Explore Lake Minnewanka

Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

4.2/5

based on 5 reviews

Save

View all 15 photos

All 15 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Description

Added by Tara Stamnes

See the coveted northern lights in the perfect dark viewing spot!

Head up to Lake Minnewanka on a high alert night to get the perfect view of the Canadian Northern Lights.

You can go online to get updates on the best times to go and where they will be the brightest. While the dam at the lake may be overrun with people, explore around and you can find a nice empty viewing spot. Alternately, you can head to one of the many campsites on the Lake trail before July and get a view all to yourself.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Adult Beverages

Beach

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Forest

Groups

Lake

Scenic

Wildlife

Reviews

Deane Carlson

Explore Lake Minnewanka

09/01/22

The trail is marketed as "moderate", but I think that's more for length rather than the trail itself. Very busy, people everywhere. Beautiful area though.

3.0

Explorer

Shawn Grenninger

Explorer

Explore Lake Minnewanka

08/31/22

The Views, WOW! This place is beautiful and the day I was there it was not overcrowded as I took a leisurely walk along the lakeshore. Amazing scenery!

5.0

Stephanie Léveillé

Explore Lake Minnewanka

08/01/22

What a beautiful spot!!!

4.0

Zielono Mi

Explore Lake Minnewanka

08/02/19

Super beautiful and very easy hike on a shore of the lake! Highly recommend for late afternoon! You can bbq around!

5.0

Explorer

Kevin Abernethy

Explorer

Explore Lake Minnewanka

04/07/17

This was the first spot we visited when we entered Banff and even though the overcast skies prevented us from seeing the northern lights it was still well worth the trip to the lake. Easy parking and a frequently visited area from people visiting the park.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Explore Bankhead Ghost Town

Bankhead is a ghost town which flanks Cascade Mountain and lies just south of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. The main portion of the ghost town is located in Lower Bankhead, which can be reach by traveling North on Range Rd 1158 (closed Nov - Apr), following the signs to Lake Minnewanka. The turn-off on the right is easy to miss, but is located at (51.232523, -115.524069). Upon turning...

Hike to the Hermit of Inglismaldie

As you drive towards Johnson Lake, the road will end at a parking lot where you should park. There are restrooms and picnic tables located in this same area. Due to the low elevation, the trail around Johnson Lake is a gentle walk, but trail conditions should always be checked especially during snow season. The main trail is 2.2 miles and will take you around Johnson Lake. To visit the cabin,...

Snowshoe to Johnson Lake

This is a well-traveled hike, so if you stay on the path, you'll likely need only a good pair of boots. However, in the middle of winter, the lake freezes solid, and you might enjoy exploring a little out on the frozen lake like we did. Snowshoes definitely came in handy out there.This is a very picturesque trail that weaves in and out of Douglas fir, spruce and pine trees, and loops around the...

Kayak Two Jack Lake

Of all the lakes in the Banff area, this was one of my favorites to get out on the water. Don't expect the bright blue glacial waters of some of the other lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but the water is pristine and it was one of the few places I went where it felt like it was all locals hanging out.If you are coming from the town of Banff, take the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive until you reach...

Take in the View at the Mount Norquay Green Spot

The "Green Spot" is a beautiful grassy slope that opens up to sweeping views of downtown Banff and the surrounding area. It's a great spot for photography, especially capturing the peak of Mt. Rundle. There's also a set of chairs conveniently placed on the slope so you can kick back and enjoy the sunset. Getting there from downtown Banff is easy. You'll head north up Mt. Norquay Road passing...

Hike Cascade Mountain, Banff NP

From Banff, follow the Norquay Road (the west access road to Banff) up to Mt. Norquay Ski Area. The trail begins from the day lodge at the far end of the first parking lot on the right.Walk by the front of the day lodge and follow a service roaddown through the ski area past the base of three chairlifts. A fewmetres beyond the Mystic Chair pick up the trail headingdownhill to Forty Mile Creek.A...

Explore Lake Minnewanka

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Explore Bankhead Ghost Town

Hike to the Hermit of Inglismaldie

Snowshoe to Johnson Lake

Kayak Two Jack Lake

Take in the View at the Mount Norquay Green Spot

Hike Cascade Mountain, Banff NP

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps