Medicine Lake (Alberta)

Medicine Lake is a lake within Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, situated in the Maligne Valley. It is notable for an unusual hydrology in which surface water drains through underground passages rather than a visible surface outlet.

The roadside viewpoint on the Maligne Road provides accessible panoramic views of the lake and surrounding valley, with picnic areas and informal short walks. Hikes and longer trails begin nearby for those who want to explore surrounding ridges and viewpoints deeper in the Maligne Valley.

The lake lies inside Jasper National Park, a protected area established in 1907; the unusual drainage behaviour has long been noted by park naturalists and visitors. The hydrology links the lake to the Maligne River via subsurface channels rather than a continuous surface outflow.

Located in the Maligne Valley roughly 20 kilometres southeast of the town of Jasper in western Alberta, the lake sits amid steep valley sides and coniferous forest within the Rocky Mountains.

• Unique hydrology: Water levels vary seasonally and the lake appears to 'disappear' at times because much of its outflow drains through underground channels into the Maligne River system.
• Access and viewpoint: An easy pullout and viewpoint are located on the Maligne Road about 20 kilometres southeast of the town of Jasper, making it a common short stop for travellers in Jasper National Park.