Three Canadian Lakes Named Among Most Beautiful in the World

A hiker takes in the view at Moraine Lake, located in Banff National Park, Alberta. Maridav /Shutterstock

Three lakes in Canada have been officially named among the most beautiful in the world.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine has released its list of the top 48 must-see, breathtaking lakes across the globe and Canada was one of the few countries to be mentioned three times.

Making the cut were Moraine Lake in Alberta, Winnipeg Lake in Manitoba, and Lake Superior, which borders Ontario and the United States.

Moraine Lake

The luxury travel magazine says that while Alberta’s Banff National Park has no shortage of beautiful lakes—Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka received honourable mentions—Moraine Lake took top spot for its “aggressively blue” waters.

Located in the western part of the park, Moraine Lake “owes its striking colour to mineral-rich runoff from the surrounding glaciers, some of which you can spot on the Valley of the Ten Peaks—a row of ten mountains that once appeared on the Canadian $20 bill—in the distance,” the article reads.

Parks Canada describes Moraine Lake as one of the “most visited” destinations in the nation. Aside from its beauty, Moraine Lake is also known for its wildlife, hiking, and biking trails, and skiing and snowshoeing opportunities in the winter.

The beauty of Lake Superior can easily be seen from the Under the Volcano Trail in Neys Provincial Park in Ontario. JFunk/Shutterstock

Lake Superior

Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, borders Ontario to the north and east and the U.S. states of Minnesota to the west and Michigan and Wisconsin to the south.

“Arguably the greatest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior feels more like an ocean than your typical fresh body of water—it boasts a massive 2,900-mile shoreline and surface area of 31,700 square miles, after all,” the magazine says. “It even has shipwrecks, for crying out loud.”

The lake boasts diverse landscapes, from sandstone cliffs and sea caves to towering waterfalls, the article points out, allowing visitors to spend their days exploring the waters via kayak, boat, or even on a Viking Great Lakes cruise.

A visit to Lake Superior Provincial Park grants access to the cliffs and beaches lining the lake as well as world-class hiking trails, the Agawa Rock Pictographs, and some of the best trout fishing in the country, according to Ontario Parks. The park is also renowned for its vivid fall colours and a multitude of camping options.

Views of Lake Winnipeg can be enjoyed from Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park, located on Manitoba’s mainland peninsula along the west shore of the lake.
AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock

Lake Winnipeg

Located within the boreal forests of Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike just an hour outside the city of Winnipeg.

“Its pristine white sand beaches are ideal for sunbathing, and its waters are popular for windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more,” the article reads. “Another perk is that its over a thousand miles of beaches and shorelines shelter one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes from crowds and overtourism.”

Lake Winnipeg is also of cultural significance for the many First Nation and Métis communities that live along its shores.

This 416-kilometre-long body of water is home to several provincial parks and is known for its swimming, fishing, and boating while the surrounding forest is filled with hiking and wildlife-watching opportunities.