascend on an old logging road. The initial phase (logging road) can be daunting as it ascends; it will then level off. The rest of the trail is fairly easy and well worth continuing. You will reach a "rock garden" with larger rock out croppings that is pretty interesting place to stop and take some photos. From there, it is only a very short distance to Warspite lake. The views are stunning ; especially if the water is calm. You will find that you will take a lot of photos of Mount Black Prince reflecting in the calm, clear water. The trail (less defined) continues to the back of the lake and into the Mount Black Prince Cirque -- water falls further on . This portion is less family friendly as you traverse numerous small stream and encounter muddy areas. The Cirque is spectacular as you walk into it .** BEWARE: they warm that the low shrubs in the Cirque are bear country so make lots of noise.** We really enjoyed the hike to Warspite Lake/Mount Black Prince. We encountered lots of families so don't let the initial climb deter you. We stopped a lot to take photos -- especially at the Rock Garden (lots of different wild flowers) and lake. NOTE: A good idea is to carry bear spray, air horn and make lots of noise -- especially if you choose to go beyond Warspite Lake into the Cirque

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