Maligne Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in Jasper National Park, and most picturesque in my opinion! Some would argue that it’s also one of the most popular backcountry paddling destinations in the Canadian Rockies, for good reason. It’s gorgeous, the campsites offer exceptionally beautiful lake and mountain views, and you can paddle Maligne Lake with kids. I’ll give you some tips for that later. First, let’s talk about the lake.
Jasper National Park lies within Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 territory, and the traditional lands of many First Nations and Métis communities, including the Anishinaabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nêhiyawak (Cree), Secwépemc, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis, and Métis Nation. We honour the deep connections these Nations have to this landscape and its significance. Thank you to the generations who have cared for and continue to care for these lands and waters.
Why Maligne Lake is so awesome.
The lake has stunningly beautiful turquoise water, is backed by majestic snowcapped mountains, and is home to famous Spirit Island, an iconic scene that is one of the most photographed spots in Canada. The lake is glacier-fed and is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies.
When you arrive, you’ll see that the developed tourist area has a cafeteria-style restaurant, a gift shop and is the hub for boat cruises up to Spirit Island. This iconic and special island is one of the most photographed scenes in the Canadian Rockies, so everyone wants to see it.
This area can get busy, as it’s the most accessible, car-friendly spot to view and experience the lake. The boat cruise is how most people experience Maligne Lake. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, noise, and really get in touch with its natural beauty, exploring Maligne Lake’s backcountry via canoe or kayak is the way to do it.
The backcountry campsites on Maligne Lake put you right in the middle of this scenery, with front row seats to beach, lake, glacier and mountain views. If you can get a campsite booking (they fill up fast), you’ll have a backcountry experience you’ll never forget.
Getting to Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is about a 45-minute drive from Jasper. From town, head east and turn right on the Maligne Lake Road. Keep to the left of the fork, and travel about 40 km to Maligne Lake.
The drive itself is an adventure, and there are a few stops you can make along the way. The first being the Maligne Lookout, right before the Maligne Canyon turn-off. The lookout is open, but unfortunately, at the time of writing, Maligne Canyon was still closed due to the 2024 wildfire. However, once it’s open, you want to check it out.
You can also stop at Medicine Lake to take some photos and stop at one of the riverside picnic areas to see the powerful Maligne River.
Once you get to the Maligne Lake area, go past the main parking lots, lodge and cruise boat area, cross a bridge over the Maligne River and turn left into the parking lot next to the boat launch.
Paddle Maligne Lake with Kids – Head to Hidden Cove
Hidden Cove is the first backcountry campground on Maligne Lake, and it’s only 4 km from the main boat launch. Known as the family camp on Maligne Lake, this little campground is the perfect place to set up your home base for a few days of adventure in the wilderness.
The first time I took my son there, he was 5 years old and able to paddle himself solo in his little kayak with a few breaks. When we arrived, we found other kids his age there to play with. We recently went with a group of friends, with four kids ranging between four and eight years old. This is kid-friendly backcountry!
What makes Hidden Cove so great for paddling with kids?
It’s close. Depending on how many times you stop to take photos, it should take you 45-60 minutes to get there from the boat launch. That means little paddlers can make it there with breaks, and little kids who are riding along in the canoe won’t get bored and restless on the way to the campground.
It’s sheltered. Hidden Cove campground is located on a small island along a completely sheltered cove that faces the mainland. Even when the wind is blasting down the valley, Hidden Cove is protected.
It’s contained, so your kids can’t go far. There are only four tent pads, and if your group hasn’t booked them all, chances are another family will be there and your kids will play together, wild and free. There are many fun places where kids can explore and play, close to the tent sites and common areas.
It’s set up for a relaxing trip. The campground has a great common fire pit area with a picnic table, tarp cable for easy set up and views of the cove. If it’s raining, there is a warm-up cabin complete with a wood stove and a large table for eating or doing activities with the kids.
There’s a dock. All the campgrounds on Maligne Lake have a dock, which is an appreciated amenity. With supervision (and we recommend life jackets while on the dock), kids can go fishing and swimming, and getting in and out of your canoe is much easier!
You can do fun day-trips from your cozy home base. Once you’re all set up, go explore the lake! From Hidden Cove, you can paddle up the Maligne River outflow before the current picks up to explore a little. Nearby, there is a rocky beach that is great for fishing and throwing rocks in the water. You can also take a picnic to the Four Mile Creek picnic area across the lake or the much closer Trapper Creek picnic area just up from Hidden Cove.
Booking a campsite on Maligne Lake
Like most popular backcountry campgrounds, Maligne Lake fills up fast. Parks Canada typically opens bookings for the summer in January or February, and you must get online immediately when they open registrations so you can join the queue and try to secure a spot.
This can feel stressful, but don’t lose hope. I’ve managed to be successful in booking campsites on Maligne Lake a few times in recent years. Visit Parks Canada Reservations.
Tips for booking a campsite on Maligne Lake:
- Get up early and have your browsers open to the booking page BEFORE they open it up for campground registrations. Jasper National Park will post the opening date on their website.
- Have a few friends doing the same thing. Once it opens, everyone online gets put into a queue. There are usually tens of thousands of people in the queue instantly, so having more people helping out will help you get closer to the front of the line.
- Be flexible with dates. Have a few dates in mind, and be flexible. You might find openings outside of your chosen dates.
- If you don’t get anything, set yourself reminders to keep checking back later. Sometimes, people cancel, and you can snag a reservation.
Other campgrounds on Maligne Lake
Hidden Cove is fantastic for kids, but if you’re an avid paddler and your kids are ready to go further, consider a multi-day adventure to other spots on the lake. There are two other campgrounds on the lake:
- Fisherman’s Bay: 13 km from the boat launch, this pretty campground is tucked into a small inlet on the east side of the lake. It’s also only 2 km from Spirit Island, making it an easy paddle from camp and providing an opportunity to catch the sunrise at Spirit Island and enjoy its tranquillity before the cruise boats arrive.
- Coronet Creek: At 21.3 km, this is the furthest campground on Maligne Lake. It’s a scenic spot, and you can take a trail along Coronet Creek to the base of Coronet Glacier. The paddle here from Spirit Island is the best on the lake. It’s called the Valley of the Gods, which gives you an idea of how awe-inspiring the scenery becomes. Towering mountains, clinging glaciers, waterfalls and untouched wilderness await!
Cherishing and respecting Spirit Island
Spirit Island holds spiritual significance for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Out of respect, no one is permitted to land their boat on the beach or step onto the island. There is a dock and pathway on the land near Spirit Island, where you can view and photograph it.
The Stoney Nakoda believe that mountains are physical representations of their ancestors. Spirit Island is a special place because it is surrounded on three sides by the same mountain range.
There is a reason why it’s the most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the beauty of the island, green-blue waters and awe-inspiring mountains that surround it. Take a moment to think about its significance while you’re taking it all in!
Why I still choose Hidden Cove for my family.
Because I am a solo parent, my son and I are in kayaks and not a canoe. Though my son has been paddling on his own for a couple of years and has been in kayaks since he was a baby, I still haven’t taken him further than Hidden Cove to stay overnight. Once we unload gear and set up camp, we take day trips from Hidden Cove further up the lake without weighted-down boats. This way, I can tow him back if we get surprised by some gnarly weather.
The main reason for this is the distance and unpredictability of Maligne Lake. He is eight years old at the time of writing, but I think the trip would go more smoothly and safely if he were a little stronger, older and able to confidently manage the distance and physical activity in the worst of wind and weather. If you’re in a canoe with another adult, and your children can ride safely to further campsites, go for it. Safety first!
What to pack when paddling with kids on Maligne Lake
Preparing for a backcountry trip, especially one with small children, can feel stressful. Thankfully, canoes and kayaks can carry more than a backpack, so there will be room for a few luxuries.
Packing for a paddling trip is similar to packing for a backcountry hiking trip, plus your paddling gear and a few extras to ensure things stay dry. Read our Backpacking Gear Checklist for Beginners.
Paddle gear: Each boat will require a buoyant throw rope, a bailing bucket or pump, a whistle, and an extra paddle. Every person must have a properly fitted life jacket (PFD). Ensure your children are the correct weight for the life jacket they’re wearing.
Outerwear and footwear: Bring a rain jacket, rain pants, a jacket (if different from your rain jacket), a hat, a toque, multiple pairs of gloves (or waterproof gloves), and good-quality, water-resistant or waterproof footwear. For the kids, I brought rubber boots, runners and sandals.
Clothing: Dress and pack layers, including a base layer, an insulating layer like fleece or light down jacket, and an outer layer that is windproof and waterproof. You should also bring a warm-weather outfit, like shorts and a t-shirt. You can bring a bathing suit if you’re brave enough to jump into the cold water (kids usually are). Pack at least one extra set of clothing for yourself and 2-3 for your kids. Synthetic or wool works best as it stays warm when wet. Avoid cotton!
Dry sacks or barrels: It’s vital to keep your clothing, tent, and sleeping gear DRY. Pack it all in quality dry sacks or barrels. I like the thick rubber dry sacks for my gear. For myself and my son, I can get most of our gear for a three-day, two-night trip in two 57L, one 10L and one 5L sack. Food is packed separately in odour-proof bags and a small cooler.
Tent and sleeping gear: Bring a quality backpacking tent for you and your family, along with sleeping pads (R-value of 4 or higher) and warm sleeping bags. We use down sleeping bags, rated to -12, because they are lightweight, warm and pack down small. My son uses an adult bag, and I put a hair elastic where his feet end to keep the toe box warm. We also cram our regular pillows in a compression sack, but there are also many great backpacking pillows on the market that pack down smaller.
Cooking gear: Our group usually brings one larger two-burner stove for shared meals and a backcountry stove for making hot drinks. If it’s just my son and me, I bring my Jet Boil for quick and easy breakfasts, lunches, and hot chocolate, and cook dinners over an open fire – assuming there’s no fire ban. You’ll also need a pot, pan, cooking utensils, a knife, a plate or bowl, a cup and a spoon or fork per person.
Water: If you have the space, bring a 20L water jug. Otherwise, bring a water filtration system so you can draw and filter water from the lake.
Cleaning and washing supplies: Pack eco-friendly camp soap for washing dishes and hands. You can also bring a little sponge or dishrag, hand sanitizer and a towel.
Toilet paper: There is a primitive backcountry toilet, but you must BYO-toilet paper. Put it in a ziplock bag with some hand sanitizer.
Tarp: A fantastic tarp wire is strung over the picnic table and cooking area at Hidden Cove. Bring a large tarp so your group will have more shelter if it rains.
Toiletries: Don’t forget your toothpaste, toothbrush, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Try to use odourless deodorant.
Safety gear: Bring a first aid kit, knife, fire starter and bear spray.
Navigation: Navigating the lake is relatively straightforward. Take a screenshot of the Maligne Lake Backcountry Map to easily identify the locations of picnic sites, trails, and campgrounds.
Important things to know about paddling on Maligne Lake
It gets rough, and the weather changes fast.
Maligne Lake can be the most peaceful and tranquil piece of nature you’ve ever experienced one moment and then can transform into a raging, windy, wet and angry sea the next. Quickly changing weather is to be expected in the mountains. Be prepared for it.
Leave early in the morning if possible.
The wind usually picks up later in the day and is calmest early in the morning, so try to head out as early as possible. If it’s going to be windy, the wind typically starts blowing after 9 am.
No motorized boats allowed.
The only motorized boats allowed on the lake are the tourist cruise boats. They start tours around 9 am, and the drivers slow down when passing paddlers to reduce the wake waves. If you want a cruise-free paddle, head out before 9 am.
Paddle close to the shore.
There are several benefits to paddling close to shore. If the wind picks up, the shore provides a little shelter. Plus, it takes you out of the cruise boat traffic and offers more wildlife viewing opportunities.
Load up some firewood at the boat launch.
There are firepits at the campsites, and Parks Canada provides firewood at the boat launch. If there isn’t a fire ban, bring a few logs for each night so you can enjoy a campfire.
You’re in bear country.
Even though Hidden Cove is an island, it’s completely accessible to bears and other wildlife. Keep all your food, toiletries, cooking supplies and anything else that might have an odour in the bear lockers and NEVER in your tent. Keep an eye on your kids and have bear spray within reach.
Fishing is permitted with a National Parks fishing license.
You need a Jasper National Park fishing license, in addition to your provincial fishing permit, to fish in Maligne Lake. Children under 16 can fish with a licensed adult. Please review the most recent fishing regulations before heading out.
