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Misty Minnewanka Lake in fall, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Jakub Fry拧 –

Top 10 Remarquable Facts About Lake Minnewanka

The beauty of the lake itself is immediate and striking: So perfectly jewel-toned, a giant polished emerald that stretches on for miles.

Then there are the options for recreation. Beautiful trails diverge from the lake area, including the lakeside trail that winds for 17 kilometers along the shore of Minnewanka.

But there鈥檚 more to Banff National Park鈥檚 largest lake than meets the eye. The Lake Minnewanka Cruise is your access to its little secrets and juicy history.

1. Lake Minnewanka was established in the late 1880s

Lake Minnewanka saw from Cascade Mountain Summit. Photo by Khoshhat –

Established in the late 1880s, Minnewanka Landing grew from one log hotel (and the lake鈥檚 first tour boat) into a busy summer village with seven streets, hotels, restaurants, and summer homes. The name Minnewanka comes from the Stoney Nakoda language.

2. Lake Minnewaka is located in a buried town

Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park, Canada. Photo by Gorgo –

These cool waters are preserving a former townsite, a burial ground that is easily the best scuba diving site in Banff National Park.

3. Divers enjoy scoping out the 16 features of Minnewanka Landing town

Bird at Lake Minnewanka. Photo by Parteek Sharma –

 Thousands of divers suit up every year to scope out any one of the 16 features of Minnewanka Landing, a resort town that was fully submerged after a dam built in 1941 raised the lake 30 meters.

Divers today come to see the old hotel and the buried bridge, viewed from a depth of 15 to 26 meters, or the shoreline from 1912, still visible today.

4. The lake got its name from the Stoney-Nakoda First Nations people

Lake Minnewanka as it appeared in 1902. Photo by J. Smith –

Lake Minnewaka鈥檚 special location and other archaeological sites document 10,000 years of the Pre-Contact Period. This lake got its name from the Stoney-Nakoda First Nations people. They called it Minn-waki or 鈥淟ake of the Spirits.鈥�

5. It is one of the top 10 spots in North America to catch this game fish

Lake Minnewanka Banff National Park. Photo by Ethan Sahagun –

Lake Trout anglers love Lake Minnewanka. It鈥檚 one of the top 10 spots in North America to catch this game fish鈥攐ne of Alberta鈥檚 largest. (License-holders can take home two per day.) Fifty natural springs feed into the lake, which runs as deep as 148 meters, providing a great habitat for Lake Trout.

 Rent a boat at the dock, spend the morning on the water, and don鈥檛 be surprised if a Rocky Mountain Whitefish or Lake Whitefish takes your bait as well! Visit the Lake Minnewanka boathouse to join a guided fishing trip or book a private fishing experience.

6. Boat cruises along Lake Minnewanka have operated for well over a century

Lake Minnewanka, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Audree –

Boat cruises along Lake Minnewanka have operated for well over a century. Lake Minnewanka鈥檚 first tour boat, the steam-powered Lady Brooke, set out in 1889.

 Into the 1900s, the tradition of boat touring continued with two cruise boats, Lady of the Lake and Daughter of the Peaks. Brewster Transport Co. complemented the adventure with rides from Banff to the lake via horse-drawn carriage.

Spring forward to today and you鈥檒l find the current cruise is a lovely way to see surrounding mountain views and to relax and watch the water鈥檚 wake from the rear of the boat while your guide fills you in on all the fascinating history and lore of the lake.

7. Take a cue from hikers walking toward the Minnewanka Lakeside Trail before you leave the lakeside

Lake Minnewanka. View on a part of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. Photo by Zeitlupe –

When your ride is over, chances are you won鈥檛 want to leave the lake just yet. Shake off the 鈥渟ea legs鈥� and take a cue from hikers walking toward the Minnewanka Lakeside Trail from above the boat dock.

This winding trail follows the lakeshore and is clear in the early or late season. Head back whenever you like, or keep on and explore the full 17 kilometers.

8. Catch a view of the Cascade River flowing into Lake Minnewanka while on your visit there

Lake Minnewanka. Photo by m01229 from USA –

Along the way, you鈥檒l reach the Stewart Canyon Trailhead. Veer up that path to catch views of the Cascade River flowing into Lake Minnewanka. 

For a more challenging walk and panoramic views of the lake, climb up the Aylmer Lookout trail from Stewart Canyon. Or backtrack to the Aylmer Pass trail and emerge into a sea of wildflowers and open meadows.

9. It is a short drive to Lake Minnewanka from the Banff townsite

LakeMinnewankaTelescope. Lake Minnewanka banff national park june 2018. Photo by Ketchell21  

Lake Minnewanka is a 15-minute drive from the Banff townsite. The main parking lot tends to fill up fast, but you have a few alternatives for getting here and avoiding parking troubles.

Bike along the Lake Minnewanka Loop, ride ROAM (Banff public transit), or book an Explore Banff tour with Brewster Sightseeing.

10. It is risky to swim in Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka and Mount Inglismaldie as seen from the road on the dam at the west end of the lake. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Diannaa –

You may swim in Lake Minnewanka at your own risk. We caution visitors against swimming here because Lake Minnewanka’s waters are extremely cold, even in the hot summer months.

Artifacts have been found on the shores of Lake Minnewanka that date back to 13,000 years ago, and the lake has a long human history. It’s believed that humans have settled along its shores for millennia.