Lake Agnes (Alberta)

Lake Alpine lake in Banff with historic teahouse

High‑alpine lake near Lake Louise in Banff National Park reached by a popular trail; hikers stop at the Lake Agnes Tea House for views back toward Lake Louise and surrounding peaks.

Main image

Lake Agnes is a small alpine lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, located above the Lake Louise area in the Canadian Rockies. It is a popular short-destination hike for park visitors and day hikers.

A historic teahouse sits on the lake shore and provides a seasonal refreshment stop that draws much of the visitor traffic; many hikers combine the lake visit with nearby viewpoints such as the Big Beehive. The setting is high-mountain forest and rock with panoramic views back toward the Lake Louise valley.

Trails to the lake are well established and used year-round in summer and shoulder seasons; in winter the route requires appropriate equipment and experience. The lake and its facilities are within Banff National Park and are managed under park regulations.

Lake Agnes sits on the slopes above Lake Louise in Banff National Park, accessed from the Lake Louise village/trailhead in the Bow River valley.

  • Seasonal teahouse: The lakeside teahouse is open seasonally and is a popular rest point for hikers on the well-marked trail from Lake Louise.
  • Trail character: The trail to the lake climbs from the Lake Louise area and includes steeper sections and a series of switchbacks and steps; footwear and basic hiking preparation are recommended.

What to See #

  • Lake Agnes Tea House: A small, seasonal teahouse located on the lake shore that operates for much of the prime hiking season and is a focal point for day visitors.
  • Big Beehive viewpoint: A nearby rocky viewpoint offering panoramic views down to Lake Louise and across the valley; reached by established trails from the lake.
Lake Agnes (Alberta)
Lake Agnes, Lake Louise area (Banff National Park), Alberta, Canada
51.4147, -116.2472
Free (Lake Agnes Tea House charges for food/beverages; trailhead parking may have fees)

How to Get to Lake Agnes (Alberta) #

From the Lake Louise parking area (Trans‑Canada Hwy/Highway 1), follow signed trails toward the Lake Agnes Teahouse (approx. 3.4 km one-way, ~400 m elevation gain). Trails are well-marked within Banff National Park; park entry and trail conditions via Parks Canada.

Tips for Visiting Lake Agnes (Alberta) #

  • Start the hike early to avoid the popular mid-day crowd and afternoon storms common in the Rockies.
  • Bring cash for the historic Lake Agnes Tea House (opened 1905) - card acceptance can be limited at times.
  • If visiting in shoulder seasons, be prepared for snow patches above treeline and use microspikes if icy.

Best Time to Visit Lake Agnes (Alberta) #

Best in summer for hiking and the Lake Agnes Tea House; shoulder seasons require caution for snow/ice.

Summer
June-September · 5-20°C (41-68°F)
Main hiking season with clear trails and the Tea House in operation.
Late spring/early autumn
May-June, September-October · 0-12°C (32-54°F)
Quieter; early snow possible and the trail can be icy-check conditions.

Weather & Climate near Lake Agnes (Alberta) #

Climate

Lake Agnes (Alberta)'s climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -20°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (901 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
16°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -8°C and lows of -20°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-20° -8°

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -18°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-18° -4°

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-14° -1°

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-8°

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with 92 mm of rain.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

August

August is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
16°

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2° 11°

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -14°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-14° -3°

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -19°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-19° -8°

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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