Bow Lake: The Start of a Journey

My all-time favorite photography location on the Icefields Parkway.

Bow Lake: It’s all downhill from here!

From the shores of Bow Lake looking down the Bow Valley

Nestled along the iconic Icefields Parkway, Bow Lake stands out as a must-visit destination for landscape photographers. Its glacial waters, dramatic mountain backdrops, and serene atmosphere offer endless opportunities for creative exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic hobbyist, Bow Lake promises a journey filled with inspiration and discovery.

Scenic Viewpoints

Approaching Bow Lake from the south, photographers are greeted by three distinct viewpoints along the highway. The first stop features Crowfoot Glacier, once named for its three “fingers”—though today, only two remain due to glacial melt. A second viewpoint offers sweeping vistas of the lake and surrounding peaks, perfect for wide-angle compositions. However, the main attraction awaits just ahead and features a dedicated parking area with facilities and a café. From here, stroll down to the shoreline for classic views across Bow Lake and toward Bow Falls. You will be tempted to stick to the shoreline, but don’t overlook the forested areas behind you. Here evergreens, glacial streams and small bridges provide colorful foregrounds for your shots.

Timing and Light

Capturing Bow Lake at its best requires patience and planning. While midday visits can often yield flat lighting, sunrise transforms the landscape. Facing west across the lake, the rising sun illuminates high clouds and mountain peaks, creating magical lighting conditions. Weather can be unpredictable, so persistence pays off—sometimes it takes several attempts and hours of waiting for the perfect moment.

The images in the gallery below were captured during my last visit to Bow Lake in early October. Blue hour, that time before official sunrise, offered great magenta hues on the high clouds (the first shot in the gallery). But those hues quickly disappeared as the clouds rolled in and obscured the rising sun. Undeterred I pressed on to find a composition with the hope the light would re-appear.

I did eventually find a composition I liked and setup for the hoped for ‘light’. Well, I can say I was very patient and waited there for about two hours with no success. But every time I abandoned my “spot” and went searching for other compositions, the Sun would sneak out from behind those clouds, just for a tease. Excitedly I would run back to my ‘spot’; only to be left waiting at the proverbial photographic altar. The fourth time in this sequence was a charm. Reading the clouds, they looked promising and eventually some good light made an appearance. Even then I had to wait for the magic, as shown in the second and third images below.

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My Bow Lake Gallery

Nearby Destinations

Peyto Lake and Mistaya Canyon

Extend your adventure by exploring nearby gems. Just a short drive north, Peyto Lake offers a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of glacial waters, famously shaped like a wolf’s head. Mistaya Canyon, a half-hour further North from Peyto Lake, features dramatic sandstone formations carved by raging waters—ideal for dynamic landscape photography.

Photography Tips for Bow Lake

Bow Lake is a great sunrise location for photography. But it is gorgeous no matter what time of day you arrive. Don’t discount sunset which can also be amazing if that timing works out better for you. The Sun will set behind the mountains, which could make for great skies. It may be tough to get the right exposure, so don’t forget to bracket your shots.
You may be tempted to use your wide angle lens to capture the entire vista, but I have found that a moderate telephoto works best. Most of my shots are between 35 and 50 mm on a full frame sensor. Select your subject and narrow your focus. But certainly bring your wide angle, you will want to use it for a couple of shots.
The weather can be fickle, whatever the forecast predicts. Be prepared for all possible conditions including cold, rain, and snow. In other words don’t rely on the forecast, be prepared for all conditions.
Fill up your gas tank and bring food. Bow Lake is isolated, except for Saskatchewan River Crossing (an hour North of Bow Lake) there are no gas stations or food outlets beyond Lake Louise.
Don’t forget your tripod—especially during the golden hours when longer exposures are a must. A polarizing filter will help manage glare and reflections off of the water. Adjust the amount of polarization to optimize the reflection.
Most importantly, bring bear spray, and make sure you know how to use it; Bow Lake is isolated and bears are common in the Rockies.

Have you been to Bow Lake, planning to go? Was this blog useful? I would love to hear your comments and feedback.

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Final Thoughts

Bow Lake is a destination that rewards repeated visits and patient exploration. Its glacial hues, majestic mountains, and tranquil atmosphere make it a highlight of any photographic journey along the Icefields Parkway. Plan to return often—each trip offers new compositions and experiences for the passionate travel photographer.

My Gallery

For more great photos of the Rockies, check out my Rocky Mountain Collection here.

I have also partnered with Pictorem, a professional printer who can ship prints anywhere in the world. They can print on a variety of media including metal, acrylic, paper and canvas. They offer a money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. If you see an image which you like and it is not available on Pictorem, just contact me here.

Here are some of my favorites.