Things to do at Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park, reached by an 8 km loop road just 12 km from Banff townsite and served in summer by Roam Transit's Route 6.

The paved Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive strings together picnic areas, day-use spots and lookout points, and the road corridor is one of the more reliable places in the park to spot bighorn sheep and elk grazing the roadside slopes, especially early morning or evening.

From roughly late May or June to September, a covered tour boat runs scenic cruises along the lake, weather and water levels permitting; outside that window the dock and facilities are closed up. Anglers fish for lake trout with a valid national park fishing permit. The water is glacial meltwater year-round, cold enough that swimming is not something most visitors attempt, even on a 25-degree August afternoon.