Continue beyond Medicine Lake to reach Maligne Lake (48 km/30 mi from Jasper), the largest glacier-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies and second largest in the world. Activities are plentiful, but other than taking in the spectacular vistas, the only thing you won’t need your wallet for is hiking one of the numerous trails in the area.
The most popular tourist activity at the lake is a 90-minute narrated cruise on a glass-enclosed boat up the lake to oft-photographed Spirit Island. Cruises leave every hour on the hour 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in summer, with fewer sailings in May and September (adult $55, child $27.50). Many time slots are booked in blocks by tour companies, so reservations are suggested.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the Boat House, a provincial historic site dating to 1929, for $30 per hour or $89 per day. Double sea kayaks go for $35 per hour and $107 per day. The lake also has excellent trout fishing, a gift shop, and a café.
Maligne Lake Shuttle runs out to the lake 3–4 times daily mid-May–late September. The first shuttle leaves for the lake each morning at 8:30 a.m. ($40 round-trip). All commercial operations to and around the lake are operated by Maligne Tours (616 Patricia St., 780/852-3370 or 866/625-4463, www.malignelake.com [1]), based in downtown Jasper [2].
Links:
[1] http://www.malignelake.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/canadian-rockies/banff-and-jasper-national-parks/town-jasper