Peyto Lake and Payto Glacier Viewpoint

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildflowers

A great short trail that starts along a paved path to the platform viewpoint for Peyto lake then continues on to a wooded singletrack to the Petyo Glacier viewpoint (also with stunning views of the lake) in a less trafficked area.

Requires a Banff Parks Pass to enter and use the trail (21$CAN for the day). There are camp toilets at the trailhead (quite busy usage). The parking lot is large but gets heavy usage and this trail is also a tour bus stop so unless you are very early the trail will likely be quite busy.

The hike starts from the Payto Lake parking lot (busy but large and has toilets) on a paved trail going to the official Peyto Lake overlook. This portion of the trail contains 300 feet of vertical gain so is a bit strenuous. After snapping some pics on the platform viewpoint of the stunning glacial lake (perhaps after waiting in line behind the many other attendees of this viewpoint) the trail continues further on the paved trail for a while longer before there is an offshoot onto a singletrack dirt trail after a blue sign depicting a marmot and a pika imparting wildlife information. The sign also states there is a viewpoint for the Peyto Glacier along this trail. This viewpoint will be less crowded than the platform earlier on the paved trail and allows for clearer views of both Peyto Glacier and Peyto lake.

Small Flower Anemone and paintbrush wildflowers

Peyto lake was named for the famous hunter and trapper mountain man Bill Peyto. He also has a mountain and restaurant that carry his name. The lake's color is due to glacial rock flour flowing from the glacier into the lake. The Peyto Glacier has lost 70% of its mass since 2006.