Best photography spots in Banff National Park..

I have been fortunate enough to live here in the Canadian Rockies for the past 3 years. I pinch myself every day! As a landscape photographer, I have discovered some hidden gems (separate blog post) but the iconics never disappoint and are a must for any landscape photographer visiting Banff. There is a reason they are iconic!

Let’s start off with my absolute favourite location!

The beautiful Bow Lake on the Icefield’s Parkway HWY 93 NORTH

Bow Lake at sunrise

This location is EASILY my favourite place to head out for a quick sunrise or sunset. What I like about it the most is how big the area is and all the unique compositions that can be found by walking around the lake. Like many locations, sunrise is an ideal time to photograph here, but sunset is just as beautiful.

I particularly love visiting Bow Lake in November when the lakes are just starting to freeze over, creating unique foregrounds along the shore line.

Image taken during sunrise as the light starts to hit the peak of the mountain from the east.

Even during the middle of the day with clouds blanketing the sky, Bow Lake is still a wonder to photograph.

Wildflowers cover the surrounding field close to the lake's edge which provides even more unique foreground opportunities.

Looking towards the east where the sun rises. The iconic mountain Crowfoot, is to the right of the bridge.

Bow Lake is easily accessible by taking HWY 93 North (The Icefields Parkway) just after passing Lake Louise and heading west on the Trans Canada HWY. Once you hit HWY 93 - Bow Lake is approx 40 mins on the left-hand side of the road. Turn left into Num Ti Jah Lodge for parking.

Is it a trip to Banff National Park without photographing the famous Moraine Lake?

I think not…

Moraine Lake at sunset

A place so iconic that it graces our Canadian currency! Recently in 2023, Moraine Lake made the switch to a shuttle-only system. This may seem like a bit of a hassle now to reach this location, but for photographers, it is probably one of the best things to happen. It requires a bit of planning now and booking ahead to get here, but that also means the number of people at Moraine Lake for sunrise is limited. In my opinion, that is well worth the shuttle ride! You can always make the hike up the road or take a bike, just be aware, that it is 13km and it is up up up. The shuttles do fill up quickly, but with a little planning in advance, you should be able to secure a spot. I like this company for its sunrise services! Moraine Lake Shuttle

It’s more common to photograph Moraine Lake at sunrise, but I find the middle of the day and sunset to be just as beautiful!

How to get here?

Moraine Lake is located 13KM up from Lake Louise. Your parking destination will be provided by the shuttle system you use.

One of the EASIEST places to access in Banff National Park is the beautiful Herbert Lake. You are almost guaranteed a reflection at sunrise which makes this one of my favourite places to photograph. It’s the first lake you hit when you travel the Icefields Parkway HWY and must stop for everyone passing through.

Herbert Lake at sunset - Located on the Icefields Parkway on the left-hand side of the highway. There are signs about where to turn into the parking lot.

What I love about Herbert Lake is that not many people stop or consider this a place for their landscape photography. It is almost always quiet at sunrise and one of the perfect places to practice long exposure photography or capture some amazing reflections!

Next up is PEYTO LAKE - Another jewel in Banff National Park

Not far from Bow Lake is the stunning Peyto Lake. It is a crime if you don’t visit both of these spots. Peyto Lake requires a short hike to reach the main view, but there are other trails that take you up a bit higher and away from the crowds. It is an endless playground for landscape photographers.

Peyto Lake during winter at sunset

Famous for the stunning colour of the lake that is shaped like a wolf’s head, Peyto Lake is a beautiful location to photograph at any time of the day, but as always, sunrise will yield some stunning results.

How to get here? Peyto Lake is located on the Icefields Parkway and about a 15-minute drive from Bow Lake heading north. It is well-signed and you can’t miss the turn off into the parking area.

Last, but most certainly not least - The famous Lake Louise

Lake Louise is the place where my landscape photography journey began. It took me many years to finally visit this location, but once I did, I was hooked on landscape photography.

It is one of my favourite locations to photograph despite the busy crowds. I would never visit this place in the summer months, but when the weather cools down and we enter fall, it is not as busy. Even better if you could visit it in November.

Most people stick around the main view at Lake Louise, but if you walk to the back of the lake, there are endless compositions to be found like this one and you get a unique perspective of the area that not many landscape photographers have.

Lake Louise from the main view at sunset.

I like photographing this lake at any time of the day, but many will find sunrise to be calm and after a rainfall, there can be a layer of mist that blankets and hugs the surrounding mountains.

Lake Louise is one of the easiest locations to access. It is the last village before turning onto the Icefields Parkway and is well-signed. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may have to access the Lake with a shuttle service because the parking fills up quickly!

I have been working as a photography guide in Banff National Park for the past 5 years. I have extensive knowledge of the area, but that doesn’t mean I ever overlook the icons in my beautiful country. There is plenty of time to explore hidden gems, but to miss these stunning locations means you miss some greats for your portfolio.

For people who print and sell their work - It is always best to have some of the popular locations as they typically do sell the best.

Find more of my photography education here on YouTube :)

About Sarah

Sarah Lyndsay is a Canadian landscape and self-portrait photographer based in Banff National Park. She shares all of her adventures on her YouTube channel and has been educating other photographers on workshops all over the world including her own home.

To learn more about Sarah’s guiding services, visit her Photography Tour page here - Photography Tours

Get in touch here!

Many thanks for making it to the end of this blog and happy photographing in the Canadian Rockies!

Sarah Xoxo