A tiny tree-covered islet at the south end of Maligne Lake, accessible only by boat. The 90-minute cruise from the Maligne Lake boat dock includes a short stop at the island. Tickets can be bought in advance from the Jasper townsite office or at the lake. Spirit Island is technically only a true island for a few weeks each year, when glacial meltwater raises the lake enough to cover the narrow spit connecting it to shore.
Spirit Island
Iconic islet on Maligne Lake, reachable only by boat
A story
An amateur photographer entered a shot of Spirit Island into a Kodak competition and won first prize. The photo was enlarged to billboard size and displayed in Grand Central Station in New York for years, seen by millions of commuters daily. It became one of the most recognized landscape photographs in the world.