There is nothing more beautiful than visiting a glacial lake in the middle of Banff National Park. This lake was one of our first stops for viewing and hiking. Lake Minnewanka is 142 meters deep (465 feet) and 21 kilometers (13 miles) long. It is the closest lake to the town of Banff and it is the largest lake in the park. The color of the lake is so striking with jewel tones of emerald, it is so clear and clean. The beautiful color comes from the glacial meltwater. Minnewanka means "Water of the Spirits" and there is a legend that when the Stoney people would travel in the neighborhood of the lake, they could hear voices of the resident spirits. The lake offers plenty of recreation opportunities such as picnicking, hiking, taking a cruise, renting a canoe or kayak, rent a motorboat, or fishing for lake trout and mountain whitefish, and relaxing lakeside. Swimming is not recommended as the water is pretty frigid. The most unique thing about this lake is the town of Minnewanka Landing. In the early 1800's, it was once a thriving resort town. When the lake was dammed in 1941 to provide power to Banff and Calgary the water rose and now all that's left is a ghost town underwater. We decided to take a trail and hike. We were there in September and we were cautiously aware that bear season was approaching. We did not hike too far just about five miles around the lake's perimeter and returned as we had no bear spray. The scenery with the surrounding mountains was absolutely stunning and gorgeous. I believe the trail was the Stewart Canyon - Aylmer Pass Junction. On our way out, we got to see a couple of big horn sheep roadside. So cute! So much to see here and a great way to start our trip in Banff National Park. Love CANADA!! read more

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I know Moraine Lake and Lake Louise get all the glory, but I actually really liked Lake Minnewanka. It was less crowded and there were more things to do. They had boat cruises and you could rent a canoe, kayak, or motorized boat. Also, it was convenient and fast to take the Roam Transit 6 bus here. Also, it seems like all the wedding photoshoots were here since it's less crowded and you don't have to hike very far to get really great pictures. My tip - just follow the wedding photographers, they know the best spots to get good shots. The pier was just nice to hang out and take pictures as well. read more

Lake Minnewanka - lake minnewanka - Lakes Near Me - Banff, Alberta

Beautiful Banff. Beautiful lake and wildlife abounds here and there is an easy trail to walk and explore all that Lake Minnewanka has to offer. You can see wild animals pretty close and personally here but it is wise to respect the animals and let them be. We came in July and the weather was very ideal. 5 stars for Lake Minnewanka and two thumbs up! read more

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I have to be honest, I was a little underwhelmed with this place. It's nice and all, but it didn't wow me. You don't get the blues like you do at the other lakes. The mosquitoes here are not to be messed with. They do have boat cruises available. There are warnings that you should carry bear spray with you at all times and do not hike with less than 4 people. Maybe I'm missing something, but after seeing Lake Louise, Moraine and even Bow falls, this was not my favorite. read more

A nice 1.5 hour cruise to see the richness of the land and to hear about the history. An enjoyable excursion. Our guide, Liam was really well informed and explained a lot of the history. Glad we could squeeze this in during our week. read more

This is a big lake located near the town of Banff and like all the others around here, quite scenic. During our late September visit, we also got to enjoy a bit of the fall colors making their first appearance. The surrounding area for visitors is flat and there is an easy trail that goes around a portion of the lake's periphery. There are also some good picnic areas with a view of the lake. read more

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We took the lake cruise with Liam & Matt! Matt was very knowledgeable about history of the area and was great with everyone's questions. The lake and its surroundings are absolutely beautiful. Liam made sure to go closer to shore when wildlife was spotted. We saw two bald eagles, 2 young bucks, and a beaver! It was a great 60 min out in the water to experience the landscape from a different perspective. read more

Calm your mind and open your senses to an array of nature sure to relax mind and body! Nature truly is the best prescription for healing your spirit and body while clearing your mind! Feel the stress and worries melt away as you walk in the wonder of nature and stop to listen! No noise pollution, just birds chirping and the waves lapping the shore with the wisp of an occasional breeze traversing the placid mirror that is Lake Minnewanka!! read more

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One of my favorite spots we visited while in Banff! One of the lesser talked about lakes in the area (if you're an out of towner at least), Lake Minnewanka is a short drive or bus ride away from downtown. We used Roam public transit to get here, takes you right from town to the entrance of the Lake. A great option to avoid having to deal with parking, which filled very quickly when we were there. The lake has a boat cruise, boat rentals, hiking, gift shop, and a snack shack. On our Visit we partook in just about everything except for the boat rental - we were unsure how the weather would be so we opted for the cruise. Would definitely rent a kayak or canoe if I were to come back here though. For hiking we did a portion of the Stewart canyon trail, which was my personal highlight from our time at the lake. Due to the approaching bear season that was just days away, and the Lake being on the edge of grizzly territory, we made it to the bridge and then turned back. Important to note: if you plan to come here in mid July through September it is stated that you should hike in groups of four and have at least two cans of bear spray. We didn't see any bears during our time on the trail and felt safe the whole time, but didn't want to risk it being a twosome with no bear spray. After our hike we hit the Black Anchor snack shack. Options were limited to burgers, hotdogs, and similar items. We opted for hot dogs and chips which were ready just in time for us to catch the bus to our next lake. On the way out we saw a big horned sheep in the road, apparently this is one of the best spots in Banff to see them. Really cool to see in person! read more

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Lake Minnewanka (Water of the Spirits) I would highly recommend for families with small kids as well as history or geography buffs, to take the lake cruise. The fun easy going 1 hour cruise & presentation is excellent & informative. https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/ The seats were how can I say this delicately ... a wee bit Jet Blue ish or Ryanair type ... you know so tight were your knee is touching the back of the seat in front of you. I thought the seats on the boat we were on, could have been a little higher up the window line for better viewing. Recommend bringing a small seat cushion if you have one. Our presenter & captain did a swell job! Kudos to them making the ride safe & enjoyable! A Lake Minnewaka cruise provides an alternative way of experiencing Banff National Park. https://youtu.be/CoQqhFmz0fU Would I say this is a must ... nope. However, if you're considering it & have extra time & want to know a bit of history about this area ... why not! Hot Tip News Alert - after completion of the cruise & upon leaving the parking lot, make sure to take & follow the 'Two Jack Lake' routing! Why ... well because you might be lucky to come across some wildlife ... see my Big Horn Sheep pics! It's a slow & scenic route. It eventually gets you back towards the main road heading back to downtown Banff & is absolutely worth it! You're welcome! read more

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My favorite place to visit every year I come to Banff. The lake is beautiful and within the vicinity are two more lakes that have the same levels of beauty - Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake. The mountains bordering the lake are amazing and the lakeside trail is an easy hike that takes you to different vantage points too. Highly recommend this less touristy area of Banff for serenity and gorgeous views. read more

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We did the Minnewanka boat tour as part of the Banff adventure package we purchased, which included four of the greatest things you can do in the park: the gondola, skywalk, icefield adventure, and this boat tour. It was a blast and super relaxing. We'd been doing so much hiking, driving and adventuring, that being able to relax in a boat while hearing wonderful park stories was incredibly nice. Our boat was small, which was nice because we could all hear our guide very well. We took the English-speaking tour and our guide was interesting, funny and engaging. He shared a really entertaining story about a particular bear in the park and it's the story we brought back to tell everyone (it's CRAZY but you have to go to hear it!). Enjoy this beautiful spot! read more

Beautiful lake and beautiful views. We decided to do a polar plunge on the shore and everyone in group had so much fun doing it. Th water is freezing but it's worth the experience. They have hiking trails and boat rentals as well. The entrance road is actually a loop and I recommend driving up one side and down the other to get mixed views! read more

Lake Minnewanka - Lakes Near Me - Banff, Alberta

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This was our final rainy day activity of the day today. We came to do the Stewart Canyon hike. It's about 1-1.5 km from the parking lot, so it's a very quick hike. The trail is almost completely flat and very easy. The only downside today which was that it was very muddy. At the end of the hike there's a bridge with a nice overlook of the canyon. The views of the lake along the way are great. The lake is a very pretty blue green color. There was plenty of parking when we got there around noon, but by the time we left around 2, it was completely full. If you're looking for an easy hike in Banff, this is a good one. read more

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Serenity can be found here, but to find it you've got to getaway from the parking area! After my visit I imagine the most serene way to experience this Lake would be from the water. The lake is massive, flanked by incredibly powerful mountains on all sides. It would take a decent boat to make your way across the lake from end to end across any axis. Visiting in early Winter, the boat house had closed for the season, so I didn't have the option. I did spot a few folks in a canoe, and I immediately thought how brave they must be to paddle a tiny and unstable vessel out into the middle of a frigidly cold lake. Or maybe I was thinking how foolish they must've been to go out there in the first place? No matter. More importantly, seeing the canoe really illustrated the scale of the environment. The canoe appeared so reachably close, yet so small that it felt far away. Voices would carry a little, but you couldn't make out the words. It seemed so small because it was the smallest thing out there! This lake is beautiful, and I can only imagine what it's like to hang out in the warmer months. It's so easy to get to from Banff too. Truly, Banff is breathtaking. read more

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WOW this is a very beautiful lake. Its located inside Banff. Its great that this year is Canada's 150 birthday, which means that free parking. There are two areas that you can stop and take pictures. OMG the water was emerald green on one side and the other was blue. I was amazed. You really have to come here to check this lake out. Stunning and amazed. read more

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This is a beautiful lake near Banff town. Great to visit for a cruise, picnic, or hiking.

This is one of the most beautiful places in the Banff region. It was recommended to us by one of our friends and was amazing. Having said that, on a busy day, be ready to face parking woes. We went there on the Sunday of the Canada Day long weekend and it was jam-packed. It is a few kilometers off the Trans-Canada highway - just before Banff. On our way to the lake after getting off the highway, we saw cars lined up on the side of the road as much as 2.5-3 kilometers before the lake. There is a parking lot next to the lake and it has staff guiding the cars. However, it can get full easily and you find a spot will totally rest on someone pulling out their car. The lake itself is great. Absolutely breathtaking mountains and a pristine lake. It's a good place to picnic as well. One can boat as well, as we saw many people loading and unloading their boats back to their trucks. They have a cruise but I didn't see people too excited about that as even on the super busy day, there weren't many people opting for the cruise. Overall, definitely recommended if you're going to Banff but try to go on a non-busy day, if possible. read more

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In terms of pure beauty, Lake Minnewanka is a distant third to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. However, that statement speaks to the epic splendor of the latter two lakes rather than disparage Lake Minnewanka. Moreover, it is the largest of the three main lakes in Banff. It is the closest lake to the Town of Banff at a 15 minute drive. Visitors can also take the buses in town to get to the lake. Of course, Lake Minnewanka is spectacular in its own right. It is long and winds in between the mountains like a snaking river. Unlike the other two lakes, you cannot see all of Lake Minnewanka by simply going there and standing at one lookout point. Accordingly, visitors need to take a cruise or hike the shoreline to see the entire lake. I paid the $62 for the scenic cruise. I bought the tickets ahead of time. There were visitors who bought the tickets at the Lake. Of course, it is safer to buy the tickets in advance to guarantee your spot, especially during busy times. The boat is long and comfortable. I stood at the back of the boat most of the trip because there are no windows there. It can get cold but I enjoyed feeling the breeze off the lake and fresh air. In addition, it was the best spot for pictures because there are no windows with smudges to obstruct the photos. I also utilized a waterproof sleeve, with a strap, that prevented my phone from flying out of my hands and off the boat. The boat cruise lasts approximately an hour. You will see the mountains on all sides of the Lake as the boat sails through the water. The ship takes you to a midway point where you can look at the mountains that mark the end of the other side of the Lake. It is a beautiful spot that is the highlight of the cruise. The boat also does not have a restroom. Accordingly, do not drink too much water before you embark. I drank two cups of coffee in the morning and was worried I would need to go. If you do not want to pay for the cruise, visitors can also hike the lakeside to get to the same spot that the boats sail to then turn around. However, it is a 17.1 km (10.6 miles) out and back on the same trail with a 360 meter (1,181 feet) elevation change. On the other hand, you can also just go as far as you want or can handle then turn back. After the cruise, I took the recommendation of the tour guide to walk 1.5 km (0.9 miles) to a bridge lookout point (follow the signs to Stewart Canyon). In actuality, there was not much to see on the bridge. It is where the lake empties and the river flows outward. However, the spots right before the bridge were awesome. There are unofficial lookout points that give you views of a bay of the lake, a pier with boats, and a set of mountains in the background. I highly recommend the walk as an addition to or in lieu of the cruise. If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary/ recommendations, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

This place was gorgeous! We came in the middle of October and the road to Lake Morraine was closed and I believe this was a good substitution. This lake was huge and gorgeous. It was also an easy walk around. The trail above Lake Louise was frozen and slick but there wasn't snow around LM. This lake is very close to Banff and wasn't nearly as crowded as Emerald Lake or Lake Louise. I think it's a great spot to checkout. The drive is pretty and we even saw some mountain goats on drive. I highly suggest checking this lake out! read more

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Very beautiful, Lake Louise was still frozen over so it was great to find a crystal blue lake that wasn't! I would consider camping/lunching in this area, it smelled fantastic. read more

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Pretty but not much to see. It was enjoyable but try not to pay alot for the cruise. Staff was very nice.

We only drove around Lake Minnewanka, but it was beautiful. The lake was large and beautiful, had wildlife nearby, and had many stops where you could get out to enjoy a picnic. read more

This was the first lake that our local photographer took us for the wedding photos. I love that this lake wasn't so touristy and majority of the visitors seem to be local. Although the weather wasn't really cooperating with us, we thoroughly enjoyed all the many different spots, such as the green tunnel and the cabin where we had to run to hide from the rain. The lake is indeed very stunning, because there was so much photo ops spots. Thank God we hired local photographer, because he showed us many spots that only locals would prefer and this was definitely a hidden gem. read more

We had a one hour long cruise. Our tour guide was an awesome tour guide!! Very funny and informative.

Definitely recommend the boat tour, Captain Matt and Captain Shea were amazing! Great stories and history about the park and lake. Thank you both for making our experience great! read more