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Moraine Lake, Canada

Canada · Banff National Park

Moraine Lake

That turquoise is not edited.

Moraine Lake, Canada: the film this place features in

Moraine Lake features in this Unreal Places episode · real footage, no AI imagery

Watch the full film and read its guide

Why it looks like this

  • Glaciers grind rock into a powder so fine it floats in the water ("rock flour"), which reflects blue-green light.
  • The lake is usually frozen until early summer, so the colour only lasts a few months a year.

How to actually go

  • The road is closed to personal vehicles; use the Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial service.
  • Climb the Rockpile at sunrise for the classic Valley of the Ten Peaks view.

Best time: Mid-June to early October.

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