Banff 
Paddling, via canoe, kayak, or SUP (standup paddleboard), can be a relaxing way to unwind, get some light exercise, or find the perfect fishing spot. Alberta has countless options for places to paddle, so we’ve narrowed it to 25 of the best canoe/kayak locations in Alberta.
The locations include river routes, rocky mountain lakes, and the pretty lakes found in our Provincial Parks. A few of these lakes and river launches even have their own boathouse or rental shop, but below are more ideas for rentals in a non-exhaustive list (you can find WAY more across Alberta).
Where to Rent non-power Boats in Alberta
- Beyond Adventure (Fort McMurray)
- Wild Current Outfitters (Jasper)
- Banff Canoe Club (Banff)
- St. Albert Canoe & Kayak Club (Edmonton)
- The Paddle Station (Calgary)
- High Level Canoes & Kayaks (Lethbridge)
- Glow in the Dark Kayaks: Calgary & Edmonton
- Rural Rivers – Paddle Big Lake and the Sturgeon River
IMPORTANT: Always make sure that there are no river/water warnings, and follow all rules in place for your own safety. Alberta Parks Safe Boating Guide
More Alberta Water Adventures:
- Places to go River Tubing & Lazy River Floating in Alberta
- Places to Go Guided Whitewater Rafting in Alberta
- Boat Cruises Alberta
- Guide to River Tubing, Floating and Guided Raft Trips in and Around Calgary
North Saskatchewan River
HeLa Ventures
Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House
As a river which begins in the mountains with glacial melt, the North Saskatchewan can be a more extreme paddling or rafting trip, depending on where you go. Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House is a favourite for experienced canoers and kayakers, but this stretch of river is not recommended for beginners, unless they are with a guide. The full trip requires overnight camping, so you can also choose to cut it short at a closer spot. Going all-in with this adventure is made easier, however, with several free camping areas along your journey.
Where: route begins at Aylmer PRA – south on Forestry Trunk Road (at the Brazeau Mine Site) via Highway AB-11
Devon to Edmonton
This is a bit calmer of a canoe or kayak and can easily be customized to your float-time preferences. Many often take this route with inflatables, as well. I only recommend this if your floatie has paddles (you will want to be able to steer). Begin at the launches in Devon’s Voyageur Park and pick from one of several launches at which to end your journey in Edmonton.
Where: 100 Saskatchewan Ave W, Devon
Bow River
University of Calgary Outdoor Centre
Ghost Lake to Cochrane
The Bow River will guide you from the Ghost Lake Dam to the Cowboy Trail Bridge in Cochrane. As this river begins in the Rockies, and with a dam, you will want to be aware of water levels before you embark on your trip. Once on the water, the foothill views are spectacular, and the difficulty level is considered moderate.
Where: parking along Highway AB-1A
Calgary’s Bowness Lagoon
Bowness Park is home to a quiet gem in the centre of the city, the park’s own little lagoon, thanks to the Bow River. Their boathouse offers pedal boat, canoe, and kayak rentals which you can cruise around the lagoon in which you relax and take in the sounds of nature.
Where: 8900 48 Ave NW Calgary
For all other options in and around Calgary, see
Peace River
Paddle the Peace
Peace River Cabins & Outdoors
The Mighty Peace River is mighty in size and appearance, but to a kayaker, these waters are nice and calm for a summer paddle. The simplest way to canoe or kayak the Peace is with Peace River Cabins & Outdoors. This is because they offer shuttle service with their canoe and kayak rentals, guided river paddles, and lodging if you need it.
Where: 240053 Hwy. 820A, MD. of Peace, Grimshaw
Unguided Through Peace River
If you are set up with your own gear and knowledge, you can pick from some recommended launch sites and venture on your own. The town of Peace River maintains two boat launches with their own parking and port-a-potties.
Where: Lower West Peace Launch – 93 St. via the Shaftesbury Trail, Peace River
The North End Launch – 84 Ave. via Highway 2, Peace River
FYI: If you like to take part in a festival on the Peace River, join for Paddle the Peace held during the third weekend in August in Peace River, Alberta. (2022 event on Saturday, August 20th, registration opens June 1st).
Red Deer River
Badlands Trips
Alberta Parks created a handy information sheet listing all the Red Deer River trips you could take after the city of Red Deer. These paddles begin with grassy fields which transform along the shores into tall and rough badlands. Some of the trips are as long as 30km and require an overnight camping trip, while others are more suitable for a half-day trip like those which start in the Tolman area.
Where: first stop is Content Bridge – on Highway AB-21
Credit: Paddlealberta.org
Credit: Alberta Parks
If you like guided trips, contact Red Deer Adventures (Ph: 403-821-0229). Also, see Rafting and Floating Red Deer River through the Badlands section (5) in the Guide to River Tubing, Floating and Guided Raft Trips in and Around Calgary article.
Glennifer Reservoir PRA – Dickson Point
The Red Deer River is dammed at the Glennifer Reservoir, just before it flows through the city of Red Deer. The Dickson Point campground and day-use areas are a perfect spot to launch on the water as the area isn’t as expansive as other parts of the lake and is plenty distant from the dam itself.
Where: Range Rd. 31 via Township Rd. 360
Milk River
Milk River to Writing on Stone
As Alberta’s southernmost river, the Milk River begins in the American Rockies, and bends its way up toward Alberta, until exiting in the southeast corner of the province. It is a narrower river but can offer up as high as class III rapids. For a three-day adventure with camping along the way, you can do a popular 75km stretch from the Milk River townsite to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. This popular route is so because of the amazing scenery, and the variety of vistas you get along the way. If you are camping, be mindful of the wildlife like rattlesnakes.
Where: Milk River Visitor’s Centre – 205-213 Railway St, Milk River
Details (page 2)
Gold Springs Park Campground to Coffin Bridge
This is a much shorter route which brings you a bit further away from the Rocky Mountain rush of the river waters. At ’11 river miles’ you can expect this journey to take about half a day.
Where: Gold Springs Park Campground in Coutts
Details (page 2)
Rocky Mountain Lakes to Paddle
Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is an excellent and peaceful paddle, perfect for beginners. The serene mountain lake is surrounded by lush forests with the peaks in the distance, giving you ample photo opportunities along the way. Maligne Boat House can help with canoe and kayak rentals, too, come June 2022.
When: June 6-October 2
Where: a 48km drive up Maligne Lake Road from Highway 16
Pyramid Lake
Also in Jasper National Park, Pyramid Lake is much closer to town than Maligne and makes for just as a pretty of a float. Pyramid Lake Resort borders the large lake which has a nice large bend to paddle around and explore, and a small peninsula. The resort offers a variety of boat rentals including kayaks, canoes, SUPs, paddle boats, rowboats, and electric cruisers.
Where: Pyramid Lake Resort
Herbert Lake
There are many excellent paddle options along the Icefields Parkway, but none are quite as quiet as Herbert Lake. There is no boathouse or rental shop, but the less-populace stop off the main highway is perfect for any type of boating escape or adventure. As a small and shallow lake, you may even feel brave enough on a hot day to take a dip in the water.
Where: Icefields Parkway, 10 minutes north of Lake Louise
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
This quiet lake and campground are in the southern area of Alberta’s Rockies near Pincher Creek. There is ample space for camping, as well as a boat launch near the main parking lot. The long and narrow lake provides scenes of forest, meadow, and distant mountains, along with wildlife which you might spot on Beauvais’ shores.
Where: Access via Highway AB-6 or 507 from Pincher Creek and Beaver Mines
Lake Louise & Moraine
These incredibly scenic lakes in Banff National Park both offer exceptional canoeing and kayaking opportunities. Both also offer boat rentals, but both are incredibly busy over the summer months. You are advised to book your canoes as soon as you start planning your trip to guarantee spots. The beauty of your paddle is worth the extra planning.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse
Cameron Lake
Cameron Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park is always a good choice to spend some time gliding over the water, especially as it tends to be less windy and there are no motorboats allowed. Of course, you can always head to the Upper, Middle or Lower Waterton Lakes as well to enjoy some blissful time on the water.
Where: Waterton Lakes National Park
Northern Alberta Lakes to Paddle
McLeod Lake – Carson Pegasus Provincial Park
The quiet area of Carson Pegasus, just north of Whitecourt, is a perfect place to teach kids or newbies on a canoe or kayak. The calm and shallow McLeod Lake has two boat launches, or you can take a short drive to the even smaller Little McLeod Lake where you can take off from the hand-launch site.
Where: via Highway AB-32 north of Whitecourt
Winagami Lake Provincial Park
The secluded Winagami Lake, between High Prairie and Peace River, is surrounded by boreal forest and is known for excellent fishing. You can bring a canoe or kayak to their boat launch year-round or bring a SUP for the warmer summer days. You could also spend a lot of time on the water watching for different species of birds as they hangout here for the summer. Be warned as powerboating is allowed here. The area is also quite windy.
Where: access via Highway AB-679
Saskatoon Lake/Island Provincial Park
The Saskatoon Island Provincial area is a canoer and kayakers paradise in the summer, but all make for prime birdwatching. A hand launch is located at the campground from where you can takeoff, explore the lake shores, or make it to the two small inlets. Watch for their Art in the Park events, happening every Tuesday this summer.
Where: end of Range Rd. 81 via Highway AB-43
Lakeland Provincial Recreational Area
As the Lakeland PRA name suggests, there are many lakes in the area, a few of which have launches for a canoe or kayak. This includes the two front-country campgrounds on Ironwood and Seibert Lakes, and the day-use areas on Shaw and Pinehurst Lakes. Each lake is sheltered by tall boreal trees and can provide gorgeous summer sunsets for the final hour of your adventure.
Where: between Highways AB-55 and 663,
Southern Alberta Lakes to Paddle
Credit: Alberta Parks
Payne Lake Provincial Recreational Area
The smaller Payne Lake in southwestern Alberta provides the best of Alberta’s scenery all at once. The Rockies are in the distance and in front are the foothills, and to the east are rolling farmlands. The lake has small inlets to explore and an island at its centre.
Where: Range Rd. 281 via Highway AB-5
Elkwater Lake – Cypress Hills Provincial Park
The green and lush surrounding hills of Elkwater Lake make this a unique paddle spot in Alberta. The water is also suitable for swimming in the summer, allowing you to take a dip if you work up a sweat on the boat. Elkwater Bike & Boat Rental were closed for the summer 2021 season, so it is still unclear if they’ll return for 2022.
Where: access via the Buffalo Trail
Chain Lakes Provincial Park
The Chain Lakes are at the foot of the Rockies in southern Alberta, where you get glimpses of mountains and foothills during a paddle. The long and narrow shape of the lake make it easy to plan an out-and-back loop along the shores. The PP gives you two options for boat launches with one closer to the parking lot, and the other closer to the campground.
Where: Cowboy Trail (AB-21)
Central Alberta Lakes to Paddle
Credit: Alberta Parks
Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
The best part about this paddling area in central Alberta is the fact that it gives you four different lakes in the area which you can explore by boat. The smallest of the four lakes, Borden, only permits non-powered boats, so this is your best bet for a totally serene paddle in the woods.
Where: access via RR 43 or Highway AB-646
Crimson Lake Provincial Park
The largest boat launch on Crimson Lake is currently closed for repairs, but luckily there are two others so you can still paddle this gorgeous lake all summer. You may spot wildlife along the shores of the more remote areas, so keep your eyes open for deer or two, and various bird species.
Where: via AB-756
Calhoun Bay PRA – Buck Lake
This is one of the quieter lakes in this stretch of Alberta Lakeland and offers many amenities on top of the beautiful lake you can explore. The lake has a few twists and turns to venture into from the campground’s hand launch, wildlife to watch for, and several options for secluded camping afterwards.
Where: via AB-13, southwest of Edmonton
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