Too massive to comprehend and far too diverse to explore in a lifetime, Canada is a veritable behemoth of a country, where the vast majority of the population dwells within one hour’s drive north of the 49th parallel and U.S. border. The rest of Canada’s 34 million people? Spread out far and wide, from the Atlantic shores of Newfoundland and Labrador to the Pacific coast of British Columbia and the far north Arctic Ocean town of Alert on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut.
With so much land, 10 million square kilometres to be almost exact, it comes as no surprise that Canada has a phenomenal array of beautiful lakes. Alpine lakes, glacial lakes, boreal forest lakes and more, many city-dwellers from Vancouver to St. John’s live for the tranquil rest and recreation that lake life provides. To pay homage to that very culture and spirit, altogether Canadian in character, here are 10 of the Great White North’s most magnificent lakes.
Lake Athabasca, Alberta and Saskatchewan
Number eight in size in Canada, massive and deep Lake Athabasca straddles the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and boasts some of the most impressive scenery in the country. Home to Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park, the lake draws scores of tourists to what amounts to an unparalleled geophysical environment in North America.
Synonymous with championship ski events and pristine alpine beauty, Lake Louise is both a four season resort area and of course, fantastic body of water to behold. The valley glacial lake is the main attraction in Banff National Park.
Lake Okanagan, British Columbia
Deep and near mythical in status, gorgeous Lake Okanagan is home to destination and recreation hamlets like Kelowna, Peachland and Penticton, not to mention a gem of a New World wine industry. Just look out for Ogopogo, the lake’s resident sea creature.
If you want to visit the exquisite Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, check out hotel rates for nearby Vancouver.
Pristine Lake Winnipeg, a colossal body of freshwater that ranks just outside of the top ten in the world, is one of Canada’s new potential UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For what reason pray tell? It all starts with a unique lake ecosystem, from unexplored islands and bat caves to a network of boreal forests and tributary rivers.
Smallwood Reservoir, Newfoundland and Labrador
At the nexus of the vast Churchill Falls hydroelectric project, Smallwood Reservoir ranks second in the world. No other body in mammoth Newfoundland and Labrador is bigger and as the source of the Churchill River, the reservoir is critical to the lifeblood of the province. A remarkable number of dikes (88 in all) dam the water in place and contain the near 6,500 square kilometre area. If you’re a structural engineer, a terrific and awesome sight to witness in person.
Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories
The seventh largest lake in the world isn’t exactly easy to access, remotely located as it is in the Northwest Territories. However, if you can manage a trek up to this unbelievable part of Canada’s north, the rewards will be inherent and plenty. For pristine nature in all her glory, the big sky landscape, wildlife and vistas get no better than on the shores of this peaceful body of water.
Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories
The same plaudits for Great Bear Lake apply to Great Slave Lake, within vast Thaydene Nene National Park in the Northwest Territories. Great Slave is actually just behind Great Bear in size and as a result, ranks eighth in the world. But size has nothing to do with the appeal here, with eclectic migratory birds, dense boreal forests and First Nations culture in copious abundance.
Bras d’Or Lake, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
The brilliant lake in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – one of Canada’s most glorious destination jewels – is the saltwater home of some of the best lobster and oyster populations in the world. Modest development on the lake’s shores offer great vacation options, popular with residents of Halifax.
Home to the one of the most idyllic lake resort towns in Canada, Crystal Lake’s source is a network of subterranean springs whose confines are extremely hospitable to watersports enthusiasts. The lake also boasts a proximate golf course and popular public beach.
A notable oasis for scores of people who want to beat a hasty retreat from the intense summer heat of Toronto, Lake Simcoe in Ontario is a gem. The freshwater cottage country lake is just as fun to explore in winter, when it transforms into a massive sheet of ice. Georgina Island in the middle of Lake Simcoe is home to a First Nations reserve.
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