TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL | Top 10,000 Places to Visit in Canada
Photo by Vlad Umnov
For well over 10,000 years, the deep waters of Lake Minnewanka have held the respect and high regard of those who have visited and lived upon its wild shores.
For more than 100 centuries, people hunted and camped along the original shores of Lake Minnewanka. The Stoney people called it “Minn-waki” or “Lake of the Spirits”. They respected and feared this lake for its resident spirits. The Early Europeans called it Devil’s Lake.
Photos and videos: Vlad Umnov
In 1886, the “Beach House,” a log hotel, was built along the original shores of Lake Minnewanka. By 1912, a summer village called Minnewanka Landing was established.
The townsite consisted of four avenues and three streets. There were hotels, wharves, restaurants and sailing tours aboard two cruise boats – “Lady of the Lake”, and “Daughter of the Peaks”.
Scuba divers are the only ones who can visit Minnewanka Landing now, as it is all underwater. The lake was first dammed in 1895 to improve the boggy shoreline for boating. It was dammed again in 1912, this time to store water for a downstream hydroelectric plant on the Cascade River.
Photos: Vlad Umnov
Feel the fresh mountain air, watch for wildlife and get adventurous on Banff’s largest lake.
Choose from one of the cruises and explore under the lead of a knowledgeable guide on a heated covered boat. Or set your own course with a kayak, canoe or motorboat rental.
Photos and videos: Vlad Umnov
Easy and scenic trail along beautiful Lake Minnewanka, mainly in a wooded area. A total of 31 kilometres one way.
Chance to see wildlife.
Photos: Vlad Umnov
Nice hike to the wooden bridge and up to Stewart Canyon or the lookout point.
The bridge spans the Cascade River just before it enters Lake Minnewanka. The Stewart Canyon hike runs through a lush forest while following the Cascade River. The trail is often high above the rushing river below, offering excellent elevated views of the canyon.
Photo: Vlad Umnov
Grab a snack—or an ice cream—from the Black Anchor. Delicious!
Photo: Vlad Umnov
Stop on the high shore of Lake Minnewanka to meet the story of 1857-1860 Palliser Expedition.
Lake Minnewanka marks the southern boundary of the Palliser Range. The range was named by the Palliser expedition, as it appears on one of the maps produced by the expedition.
Captain John Palliser was able to carry out his project of making a scientific exploration of western British North America in 1857, when the Royal Geographical Society inducted the British government to commission the venture.
Palliser and his team made the first detailed and scientific survey of the region from Lake Superior to the southern passes of the Rocky Mountains.
Photos: Vlad Umnov
Each twist and turn of the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive brings new vistas and hidden delights into view. Leafy corners, lakeview lookouts, remnants of an old mining town and the spectacular rocky causeway above Lake Minnewanka are just a few of the treasures packed into this 24 km loop.
Photos: Vlad Umnov, Google Street View
This rustic campground is beautifully situated on the shores of Two Jack Lake. It is perfect for tents or small RVs and offers lakefront sites, mountain views, and motorized boating access.
Photo: Vlad Umnov
