You’ve likely seen photos of Abraham Lake in Alberta, whether you know it or not. Abraham Lake is well known for the dizzying amount of methane ice bubbles that are locked away in the lake’s clear ice during the winter months. This man-made lake on the North Saskatchewan River in David Thompson Country is a popular place to travel in both the summer and the winter.
While Abraham Lake isn’t in Banff National Park or Jasper National Park, it’s not far from either and is a must-stop on any road trip along the Icefields Parkway or when traveling between Banff and Jasper. Here are all the amazing reasons you should make the trip to Abraham Lake.
Why Should You Visit Abraham Lake in Alberta?
Abraham Lake is Home to the Ice Bubbles
Abraham Lake has been seen in Instagram photos around the world. But it’s not usually for those dreamy summer blues you get in the Canadian Rockies, but instead for its winter phenomenon.
If you come here between December and March, you stand a very, very good chance of seeing tons of frozen ice bubbles. These frozen methane ice bubbles happen at many lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but they are most prominent at Abraham Lake.
The ice bubbles are caused by trapped methane, which is created when organic matter, like dead plants and animals, sinks to the lake’s bottom. When this matter decomposes, it releases methane gas and rises to the top.
As the lake begins to freeze, the bubbles get trapped and stack on top of each other. This creates unique formations of ice bubbles in the winter. When spring rolls around, and the ice melts, the methane gas is released into the atmosphere.
The visuals of these frozen ice bubbles have people traveling from all over the world to see this lake in the winter. I’ve seen them at plenty of other frozen lakes like Lake Minnewanka and Lac Des Arcs, but the “Abraham Lake ice bubbles” are what get people most excited.
If you head here in the early season, the best place to see the ice bubbles is at a section of the lake called Preachers Point. Preacher’s Point is one of the best places to photograph the ice bubbles and you can get fantastic photos with the bubbles and surrounding peaks here.
Since it’s so well known, it can often generate a crowd. Many sections of this area are shallow which makes it fun to see grass in the ice. The shallowness also means it’s a slightly safer spot to skate, in case an accident or fall through the ice were to happen you wouldn’t be completely submerged.
Though with that being said, the North Saskatchewan River runs close to shore at this point, making for very weak ice in areas. There is an inherent risk with walking on ice and wild skating, every year multiple people fall through the ice in Alberta. Ice should be at least 15 cm for walking or ice skating and 20 cm for a large skating party or hockey game.
You need to exercise caution for skating on frozen lakes - see our safety tips here.
Where is the Best Place to See the Frozen Methane Ice Bubbles?
The optimal period for observing the Abraham Lake bubbles generally spans from mid-January to early February.
By late December, the lake is typically frozen, and a few weeks thereafter, the bubbles reach their peak, having had sufficient time to layer and freeze within the thick ice. Though all the photos of the ice bubbles here were actually taken in late November at Preachers Point, so you just never know what you’ll find at Abraham Lake. Explore Nordegg updates visitors with ice conditions regularly. While you’ll be able to see the ice bubbles in many places, there are a few notable ones:
Preacher’s Point: Preacher’s Point stands out as a favored spot for witnessing the frozen bubbles in Abraham Lake. Situated at the far southern tip of the lake, this location boasts a spacious parking lot just a short stroll from the lakeshore. Preacher’s Point is a shallow area, and observers can witness bubbles, rocks, and grass on the lakebed. Occasionally, ice formations resembling coral may catch your eye.
Allstones Cove: Allstones Cove is a nice vantage point to observe the bubbles without venturing onto the ice. You can park at the Allstones Lake Staging Area, where you can peer into the cove from above or stroll down to the shore for a closer view. Caution is advised against going out on the ice here, as Allstones Creek flows into the lake in this area.
You Can Ice Skate on Abraham Lake
Every winter people ask about skating at Abraham Lake. Abraham Lake is a well sought after spot in the Rockies to wild skate on, and heading here is one of the best things to do in Nordegg.
It’s best to head here in January or later when the ice is frozen. But always have your own safety equipment and make sure the ice is thick enough for skating.
There’s nothing quite like wild ice skating on millions of frozen bubbles. However if you want to skate on Abraham Lake, you must take extra precautions. Honestly, it’s not the best place in the Rockies to wild ice skate, as Abraham Lake is a reservoir, meaning the water levels are constantly changing creating gaps in the ice. The water is always moving, meaning a fall in might mean you could go under the ice and not be able to stop.
We’ve skated on Abraham Lake, but only on the shallow areas at Preachers Point, where an accident or fall through the ice would result in a very wet and cold foot. Please use your common sense here and check the ice thickness yourself. Don’t just venture out onto the ice because “other people are doing it.” We use an ice screw to measure the thickness of the ice.
What makes Abraham Lake popular for ice skating in the winter is something you may not like though…
Abraham Lake is Super Windy
While being one of the windiest places in Alberta isn’t exactly a desirable thing, at Abraham Lake the weather has some positives. Most notably the wild skating and ice bubbles.
You see, many lakes like Lake Louise and Two Jack Lake freeze in the winter, but once the lakes freeze and snow falls they are essentially not skateable anymore unless you shovel off the snow yourself. And forget about seeing the ice bubbles once this happens.
However, Abraham Lake is exceptionally windy, meaning you’ll have ice that isn’t covered by snow even in the middle of February. The wind is so strong here that Abraham Lake stays clear almost all winter.
That being said, heavy wind during an Alberta winter is far from warm, and you’ll need to dress accordingly. A hat, gloves, warm coat, and snow pants are recommended (see our full winter packing list here). Don’t drop your gloves (or anything else) on the ice though – the wind is so strong it could sweep items away in an instance!
And yes, Abraham Lake is just as windy in the summer too. When the lake is thawed, winds can create three foot high swells that could easily hinder a canoe or kayak, so always wear a life jacket and watch the Abraham Lake weather if you have a lake adventure.
Abraham Lake is Man Made
An interesting thing to note about Abraham Lake in Alberta is that it is man-made. The lake was created in 1972 with the construction of the Bighorn Dam. The lake was built on the upper course of the North Saskatchewan River and lines the David Thompson Highway.
Abraham Lake is Huge!
How huge exactly? Abraham Lake has a surface area of 53.7 km2 and a length of 32 km, making it one of the largest lakes in Alberta and the largest reservoir in the province.
Abraham Lake Has Those Sweet Baby Blues
While most visitors know Abraham Lake as the famous winter ice bubble lake, it’s actually just as impressive in the summer. Although it’s an artificial lake, it still has the deep blue color that the other glacial lakes in the Rockies have.
So if you think your lake adventure ends at Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake you would be wrong! You’ll have to continue traveling to see this lake color.
Abraham Lake is Surrounded by Colossal Peaks
Just because Abraham Lake isn’t in a national park doesn’t mean it’s not surrounded by some mammoth mountains – this is the Canadian Rockies, after all!
Abraham Mountain, Mount Michener, Mount Ernest Ross, and Elliot Peak all surround Abraham Lake and are amazing to catch a glimpse of. There’s also a very famous hike above Abraham Lake you can hike in the summer called Vision Quest.
Hike Vision Quest
One of the main reasons Albertans head to Abraham Lake in the summer is to hike Vision Quest. Vision Quest is a popular hike in the Canadian Rockies that provides absolutely astonishing views over Abraham.
Hiking/scrambling Vision Quest involves climbing 850 meters of elevation gain and 6.3 km. But unlike Banff, you can actually open camp around the lake and at the start of Vision Quest if you want.
Abraham Lake is Right Off the Icefields Parkway
If you’re visiting the Rockies and plan to drive from Jasper to Banff, or vice versa, along the Icefields Parkway, then this is the best time to visit Abraham Lake. The start of Abraham Lake is only 32 km from the Saskatchewan River Crossing along the parkway, making it a short detour away from the Parkway.
This area off David Thompson Highway is called Preachers Point and is a fantastic spot along Abraham Lake to visit. So if you only have a few hours to spare on your drive, you can easily make the detour here.
22 BEAUTIFUL Stops on the Icefields Parkway
Abraham Lake Weather
As mentioned, it’s imperative to check the Abraham Lake weather before visiting, you can often find similar temperatures and weather patterns to Nordegg nearby.
This will give you an idea of the temperatures and how strong the winds are. In the winter especially, you’ll want to have all the adequate clothing for visiting Abraham Lake. It’s one of the most temperamental places in Alberta!
Other Things to Know Before Visiting Abraham Lake
- Abraham Lake isn’t near anything. The closest town is Nordegg about 40 km from the lake. In Nordegg there are two gas stations, a restaurant, and a few accommodation options.
- If coming from the Icefields Parkway your last stop for fuel is at the Saskatchewan River Crossing. This is closed in the winter, and your last place for fuel is either in Lake Louise or Jasper. Make sure to fill up.
- There is no cell service at Abraham Lake.
- Remember to clean up all your trash. Pack in/pack out.
- Having a guide on Abraham Lake is extremely helpful. Especially in the winter. JP with Pursuit Adventures runs ice bubble tours and provides ice cleats, knowledge, and hot chocolate. Guides are also very helpful in pointing out the best photo spots at Abraham Lake.
- If coming from Banff, you can book this full day tour to Abraham Lake.
- One of our favorite things to do at Abraham Lake is take a helicopter tour above the lake. Rockies Heli operates amazing helicopter tours in both the winter and summer above Abraham Lake and ventures into the surrounding mountains.
- Abraham Lake is a dam, meaning that water levels vary. This can become dangerous in the winter when people travel out to see the frozen ice bubbles. The increase in visitors means there is an increase in risk in an accident happening. Stay aware of the thin ice as it could collapse. See some of our tips to stay safe while ice skating.
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