Bow Lake, Icefields Parkway

Note: Parks Canada has closed paddling on Bow Lake for 2026.

In late-September, we stopped at Bow Lake on the way back from the Okanagan. We put in at the day-use area that is just south of the highway lookout . The carry from the parking lot was about 20m and there were pit toilets and picnic tables here.

The air temperature was between -1 and 1 as we approached the parking lot. The paddling permit box was crusted in ice and I had to chip my way in. 

After layering up, we launched off the gravel beach, crossed to the western shore and turned south (mostly because we haven't been to this end of the lake before).

It is hard to convey how spectacular this paddle is. The water is insanely blue. The mountains are enormous and right there. We had blue skies and no wind.

The clarity of the water is amazing. There was only one other kayak out and there are no rentals so the lake is rarely crowded.

We paddled south into the first little basin.

We then turned east and paddled through shallow spot into a second, deeper southern basin.

Eventually, we decided to turn around (being mindful go the long drive home). If we come back in the spring with higher water, I'd be keen to run the creek at the very south end into the southern-most basin.

Overall, a lovely paddle (despite the cold) and a nice way to end our fall trip into the Okanagan.

Mabel Lake Provincial Park, near Vernon

In mid-September, we had the chance to paddle Mabel Lake, about an hour north-east of Vernon. The road in is paved and lovely until the last five kms, when it becomes gravel. The lake itself is huge, running about 35km SW to NE. The width varies between 1 and 2km.

The day-use area include pit toilets, picnic tables, and playground and a lovely beach.

The beach is about a 60m carry from the parking lot (photo below looks back to the parking lot).

We chose to use the boat launch to save our shoulders. It has a dock, a shallow cement ramp, and a sandy launch right beside. There is also a marina and general store.

Since the lake was calm and our plan was to paddle about 10km around the southern basin, we crossed to the western shore and then turned south.

The western shore was very rocky. There are placed to get out but the first 2km were pretty sheer. 

The water is crystal clear.

Eventually, the shoreline starts to become shallower with more places to get out.

We stopped on the southern shore on a gravel beach for lunch and then turned east towards the inflow of the Shuswap River.

The bird watching was pretty incredible the whole time.

We saw two turkey vultures just hanging out.

Along the south shore there were herons (pictured) and white sandhill cranes as well as all manner of ducks.

There were also two swans that were unhappy to see us.

At the mouth of the river, we watched a bald eagle buzz and bunch of ducks, trying to find a lame one for lunch. We paddled about 500m upstream to continue watching this.

Eventually, we floated back to the lake and headed north up the eastern shoreline.

This was fairy built up with cabins and that brought us back the marina.

Objectively, the nicest paddle of the trip, I think. We did, however get lucky with the weather (+26C and no wind). A big blow would have made this paddle much less pleasant.