Maligne Lake Cruise: What to Know Before You Go
On our trips to Banff and Jasper National Parks, we have visited Peyto Lake, Lake Moraine, and driven the Icefields Parkway multiple times. All of it was stunning. But, none of those gave us our favorite view in Alberta.
The best view was the Hall of the Gods, seen from the water on the Maligne Lake Cruise.
You can only reach it by water and the Maligne Lake Cruise is how most people get there. If you are planning a trip to Jasper National Park, this one should absolutely be on your itinerary.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
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What is the Maligne Lake Cruise?
The Maligne Lake Cruise is a narrated 90-minute boat tour to Spirit Island, the most photographed spot in Jasper National Park. You travel 14 kilometers (about 9 miles) down the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies to get there, and the ride is as much a part of the experience as the destination.
How do the lakes in Jasper National Park get their vibrant color? The lake’s color comes from glacial rock flour, fine particles ground up by glaciers and suspended in the meltwater. The further south you travel on Lake Maligne, the deeper that color gets.
Explorer Mary Schäffer named the surrounding peaks the Hall of the Gods when she first documented the lake in 1908. She said if you brought every god of every religion together, the mountains were so dramatic that this is where they would sit, one mountain per deity. Standing there, you get it.
Getting To Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is about 48 kilometers southeast of Jasper. Maligne Lake Road is the only way in and essentially dead-ends into the lake.
There’s no public transportation to Maligne Lake, so you’ll need to drive your own car or book an inclusive tour.
From Pyramid Lake Lodge, the drive took us just under an hour. Budget 45 to 60 minutes depending on where you’re staying in Jasper, and give yourself more time if you plan to stop.
2024 Wildfire Damage on Maligne Lake Road
We had really hoped to be able to hike the Maligne Canyon. Unfortunately, the 2024 wildfires devastated the canyon and as of 2026 it is still closed. It was honestly heartbreaking to drive through the area. Thankfully, the fires did not reach Maligne Lake.
Wildlife Along Maligne Lake Road
Maligne Lake Road runs about 48 kilometers (about 30 miles) through one of the most wildlife-rich corridors in Alberta. Bears, moose, elk, and bald eagles are all regulars along this stretch of road.
The week before our last trip I saw an Instagram reel of a moose on this road sticking his nose inside someone’s car window. I was really hoping we would be lucky enough to see some interesting wildlife. But, no. We only saw a few deer.
The earlier you leave Jasper, the better chance you’ll have of seeing wildlife on your drive. They are most active in the early morning and just before sunset. This is one reason we booked the earliest boat cruise time.
Seeing Wildlife in Jasper
If spotting wildlife is a priority, skip the DIY approach and book a combination guided wildlife tour / Lake Maligne cruise instead. These tours are led by locals who know where the animals actually are so they get you right to the good stuff.
We took our chances on our own and came home with photos of deer (the same deer we see at home). We talked to several other guests staying at the Pyramid Lake Lodge who did the wildlife tours and they all saw a mama bear with her 2 cubs. When we go back, we’re booking the tour.
Stop at Medicine Lake
Don’t miss stopping at Medicine Lake on your way to or from Maligne Lake. We opted to stop on our way back from Lake Maligne and I’m glad we did. We didn’t feel to rushed and were able to take our time.
Medicine Lake may not have the turquoise water of Maligne Lake, but it does have one interesting quirk. The entire lake actually disappears in the fall and winter. When no longer being fed by the glacier melt, the water seeps into underground caves under the lake. The whole area becomes a mudflat for half the year.
But, in summer it’s a beautiful glacial fed lake surrounded by wildflowers and worth exploring.
There are a couple of trails leading down to the water. Most people take the trail to the left that ends at a small rocky beach. It’s a great place for kids to play at the edge of the water.
I recommend taking the trail to the right instead. The trail winds through wildflowers and leads your down to the shore. We were the only ones that chose that direction and it felt like we had half the lake to ourselves.
What to Expect at the Maligne Lake Dock
Parking
It’s recommended that you get to Lake Maligne 30 – 45 minutes before your tour. I’d say give yourself even more time if you are visiting in July or August when parking fills up fast. There is an overflow lot, so you should be able to find a spot. But, you may have to walk farther than you planned.
Gift Shop
There’s a large gift shop that carries the expected Canadian maple syrup, local bourbon, coffee, clothing, and trinkets. Plus, the shop carries handmade items from local artisans.
The bathrooms inside the gift shop are large and spotless. Definitely stop in before boarding your cruise. There are no restrooms on the boats.
Dining Options
There are a few dining options at Maligne Lake, and although we didn’t eat here I wanted to make sure to let you know your options.
The Waffle Hut is exactly what it sounds like: a little shack serving sweet and savory waffles. We didn’t get to try it, but the reviews are good.
The Lake House Café serves typical cafeteria fare with sandwiches, salads, soups, and a variety of local favorites like poutine and cheese curds. The big draw is that you can dine on the patio looking out over the lake. It’s a nice spot for a quick bite before or after your cruise.
The Maligne Lake Chalet is an elevated full sit-down experience in a rustic log building built in the 1930s that’s now a National Historic Site. The menu features entrees like smoked brisket, prairie grain salmon, and angus striploin. The Chalet is open for dinner only.
Ticketing and Boarding
If you’re visiting Maligne Lake on a busy summer day in July or August, you can expect a sea of people all vying for their spot next to a window. Despite the crowds, boarding was actually organized and smooth.
You’ll be assigned to a specific ferry, but seating within the boat is first come, first served so once they call your group, be ready to move. If you want that coveted window seat, you’ll need to be one of the first ones to board the boat.
Don’t do what I did. I didn’t download my ticket to my phone so I could access it offline. I know, I know. Leave it to the high school teacher to not follow directions. I thought I was being smart by taking a screenshot of the ticket. I was not. A screenshot of the barcode does not scan. (Odd, but true)
There’s no cell service or wifi at Maligne Lake to download your tickets. So I had to leave the queue, walk back up to the ticket booth, and have a staff member pull my reservation and print it out. Moral of the story: download your tickets before you leave Jasper.
What To Expect on the Cruise
The boats are glass-enclosed and heated, which is nice especially on morning trips when temps are mild. It’s always more chilly on the water.
A note about the temperatures: Dress in layers and bring a windproof jacket. We were at Maligne Lake in July and I was in a puffy coat. The sun helps but the wind off that water is cold.
There’s a small outdoor viewing deck at the back, but it only holds four to six people at a time so you’ll be sharing it with the rest of the boat. Everyone on our boat was really good about rotating in and out so we all had some time outside.
The cruise to Spirit Island takes about 30 minutes and you’ll travel 14 kilometers (about 9 miles). Along the way, your guide tells the story of the lake.
Our guide was a first-year master’s student who was incredibly knowledgeable. He knew the history of Mary Schäffer’s expedition, the cultural significance of the lake to the Stoney Nakoda, and even the geology of the waterfalls and avalanche slides along the shore.
We peppered him with questions the whole way out and he never missed a beat.
Don’t Forget: There are no restrooms on the boat, so you need to take care of that before you board.
HOT TIP: Pick the same seat on the way out and on the way back. The glaciers are on the right side heading out and show better on the left coming back. That way you see both sides of the lake.
What to Expect at Spirit Island
Spirit Island is so named because it is sacred to the Stoney Nakoda people. Out of respect for their ceremonial land no one else is allowed to step foot on the island. So, the boat will dock across from Spirit Island and you’ll have a couple of spots to take in the view.
You’ll have about 15 to 20 minutes here and that is more than enough time.
When you step off the boat, head left and go straight to the stairs. They take you to an elevated wooden platform where you can take the classic shot of Spirit Island with the Hall of the Gods rising behind it.
Don’t plan to be there long. It gets busy quickly with multiple boats docking near the same time.
After snapping all your pics from the platform, walk down to the beach. The view from water level is different and worth the stop.
As the boat leaves the dock, try to be in the first group on the back deck. The boat makes a turn pulling away from Spirit Island that opens up a full water-level view of the Hall of the Gods. It’s a stunning shot.
Ticket Options and Pricing for the Maligne Lake Cruise
Book as early as you can, especially if you are going to Jasper in the summer. July and August sailings sell out days, sometimes weeks, in advance.
For the most availability, you can actually book before the season opens (when no one else is even thinking about their Jasper itinerary). I booked our tickets in January and had my pick of days and times, so I was able to make it fit exactly where I wanted it in our schedule.
Classic Cruise vs. Premium Cruise: Which One to Book
The Classic Cruise
The Classic Cruise is the most popular option and the one we chose. It runs about 90 minutes round trip and includes approximately 15 to 20 minutes off the boat at Spirit Island. We found it was plenty of time and would book it again.
The Premium Cruise
The upgraded option is an adults-only cruise that runs about two hours and is one of the last boats of the day. You get a full 30 minutes at Spirit Island plus an additional stop at Pincushion Bay.
The later time also means you arrive at Spirit Island somewhat near golden hour. If photography is your primary reason for going, it may be worth the upgrade.
| Classic Ticket | Premium Ticket | |
| Adult Price | $106 CAD / ~ $78 USD | $141 CAD / ~ $104 USD |
| Chid Price | $69 CAD / ~ $51 USD | X |
| Length of Cruise | 1.5 hours | 2 hours |
| Time at Spirit Island | 15 – 20 min | 30 min |
| Children | Free with paid adult on 9am and 9:15am cruises | Not allowed |
| Pincushion Bay | X | ✓ |
| Cruise Times | May 29 to June 19: 9 – 5:30pm June 20 to Sept 6: 9 – 6pm Sept 7 to Oct3: 9 – 5:30pm Oct 4 to Oct11: 9 – 4pm | 5pm Daily |
Give yourself plenty of time to get to Maligne Lake from Jasper. If you miss your boat you could be charged a $15 rebooking fee.
Other Activities at Maligne Lake
You may come to Maligne Lake for the cruise, but there is so much more to do here. You could easily spend a whole day and never be bored.
Kayak, Canoe and Pedal Boat Rentals
Rentals are available at the boathouse through Pursuit during the summer season, as long as the weather is cooperating. They accept walk-ups, but reservations are recommended. The exception is the pedal boats. Those are booked on-site only and max out at a two-hour rental.
This table shows all pricing for the 2026 season. The calculations for USD are approximate.
| 1 Hour | 2 Hours | Day | |
| Canoe | $89 CAD / ~$65 USD | $165 CAD / ~$120 USD | $185 CAD / ~ $135 USD |
| Single Kayak | $72 CAD / ~$53 USD | $135 CAD / ~$99 USD | $155 CAD / ~ $113 USD |
| Double Kayak | $88 CAD / ~$64 USD | $165 CAD / ~$120 USD | $175 CAD / ~$128 USD |
| Pedal Boat | $105 CAD / ~$77 USD | $160 CAD / ~$117 USD | N/A |
Side note: Even if you don’t plan to rent a boat, the historic Canoe Barn makes a great backdrop for photos. There’s a small viewing platform for great shots, but I really liked the ones i got from the beach.
Hiking
The Mary Schäffer Loop (3.2 km) This flat, well-maintained trail starts near the boathouse and follows the lakeshore before cutting back through the woods. Named for the explorer who first documented Maligne Lake, it’s walkable at any fitness level.
The Moose Lake Loop (2.7 km) This one has a reputation for early morning moose sightings in the marshy areas along the trail. We got to the lake early to walk this trail. But a local fisherman advised us of some bears that had been in the area and we had not brought our bear spray.
We walked the Maligne Lake shoreline instead, which was beautiful.
If you want to try Moose Lake, bring bear spray, go early for the best chance of seeing moose, and go with other people. Most visitors would be completely fine. We just weren’t willing to bet on it without spray.
Bald Hills Loop and Opal Hills Short Loop These are the two moderate-to-strenuous hikes that take you above the treeline and reward you with aerial views back down over the full length of Maligne Lake. If you want to understand the real scale of this place, one of these delivers it in a way the boat simply can’t.
Is the Maligne Lake Cruise Worth It?
Yes. Without hesitation. The Maligne Lake Cruise was one of the best things we did in Jasper National Park. The views are absolutely stunning and seeing the Hall of The Gods was worth the price of admission by itself.
It’s also a great option for people who don’t hike. The walk at Spirit Island is short and manageable. The boat is comfortable and covered. If you have friends or family who struggle with trails, this is an activity that delivers a world-class experience without any elevation gain.
If you’re building your Jasper itinerary, budget a full day for the Maligne Lake experience: the drive in, a walk along the shoreline before your cruise, the cruise itself, and the Medicine Lake stop on the way back. That’s a complete day, and it’s one of the best ones we had in the Canadian Rockies.
