11 Reasons to Visit Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park

Pyramid Lake is a stunning mountain lake in Alberta and one of the best places to visit in Jasper. This wonderful kidney-shaped lake is right at the foot of the iconic Pyramid Mountain. It’s a local favorite and a sight for all visitors to Jasper.

Pyramid Lake is fairly big, at 1.2 km2, and discharges right into the Athabasca River. It’s the perfect place to hang out for the day, whether winter or summer. There are plenty of things to do in the area around the lake, meaning Pyramid Lake will certainly be a highlight of your trip to Jasper.

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Why You Can’t Miss Pyramid Lake

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Pyramid Lake is a Great Place to Paddle

There are many fantastic lakes to paddle around in Jasper, and Pyramid Lake is no exception. Among the area’s lakes, Pyramid Lake has some of the calmest waters. Perfect for kayaking, canoeing, or stand up paddleboarding. It’s also a very popular lake for fishing in the summer. If you’re a fisherman, don’t forget your rod before visiting, as you can fish in this lake (with a fishing permit)!

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It Sits Right Under Pyramid Mountain

Pyramid Lake is nestled right over the iconic Pyramid Mountain; it’s one of the many small lakes left behind by retreating glaciers in the area. It’s nearly impossible to miss the sight of Pyramid Mountain from the town of Jasper, but it is certainly impossible to miss the mountain once you are at Pyramid Lake.

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Pyramid Lake is Close to Downtown Jasper

Unlike many of the Banff lakes, which can seem like a trek to get to from town, Pyramid Lake is only 5 km from town down Pyramid Lake Road. So even if you only have a half-hour to spare while visiting Jasper, you can easily travel to Pyramid Lake and see its beauty.

Pyramid Lake is also well connected to town via several bike trails and paths. If you are a runner, running to Pyramid Lake and back in the early morning or evening is a great workout.

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You Can Visit Pyramid Island

Pyramid Island is a small island on Pyramid Lake. It’s about 2 km past Pyramid Lake Resort and 7.5 km from the town of Jasper. You can access Pyramid Island from the water if you paddle up, or you can easily access it from the road.

A beautiful bridge connects Pyramid Island to the mainland, and it’s not only amazing to walk across but also one of the best photo spots in Jasper. From the bridge, you can easily see the Jasper Skytram and Mount Edith Cavell.

When walking onto Pyramid Island from the mainland, you can easily see Pyramid Mountain positioned perfectly above the island. There are only 5 parking spots on the road, but we have never had a problem getting one in either winter or summer.

It’s even possible to rent out a section of the island as a venue. There are benches for ceremonies with a million-dollar view to look out to. For the best photos, head here at sunrise and sunset. If you are lucky, you can get a photo of Pyramid Island without anyone walking across the bridge (patience is key here).

Don’t miss the rustic shelter on the island, which is recognized as a Federal Heritage Building built in 1933 during the Great Depression.

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Pyramid Lake is Warm Enough to Swim In

It’s hard to find lakes in the Canadian Rockies that are warm enough to swim in for an extended period of time. Nearby Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, Lake Annette, Beauvert, and Edith all nearly took my breath away when I jumped in.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could swim in the water at Pyramid Lake without feeling like my heart would stop. On a warm summer day, one can enjoy the refreshing water at Pyramid Lake.

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You Can Ice Skate on Pyramid Lake in the Winter

I’ve been writing a lot about Jasper’s summer, when winter in Jasper is equally as amazing. Pyramid Lake completely freezes over in the winter, and by the end of December, it turns into a winter wonderland.

Pyramid Lake Resort maintains a section for ice skating on the lake and snowshoe tours, fat biking, and even horse-drawn carriages.

We visited in late November and found people were already skating on Pyramid Lake, though you should properly check the ice thickness to make sure it is safe if planning to skate this early.

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Pyramid Lake Lodge is Simply Amazing

Pyramid Lake Lodge is an amazing property in Jasper that cannot be beaten. Sitting right on Pyramid Lake, it’s an amazing location in the park and one of our favorite places to stay (after Jasper Park Lodge). It sits away from Downtown Jasper, so you can enjoy nature, but it is still only a few minutes’ drive away, so you can easily enjoy town amenities and restaurants.

These are some amazing chalet-style Alpine rooms here, some with cozy fireplaces. If possible, I highly suggest booking a room with views over Pyramid Lake. There’s also a fantastic hot tub to enjoy after a long winter day out in the mountains.

It’s the only property at Pyramid Lake and is the perfect place if you want to enjoy some quiet downtime at the lake. They have fantastic amenities, especially in the summer when they offer canoe rentals. As mentioned before, in the winter Pyramid Lake Lodge offers ice skate rentals, fat bike rentals, snowshoe rentals, and carriage rides.

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There are Great Bike Trails Around Pyramid Lake

If you’re into mountain biking, there are some fantastic trails in the Pyramid Lake area. Some will take you right into town, while others connect Pyramid Lake to Patricia Lake.

Then, if you are interested in scrambling up Pyramid Mountain, a popular way to cut some time is to mountain bike up the first leg via the Pyramid Fire Lookout road. You can see a map of all the trails in the area on Trail Forks.

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And Trail Running Opportunities

Speaking of trails, a popular thing to do in Jasper is to go trail running around Pyramid Lake. Many of the bike trails mentioned above can also serve as trail-running opportunities.

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Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Island are a Photographer’s Paradise

Pyramid Lake is easily one of the best photography spots not just in Jasper, but in all of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll always be able to get a beautiful shot of Pyramid Mountain, but the best photo spot, in my opinion, is of the bridge leading up to Pyramid Island. We’ve been able to score this bridge to ourselves for photographs in both the winter and peak summer season.

Don’t worry if there are a few people on the bridge; just be patient, and you’ll be able to capture a great photo. My best advice is to arrive at Pyramid Island around sunrise or sunset.

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Don’t Forget Bug Spray!

In the peak summer season, the mosquitoes are out in force around Jasper. We particularly found them terrible at Pyramid Island. If you’re visiting between June and August, having some OFF around may make your experience at Pyramid Lake much more enjoyable.

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One of the Best Restaurants in Jasper is on the Lake!

Aalto stands out among all the delicious Jasper restaurants not only because of its unique location outside of downtown Jasper, but also for its epic views over Pyramid Lake and delicious food.

Rather than opting for a night in the downtown center, consider making your way to Pyramid Lake to relish the scenic vistas offered by Pyramid Lake Lodge. Nestled within the lodge, Aalto undoubtedly claims its place as one of Jasper’s most enchanting dining spots.

Whether breakfast, lunch (available for takeout), or dinner, Aalto ensures a cozy ambiance that sets the stage for an intimate dining experience. The menu boasts delectable offerings like Wild Boar Pâté, Duck Confit, and Braised Alberta Venison. We advise reservations during the high season!

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Things to do at Pyramid Lake

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Cost for Rentals at Pyramid Lake

You can rent anything you need in the winter or summer from Pyramid Lake Resort. The prices are as follows (subject to change).

*If you stay at Pyramid Lake Resort, your first hour of rentals is on the house!

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Hikes Around Pyramid Lake

There are a few great Jasper hiking opportunities around Pyramid Lake. An easy one would be the Pyramid Lake Loop, a gentle 5.6 km walk with less than 200 meters of elevation gain. This is a great hike for older people and families!

If you want a big day, and I mean a really big day, you can set your eyes on summitting Pyramid Mountain. This is a 33 km day, gaining 2686 meters of elevation. It’s a long day with scrambling involved. But the views from the top of Pyramid Mountain would be amazing. You can mountain bike up the fire road to save your legs from an otherwise boring walk.

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Other Great Jasper Lakes to Visit

There are a lot of beautiful lakes around Jasper. So after you are done enjoying Pyramid Lake, we recommend venturing to another destination. Some ideas:

• Patricia Lake (right next door)
• Maligne Lake
• Medicine Lake
• Lac Beauvert 

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