What would a series about Banff be without showcasing a glacial lake?
The Rocky Mountains are home to numerous stunning lakes, and here’s yet another gem. I promise this will be the last lake on this list.
Lake Minnewanka has existed for thousands of years and was referred to as the ‘Water of Spirits’ by the local Nakoda people. However, it has changed significantly over the past century as European influence expanded westward.
Historically, it served as a transportation hub with boats traversing the lake and settlements nearby. This was long before Banff became the popular tourist destination it is today. An abandoned coal-mining town called Bankhead lies between Banff and the lake’s shore. At one point, a resort was even constructed along its edge.
Throughout the years, the lake has been dammed several times, leading to its expansion. The current landscape conceals an old dam and remnants of that former resort beneath its shimmering blue waters.
The lake is now characterized by its enchanting glacial green-blue color, enveloped by pristine forests and mountains that slope down towards it. There may not be a single iconic sight here, but the area offers countless beautiful views. These picturesque scenes are often featured in tourism posters from around the world, whether it be boathouses dotting the shoreline or trees framing the water. With its lengthy expanse, there are numerous angles and perspectives to explore, many of which are not commonly captured.
| Image from Flickr/ via CC BY NC 2.0 |
| Image from Flickr/Nghi LeFollow via CC BY NC ND 2.0 |
| Image from Flickr/junaidrao via CC BY NC ND 2.0 |
A road will take you to the southwestern edge of the lake, where you can choose to boat, hike, or bike, depending on what kind of views you are after. It’s only a 20-minute drive from the center of Banff to the picnic area, and along the way, you’ll enjoy a scenic route that follows the lakeshore.
Ranked high at number 8 on TripAdvisor’s list of things to do in Banff, Lake Minnewanka offers a variety of options. The federal government’s official site provides some historical insights. Atlas Obscura discusses the submerged resort town, while NASA has even profiled its geography from space. Numerous blogs and tourism sites provide information about the hikes, rides, and excursions available around, on, and into the lake.
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