Why You Shouldn’t Miss Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive in Banff

Obviously when it comes to Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake steal the show. But there’s an area just 5 km outside of the town of Banff with stunning mountain lakes, scenic hikes and even some ghost-town ruins. Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive is not only one of the best scenic drives around Banff, it’s so much more.

The Lake Minnewanka area is often an afterthought for most visitors who visit Banff, but it really should not be missed!

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Getting to Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive & Getting Around

The easiest way to visit the Lake Minnewanka area is to drive, this allows you to be flexible with the amount of time you stop at each of the lakes. Just be aware that this area can get quite crowded in peak summer season and it can be difficult to find parking at Lake Minnewanka in the summer months.

Lake Minnewanka by Car

From downtown Banff, head east on Banff Avenue. In about 5 kilometres you’ll reach the start of the Lake Minnewanka loop. Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive is only 24 km, so driving it without stops takes barely half an hour, but allow at least two hours if you plan to get out (and more for any hikes).

Lake Minnewanka by Roam Transit (May–October)

Roam Route 6 runs is part of the Roam summer schedule. Route 6 runs from Banff High School hub, stopping at Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake, Two Jack Campground, Two Jack Day-Use, and Lake Minnewanka Day-Use. Service usually starts mid-May and winds down after Thanksgiving weekend (always check the current schedule before banking on the bus).

Cycling Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive

From downtown Banff, you can ride the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, just be aware that you will be sharing this narrow mountain road with vehicles. It’s possible to take the Legacy Trail from Banff Avenue to Cascade Ponds, but this is the only section you can do on the pathway. From there you’ll need to join the road to complete the loop.

Lake Minnewanka Seasonal Road Closures

The western section of the Minnewanka Loop (as it’s often referred to as by locals) is closed to vehicles from November to May each year. This closure is to give the wildlife some space from humans.

The western section starts at the Lake Minnewanka parking lot towards Bankhead. In these winter months, this section of the road is partially groomed for cross country skiing until it meets up with the Cascade Fire Road.

What to Do on the Minnewanka Loop

There are several stops you can make along the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. This area is amazing any time of year and well worth adding to your Banff itinerary. Some of the areas aren’t accessible in winter or the activities will change, which is included under each stop below.

Cascade Ponds

The first pull-out you’ll reach is Cascade Ponds, where twin ponds are linked by footbridges and framed by meadows. Cascade Ponds is one of Banff’s most popular picnic areas, so plan to arrive early if you want a picnic table.

Cascade Ponds also has some incredible views of Cascade Mountain and Mt Rundle. I prefer a visit here early in the morning for still water and mountain reflections. You’ll also find a pair of Banff’s red chairs here, ideal for taking in the mountain scenery.

Cascade Ponds is also perfect for visiting Banff with kids, where they can wade or throw rocks in the ponds.

From Cascade Ponds, you can hike or mountain bike to Lower Bankhead. You can also hike or mountain bike to Johnson Lake. It is a steep climb up for the trail to Johnson Lake, so plan to walk bikes for that section.

Winter at Cascade Ponds

In the winter, Cascade Ponds has a small hill that’s perfect for sledding in Banff. There’s also the chance the water will freeze before it snows, creating a small window of skating at Cascade Ponds.

Cascade Falls

Cascade Falls is a short 1.4 km out-and-back that starts just off Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. From the tiny roadside lot (across from the turn to Cascade Ponds), a broad gravel path crosses a grassy meadow, then climbs briefly through trees and avalanche debris to the base of 300-metre Cascade Falls.

You can stand right beside the rushing water and, when you turn around, enjoy postcard views across the valley to Mount Rundle. The trailhead is easy to spot as it starts at the small pull-out on the left immediately after you pass under the Trans-Canada Highway.

Johnson Lake

A right-hand road off Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive climbs gently to Johnson Lake, the warmest swimmable lake in Banff and a favourite with local families. At Johnson Lake, you’ll find a small sandy beach and calm water that’s ideal for stand-up paddleboarding in Banff.

Also found at Johnson Lake is an easy hike. A 3-kilometre Johnson Lake hike circles the lake, alternating between shaded forest and sunny bluffs (great picnic ledges with Cascade Mountain framed behind the water). You can even find an old hermit cabin hidden in the woods along the Johnson Lake hike.

Winter at Johnson Lake

Also found in our guide to Johnson Lake, you see why we love this as a winter stop. You can still hike around the lake and it’s one of the earliest and best places for wild skating in Banff.

Two Jack Lake

Back on the loop, the road will pass by the two Two Jack campgrounds: Two Jack Main on the left and Two Jack Lakeside on the right. Two Jack Lakeside is one of the most sought after campgrounds in Banff, with sites right along the lakeshore and Otentiks for those who prefer a little less rugged camping.

At dawn, Mount Rundle’s angular face can get that pink glow and reflects perfectly in the glass-calm water. It’s the ideal spot to catch a sunrise. By late morning, paddle-boarders launch from the pebbly beach, as it’s one of the best places for stand-up paddleboarding near the town of Banff.

A short lakeside path links the day-use area to Two Jack Lakeside Campground. This is an easy hike, which is great for a short meander, but you’ll find better hikes around the Lake Minnewanka loop.

You’ll also find a picnic area and a set of the Banff red chairs at Two Jack lake.

Winter at Two Jack Lake

Aside from a scenic stop, there’s not much to do in the winter at Two Jack lake, unless you get lucky with timing and the lake freezes over enough for skating before it snows!

Lake Minnewanka

Finally, the road delivers you to Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park’s largest lake at 21 kilometres long. There are so many things to do at Lake Minnewanka, you could spend an entire day here. The most popular option is the Lake Minnewanka boat cruise.

Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise

A one-hour interpretive trip glides along the water of Lake Minnewanka while guides share stories of an underwater village and early First Nations use. Sunset departures are the quietest. Plan to arrive early to find parking for mid-day departures.

Lake Minnewanka Kayak Rentals

On calm mornings you can rent kayaks and paddle on Lake Minnewanka. Always wear a PFD and don’t venture too far out if you aren’t a strong paddler. The winds can make it very difficult to return if you get to far out.

Stewart Canyon Trail

An easy 3-kilometre return walk to Stewart Canyon follows the shoreline to a canyon spanned by a sturdy bridge. This easy hike can be extended along the Lake Minnewanka trail.

Picnic at Lake Minnewanka

Another of Banff’s best picnic areas! You’ll find picnic tables and even food lockers. It’s the ideal place to spend an afternoon.

Lake Minnewanka Family photoshoot

If you want to plan a family photoshoot that isn’t at Lake Louise, then Lake Minnewanka has the perfect background for some spectacular pictures!

Hiking at Lake Minnewanka

If you are up for a longer hike, then the Lake Minnewanka trail and even to Aylmer Lookout are very scenic full day hikes! The Lake Minnewanka Trail follows the lakeshore for 32 km, so you really just need to choose how far you’ll go before turning back. At the 8 km mark, you can veer off the Lake Minnewanka trail to Aylmer Lookout, which offers some of the most spectacular views over Lake Minnewanka.

Lake Minnewanka Seasonal Restrictions

Every year from July 10 to September 15 the there is a seasonal restriction at Lake Minnewanka that requires a mandatory group-of-four hiking rule with bikes and dogs prohibited due to intense grizzly feeding on buffalo-berries. This is for the area starting just past the Stewart Canyon bridge along the Lake Minnewanka Trail.

This seasonal restriction is not just a recommendation. It requires the hikers to also carry bear spray and stay within 3 metres to each other.

Winter at Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka tends to be one of the last lakes to freeze over and usually doesn’t happen until January. There’s always a chance that it will freeze before being covered in snow making for some amazing skating opportunities – just know how to check the thickness of the ice and how to stay safe before venturing out.

Cross-country skiing is also very popular from Lake Minnewanka in the winter as you venture from the parking lot on to the Cascade Fire Road

Finally, the Lake Minnewanka Trail can be popular for fat biking, depending on the snow conditions.

C-Level Cirque Trail

As you continue driving on the western section of the Minnewanka Loop, you’ll pass the Upper Bankhead parking lot. This is where you can tack on the C-Level Cirque hike if you’re looking for the perfect half-day hike.

The 10 kilometre return trail climbs steadily through the forest to an open cirque under towering cliffs. You can continue past the open cirque up a fairly steep trail for some spectacular views over Lake Minnewanka. In late September, you’ll even find some golden larch trees up here.

C-Level Cirque is not accessible in winter.

Lower Bankhead

From May to November, when the western section of the Minnewanka Loop is open as you continue past the Upper Bankhead parking lot, you’ll come to a sign for Lower Bankhead. The Bankhead ghost town is the remnants of a coal-mining town that boomed between 1904 and 1922.

A gentle 1-kilometre interpretive path weaves around rusting locomotives and concrete foundations now taken over by wild roses. Kids love clambering onto century-old rail cars; history buffs linger over the interpretive signs sharing information about the area. It’s an interesting stop with some stunning views.

Lower Bankhead is not accessible in winter with the seasonal road closure.

Wildlife Spotting on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive

Aside from some incredible mountain views, the Minnewanka Loop is also an ideal spot for wildlife spotting. Bighorn sheep love the shoulders of the road. Elk can be seen in the meadows. And bears can often be spotted along the road.

Always remember to keep a safe distance from the wildlife, never get out of your car and never feed wildlife. Keep 30 metres from ungulates and 100 metres from bears; carry bear spray if you go on a hike. Elk can be aggressive in May/June when they are calving or during the Elk rutting season in September/October. Always give them extra space and keep dogs on leash.

Final Tips to Make the Most of Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive

Here are some final tips for explore the Minnewanka Loop in Banff National Park:

Pack food and water. There’s only one small spot for food at Lake Minnewanka.

Follow all clean-drain-dry rules for all the lakes and be sure to self-certify. You’ll find signs to self-certify (fill out the form and carry it with you) and all spots where you’d enter the lake.

Arrive early if you need parking at Two Jack or Lake Minnewanka in July/August; lots fill by late morning.

Check trail restrictions at Lake Minnewanka if you plan to hike beyond Stewart Canyon in mid-summer.

Bring layers. Even hot afternoons cool fast when clouds roll in.

Stay after dark if skies are clear, this loop is a favourite stargazing spot just far enough from town lights.

Toilets can be found at all the lakes.

Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive proves that you don’t have to travel far (or battle Lake Louise crowds) to feel immersed in Banff’s stunning mountain lakes and towering peaks.