Vermilion Lakes, Canada Photography Hot Spot

This is an incredible location for dynamic photography. We traveled to it and gave you all the details you need.

The Vermilion Lakes are an ideal spot for photographers. The stunning scenery surrounding the lakes, including the majestic Canadian Rockies and breathtaking views of Mount Robson and Mount Columbia, provides many photographic opportunities.

The best time to photograph the lakes is in the early morning or late evening when the sun is low in the sky. The sun’s light will reflect off the still waters of the lakes, creating a beautiful mirror effect that shows the reflections of the sky and mountains in its depths.

The stillness of the water allows for perfect reflections, allowing photographers to capture stunning shots. As you make your way along the shoreline, you’ll find different vantage points to capture the ideal image.

The water’s coolness will provide a refreshing break from the summer heat. The surrounding forests are home to a variety of wildlife, allowing photographers to capture beautiful shots of animals in their natural habitat.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Vermilion Lakes are located just outside Banff National Park and require only a short drive. The drive is worth it for the spectacular views, wildlife, and photography opportunities.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS WE TOOK AT VERMILION LAKES

Our specialty is to show you what type of photographs you can expect to get when you travel here. Here are a few.

WHEN TO VISIT VERMILION LAKES:

The beauty of Vermilion Lakes can be enjoyed at any time of the day. However, try visiting at sunrise or sunset for the most pleasing aesthetic. Not only will this make for amazing pictures, but it also ensures that the lakes won’t be as packed with tourists. This is a Milky Way location, but the sun also sets very late here. Go during a new moon if you can during the months that the sun does not set so late; otherwise, it is still an incredibly dynamic place to do photography, even without doing Milky Way Photography. It is a tourist destination, so the weekdays and off-season are the best times. It gets brutally cold here in the winter, so keep that in mind. However, during our June trips, there were not many people there.

HOW LONG TO STAY AT VERMILION LAKES?

If you are looking for a quick visit to take in the views and snap some photos, then 1 hour should suffice. But if you want to do some hiking or canoeing around the lake, plan on staying longer than that. There are two trails to explore, and canoe rentals are available through Banff Canoe Club. For an all-encompassing experience, set aside a couple of hours.

WHAT TO PACK

In the Canadian Rockies, the weather can change at any moment, so it’s essential to pack for the weather. Here’s a list of things to remember to bring for your visit.

Water and Snacks
Bug repellent
DSLR Camera
Tripod
Wide Angle Lens & a Zoom Lens
Polarizing Filter

TRAILS AROUND THE LAKE:

Fenland Trail

The lakes near Banff provide an excellent opportunity for a brisk stroll, and the trailhead is just minutes from downtown. This path is an easygoing and level meander through the Echo Creek marshlands, with several informative signs that shed light on the region’s wildlife and history.

The Fenland Trail takes around an hour to circle 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) and is available throughout the year. Verdant foliage and numerous wildflowers grace it in the summer, making it a great spot for unique images.

Echo Creek Legacy Path

The Echo Creek Heritage Trail, near Banff, is a brilliant scenic walk that isn’t too difficult. The route spans 3.5 kilometers (2.16 mi) as an out-and-back track along the Banff National Park legacy path and generally takes around an hour or so to complete. While hiking the path, you can get a lot of dynamic images.

Views of stunning mountains will accompany you along the way, making it a popular spot for bird photography. This trail starts at the end of Vermilion Lakes Road, near Banff town limits.

BOATING ON THE LAKE

Those interested in experiencing Vermilion Lakes from the water should consider renting a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Head to The Banff Canoe Club at Wolf Street and Bow Avenue in Banff. Rentals operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are available by the hour. Enjoy paddling through Vermilion Lakes via Forty Mile Creek, or venture into Echo Creek.

Bringing Your Own

Bring your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard for a day on the water. Launch your equipment from the public docks at Wolf Street and Bow Avenue. These municipal recreation facilities are accessible to everyone.

NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION:

Passes—You must have a pass to visit the parks. You can purchase one when you arrive or before you leave. Here is the link to the different types of passes.

Seasonal Closures and Restrictions—Be sure to read this before you go.

We don’t go anywhere without our Think Tank Camera Bags. Special offer!

VERMILION LAKES PHOTOGRAPHY INFORMATION

Camera Settings

Shutter Priority – You have moving subjects, such as birds, so you’ll want to shoot in shutter priority to ensure they come out clear, and adjust your ISO accordingly. If you shoot birds moving fast, increase your shutter speed to about 1/1000th of a second. If it’s a bright sunny day, go as high as 1/1200th of a second, which will stop the action.

Manual Mode – You occasionally have moving waters here at the edge of the water. You will have to use a tripod for the milky water effect. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and the neutral density filter you use. See our Waterfall Photography Page for more information.

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Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

HOTEL INFORMATION

WHERE TO STAY

You will find our favorite hotel right across the street from the entrance to Vermilion Lakes. It is not downtown like the others, but out here in nature. Click here to go to their website.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

OUR FAVORITE CANADIAN ROCKIES RESORT

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

1029 Banff Avenue, Banff – (800) 563-8764 in Canada/USA | +1(403)762-5531 Local – The Banff Rocky Mountain Resort is the perfect rocky mountain getaway for any traveler. They feature suites and condo-style accommodation in Banff National Park. Stay with them and enjoy the comforts of home and more. This picturesque location has a dining room, a deli, tennis courts, health facilities, a swimming pool, squash courts, and conference facilities. Take your vacation at Banff and live the mountain lifestyle.

Click here to go to their website.

CANADIAN ROCKIES NATIONAL PARK INFO:

Passes

To visit the parks, you must have a pass. You can purchase one when you get there or before you go. Here is the link to the different types of passes.

Free admission for youth 17 and under.

As of January 1, 2018, admission to Parks Canada places for youth 17 and under is free!

Daily

Adult	$11.00
Senior	$9.50
Youth	free
Family/Group	$22.00
Commercial Group, per person	$9.35

Parks Canada Discovery Pass

Adult	$75.25
Senior	$64.50
Family/Group	$151.25

Order your Discovery Pass here!

CAMPGROUNDS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

DOWNLOAD BANFF NATIONAL PARK BROCHURE

Lake Louise Campground: Address: Located 1.3 km east of the Village of Lake Louise on Fairview Road. Lake Louise, AB

Phone: 1-877-737-3783 – Located just minutes from the Village of Lake Louise, this year-round campground is perfect for anyone needing space for larger units and people wanting power without full hookups. It is close to local attractions and offers mountain views, year-round camping and access to hiking and biking trails. Evening interpretive programs are offered during the summer season.

Sites: All 187 campsites have picnic tables and electrical hookups. Some sites have fireboxes. Electrical-only sites (15 and 30 AMPS) can accommodate RVs up to 15 meters (50 feet) in length. A maximum of 6 people and two vehicles are permitted on each site. All vehicles must be parked on the gravel area of the campsite. All soft-sided camping units must stay in the Lake Louise Tent Campground enclosed electric fence.

Services: The campground has flush toilets, showers, and hot and cold running water. There is a sani dump.

Mosquito Creek Campground

For tents and RVs that are no more than 27 feet long. This site is conveniently located near Icefields Parkway, providing easy access to Lake Louise and various local attractions. Visitors can access dry toilets, a picnic shelter, food lockers, and safe drinking water on-site. However, you must travel to Lake Louise if you need to dump waste from your RV. Keep in mind that there is no cell phone coverage at the campground. The nightly fees are $17.60 for no fire and $26.40 for a campfire.

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