Bowman Lake

Bowman Lake sits in the remote northwest corner of Glacier National Park, a long turquoise ribbon of water backed by dramatic peaks that reflect almost perfectly on calm mornings. The stillness of the lake makes it one of the best reflection spots in the park, and you will want to arrive at or before sunrise to catch the light hitting the mountains before any breeze disturbs the surface. Position yourself at the shoreline near the campground or wade slightly into the shallows to get a low angle that maximizes the mirror effect. A wide angle lens works well for capturing the full mountain backdrop, while a longer focal length lets you compress the peaks and isolate details in the reflections. The access road is unpaved and roughly 6 miles long, so drive slowly and plan for extra travel time. The road typically opens in late spring and closes again with the first heavy snows of autumn. (Glacier National Park, Montana, United States)