TOP 10 MUST SEE PHOTO SPOTS FOR YOUR CANADIAN ROCKIES ROADTRIP
- Rach Stewart
- 14 hours ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
I first visited the Canadian Rockies in 2018, and in October 2025 I returned with my Canadian partner (and personal tour guide!) to explore places I hadn’t yet seen and to experience the incredible autumn colours once again. The Canadian Rockies have long been high on my landscape photography bucket list and are home to some of the most iconic mountain scenes in the world. After seeing so many breathtaking images of turquoise lakes, dramatic peaks, and golden larch forests, I couldn’t wait to return and have another chance to photograph this truly spectacular part of the world.
The Canadian Rockies are one of the most spectacular mountain regions in the world. Stretching across western Canada through the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the landscape is filled with turquoise lakes, towering peaks, glaciers and endless alpine wilderness.
One of the best ways to experience this region is by road trip. Driving through the Rockies allows you to stop frequently, explore hidden corners, and witness constantly changing scenery .... from glacier fed lakes to rugged mountain passes.
On my most recent journey through the Rockies, I visited some of the truly iconic and photogenic places in the region. In this guide, I’m sharing 10 of my favourite photography locations in the Canadian Rockies ... places that stood out to me across my trips and that I believe belong on every photographer’s road trip itinerary:
CONTENTS
DO I NEED A PARKS CANADA PASS FOR THE ROCKIES?
You will need either a Canadian National Park Day Pass or an annual pass, known as the Discovery Pass, to enter any national park in Canada..
The Canadian Rockies National Parks consist of Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Waterton National Park, and Jasper National Park.
You can purchase Canada Parks Passes online, at the entrance gates to the parks, or at tourist information centres.
TOP 10 MUST SEE PHOTO SPOTS FOR YOUR CANADIAN ROCKIES ROADTRIP
RUNDLE FOREBAY RESERVOIR, CANMORE CANADA
This amazing little lake was probably my favourite of all the photo spots I visited in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the easiest to get to. The effort / reward ratio is crazy good for this place ... it is a park the car and a short walk and you're greeted with one of the most incredible views.
The Rundle Forebay Reservoir is just a short drive from Downtown Canmore and is a great sunrise spot. If you are lucky to get it on a windless day the reflections are beautiful. You can park your car at the entrance gate and then walk to the foreshore to find a spot to photograph from.
THE THREE SISTERS, POLICEMAN CREEK, CANMORE CANADA
The Three Sisters Peaks are easily the most recognisable and iconic mountains in Canmore (maybe even the Canadian Rockies!). If you want to photograph a distinctive and unique set of mountains in the Rockies, then this classic photo spot is the place to come.
Access to Policeman Creek is fairly easy with a short walk from the carpark to the rivers edge. Park your car at the Canmore Off Leash Dog Area carpark, cross over the Bow Valley Trail road, go beneath the train tracks, and you'll discover a path that leads to the photo point in roughly five minutes.
I was here at sunrise just after a fresh dump of snow in October 2018. The reflections were perfect, and there weren't many people as it was an early start to the morning.
MORAINE LAKE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
Moraine Lake is probably one of, if not the, most famous of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Its incredible blue glacial water and the dramatic Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounding it makes it an insanely good landscape photo.
The lake’s colour comes from rock flour carried into the water by melting glaciers.
I first visited Moraine Lake in 2018 when it was still possible to drive the road to the lake and get there fairly easily for sunrise. However the road is now closed to the public, and the only way to access the lake is by shuttle.
Moraine Lake's access is also now limited to the period from June to mid October and can only be reached through Parks Canada shuttles, private shuttles, or approved commercial transport. For more info on shuttles check out the Banff Lake Louise website.
By far the best time to visit Moraine Lake is at sunrise to catch the soft light illuminating the peaks and reflecting perfectly on the lake’s surface. Head up the Rockpile Trail for a higher vantage point over the lake, and there are many beautiful locations along the shoreline as well. Hire a canoe for some on the lake shots for something different!
HERBERT LAKE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
One of the quieter but incredibly photogenic stops along the famous drive through the Canadian Rockies is Herbert Lake. Located just off the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, this small lake often gets overlooked in favour of the more famous turquoise lakes nearby like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, but this little spot has incredible views and reflections that I think rival those famous lakes especially at sunrise.
On calm mornings the lake can produce beautiful mirror reflections of the surrounding peaks and forest, making it an amazing sunrise location when the light is soft and the water is still, and if you're lucky some morning fog when it's cold enough.
We arrived at Herbert Lake just after sunrise during golden hour and it was truly beautiful. This one is actually my favourite lake along the Icefields Parkway and it's so easy to get to. Just park the car in the carpark and it's a short 1 minute walk through a few trees and you are at the shoreline.
PEYTO LAKE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
One of the most iconic viewpoints in the Canadian Rockies is Peyto Lake, located just off the spectacular Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. In recent years it has become quite a famous Instagram spot with its striking wolf head shape and vivid turquoise colour. The first time I travelled the Icefields Parkway in 2018 the lake track was closed so I wasn't able to visit, so on my recent trip back to Canada I made sure to stop here.
Peyto Lake is fed by glacial meltwater from the nearby Peyto Glacier, which gives the water its surreal blue hue. The elevated viewpoint at the end of the track offers an incredible panoramic perspective of the lake winding through the valley below, surrounded by rugged peaks and dense alpine forest.
You can park your car in the Peyto Lake carpark and then hike the short 2km trail to get to the lookout. If you veer slightly to your right as you get to the lookout you can go underneath the boardwalk and capture some foreground in your photo. Beware in the Autumn/Winter months this track is superrrr slippery and icy. I would advise spikes or crampons if you have any ... I think I must have fallen at least 10 times trying to get to the lookout!
We arrived at the lookout for golden hour/sunset and managed to capture the last of the light in the valley.
ATHABASCA FALLS, JASPER NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
Athabasca Falls is one of the more famous sets of falls along the Icefields Parkway, and I can absolutely see why.
The falls tumble down a rugged limestone canyon, shaped over millennia by the mighty Athabasca River. The water cascades over a series of rock ledges, which look amazing in a long exposure photo.
The trail around the Athabasca Falls has a range of viewing platforms and offers several great vantage points, from capturing the main cascade to exploring the swirling potholes and canyon textures downstream. It’s an incredibly dynamic location to photograph, especially in the early morning or evening when the light is softer and the crowds are smaller.
We visited in the early afternoon as it was the only time we could fit it into our schedule .. and although it was a little busy, it was absolutely worth it.
SUNWAPTA FALLS, JASPER NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
Sunwapta Falls was my favourite waterfall I visited in the Canadian Rockies. It is another super impressive waterfall along the Icefields Parkway, located in Jasper National Park. Fed by glacial meltwater from the Athabasca Glacier, the powerful blue waters of the Sunwapta River plunge dramatically through a narrow canyon before continuing downstream.
The main falls are easily accessible from the nearby parking area, making it a quick but absolutely worth it stop for photography. The contrast between the rushing turquoise water, rugged rock walls, and surrounding forest creates a beautiful scene, especially with the group of trees in the middle of the rapids creating an island and central focal point.
There are various little tracks that you can take to get a good composition of the falls. My favourite is from across the small bridge, then to your left there are some tracks through a small forested area which you can shoot from with a clear view of the falls.
This was another stop we made in the early afternoon, but still it wasn't overly busy and the light was actually really beautiful coming through the clouds.
THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY ROAD SHOTS CANADA
The Icefields Parkway is a scenic highway connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks and is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever experienced. This is one of those roads where around every corner is a jaw dropping scene and you just can't quite believe the beauty you're looking at.
Along this road there are endless opportunities to capture classic Canadian Rockies road shots as the winding highway leads through insane mountain peaks in both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park ... especially during quiet early mornings after sunrise when the light is still golden and the roads are empty.
There are too many spots to name exactly, so my suggestion is just to keep your eyes open for beautiful scenes and get the camera out whenever it is safe to do so!
EMERALD LAKE, YOHO NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
Tucked away in the stunning wilderness of Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake is one of the most beautiful and photogenic lakes in the Canadian Rockies. With it's incredible emerald coloured water and the iconic Emerald Lake lodge and bridge placed perfectly along the lake, this is a beautiful landscape photo to add to your Canadian Rockies portfolio.
The shoreline offers endless compositions, and the reflections of the nearby mountains ranges are incredible in the emerald water. You can hire canoes from the canoe rental to add a human element to your shots (plus the lake is beautiful to paddle around in). I was lucky enough on my first visit to stay at the lodge and tried for sunrise photos, however the weather wasn't really on my side so I didn't get any golden light. However when we returned last year we arrived in the afternoon at golden hour and sunset and managed to capture some beautiful light on the mountains.
Early morning probably your best bet to photograph the lake before the crowds arrive, and there is more chance of a reflection.
The lake is very easy to get to, you can park your car in the Emerald Lake carpark and the lake is right there next to the car park.
WEDGE POND, KANANASKIS COUNTRY, CANADA
Wedge Pond was a total surprise to me on my first trip to the Canadian Rockies. I didn't know a whole lot about it but I thought it might be worth a visit as it was peak Autumn colours and I had seen a few images from that location which were stunning with the changing colours. Wedge Pond is just off the highway in the beautiful Kananaskis Country, and just a short walk to the lake,
Although it is a small lake, it is incredibly photogenic with Autumn trees, the rugged peaks of Mount Kidd, and beautiful reflections on a still day. It’s an easy roadside stop along the scenic Kananaskis Trail, making it a great location to pause and take in the landscape.
I went in the mid morning as time allowed me to get there at that moment, but I am guessing the early morning or late evening light would work especially well here, when the wind often drops and the mountains reflect beautifully across the glassy surface of the pond.
Thanks so much for taking to time to read my Top 10 Must See Photo Spots for your Canadian Rockies Roadtrip. I hope it helps with your planning of an epic adventure for photography in the Canadian Rockies and inspires you to visit this beautiful country soon.
If you are interested in prints of any of the Landscape Photography seen in this blog, please feel free to head on over to my Photography Print Store and have a little look around.
