The azure blue alpine lakes in Canada are the most gorgeous and easily recognized the world over. Here, you will rapidly find the door open to a host of outdoor activities, rather than trying to do something in the big cities. The 36 national parks of the country are brimming with natural beauty, amidst a background of its world-famous lakes.

The Great Lakes system alone is said to be the largest interconnected waterway in the world, containing a staggering 20% of the freshwater available on earth. Not only that, these lakes cover an area exceeding 95,000 square miles.

Apart from the Great Lakes, Canada is home to some equally stunning water bodies, situated in the Western Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. All the best lakes in Canada listed here, share the same highlights any freshwater lake offers.

So if you contemplate spending some time in luxury homes in Canada and exploring these lakes you are sure to be rewarded with a memorable experience which is one of the best souvenirs that you can get from Canada.

1. Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Lake Louise by sundiver72 | CCO

Lake Louise, also referred to as the Lake of Little Fishes, is the finest lake in this region. Although small in area, the surrounding areas of this glacial fed beauty, harbor some tantalizing trails which are the real delight for hikers.

One can easily access the lake by foot, car or even horseback, but the best way is to get the grand view is by paddling into the water by kayak or canoe. For the more adventurous and able-bodied ones, a quick scramble to the top of Fairview Mountain will provide amazing views of Lake Louise below.

2. Peyto Lake, Alberta

This beautiful Banff lakeside setting is a true photographer’s delight, with the highest point of the Icefields Parkway, Bow Summit, offering some of the best locations to snap a screen saver shot. If you are in the area, Peyto Lake is one of the best things to do in Banff.

The viewing platform on the summit tends to be overcrowded most of the times, so your best bet is to walk up the trails from the car park. These paths have hardly any hikers and allow for some incredible views from plenty of other less-visited viewpoints.

3. Emerald Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Situated in the spectacular Yoho National Park, in the Canadian Rockies region, Emerald Lake is one of the largest of the 61 lakes found in this park. There are three miles of excellent hiking trails around the lake which allow for lots of opportunities to take pictures against the beautiful backdrop of the President Mountain range.

Canoeing and trekking are other year-round activities on offer in this splendid setting.

4. Spotted Lake, British Columbia

Straddling the borders of Alberta and Washington state, this eye-popping beauty of a lake is located near the town of Osoyoos. The Spotted Lake is reputed to be one of the warmest lakes in the whole of Canada.

Visitors flock here to take advantage of the lake’s many therapeutic properties, apart from viewing some of the strangest of saltwater formations during the dry season. For a truly unique experience,  do not miss out on visiting Spotted Lake.

5. Lake Memphremagog, Quebec

This vast expanse of water, occupying an area of roughly 1780 square kilometers, lies equally divided between Quebec and Vermont. The Memphremagog is considered to be the crown jewel of the Province, and easily the most beautiful in Quebec.

The lake is a great place for recreation, especially during the summer months, when legend has it that there are numerous sightings of the mythical Memphre. This 30-foot river monster, just like its famous Scottish counterpart, Loch Ness, has been spotted hundreds of times since the 19th century.

6. Western Brook Pond, Newfoundland

Should you ever happen to be in the vicinity of the small town of Rocky Harbour, pay a visit to the Gros Morne National Park, which is hardly 27 km away from this town.

Here a Western Brook Pond boat tour is organized regularly during the summer months, which takes guests leisurely up this scenic 16 km long glacier-fed lake.

Onboard guides willingly point out the surrounding billion-year-old geological formations and the plethora of cascading waterfalls, all of which go into making this an incredible island fjord visit.

7. Lake Superior

Superior Lake by Yinan Chen | CCO

The biggest lakes of all the Great Lakes of North America, the 560 km long Lake Superior shares its boundaries with Canada and America. Unlike the lakes of the alpine region, Lake Superior has a stunning coastline which draws hordes of admirers to its shores year after year.

8. Medicine Lake, Alberta

Alberta is no doubt the home of the world-famous Jasper National Park, however, some 12 miles south of Alberta lies an equally stunning gem known as Medicine Lake.

The lake and its environs provide first-class facilities for spending the day in the outdoors, as well as other activities like wildlife watching, which are regularly sighted along the 4 mile stretch of the lake.

Even though the altitude is high, the lake itself is rather shallow, allowing for ample angling opportunities to the fishing enthusiasts to target the plentiful trout species. Bird lovers can have a great time looking for eagles and ospreys which also excel in targeting these fish.

9. Moraine Lake

This paradise lake is another gem in Banff National Park. This glacial lake is nestled in the spectacular valley of Canadian Rockies. The lake’s blue-green water is caused by rock flour due to a melting glacier and it’s more imminent when the lake is full.

Moraine Lake is located up in the Valley of Ten Peaks at an elevation of more than 6000 feet. This lake is popular among the locals and tourists and considered one of the most scenic lakes in the world.

Canada, as a whole, has more than 30,000 lakes, far more than any other place in the world, nestled within the boundaries of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

No matter which province of Canada you travel in, you are bound to come face to face with these alpine, glacial and boreal beauties.