Vermilion Lakes: Quick and Easy Guide

Vermilion Lakes is often overlooked among Banff National Park’s more famous attractions. 

Vermilion Lakes is a diverse landscape of wetlands, geology, and wildlife that offers stunning views of Banff’s most recognizable mountains, as well as alpenglow sunrises and sunsets. Vermilion Lakes supports activities like cycling, paddling, photography, fishing, and birdwatching and is a great place to relax with a book or beverage of choice. 

Vermilion Lakes is not for everyone. I admit I once thought of it as an overrated swamp located next to Alberta’s busiest highway. However, since I started living in the area, I have discovered its appeal and it’s now where I spend most of my weekends from spring to fall.

Keep reading for some quick and easy tips on how to navigate and enjoy this special area. 

FIND OUT: How to Visit Banff National Park: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Get to Vermilion Lakes

Vermilion Lakes is easy to get to. 

From the TransCanada highway take the Mount Norquay overpass into Banff then a quick right onto Vermilion Lakes Road (make sure you are in the far right lane). From Banff, it’s a left turn off Mount Norquay Road just past the Banff sign across from Fenlands Recreation Centre. 

Vermilion Lakes can be accessed by vehicle, bike, or foot. 

Vehicle. Driving is the best option for anyone with mobility issues or watercraft. Driving on Vermilion Lake Road when it’s busy is a nightmare. During the day, especially on weekends, the road can get congested with recreationalists and cyclists, making it difficult to navigate and exit. The speed limit on Vermilion Lake Road is 30 km/hour but it’s unlikely you’ll reach it. 

Foot. Unless you’re a runner, going by foot could be onerous. It takes around 1.5 km to reach the Lakes from the road entrance. If you’re walking from Banff, expect a 4-6 km trek, depending on where you start. Most people who walk will drive and park as close as they can to Vermilion Lake Road. 

Bike. From the Banff townsite, Vermilion Lakes can be reached by foot or bike using the paved Bow River pathway. Head toward the Banff sign to Vermilion Lakes Road. You’ll need to walk on the road, but not to worry everyone does. Alternatively, you will pass the Fenland Trail Head after the Banff sign so you can take the forest trail to the road. 

Bus. The nearest ROAM bus stop is the Banff Train Station, but it’s serviced by the Lake Louise routes 8X and 8S, which require a reservation or may not be running so this may not be the most viable option.

LOCAL TIP: The best way to visit Vermilion Lakes is on a bike as it’s quick and convenient.

DISCOVER: How Much Time Do You Need at Lake Louise? (What to See and Do)

Vermilion Lakes Road sits below the TransCanada highway. It’s a 4.5 km paved, slightly bumpy, unmarked, not quite double-lane road that runs parallel to the lakeshore before twisting its way through a forested area where it eventually terminates in a dead-end cul-de-sac at the Legacy Trailhead. 

FUN FACT: The Vermilion Lake Road is part of the TransCanada Legacy Trail system (which is the reason for all the cyclists and runners).

READ: Driving in Banff: 10 Things You Should Know

Along the road beside the shoreline are docks, benches, bike racks, and information displays with information about the area’s unique ecosystem, how it was formed, the wildlife that lives there, the people who used to live there, and even how the surrounding mountains got their names. 

LOCAL TIP: There are no washroom facilities near the shoreline, and nowhere conducive to take care of business in case nature calls. Outhouse washrooms are located in the small parking lot near the third lake. 

Where to Park at Vermilion Lakes

Parking at Vermilion Lakes is extremely limited. Most people park on either side of the road (creating the ‘not-quite double road’) or in creative Tetris formations in the few, small available gravel pullouts. Further down the road, near the third lake, is a small parking area beside the washrooms that can accommodate 6 to 8 cars. 

LOCAL HINT: The further down the road you travel the better luck you will have finding a place to park. Most people tend to stop and park around the dock and bench areas. 

The best option for parking is at the Fenlands Recreation Centre or the large Train Station Lot by the train tracks, this will add significant time and distance to your visit. Expect an extra 2 – 3 km walk to reach the Lakes from these parking areas. 

LOCAL RECOMMENDATION: When I visit Vermilion Lakes I park at the Fenlands Recreation Centre, the Fendlands Trailhead, or the Train Station and ride my bike from there. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Vermilion Lakes?

Vermilion Lakes can be accessed all year long, but is best visited from spring to fall.

The best time to visit Vermillion Lakes is during the early or late hours of the day. You can enjoy the morning to witness the sunrise and stillness, or later in the evening. As the lakes are located next to the TransCanada highway, there tends to be less traffic in the morning, making it quieter.

The busiest time to visit is 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM as it is the warmest time of the day, and when most people prefer to do their activities.

In the evening, activities quiet down, and the atmosphere calms. Parking opens up and the road becomes less congested. This is a great time to relax and enjoy the sunset.

LOCAL RECOMMENDATION: Always wear bear spray when visiting Vermilion Lakes between mid-April and November.  Find out more info: Bear Spray: Everything You Need to Know Before Using It.

How Much Time Should Be Spent at Vermilion Lakes?

How much time you spend at Vermilion Lakes depends on what you want to do and how you get there. You can spend as little as 10 minutes or as long as 3 hours. If you are walking, and plan to explore the entire area, expect to take a few hours, same if you’re planning a thorough paddle of the water channels. 

If you’re only interested in a quick view and some photos of the area, consider stopping at the Vermilion Lakes viewpoint located on the TransCanada highway travelling east toward Banff. The view is just as spectacular and there’s more parking as well as washrooms.

What is There to See and Do at Vermilion Lakes?

Vermilion Lakes supports a variety of activities.

Photography

Photographers and camera enthusiasts love Vermillion Lakes and can be found hanging around year-round. It’s a phenomenal location to grab amazing photographs of everything; mountain landscape, wildlife, the sky, weddings, funky park jobs, etc. The most popular times for photographers to be at the Lakes are early dawn, late in the day, or at night in hopes of grabbing stunning sunrise and sunset vistas. 

Hiking

Vermilion Lakes is not a hiking mecca, but it’s a nice place to walk because of the great views.

Next to Vermillion Lakes is the Fenlands Trail system, a network of flat forested trails ranging from 1.5 to 4 km with wooden bridges and gurgling creeks. This is a great place for a family hike. There’s a small parking lot at the Trailhead just off Mount Norquay Drive with picnic tables and washroom facilities.  A trail from the Fenlands trail system connects to Vermilion Lakes Drive. 

Cycling

The Vermilion Lakes Road is part of the TransCanada Legacy Trail which leads to Bow Valley Parkway making it a popular location for cycling and running enthusiasts. The road offers stunning scenery along a controlled roadway with limited traffic. 

LOCAL HINT: Take note of the ‘caution cyclist’ signs along the road. This is to warn of speed bumps and significant cracks and craters in the road.  

Water Activities

The calm waters of Vermilion Lakes create a perfect place for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.  The three lakes are connected by waterways providing a unique and fun way to explore the marshlands.

Swimming is not embraced at Vermilion Lakes, as it’s home to various types of reeds and other water organisms that are not conducive to an enjoyable swim experience.

In the winter the water enthusiasts are replaced by skaters, hockey players, and ice kite surfers.

LOCAL HINT: Near the dock by the third lake look for the special water that flows from the creek across the road into the lake. During the winter it’s easy to spot because of the flowing water and green vegetation that surrounds it.

Bird Watching and Wildlife

Vermilion Lakes is the bird-watching mecca of Banff National Park. The wetlands support the highest variety of birds, in the largest numbers than anywhere else in the Park. Some birds are migratory while others stick around all year. Birds in the area are bald eagles, loons, great blue herons, osprey, red-breasted nuthatch, gray jay, and many more. 

It’s not just birds that like to hang around Vermilion Lakes. Other animals like elk, deer, mountain goats, bears, and even the odd moose have been spotted in the area. 

Fishing

Catch and release angle fishing is allowed at Vermillion Lakes from May to September with a national park fishing permit. Fishing should be done from one of the docks or the shore. Permits can be purchased at Banff National Park information centres, or local businesses that sell fishing gear. 

Summary

Vermilion Lakes is worth a visit if you are a bird-watcher, paddler, cyclist, photographer, or someone who enjoys great scenery and likes to relax by the water. If you only have a short period to visit, Vermillion Lakes would be classified as a ‘nice to see’ rather than a ‘must-see’. 

Anything Else I Need to Know?

Banff National Park is crowded!

Need a game plan to avoid the crowds? Check out our itinerary. 

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times.