Johnson Lake

This lake lies close to the town of Banff just off the Lake Minnewanka Road. It’s easy to get to and well worth the visit as it tends to be less crowded than Lake Minnewanka and other well-known lakes in the area. Better still, Johnson Lake is one of the warmer lakes in Banff National Park. It’s still an alpine lake so that assessment is relative. It might take a bit of getting used to, but with its gentle shoreline and sandy bottom, it’s a perfect lake for swimmers. It’s also ideal for canoes, kayaks and paddle-boarders because the surrounding hills provide shelter from the wind. In the warmer months, you can circumnavigate the lake on the 3 km (1.8 mi) trail that is well-suited to families with small children. It’s a great way to work up a sweat that makes the cool water even more inviting. Johnson Lake is also a popular spot for ice skating in winter.