Guide to Boom Lake Hike in Banff: Everything You Need to Know!
Boom Lake is located West of Banff town in between Banff and Lake Louise and very close to the Alberta/British Columbia border. It’s overlooked by Boom Mountain and to reach the lakeside you need to complete the 10km, easy Boom Lake hike through forestry.
This is an excellent hike if you want something that takes less than 4 hours, has no elevation gain, is quiet and has epic views at the end. So read on for the directions to Boom Lake hike in Banff!
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Boom Lake trail Banff is one of the locals’ favourite hikes because it’s easy, remote and lesser known to tourists than the likes of Johnston Canyon and Tunnel Mountain.
Quick Boom Lake Facts
Boom Lake alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/canada/alberta/tunnel-mountain-trail
Boom Lake hike length: The hike is 10.2km out and back (5.1km each way).
Boom hike difficulty: Considered moderate but I’m a beginner hiker and I found this trail easy. It has an early incline and the rest of the way is flat.
Boom elevation gain: Gain of 441 metres / 1447 feet.
Boom hike time: On average it takes about 1.5 hours per way. I spent almost 4 hours on this hike which included stops and views at the end. It took me 2 hours to hike out and 1.5 hours to hike back.
Best time to visit Lake Boom in Banff: Summer in Banff is usually between May and October and this is the best time to hike the trail, enjoy picnics at the lakeside of Boom Mountain and even take a dip.
Is Boom Lake trailhead open in winter? Yes you can do the Boom Lake snowshoe trail which isn’t too steep, easy to follow and has the frozen lake to enjoy at the end. You must remember the risk of avalanches here in the winter which is why I avoid hiking Banff in winter. If you wanted to skate, always follow Parks Canada guidelines here.
Starting point address: Banff-Windermere Highway, Field, AB
Lake Boom Day-Use Area has free parking, information boards, waste bins, picnic benches and washrooms (drop toilets and hand sanitiser).
Closest accommodation is Storm Mountain Lodge and Cabinsjust 5 minutes’ drive from the trail.
Banff Hiking Essentials
- Always check Boom Lake trail conditions and Boom Lake weather before doing the hike
- Sort accommodation in advance – You can base yourself at a Banff Hostel or stay at the closest accommodation called Storm Mountain Lodge
- Make Sure You Get Travel Insurance – I always use Coverwise when travelling unless on a working holiday visa where specific insurance is required. Coverwise is reliable, cheap, has straightforward policies that are emailed and kept on file and the website is easy to navigate. Find quotes for your travel insurance with Coverwise here.
- Pack – Ensure you’ve packed the essential clothes including hiking boots, layers, waterproofs, hiking gear such as water backpacks and hiking poles, sunscreen, basic first aid kits, hiking snacks and water
- Do I need bear spray in Banff?- YES! This is an important addition when hiking in Banff to protect yourself. You can buy it in town, on Amazon here, or rent it from your accommodation or convenience stores in Banff Town. Note: you cannot take this on an airplane with you as it is classed as a weapon.
- Getting Around Banff – Either book airport transfers, rent your own vehicle, get to know the local Roam Bus routes and note the Banff taxi number (+1 403-762-0000)
- Grab a Lonely Planet Guide, a map and maybe a hiking book for the area!
- Read all my Banff posts here
- Find your tours via Viator
- Safety comes first! Tell someone your route and how long you’ll be, consider a bear bell for your bag, pack bear spray, prepare for changes in weather and leave no trace.
Where is Boom Lake?
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Boom Lake is just half hour drive from downtown Banff and 20 minutes from Lake Louise located on the Alberta/BC border. It is a high-elevation lake which means you must hike the Boom Lake trail to reach the secluded lake with dramatic views of the surrounding mountains.
The name Boom Lake comes from a log boom that formed here because of driftwood pushed by avalanches.
I would highly recommend this hike in Banff if:
- You’re a beginner hiker
- It’s your first hike of the season
- You like gradual-incline hikes
- Clear paths are your preference
- You want something easy but not overcrowded with tourists
How to Get to Boom Lake Banff
The only way to get to Boom Lake Alberta is by driving yourself as there is no public transport to get there. Search Discover Cars for great deals on rentals in Canada if you don’t have your own vehicle.
You need to head for Boom Lake Day-Use Area to start the Boom Lake trail hike.
From Banff, it is about 30 minutes on Highway 1 heading West then left onto 93 and another left to get to the trailhead Boom which can be, and was, easily missed.
Boom Lake Trail Map
Boom Lake Hike Guide
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- At the Day-Use area you’ll see the Banff National Park sign for Boom Lake trail head like this:
- Then a pretty wooden bridge marks the start of the hike:
- After a few steady inclines you’ll be on a flat path for a while passing the trees, small streams and glimpses of the mountains
- You will pass this sign but stay on the regular path as the others will take you to O’Brien Lake and Taylor Lake (This is around 45 minutes-1 hour in):
- Finally you’ll reach a boardwalk and from here it’s just 5 minutes more to the lakeside
- Yay, you’ve found Boom Lake!
My Boom Lake Hiking Trail Experience
I did the hike to Boom Lake with a friend in late May and after a wet, cold and snowy May. Therefore my Boom Lake trail report is majority-covered in snow/ice which I believe made our time longer. But a few weeks later and this would’ve been a normal, clear-path route.
It took us 2 hours to get from the car park to the Boom lakeside and just 1.5 hours for the way back. We headed out about 11am and only saw two other groups on the way including a dog so the trail is dog-friendly.
When we got to Boom Lake it was still completely frozen over which, if you’ve seen frozen lakes in the Canadian Rockies, is nothing short of spectacular to witness. There were small icicles broken up at the edge of the lake, with a vast sheet of white covering the large area and backed by the huge and snow-capped Boom Mountain. I also appreciated the zen quietness along the trail; it was so peaceful.
More Easy Hikes to Do in Banff
- Tunnel Mountain in Downtown Banff
- Lake Minnewanka Loop
- Marsh Loop Trail
- Vermillion Lakes
- Bow Falls
- Perimeter of Johnson Lake
- Sulphur Mountain Hike (Including Gondola)
- Johnston Canyon
- In Fall: Larch Valley Hike & Sentinel Pass
- Visit Moraine Lake (the most beautiful lake in Banff)
More Canada Reading
Thanks for reading. Is this Boom Lake walk on your Banff list?
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