Lake Minnewanka: Our most recommended tours and activities

Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise

1. Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise

Admire views of the Canadian Rockies as you cruise on the largest lake in Banff National Park. Get the chance to see sheep, deer, and mountain goats along the shore, and learn about the culture of the indigenous people who used to live in the area from your expert guide. Meet your guide and captain on the boat dock at Lake Minnewanka and begin your adventure. Glide through the crystal clear water of this glacier lake and soak up the views of the mountains and blue sky above you. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the lakeshore, including big-horned sheep, deer, mountain goats, and even the occasional bear. During the cruise, learn interesting facts and stories about the wildlife and vegetation that inhabit the Canadian Rockies from your guides. Dive into the culture of the indigenous people who used to call the area home and hear a lot of entertaining legends of the area.

Banff: Highlights and Wildlife Group Tour

2. Banff: Highlights and Wildlife Group Tour

Experience many of Banff's highlights on this tour with a focus on viewing wildlife in their natural environment. Enjoy guaranteed visits to Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Hoodoos Viewpoint, and Mt. Norquay Viewpoint. Start your wildlife adventure with pickup from select locations in Banff. Enjoy an itinerary carefully tailored by your expert local guide based on each day’s recent wildlife sightings and weather conditions. In addition to the sites mentioned above, you can also expect visits to some of the following locations: Vermilion Lakes, Cave and Basin, Marsh Loop, Tunnel Mountain, and some local secret spots. Learn all about the area from your guide along the way. Get your cameras ready and keep your eyes peeled as you travel through wildlife corridors and seek out bears, elk, deer, coyotes, foxes, bighorn sheep, and more.

Banff: Wildlife and Sightseeing Minibus Tour

3. Banff: Wildlife and Sightseeing Minibus Tour

Get ready to explore the best of Banff, as you discover the history of the Bow Valley. Be picked up from your hotel in a modern minibus by your guide, and start your 3-hour experience. Learn about local wildlife while you keep watch for elk, deer, and bighorn sheep.  Visit Bow Falls, where many iconic movies from the 1950s were filmed. See the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, known as the Castle of the Rockies. Stop at Lake Minnewanka, and learn the importance of wildlife management practices from your expert guide. Be amazed by iconic views from Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos Lookout. There will be plenty of stops along the route for you to enjoy the sights, snap photos, and walk to incredible viewpoints. At the end of your tour you'll be dropped off back in Banff.

Banff: Self-Guided Scenic Driving Tour

4. Banff: Self-Guided Scenic Driving Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Once downloaded, your tour begins in the heart of the Banff Townsite. From there, you'll meander along the Bow River towards the mighty Bow Falls, a natural spectacle you won’t want to miss. Next, you'll head towards the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the "Castle in the Rockies." Learn about its rich history, spanning over a century, and how it became a symbol of Banff National Park. From there, take a leisurely drive against the stunning backdrop of Cascade Mountain before reaching the shores of Lake Minnewanka. Here, you’ll uncover legends of this lake both ancient and contemporary. Next, pass the abandoned mining site of Bankhead while you make your way toward Mount Norquay. Finally, you’ll drive up a gorgeous mountain road to the Mount Norquay Lookout, where hiking trails and dining options await you. Your tour concludes here.

Banff: Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers

5. Banff: Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers

Visit Canada's first national park and take in the scenic views around Banff Town, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake. A free time to explore around Banff Town, Bow falls, Secret Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive, Lake Minnewanka, and Two Jack Lake. Round-Trip Transportation from Banff hotel locations. • Update: We only offer a PRIVATE TOUR exclusively for your group and family, We will follow the strict health guidelines to operate this tour to the highest safety standard. Together we will still enjoy traveling and experiencing Banff National Park.

From Calgary: Private Banff National Park Day Trip

6. From Calgary: Private Banff National Park Day Trip

Visit Canada's first national park and take in the scenic views around Banff Town, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake. A free time to explore around Banff Town, Bow falls, Secret Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive, Lake Minnewanka, and Two Jack Lake. Round-Trip Transportation from Calgary. • Update: We only offer a PRIVATE TOUR exclusively for your group and family, We will follow the strict health guidelines to operate this tour to the highest safety standard. Together we will still enjoy traveling and experiencing Banff National Park.

From Calgary: Private Lake Louise and Banff Day Trip

7. From Calgary: Private Lake Louise and Banff Day Trip

Spend the day exploring the incredible scenery of the Canadian Rockies during this day trip from Calgary to the Lake Louise, Banff and its surrounding attractions. Canada’s first national park, one of the world’s premier destination spots. Whether you only have a short amount of time in Calgary or are looking for a no-hassle way to experience the celebrated natural beauty of Alberta, this day trip is a great choice. Itinerary: • Start your trip from your Hotel/Home in Calgary (7:00 am) • Then will head to Lake Louise. (30 Mins) • Banff Town: The Biggest town of National towns, many shops and restaurants await your discovery. (Stop here for 2 Hours) • Bow Falls: A gushing waterfall near town which offers great photo opportunities. (stop for about 15 mins) • Surprise Corner: (Stops for about 15 mins) • Banff Gondola Ride: Enjoy a 360 view of Banff. (Stop for about 2 hours) • Finally, we return to Calgary and arrive around 5 pm.

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What people are saying about Lake Minnewanka

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 191 reviews

I took my 11 yr. Old son. We are from Edmonton and have been to Banff many times. But we’ve never seen it like this! Our guide Jeff was AMAZING! Friendly and courteous, and he shared so much information about the town, and it’s history. He recommended places to eat and shop and visit after the tour on our own. He spoke about the wildlife in the area, resident wolves and bears and have us things to look up after about those animals. The bus was warm and clean, we really enjoyed it. Just the right length as well. I liked that Jeff didn’t try too hard in making cheesy jokes to entertain everyone. He was very knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and made everyone quite comfortable. I would request him as a guide again!

Our tour guide Jeff was so knowledgeable about the area as well as so personable. I highly recommend the tour. I was travelling with my teen and she loved it as well! Loved that he went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable (it was -27 at the beginning of our tour)

My boyfriend and I loved it. The guide was great and the tour was super nice. It takes you to the main natural attractions in Banff and the lake part was a true adventure

The guide Annika was very informative, had lots of photos to hand around and show different aspects of the tour, good stops for viewing

It was a very informative tour and our tour guide Buck was excellent.