Spirit Island is a beautiful peninsula tucked away in Jasper National Park. Photographer Peter Gale had his photo of Spirit Island featured in Kodak’s Colorama showcase in NYC’s Grand Central Terminal in August and September of 1960. Since then, Spirit Island is a highly sought after destination and is considered one of the most photographed places in the Canadian Rockies.
High on my bucket-list, I convinced Jake to canoe 28km round-trip to one of the most beautiful places in Jasper National Park for sunrise. This experience was absolutely incredible and it is now one of most treasured memories from our trip. In this blog post we are going to share all of the details of our trip to Spirit Island, so you can experience the magic of Malgine Lake too!
Let’s get started!
Planning your trip to Spirit Island
Where is Spirit Island Located?
First of all, Spirit Island is located approximately 14km into Magline Lake. Magline Lake is located in Jasper National Park, a 48Km drive from the town of Jasper.
Fun fact: Magline Lake is one of the longest lakes in the Canadian Rockies (22.5 Km long!) and is the second largest Glacier fed lake in the world.
Best Time to Visit Spirit Island
Due to it’s remote location, the best time to visit Spirit Island is late spring to early fall when the weather is warm. Like I stated above, Spirit Island is only accessible via the water so you need to visit when the lake is not frozen over. Peak season would be considered the summer months (June to August). We visited in early October and had an incredible sunrise without any other people around.
We choose to reach Spirit Island for sunrise which we cannot recommend enough. Watching the sun rise over the mountains was the definition of magic. However, the best photography light is late morning to early afternoon depending on the time of year you are vising.
Note: Always make sure to check the weather conditions and be prepared for anything. The weather in the Rockies is unpredictable and can change quickly.
Wondering how we plan our trips? Check out our guide here to get insider tips of how we plan epic adventures!
How to get to Spirit Island
Spirit Island is only accessible via water. There are no hiking trails or roads leading to this spot. This means that you will need to either rent a canoe or purchase a ferry ticket!
Canoeing
We rented a canoe through Wild Current Outfitters and we cannot recommend this company enough! (Not an affiliate link, we just love them!)
We traveled to Jasper at the end of season (early October) and payed $90 for a full 24 hour rental. The owner met us the night prior to drop off our paddles, life jackets and dry bag. (You can also pick them up at a store located in downtown Jasper if you are planning to leave during their business hours.) He gave us tips for our trip and sent us a map that we could follow. He was extremely helpful.
The canoes themselves are stored right at the shoreline of Maligne Lake. He gave us the lock code the night prior and we unlocked the canoe when we got there! We specifically chose this company because we wanted the ability to leave prior to sunrise.
You can rent canoes at Maligne Lake Boathouse as well. Their boathouse is operational from June to late September from 9:30 – 4:00pm. Their daily rate is $200 which was a bit out of our budget, and if you return the boat after 5pm the day you rented it, it will be considered a multi-day rental.
Boat Cruise
You can also purchase tickets for the Maligne Lake Cruise at the boathouse, if you are looking for a faster way to get to Spirit Island. These boats run from the end of May to October. Tickets are approximately $75 per person for the classic cruise which is 1.5 hours long.
This is the perfect way to visit Spirit Island if you are not looking to canoe a long distance or if you are looking to spend only a few hours instead of an entire day here!
Wondering how we take all of our photos? Check out our complete gear list here!
Canoeing to Spirit Island
Canoeing to Spirit Island is a bucket-list experience. If you have the time and the will-power, we highly recommend choosing to canoe to the Island rather than taking the ferry.
We woke up at 3AM and drove to Maligne Lake to begin our adventure in complete darkness. We paddled 14km with only the stars above us and headlamps on to guide us. As first light hit, we saw the magic of Maligne Lake unfolding around us. We were surrounded by some of the most incredible mountains we have ever seen. Witnessed a Caribou swim right behind our boat as we paddled through a narrow channel. We enjoyed our coffee right on the docks and watched the sun come up in complete solitude. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
Our Tips for Canoeing to Spirit Island
If you chose to canoe to Spirit Island, we recommend leaving early in the morning. The owner of Wild Outfitters shared with us that the lake can start to get rough after 9am, and he was absolutely right. Our paddle to the Island was so calm, there were barely any ripples in the water. During our paddle back from the Island, the water was rough and the wind had definitely picked up, making the paddle more difficult.
If 28km of canoeing in one day sounds like a bit too much, there are campsites along the lake that you can book to break up your trip. This was our intention, however all of the campsites were booked. There are very few along the lake, so make sure to book them well ahead of your trip. For more information about camping at Maligne Lake, check out the link here.
Be prepared for anything. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Rockies. Dress in layers, pack extra layers in your dry bag. Bring plenty of food and water. Also bring a fire source just in-case. The Rockies are home to a vast array of wildlife, specifically the Grizzly Bear. Always pack bear spray with you!
Leave no trace. This is the most important piece of advice that we can give you. Always dispose of waste properly, do not take anything with you and be respectful of wildlife. Remember that you are guests in their home!
What to Pack for your Canoeing Adventure
Final Thoughts
Spirit Island is one of the most beautiful places in the Rockies. Whether you purchase a ferry ticket or rent a canoe, this place needs to be added to your bucket-list ASAP! We had such an incredible time canoeing and exploring this area. Maligne Lake is truly magical. This will be one adventure that we will never forget!
Have you been to Spirit Island? Is it on your bucket-list? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy Travels 🙂
Kaylee + Jake
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