Scenic Views · Fishing · Alberta
A westbound pull-off on the Trans-Canada Highway along the shore of Lac des Arcs, between Calgary and Canmore, with a first big view of the Bow Valley mountains. Handy, but windy and dusty, with a cement plant in view.
This pull-off sits on the Trans-Canada Highway where it follows the south shore of Lac des Arcs, a wide stretch of the Bow River just east of Canmore. For many drivers heading west from Calgary, it's the first close view of the Rockies, and several visitors called it a great introduction to the mountains on the way to Banff.
It's a quick roadside stop with parking listed as wheelchair accessible. The lake is right beside you, and in winter visitors have walked out to see the snow and bumpy, cracked ice against the peaks. One reviewer who stopped in winter found the scene stunning.
Lac des Arcs is part of Bow Valley Provincial Park, and the nearby day-use area beside the campground has a hand launch for canoes and kayaks, picnic spots and fishing. Windsurfers use the lake too, because the valley funnels strong wind through here.
Reviews are more mixed than at most viewpoints. Several people point out that it's dusty, very windy and that the Exshaw cement plant sits in the view, and a few felt there are much better photo stops further into the parks. If you do walk onto winter ice, be cautious: it's a river, and the ice can be uneven and cracked.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 77 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
