From The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Best Nearby Parks (Attractions & Activities) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Lake Louise, AB Lake Louise (Attractions & Activities - Parks) 111 Lake Louise Dr Banff National Park, Lake Louise  AB  T0L 1E0 • 403-762-1550 Distance: ~359 m         Description: Rediscovered by European Tom Wilson in 1882, this stunning lake was known to Native Americans as "Lake of Little Fishes". Wilson named it "Emerald Lake" after its gorgeous green color. In tribute to Queen Victoria's daughter, it was later named "Louise." Resting beneath the Victoria Glacier, the lake is the repository for finely-ground minerals that reflect sunlight, giving it its vivid color. Visitors are constantly amazed by this jewel nestled amid such towering peaks. They hike along its perimeter, canoe through its waters, and although the water looks nearly tropical, it's frigid year-round. Banff National Park (Attractions & Activities - Parks) Banff  AB • 403-762-1550 Distance: ~27.137 km         Description: The village of Lake Louise is actually located inside Banff National Park. At 6641 square kilometers (2564 square miles), the park is a vast playground for close to four million visitors annually. Most are outdoorsy types who enjoy hiking, backcountry camping, cross country skiing, rock climbing, fishing and a wealth of other activities. If time is a factor or if you simply prefer to see the wilderness from the relative comfort of an enclosed vehicle, there are a couple of scenic highways that cut through the park, so you can still appreciate the majesty of the rugged Canadian Rockies without getting dirty! But with its roaring waterfalls and ice-blue glaciers, meadows full of wildflowers and breathtaking panoramic vistas, this is one park that is best appreciated on foot. Luckily, several turnouts along the Icefields and Bow Valley Parkways allow you to get a closer look without investing too much time or energy. A plethora of companies offer guided one-day and multi-day park tours via bus, bike, snowshoe, ski and hiking boot. Bow Lake (Attractions & Activities - Parks) Icefields Pkwy (Hwy 93) Banff National Park, Banff  AB  T1L 1K2 • 403-762-1550 Distance: ~52.724 km User Rating: 10 / 10         Description: This beautiful, still lake is easily accessible from the Parkway, about a 25-minute drive from Lake Louise. Created when glaciers left behind residue that trapped melting snows, the lake shelters a large number of trout and attracts moose and other large wildlife. Along the southern end of the lake are picnic tables and a few trails. It's a terrific place to stop for a picnic lunch or simply to snap a few souvenir photos. Crowfoot Glacier (Attractions & Activities - Parks) Icefields Pkwy Banff National Park, Lake Louise  AB  T0L 1E0 • 403-762-1550 Distance: ~14131.774 km         Description: Hugging the slopes of Crowfoot Mountain, these glacial fingers are a popular tourist attraction. Years ago, there were three extensions of the glacier, and they reached much further down the mountain than they currently do. Weather conditions in the last half-century have altered the attraction so that now there are only two sections, and the crowfoot analogy is no longer appropriate. Still, tourists stop to view the site, and the allure of the glacier still runs strong. About a 30-minute drive from Lake Louise. Icefields Parkway (Attractions & Activities - Parks) Banff National Park, Lake Louise  AB  T1L 1C3 • 403-762-1550 • 800-252-3782 Distance: ~14131.774 km User Rating: 8 / 10         Description: Also known as Highway 93, this expanse of road links Lake Louise to Jasper. It also winds through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world, including the lakes, valleys and waterfalls on the eastern edge of the Continental Divide. The road leads you through flat passes between mountains and then up the slopes themselves. Roadside stops allow you to see the beauty of the Rockies or to follow trails to other scenic sites. Not much civilization lines the road, so although the drive is eminently safe in the summer, make sure your car is in good shape and that you have plenty of gas before you depart during the winter. Absolutely breathtaking. Moraine Lake (Attractions & Activities - Parks) Moraine Lake Rd Banff National Park, Lake Louise  AB  T0L 1E0 • 403-762-1550 Distance: ~14131.774 km         Description: About 8 miles from Lake Louise, along a road closed to Winter traffic, lies Moraine Lake, a gorgeous aquamarine jewel set among the Ten Peaks mountains. Named under the misconception that the lake was formed by glacial retreat, it was actually created when rockslides blocked run-off from the mountains. Nevertheless, it's an awe-inspiring vista, as the crowds of tourists can attest. If you've got time, a trail runs along the lake and lets you experience the natural beauty of the area. Other trails run up into the mountains, and canoes are also available to rent if you'd like to skim across the chilly waters and get away from it all. In the Winter months, Moraine Lake offers some of the region's best-marked cross-country ski trails. A definite must-visit. Peyto Lake (Attractions & Activities - Parks) Icefields Pkwy Banff National Park  AB • 403-762-1550 Distance: ~14131.774 km         Description: Found alongside Icefields Parkway, this vibrantly-hued lake was a favorite of "Wild Bill" Peyto, one of the park's early wardens and a local guide and outfitter. Named for him, the lake derives its fantastic color from mineral particles suspended in the water. Light reflects off them, changing the color of the lake from blue to green to turquoise, depending on the amount of debris in the run-off. As with many attractions in the Rockies, photographs can be purchased off-site, but the sensation of standing in the midst of such awesome scenery can never be replicated. In the winter months, the terrain around Peyto Lake offers some of the region's best-marked cross-country ski trails. Make the journey. About a 40-minute drive from Lake Louise. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.