Owl Lake
Near Canmore · Banff National Park
Trail score 46 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Owl Lake is a 7.2 km out and back trail near Canmore in Banff National Park. It runs 3.6 km each way. The route gains 260 m in total and tops out at 1,930 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Marvel Pass Trail at 0.5 km, and passes two other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Owl Lake. Also used for trail running and horseback riding.
- Length
- 7.2km
- 3.6 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 260m
- Estimated time
- 2h30min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,930m
- Lowest point
- 1,750m
Elevation profile
1,750 m to 1,930 mHighest point 1,930 m, lowest 1,750 m, 260 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 24% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 0% of route
0% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 3.6 km
- Model
- 2024 · Natural Resources Canada
Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.
Along the way
- 3.4 kmOwl LakeLake
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake
Trailhead
The trail starts at 50.8885° N, 115.5026° W.
Banff National Park admission
National park admission required
Pass details
Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.
Information checked October 21, 2026.
Before you go
Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:
Nearby trails
- Marvel Pass SouthModerate · 17.6 km · 728 m gain · 0.0 km away
- Wonder Pass · Marvel LakeEasy · 3.2 km · 73 m gain · 1.5 km away
- Mount Turner RouteHard · 8.3 km · 962 m gain · 1.5 km away
- Marvel LakeModerate · 11.3 km · 286 m gain · 2.0 km away
- Wonder Pass / Marvel Lake TrailHard · 19.4 km · 757 m gain · 2.1 km away
- Marvel Peak TraverseHard · 12.1 km · 1,824 m gain · 3.2 km away
All 588 trails in Banff National Park
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30