Lake Minnewanka
The largest lake in Banff National Park, about 21 km long, where sightseeing boats carry you deep into the mountains. An old village lies submerged beneath its waters.
Lake Minnewanka is about a 10-minute drive from the town of Banff. It is the largest lake in the park. After a dam was built in 1941 and the water level rose, the old Minnewanka Landing resort was submerged, and it is now an 'underwater ghost town' explored by divers. In summer, you can take a roughly one-hour sightseeing cruise from the dock deep into Devil's Gap, or rent a boat, or walk the lakeshore trail. Bighorn sheep are often seen by the roadside. The lake lies on the Minnewanka Loop, so it can be combined with Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake. In summer, Roam Transit Route 6 runs from Banff town; in winter, parts of the road are closed.
Opening hours
Open all day; boat tours in summer approx. 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Two Jack Lake
- Banff Hoodoos Viewpoint
- Tunnel Mountain
- Bow Falls
- Banff Town
- Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
- Fairmont Banff Springs
- Mount Norquay