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Lake Minnewanka
Best time to visit
Early morning between 8 and 10 AM offers the calmest water surface and the best reflections for photos. In September, the autumn colors reflect beautifully on the lake's surface and there are fewer crowds.
Budget tips
Visiting the lake is free, but parking costs 11.50 CAD per day (2024). Bringing your own picnic backpack and renting a canoe with a group of friends cuts the costs in half.
Recommended for
Adventurers, Photographers, Natural divers and snorkelers, Traveling families by car
Plan your visit
1.5-3 hours
About
Quick facts: A 23-kilometer-long lake, it is the largest in the Canadian Rockies, and its steep underwater canyons reach depths of 142 meters. The clear turquoise water is completely replaced every 20-30 years, which is rare for mountain lakes.
Highlights: A perfectly preserved ghost town lies beneath the water: a 19th-century holiday village and an entire residential area that was submerged during the construction of the dam. In the clear water, divers can still see the foundations of houses, roads, and even the remains of an old bridge at a depth of 30 meters.
Insider tips
- Drive to the eastern end of the lake to see mountain goats that come down to the cliffs to lick minerals from the soil at sunset.
- Book a boat tour in advance, as the submarine-like glass-bottom boats sell out a day before.
- Bring a book and snacks to the end of the Stewart Canyon trail; it has the most peaceful picnic spot on the lake without crowds of tourists.
- The wind often picks up in the afternoon, so if you are going kayaking or paddleboarding, you should set out no later than 11 AM.
Practical info
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