Emerald Lake Canoe Rental: Everything You NEED to Know

Emerald Lake canoe rentals are one of our favorite ways to enjoy a lake in the Canadian Rockies. The glacier-fed lake in Yoho National Park is one of British Columbia’s most beautiful lakes. Thanks to its stunning turquoise-colored water, astounding mountain views, and beginner-friendly waters, it is an ideal location for a paddle.

The lake is a short drive from the more famous Moraine Lake and Lake Louise and offers a more tranquil canoe experience. It helps that it’s also a bit cheaper to rent a canoe here! However, a lake as beautiful as Emerald Lake is far from a hidden gem. If you’re debating where to canoe in the Rockies or interested in the Emerald experience, we will break it down in this post.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake was named after its impressive color, which resembles a gemstone. It’s pretty easy to figure out where Emerald Lake gets its name as the glacial waters refract light in a vibrant display of color.

The color alone would be enough to move you, but the surrounding landscape leaves you speechless. The President Range mountains surround the lake, forming a natural amphitheater of the grandest scale with towering peaks and forested banks.

Interestingly, Lake Louise was originally named Emerald Lake before being named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. Around the same time the name changed in 1882, a Canadian Pacific Railway worker named Tom Wilson discovered a new lake, which took on the old name of Emerald Lake.

Two decades later, in 1902, the historic Emerald Lake Lodge was built. Since then, visitors have traveled to the lake to enjoy its pristine waters with a leisurely paddle. Once out on the water, escaping the modern world and enjoying the lake’s natural beauty is easy.

Canoe Rentals On Emerald Lake

Why You Should Rent A Canoe

Like many other Canadian Rockies lakes, the lake is a brilliant color. What’s amazing about a canoe paddle on these lakes is that the color of the water never ceases to amaze. Every time you dip a paddle into the water, it feels surreal. It doesn’t matter which lake, but we highly recommend every visitor to the Canadian Rockies get out on the water.

Emerald Lake is a friendly canoeing destination for beginners. The lake’s waters are almost always calm, and wind rarely causes issues. It’s manageable but still provides ample space to learn how to paddle and soak up the amazing experience. Before starting, the friendly workers will ask you if you’ve canoed before and give instructions.

One of the things we love most about Emerald Lake is that there is so much more to offer than just canoeing. We love heading to Cilantro Café for a bite to eat and a drink on their patio, putting up our hammock, or walking the 5.2 km loop around the lake. The hiking trails in Yoho National Park do not stop at the lakeshore, as experienced hikers can enjoy plenty of options for a full day out on the trail.

Emerald Lake is the cheapest option for canoeing on a blue glacial-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, nearby, both charge roughly 50% more per hour to paddle along the lakes.

Why You May Not Want To Rent A Canoe

Like the other lakes in the area, the price per hour to go canoeing continues to rise. Most Canadians are appalled by the prices at the Boathouse Trading Co. Since they are the only operator, they can choose their own price points. Though the rental price can be considered expensive if you travel on a budget, we believe the experience is worth every dollar.

While the summer offers relatively stable and predictable weather, it is still the mountains. Weather here can be unpredictable, and that is especially true at Emerald Lake. The lake sits in a microclimate that receives significantly more rainfall than nearby areas. This means the weather doesn’t always cooperate, especially if you like to operate on a schedule. The boathouse may close if they deem the weather unsafe for paddlers—while disappointing, it is for the safety of guests.

A nice summer day at Emerald Lake can be very busy. The crowds definitely show up, and the limited parking is difficult. The good news is you may park along the road to the lake; however, we’ve seen people park nearly a kilometer down the road on a busy day. We suggest avoiding peak visiting hours, such as midday, if you want to visit the lake.

Additionally, the canoe rentals operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so you may have to wait in line to rent a canoe. They do not accept reservations.

Cost To Rent A Canoe On Emerald Lake

Canoe Rental at Emerald Lake

$100/ hour

Though you can rent the canoe for more than one hour if you are an enthusiast, most are satisfied with one hour on the water. We suggest most paddlers plan for a one-hour rental. This provides enough time to paddle, take photos, and float along the lake. It rarely feels rushed. There is no half-hour rate.

The rate comes with PFDs, and each canoe may take up to three guests. Families are allowed two adults and two children. However, it operates based on weight so the children should generally each weigh less than 60 lbs/27 kg.

Bring your furry friend along for the adventure! One dog is permitted in the canoe with a maximum weight of 50 lbs.

Regulations Around Renting A Canoe

There must be one person per canoe at least 19 years of age. The canoe rental does allow babies, but they must be 20 lbs / 9 kgs as it is the smallest life jacket the boathouse offers. There is some risk with small children as the lake is very cold, and hypothermia would set in incredibly fast.

Many people have drowned on the lakes in the Canadian Rockies due to inexperience and the cold waters. However, most occurrences have been with private watercraft that are easier to overturn. Additionally, the boathouse has a small motorboat to rescue patrons in an emergency, and they keep an eye on the canoes.

Hours of Operation

Open 7 days a week

10am – 4:45pm (MST)

Canoe rentals are open daily until October 8th, 2025 (tentative date dependent on weather). The hours depend on daylight, much longer in the summer months. The closing weekend may fluctuate based on the weather, as every year’s weather looks different in the Rocky Mountains!

Cost Comparision To Other Lakes

Canoeing at Emerald Lake may seem expensive at $100 an hour. However, it is a more reasonable rate compared to its competitors. The closest canoeing opportunities on breathtaking turquoise waters are at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

Moraine Lake Canoe Rentals	$140/ hour
Fairmont Lake Louise Canoe Rentals	$155/ hour
Banff Canoe Club	$60/ hour +$30 per addiontal hour

Both lakes offer a similar experience, if not busier, and are far more expensive. Access is much easier at Emerald Lake than at Moraine Lake, which is only accessible by shuttle. Lake Louise charges for its extremely limited parking.

Emerald Lake is the most cost-effective and accessible canoe option out of all the major lakes in the Rockies. The cheapest canoe option in the area is the Banff Canoe Club, which mainly operates on the Bow River in Banff, not on a blue lake.

Can You Bring Your Own Canoe To Emerald Lake?

Visitors can no longer bring personal watercraft to Emerald Lake, and all waterbodies in Yoho National Park are closed because of the threat of Whirling disease. It’s a bummer, but proper measures have to be taken. Visitors can still rent canoes at Emerald Lake.

Any photos on the site of us on a stand-up paddleboard were taken before the closure. Find more information about the closure here. That said, it’s not all bad. The beauty of rentals is that you can visit from anywhere and experience this classic Canadian activity.

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Tips For Renting A Canoe At Emerald Lake

• Pack water, sunscreen, and food. Sunscreen is particularly important if you plan to canoe on a sunny day.
• There is nowhere to store your belongings while you’re on the lake, so consider leaving anything you don’t want to risk getting wet in your vehicle.
• There is no cell phone reception at Emerald Lake. Keep this in mind as you prepare for your trip.
• Consider arriving early on in the day for better chances of finding parking.
• Bring a hammock, a picnic, or sturdy walking shoes to extend your day.
• You cannot book your canoe reservation in advance.
• Food can be brought onto the canoe for a small picnic. Do not throw food or scraps into the lake. Pack out what you bring and dispose of your trash in the bear-proof bins on the lake shore.
• No alcohol is permitted on the canoes.
• You must wear a life jacket.

What Else Can You Do at Emerald Lake?

Emerald Lake is so much more than its canoeing experience. You can easily spend a half day or more at the lake.

Grab A Meal

We love making the most of our day and grabbing a bite to eat at Emerald Lake. After working up an appetite out on the lake, we enjoy heading to Cilantro Café to grab a cold drink and food. If there is a lineup, it is worth the wait to be out on the patio.

The patio is intimate and is right on the edge of the lake. It is a great way to take a little break from the sun and to rehydrate after being out on the lake. Another great option for lunch nearby is Truffle Pigs in Field. They serve far better food, but it’s not on Emerald Lake.

Hiking

What better way to soak in the views of the lake than to walk around it? A 5.2 km path loops around the lake, with an approximate round trip of 1 hour and 20 minutes. The short hike offers post-card-worthy views of the lake and the Rockies. We recommend packing good walking shoes for this trail, as there are some uneven areas. Don’t forget bear spray, and come prepared for hiking in bear country.

Picnicking

If the canoe rental is already at the high end of your budget, consider packing a picnic before or after your canoe trip. Though picnic tables are available as you walk down the trail to your left, they tend to fill up quickly. Consider bringing a picnic blanket or some camping chairs instead.

The Natural Bridge

If you’re heading to Emerald Lake, you must stop at the Natural Bridge on either your way in or out. The Natural Bridge is a stop-off point on Emerald Lake Road. The turn-off is easy to miss, so watch for it on your left as you head up to Emerald Lake. The natural bridge is what it sounds like—a natural bridge made out of rock cut by the Kicking Horse River. It’s an unusual sight, especially in the winter!

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Parking at Emerald Lake

Parking at Emerald Lake can be challenging, like any other top attraction in the Rocky Mountains, especially during the prime summer months of July and August. We recommend heading to the lake earlier to increase your chances of finding a spot. Once you’ve arrived at the parking lot, try taking a full loop around to see if anyone with a closer spot has recently left.

That said, seeing as the parking lot can get quite congested, be courteous and don’t stop and wait for a spot to open up. Allow for traffic to flow smoothly. If you want to easily get parking during the summer, arrive before 8:30 am or after 5 pm for the most ease. We have never had an issue parking at Emerald Lake in the shoulder and winter months.

The Emerald Lake Lodge

If you want to make Emerald Lake into an overnight getaway, consider staying at Emerald Lake Lodge. They offer a serene experience without phone service or TVs and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Emerald Lake Lodge has a rich history dating back to 1902, and its stone fireplaces and hand-built timber structure make for a cozy-rustic feel.

It offers a wonderful dining room, cozy reading and relaxation rooms, verandas, a game hall, and conference spaces. Though the pricing can be steep, it is a great way to fully immerse yourself in the Canadian experience.

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