Landmarks

Vermilion Lakes, Banff

The Vermilion Lakes are a series of three shallow interconnected lakes situated near the Banff townsite. As the Bow Valley's largest wetland area, the lakes and surrounding sedge and willow flats are a rich haven for wildlife, including elk, beaver, muskrat, waterfowl, ospreys and bald eagles.

The site of the Vermilion Lakes is also of historical importance, with archaeological digs revealing Aboriginal presence here dating back some 11,000 years.

To reach the Vermilion Lakes, head out of Banff on Lynx Street and Mt. Norquay Road, taking a left turn on to Vermilion Lakes Drive just before you reach Highway 1. Vermilion Lakes Drive is a 4.5 km dead-end road that skirts the lakes (restricted to first lake during winter season), with pull-ins and small docks at each lake providing good vantage points and signature views of Banff's Mount Rundle.

The Vermilion Lakes can also be reached via the Fenland Trail, an easy 2 km loop that starts from the Forty Mile Picnic Area, just past the Banff Recreation Centre on Mt. Norquay Road. The Fenland Trail is typically closed in late spring/early summer to coincide with elk calving season.

In addition to walking and hiking, other activities suited to the Vermilion Lakes include wildlife photography, birdwatching, canoeing and in winter, ice skating. It goes without saying that ice skating on lakes is an extremely risky activity and the thickness of the ice sheet can be thin or non-existent in places, particularly on the third Vermilion Lake which is also fed by a warm spring.