Four Canadian spots ranked best on earth for a natural cold plunge
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to take a chilly dip, several Canadian destinations have been named among the world’s best spots for cold-water therapy.
Icelandic outdoor apparel company Icewear recently ranked the best destinations for natural hot and cold therapy. Canada has plenty of gorgeous hot springs, but it apparently has plenty more to offer for anyone willing to brave an icy plunge.
According to Icewear, hot and cold therapy has several benefits, from reducing muscle pain and swelling to boosting the immune system.
To create the ranking, Icewear compiled a list of 65 destinations around the world, then analyzed more than 54,000 reviews collected in January 2026, searching for positive terms including “authentic,” “relaxing,” “transformative” and “invigorating.”
Here are the four Canadian locations recognized in the report:
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Moraine Lake
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Icewear listed Moraine Lake as the world’s second-best destination on earth for cold therapy, just behind Lake Bled in Slovenia, with 72 per cent of its reviews containing positive terms. Located in Banff National Park, the “stunning turquoise gem” is undoubtedly one of the most photographed lakes in the world and offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and wilderness exploration. It’s glacier-fed, and water temperatures hover around 4Ā°C, making it a seriously chilly spot for a cold plunge.
Peyto Lake
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Located just off the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Peyto Lake earned positive mentions from 41.8 per cent of reviewers. Its vibrant turquoise waters and dramatic glacial surroundings make it a picture-perfect destination for cold-water therapy and quiet moments in nature. Similarly, the lake is glacial-fed, so no matter the season, you’re in for a frigid dip.
Banff National Park
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In addition to ranking Moraine and Peyto lakes individually, Icewear also recognized Banff National Park more broadly. The park earned positive mentions from 71.2 per cent of reviewers, many highlighting the beauty of its surrounding landscape and the “sense of awe” it inspired. Beyond the two famous lakes, Banff offers several other natural spots for cold-water swimming, along with nearby Banff Hot Springs where visitors can warm up afterward.
Lake Superior
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While Icewear listed Lake Superior as an American destination, anyone with access to a map can see the enormous lake also hugs Ontario’s shoreline. So yes, we’re claiming this one too. Lake Superior earned positive mentions from 47.1 per cent of reviewers, who highlighted its natural beauty. As the largest of North America’s Great Lakes, its vast waters and forested shoreline make for a pretty spectacular spot to take an ice-cold dip.
Know before you go
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If you plan to take a cold plunge, especially in a natural body of water, it’s important to understand the risks. Cold shock in water below 15Ā°C is real and can make it difficult to control your breathing and swim effectively. Stay close to the shoreline, and bring someone to keep an eye on you while taking a cold plunge.
Where to go for a hot dip
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On the other end of the spectrum, Icewear named Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park & Mud Spa in New Zealand as the world’s best hot therapy destination, followed by Thermae Bath Spa in England (70.3 per cent positive reviews) and the iconic Blue Lagoon in Iceland (68.7 per cent positive) in second and third place.
You can view the full ranking and methodology on Icewear’s website.