Maligne Lake, Jasper: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Maligne Lake lies 48 kilometers southeast of the Jasper townsite in Jasper National Park, Alberta, a glacially fed lake stretching 22 kilometers—the longest in the Canadian Rockies. Spirit Island, a tiny tree-covered islet near the lake's far end, became one of the most photographed scenes in Canada after appearing in a 1950s Kodak advertisement. Boat cruises to the island run from June through October, taking roughly 90 minutes round-trip. The turquoise color intensifies through the summer as glacial meltwater carries fine rock flour, or silt, into the lake. is just one of many options in Jasper. Major attractions worth considering include Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, and Maligne Canyon.