The 10 Most Scenic Lakes In Canada, From Glistening Emerald Pools To Stunning Turquoise Waters
How many have you seen?
A person paddles on a lake. Right: Ice bubbles on a lake.
Canada is known for its natural beauty, especially its many stunning lakes, some of which are among the largest in the world.
In fact, some of Canada's lakes are among the most scenic in the world, according to a new ranking, boasting sparkling turquoise waters and pristine shores.
Located in provincial and national parks across the country, these beautiful lakes are well worth a trip, and you'll want to add them to your travel bucket list.
Entertainment site OntarioCasinos analyzed over 80 lakes from across Canada and around the world to determine the most picturesque.
The company ranked them based on Instagram and TikTok hashtag data to find out which lakes are the most photographed of all.
What is the nicest lake in Canada?
According to the ranking, Canada's prettiest lake can be found in Banff, Alberta.
Lake Louise in Banff National Park was crowned the most photographed lake in Canada, with a combined total of 387.2 million hashtags on social media.
The lake is known for its brilliant turquoise water, and beat out lakes around the world like Loch Ness in Scotland and Lake Garda in Italy as the fourth most picturesque in the world.
In Canada, following Lake Louise as the most beautiful lake in the world was Lake Superior in Ontario. The largest freshwater lake in the world, the shores of Lake Superior are home to pristine beaches, swimming holes and stunning scenery, including Katherine Cove, the Aguasabon Falls and Gorge, and the famous Sleeping Giant mesa.
Rounding out the top three, Alberta's Moraine Lake was ranked as the third-most picturesque in Canada. At this must-visit spot, you'll find towering mountains that encircle the deep turquoise-blue waters of the lake.
Top 10 most beautiful lakes in Canada
The top 10 most picturesque lakes in Canada include other lesser-known natural wonders, like Emerald Lake in B.C.'s Yoho National Park, which gets its name from its brilliant gem-coloured waters, and Abraham Lake in Alberta, which, when frozen, is dotted with ice bubbles that make for a stunning sight.
Pyramid Lake, which was ranked the seventh-most picturesque in the country, is another hidden gem in Alberta's Jasper National Park that's known for its great fishing.
Here are the top 10 most picturesque lakes in Canada, according to the ranking:
- Lake Louise, Alberta
- Lake Superior, Ontario
- Moraine Lake, Alberta
- Lake Ontario, Ontario
- Lake Huron, Ontario
- Emerald Lake, B.C.
- Pyramid Lake, Alberta
- Abraham Lake, Alberta
- Lake Muskoka, Ontario
- Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.