Lake Minnewanka is certainly on the unofficial bucket list that sits in the back of my mind. As a Calgarian, Banff is practically in my backyard. And still, there are popular places I still haven’t explored.
Lake Minnewanka is a common weekend destination for campers, paddlers and hikers. In fact, it has become so common that Banff and Lake Louise Tourism recommend alternative forms of transport due to parking limitations. I have even been to Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka’s smaller, next-door neighbour, but somehow I haven’t made to the 28 km long, stunning blue gem in the middle of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.
Lake Minnewanka holds a deep history for the Indigenous people to this region. The name of the lake is adapted from the Stoney Nakoda name “Minn-waki” and translates to “Lake of Spirits”. Archelogical artifacts have been found along the lakeshore dating back as far as 14,000 years ago (Banff & Lake Louise Tourism). As with other lakes in the region, Lake Minnewanka is a glacial lake, making it cool and refreshing in the summer.
I would love to visit the lake in the summer, as I love paddling (primarily canoeing, but SUP-ing as well). That being said, the lake can get crowded during the summer months, and I find that sometimes the crowds can detract from the tranquility of nature. Perhaps I can visit on a weekday in the spring.
Have you made it to Lake Minnewanka in Banff? Would you recommend it?