00 · Reservoir in Banff National Park · Alberta · Banff National Park

Lake Minnewanka

The largest lake in the park, with a boat, a shoreline trail and a drowned town.

Cruise & parking Getting there & parking Opening times

View plan

Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

10 kmFrom Banff

(6 mi) northeast via the Lake Minnewanka Road

1 hourBoat cruise

guided, season 8 May to 12 October 2026

1.6 kmTo Stewart Canyon

30 m (98 ft) up, 1 hour return

Lake Minnewanka: the big lake on Banff's doorstep

A boat, a shoreline and a canyon, with a drowned town under the water.

Lake Minnewanka lies in Banff National Park, 10 km (6 mi) northeast of the town of Banff. It is 18 km (11 mi) long, up to 100 m (328 ft) deep and sits at 1,450 m (4,757 ft). Parks Canada calls it very popular: the day-use parking lot fills in summer, and Roam public transit is recommended.

It is the only lake in the park open to motorboats. The cruise run by the operator Pursuit leaves from the dock at the day-use area, next to the boat rental.

Below the surface lies the town of Minnewanka Landing: the 1912 dam partly flooded it and the 1941 dam submerged it completely. Between spring and autumn the water level rises by up to 5.5 m (18 ft).

Parks Canada: Lake Minnewanka (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

In numbers

From Banff: 10 km (6 mi)
Length of the lake: 18 km (11 mi)
Maximum depth: 100 m (328 ft)
Elevation: 1,450 m (4,757 ft)
Boat cruise: about 1 hour
2026 cruise season: 8 May to 12 October
To Stewart Canyon: 1.6 km, +30 m (98 ft)
Water temperature: seldom above 10 °C (50 °F)
Roam Route 6 from Banff: about 25 minutes

Banff National Park profile

01 · Plan

Cruise & parking

Ten kilometres from Banff, by bus, by car or on a tour.

Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

How to get there and parking

Ten kilometres from Banff, by bus, by car or on a tour.

Roam Route 6 from Banff

The summer bus runs from downtown Banff to the lake in about 25 minutes, stopping at Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake and Two Jack Lake. The 2026 season ends on 4 October. With a same-day cruise ticket bought in advance, the ride is free.

Roam Transit: Route 6 to Lake Minnewanka (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

By car

The day-use area is 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Banff on the Lake Minnewanka Road. Parking is limited, with 5 accessible stalls, and the lot is full in summer. BanffNow shows free spaces.

Parks Canada: hiking trails in Banff National Park (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Minnewanka Loop in winter

From November to May, the western section of the Minnewanka Loop Road is closed to vehicles to protect an important wildlife corridor.

Parks Canada: seasonal closures and restrictions (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

To the dock

The ticket office on the dock is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot and the bus stop. Pursuit asks you to check in at least 15 minutes before departure.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka Cruise, location and hours (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Price list

checked 4 Oct 2026

Entry fees, cruise and rentals

The park pass covers the lake; the cruise and rentals cost extra.

Banff National Park entry, as of 4 October 2026
Item	Price
Daily pass, adults (18–64)	12.25 CAD
Daily pass, seniors (65+)	10.75 CAD
Daily pass, family/group, up to 7 people in one vehicle	24.50 CAD
Children and youth up to 17	free
Discovery Pass, adults	83.50 CAD
Discovery Pass, seniors	71.50 CAD
Discovery Pass, family/group	167.50 CAD

At Lake Minnewanka the Banff National Park pass applies; Parks Canada lists no separate parking fee at the lake. You pay for the cruise and boat rentals with the operator. Parks Canada: Banff National Park fees (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

The park pass is enough

To visit the lake you need a Banff National Park daily pass or a Discovery Pass. Children and youth up to 17 are free. Prices are in the table.

Parks Canada: Banff National Park fees (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Boat rentals

Pursuit rents out small aluminium motorboats for 4 to 5 people, kayaks and canoes at the dock. According to the price list, a motorboat costs from 205 CAD for the first hour, a single kayak from 65 CAD and a double kayak or canoe from 130 CAD, plus GST. You must be 18 to rent.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka boat rentals (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Cruise tickets

You book the cruise with Pursuit or through partners. Without a ticket bought in advance, it is first come, first served. The operator does not refund purchased tickets.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka Cruise, location and hours (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Trails from the day-use area

How far it is from the dock

Three trails from the Lake Minnewanka day-use area, with Parks Canada's figures. Only the short walk to Stewart Canyon is open at the moment.

Stewart Canyon

Shoreline trail to the bridge over the canyon. Easy; plenty of rocks and roots after the first kilometre. Open.

One way: 1.6 km
Elevation gain: 30 m
Return: 1 h

Aylmer Lookout

Further along the shore and up to a decommissioned fire lookout. Difficult. Closed since 16 September 2026.

One way: 11.6 km
Elevation gain: 770 m
Return: 7–8 h

Aylmer Pass

Same trail to the second junction, then on to the pass. Difficult. Closed since 16 September 2026.

One way: 13.1 km
Elevation gain: 970 m
Return: 8–9 h

Trail data and closure according to Parks Canada, accessed 4 October 2026. Parks Canada: hiking trails in Banff National Park (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Best time to visit

Boat season from May to October; skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

2026 cruise season

The cruise runs from 8 May to 12 October 2026. From 28 September, boats depart between 10:00 and 17:00, and the ticket office opens at 9:30.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka Cruise, location and hours (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Rental hours by season

In 2026 the boat rental is open from 8 May to 12 October. In high summer (12 June to 31 August) from 9:00 to 18:45, at the end of the season from 10:00 to 16:45. Boats go first come, first served; Pursuit recommends arriving first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka boat rentals (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Afternoon wind

Parks Canada warns of very sudden strong winds and waves on the lake, especially in the afternoon. The water is seldom warmer than 10 °C (50 °F).

Parks Canada: boating in Banff National Park (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

In winter

In winter the lake is a destination for cross-country skiing, winter walking and snowshoeing.

Parks Canada: Lake Minnewanka (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

02 · On site

At the lake: Stewart Canyon, Two Jack Lake and water rules

What you can do on the shore and on the water, and which trails are open.

Photo: Khoshhat ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗

“Very sudden strong winds and waves, especially in the afternoon, and water seldom above 10 °C (50 °F).”
Lake Minnewanka in winter, with ice floes drifting by the shore.

At the lake: Stewart Canyon, Two Jack Lake and water rules

What you can do on the shore and on the water, and which trails are open.

Shoreline trail to Stewart Canyon

From the day-use area, the Lake Minnewanka Trail follows the shore to the bridge over Stewart Canyon: 1.6 km (1 mi) one way, 30 m (98 ft) up and 10 m (33 ft) down, about one hour return. The first 800 m (0.5 mi) run along a paved road through the day-use area.

Parks Canada: hiking trails in Banff National Park (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Closed since 16 September 2026

Beyond the Stewart Canyon bridge, the Lake Minnewanka Trail, the Aylmer Pass Trail and campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22 and Lm31 are closed until further notice because of black bears seeking food. The order was still in force on 4 October 2026; violations carry fines of up to 25,000 CAD.

Parks Canada: closure of the Lake Minnewanka Trail, Aylmer Pass Trail and campgrounds (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Swimming and boats

Swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are allowed in Lake Minnewanka. Your own canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are not: paddling is only possible in rental boats from the shore that stay on the lake. Your own motorboat needs a Parks Canada inspection booked in advance. On nearby Two Jack Lake your own canoes and paddleboards are allowed, with a self-certification permit against invasive species.

Parks Canada: water activities and water zones (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lakeside campground lies 10 km (6 mi) from Banff on the shore of Two Jack Lake, for tents and small RVs up to 8.2 m (27 ft), with 10 oTENTiks. In 2026 it is open from 21 May to 5 October.

Parks Canada: campgrounds in Banff National Park (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Diving to the drowned town

The remains of Minnewanka Landing lie in three diving areas. Every dive here is a cold-water, high-altitude dive; artefacts must not be removed.

Parks Canada: scuba diving in Banff National Park (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Photos of the place

Boat dock at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park with the boathouse and tour boats, Mount Inglismaldie in cloud behind. — Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Two Jack Lake in Banff National Park in evening light: pink-tinged, still water with two stones, a wooded island and snowy peaks. — Photo: Jakub Fryš ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Guided on site

Bookable through our partners: the operator's one-hour cruise, a sightseeing tour with the gondola and the cruise from your hotel, a stargazing evening at Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake, and a helicopter flight over the lake departing from Morley, outside the park.

Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park from the rocky west shore, Mount Inglismaldie on the right, the lake stretching far up the valley. – landscape illustration

Cruise · 1 hour · offer via GetYourGuide

Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise

The official cruise run by the operator Pursuit: an hour on the largest lake in the park with a guide and captain, and stories about wildlife, Indigenous culture and the drowned town of Minnewanka Landing.

4.7 out of 5 stars1,046 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €49.76as of 4 Oct

1 hour
Guide in English
Departs from the dock
Provider: Pursuit

Start Boat dock at Lake Minnewanka, a few minutes' walk from the parking lot and the bus stop.

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

Included are the cruise, live commentary and the guide, plus a free return trip on Roam Route 6 on the day of the cruise; food, drinks and tips are not. The cruise may not operate in bad weather. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. The ticket is non-refundable. Landscape image, not a provider photo · Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Day trip · 1 hour on the lake · offer via GetYourGuide

Banff: sightseeing, Banff Gondola and Lake Minnewanka cruise

Six and a half hours with a guide and hotel pick-up: Bow Falls, the Hoodoos and Two Jack Viewpoint, the gondola up Sulphur Mountain and, to finish, an hour-long cruise on Lake Minnewanka.

4.8 out of 5 stars52 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €178.75as of 4 Oct

6.5 hours
Hotel pick-up
Gondola and cruise included
Provider: Pursuit

Start Pick-up at your hotel, return to Banff included.

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

Included are pick-up and return, a guide, the gondola ticket, the one-hour cruise, light snacks and a light lunch; tips are not. A bus with a wheelchair lift must be requested at least 72 hours in advance. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Evening tour · 2 hours of stars at Two Jack Lake · offer via GetYourGuide

Banff Nightfall: Lake Minnewanka & Two Jack Stargazing Tour

Five hours in the evening in a small group: a viewpoint above Banff, a 45-minute stop on the shore of Lake Minnewanka and about two hours of stargazing at Two Jack Lake with a telescope, binoculars and heated chairs.

4.8 out of 5 stars37 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €88.39as of 4 Oct

5 hours
Maximum 13 guests
Pick-up in Banff and Canmore
Provider: Into the Wild Tours

Start Pick-up at 20 hotels and meeting points in Banff and Canmore, including HI Banff Alpine Centre, Moose Hotel & Suites and the Legacy Trail Parking Lot.

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

Included are the guide, transport, hot drinks, headlamps, heated chairs, a telescope, binoculars and an iPad with a constellation app; food and tips are not. Minimum age 6. The tour only runs under clear skies; if the provider cancels for weather, you get a full refund. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Landscape image, not a provider photo · Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Scenic flight · departs outside the park · offer via GetYourGuide

From Morley: 30-minute helicopter flight over Lake Minnewanka

A thirty-minute flight with commentary from the pilot. Take-off and landing are at the base near Morley, east of Canmore, outside the park. The flight crosses the Ghost River and End Mountain into the Lake Minnewanka valley and follows the shore to the middle of the lake; there is no landing in the park.

4.9 out of 5 stars65 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €217.62as of 4 Oct

30-minute flight
Maximum 5 guests
Departs near Morley
Provider: Alpine Helicopters

Start Alpine Helicopters base near Morley in Kananaskis: log building on the ring road at the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. No hotel transfers.

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

Included are the scenic flight and parking fees; hotel transfers are not. There is a 5-minute safety briefing before the flight. A flight needs at least two people. Luggage, large bags, alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the atlas. Offer details checked 4 Oct 2026. See official prices.

03 · Nearby

Onward from here

Lake Minnewanka lies in Banff National Park, Canada's first national park. You need a park pass for every day in the park; everything else that applies is in the park profile.

Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Map

Lake Minnewanka on the terrain map

Six points, each verified against an OpenStreetMap object; all lie inside the park boundary. All points are on the Banff National Park map, with details and photos.

Show on mapBanff National Park map · 3D terrain

Nearby

Other popular destinations in the same national park.

Park guide

Banff National Park

Lake Minnewanka lies in Banff National Park, Canada's first national park. You need a park pass for every day in the park; everything else that applies is in the park profile.

Photo: Mokozza ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Also in Banff · about 17 km away

Banff Gondola

Eight minutes up, then along the ridge to the old weather station, with views of six mountain ranges.

Photo: Ron Cogswell from Arlington, Virginia, USA ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗

Also in Banff · about 32 km away

Johnston Canyon

Catwalks on the rock wall, two waterfalls and ice in winter, 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Banff.

Photo: Thank you for visiting my page from Canada ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗

Also in Banff · about 57 km away

Moraine Lake

No private cars, no mobile signal, no running water, and from the Rockpile one of the best-known views in the Rockies.

Photo: Florian Fuchs ↗ · CC BY 3.0 ↗

Also in Banff · about 62 km away

Lake Louise

The parking lot is full before sunrise. Come with a plan and you will still see the lake.

Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Lake Agnes in Banff National Park: clear turquoise water with driftwood on the shore, dark rocky peaks with patches of snow behind.

Also in Banff · about 63 km away

Lake Agnes Tea House

One to two hours uphill from Lake Louise, and at the top everything is made by hand.

Photo: Jonathan Mueller ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗

Also in Banff · about 95 km away

Peyto Lake

A short walk from the parking lot, and the lake lies far below you.

Photo: Douglaspperkins ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Distances are straight-line, not driving distances.

Field book 01Good to know Field book 02Frequently asked questions Field book 03Sources and last checked

Field book · Lake Minnewanka

checked 4 Oct 2026

01Good to know

What often gets missed when planning.

No bear spray on board

Bear spray is not permitted on the cruise boats. Wheelchairs up to 32 inches wide fit on the back deck; the boat interiors are not wheelchair accessible.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka Cruise, location and hours (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Cycling in late summer

Every year from 10 July to 15 September a cycling restriction applies on the Lake Minnewanka Trail, so bears can feed on berries undisturbed.

Parks Canada: seasonal closures and restrictions (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Snack shop by the shore

The Black Anchor Snack Shop by the lake sells snacks and drinks to go. Toilets are at the parking lot.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka Cruise FAQs (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

02Lake Minnewanka: frequently asked questions

Short answers, with sources.

How long is the Lake Minnewanka cruise?

About one hour, including the safety briefing and boarding. On the way, a guide tells you about the history, the geology and the drowned town of Minnewanka Landing.

Pursuit: Lake Minnewanka Cruise FAQs (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

When does the Lake Minnewanka cruise run in 2026?

Until 12 October 2026; the season began on 8 May. At the end of the season, boats depart between 10:00 and 17:00.

Pursuit: 2026 opening dates (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

How do I get from Banff to Lake Minnewanka without a car?

On Roam Route 6, which runs from downtown Banff to the lake in about 25 minutes in summer. In 2026 it runs until 4 October; with a same-day cruise ticket the ride is free.

Roam Transit: Route 6 to Lake Minnewanka (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Can you swim in Lake Minnewanka?

Yes, swimming is allowed. But the water is seldom warmer than 10 °C (50 °F), and Parks Canada warns that a capsize can lead to hypothermia.

Parks Canada: water activities and water zones (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Is the Lake Minnewanka hike open?

The short walk to Stewart Canyon is open. Beyond the bridge, the Lake Minnewanka Trail and the Aylmer Pass Trail have been closed because of black bears since 16 September 2026; the closure was still in force on 4 October 2026.

Parks Canada: closure of the Lake Minnewanka Trail, Aylmer Pass Trail and campgrounds (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

Can I paddle my own canoe on Lake Minnewanka?

No. Paddling there is only allowed in rental boats from the shore. Your own canoes and paddleboards are allowed on nearby Two Jack Lake.

Parks Canada: water activities and water zones (accessed 4 October 2026) ↗

03Sources and last checked

Operator, municipality and park authority, each fact cited individually.

Places on the map

Lake Minnewanka Reservoir, 18 km long
The largest lake in Banff National Park and the only one where motorboats are allowed.
Location source ↗
Lake Minnewanka Day-use Area Boat dock and day-use area
Start of the cruise and the boat rental. Toilets, picnic tables and interpretive panels by the shore.
Location source ↗
Lake Minnewanka parking lot Parking lot
Limited stalls, 5 of them accessible. Full in summer.
Location source ↗
Stewart Canyon Canyon and bridge, 1.6 km
Destination of the short shoreline trail. Beyond the bridge, the Lake Minnewanka Trail has been closed since 16 September 2026.
Location source ↗
Two Jack Lake Lake on the Minnewanka Loop
A small lake with a day-use area and a lakeside campground. Canoes and paddleboards are allowed here.
Location source ↗
Johnson Lake Lake on the Minnewanka Loop
A Roam Route 6 stop on the way to Lake Minnewanka. Swimming and paddling allowed, fishing not.
Location source ↗

How current is this information?

Researched 4 Oct 2026. Not a live status. Prices, timetables and opening hours change; please check with the operator before you travel.

Current information from the operator ↗

Image and map credits

Stage Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Image 1 Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Image 2 Photo: DXR ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Image 3 Photo: Jakub Fryš ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Quote Photo: Khoshhat ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt

Location sources: every point on the map links to the OpenStreetMap object its coordinate comes from. Markers do not imply that access is permitted.

End of the field book · Park authority ↗