How to Photograph Lake Minnewanka

Canadian Rockies mountain system comprises the southeastern part of this system, laying between the Interior Plains of Alberta and Northeastern British Columbia on the east to the Rocky Mountain Trench of BC on the west. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana of the USA. In geographic terms, the boundary is at the Canada/US border, but in geological terms, it might be considered to be at Marias Pass in northern Montana. The northern end is at the Liard River in northern British Columbia.

The Canadian Rockies have numerous high peaks and ranges, such as Mount Robson (Sometimes called Mount Bella) (3,954 m (12,972 ft)) and Mount Columbia (3,747 m (12,293 ft)). The Canadian Rockies are composed of shale and limestone. Much of the range is protected by national and provincial parks, several of which collectively comprise a World Heritage Site.

Lake Minnewanka, home to many bighorn sheep, is a glacial lake located in the eastern area of Banff National Park in Canada, about five kilometers (3.1 miles) northeast of the Banff townsite. The lake is 28 km (17 mi) long and 142 m (466 ft) deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies (the result of a power dam at the west end).^[1]

The lake is fed by the Cascade River, flowing east of Cascade Mountain, and runs south through Stewart Canyon as it empties into the western end of the lake. Numerous streams were flowing down from Mount Inglismaldie, Mount Girouard, and Mount Peechee on the south side of the lake also feed the lake.

Aboriginal people long inhabited areas around Lake Minnewanka, as early as 10,000 years ago, according to stone tools and a Clovis point spearhead discovered by archaeologists. The area is rich in animal life (e.g., elk, mule deer, mountain sheep, bears), and the easy availability of rock in the mountainous terrain was crucial for fashioning weapons for hunting.

The western end of the lake can be reached by following Lake Minnewanka road from the Trans-Canada Highway. Boat tours are available near the parking lot. A hiking and mountain biking trail runs along the northern shore of the lake, passing Stewart Canyon and six backcountry campsites. Mount Aylmer, which at 3,162 m (10,374 ft) is the highest mountain in this area of the park, is located a few kilometers north of the lake.

Lake Minnewanka, Canada Photography – Big Horn Sheep

BEST TIME TO GO

This is a Milky Way location, but the sunsets are very late here, and in the summer months, you can’t see the Milky Way. Go during a new moon early or late in the Milky Way season if you can; otherwise, it is still an incredibly dynamic place to do photography, even without it. It is a significant tourist destination, so the weekdays and off-season are the best time to go. It gets brutally cold here in the winter, so keep that in mind also.

Although Lake Minnewanka can be visited throughout the year, its peak season is during summer. The lake springs to life from June to October with bustling boat docks and popular lake tours. The summer weather allows for optimal exploration and enjoyment of Lake Minnewanka. By mid-June, visitors can already embark on boat tours and experience the full splendor of this scenic destination.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH

Plan on a few hours here.

HOW TO GET THERE

Lake Minnewanka is a beautiful lake in Banff, just a ten-minute drive from the town. You get there by going north on Banff Avenue until you cross the Trans-Canada Highway. Typically, it is known for its serene beauty, but late at night, when the moon casts long shadows on the water, an entirely different experience unfolds.

OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY NEARBY

There are numerous incredible photography spots nearby. Take a look at our Canadia Photography Hot Spots page.

RESTAURANTS, CAMPING & WEATHER – SEE BELOW

Think Tank Camera Bags

PRIVATE JET PHOTO TOURS

WE RUN A TOUR HERE. BOOK YOUR SPOT BEFORE THE PLANE LEAVES.

PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS

SHUTTER PRIORITY:

You have moving subjects, you will want to shoot in shutter priority to ensure your shutter speed is high enough to have your subject in sharp focus. Approximately 1/250th of a second is appropriate for people walking by, and adjust your ISO accordingly. If they are moving fast, increase your shutter speed to about 1/500th of a second. A fast bird flying by would be shot at about 1/1000th of a second. If it’s a bright sunny day, go as high as 1/1200th of a second. Remember, the higher your shutter speed, the less light comes into the camera. For More Details, see our Shutter Priority Page.

MANUAL MODE:

You can do your long-exposure running and milky water shots if you have moving waters at the location. You will have to use a tripod for this effect. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and your neutral density filter. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters. ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f22, or the highest f-stop your camera will allow. Your shutter speed will be the only variable depending on the light. Roll your shutter speed until your meter reads zero. (In the center) Use your shutter release or 2-second timer to prevent camera movement when exposing. You will want at least a 2-second exposure for milky water. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun.

You can buy an ND filter here. We highly suggest you do not go anywhere without one. Long exposure to moving waters makes all the difference between lifeless images and outstanding, dynamic images.

APERTURE PRIORITY:

Aperture Priority is often used to blur the background of your images and control your depth of field (how much from the subject to the background is in focus). For more information on this – see our Aperture page

ISO:

The higher you set it, the more light is when exposing an image. The higher the number, the more digital noise, so stay below 800. If you need to go higher to get the shot, you can use Topaz Denoise to filter out the digital noise later. See the ISO page here.

WHITE BALANCE:

Be sure to set your white balance each time the lighting changes. Auto mode is not always accurate on many cameras, and we prefer to set it manually. It’s one of the more straightforward basics of photography to master. If you need more help, you can get some more details here. See the white balance page here.

WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPHY:

If you’re going to do the milky water photography shots here along the water, you must have a tripod and a neutral-density filter. Preparing before embarking on a waterfall photography excursion is always best. You can also explore long-exposure waterfall techniques by visiting our waterfall photography page for tips.

Lake Minnewanka Area Information

Passes – You must have a pass to visit the parks. You can purchase when you get there or before you go. Here is the link to the different types of passes.

Seasonal Closures and Restrictions – Be sure to read this before you go.

Lake Minnewanka is home to several herds of big horn sheep. You can almost always find them somewhere around the lake. If you stay at Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, the lake is less than 10 minutes from the hotel.

Most animals are more active in the early morning hours and at dusk. Look for the deer, elk, and bighorn sheep in the middle of the day here too.

Lake Minnewanka Hotel Information

Our Favorite Canadian Rockies Resort – Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – 1029 Banff Avenue, Banff – (800) 563-8764 in Canada/USA | +1(403)762-5531 Local – The Banff Rocky Mountain Resort is the perfect rocky mountain getaway for any traveler. They feature suites and condo style accommodation in Banff National Park. Stay with them and enjoy the comforts of home and more. This picturesque location has a dining room, a deli, tennis courts, health facilities, swimming pool, squash courts, and conference facilities. Take your vacation at Banff and live the mountain lifestyle.

Click here to go to their website.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

CANADIAN ROCKIES NATIONAL PARK INFO:

Passes

To visit the parks, you must have a pass. You can purchase one when you get there or before you go. Here is the link to the different types of passes.

Free admission for youth 17 and under

As of January 1, 2018, admission to Parks Canada places for youth 17 and under is free!

Daily

Adult	$11.00
Senior	$9.50
Youth	free
Family/Group	$22.00
Commercial Group, per person	$9.35

Parks Canada Discovery Pass

Adult	$75.25
Senior	$64.50
Family/Group	$151.25

Order your Discovery Pass here!

CAMPGROUNDS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

DOWNLOAD BANFF NATIONAL PARK BROCHURE

Lake Louise Campground: Address: Located 1.3 km east of the Village of Lake Louise on Fairview Road. Lake Louise, AB

Phone: 1-877-737-3783 – Located just minutes from the Village of Lake Louise, this year-round campground is perfect for anyone needing space for larger units and people wanting power without full hookups. It is close to local attractions and offers mountain views, year-round camping and access to hiking and biking trails. Evening interpretive programs are offered during the summer season.

Sites: All 187 campsites have picnic tables and electrical hookups. Some sites have fireboxes. Electrical-only sites (15 and 30 AMPS) can accommodate RVs up to 15 meters (50 feet) in length. A maximum of 6 people and two vehicles are permitted on each site. All vehicles must be parked on the gravel area of the campsite. All soft-sided camping units must stay in the Lake Louise Tent Campground enclosed electric fence.

Services: The campground has flush toilets, showers, and hot and cold running water. There is a sani dump.

Mosquito Creek Campground

For tents and RVs that are no more than 27 feet long. This site is conveniently located near Icefields Parkway, providing easy access to Lake Louise and various local attractions. Visitors can access dry toilets, a picnic shelter, food lockers, and safe drinking water on-site. However, you must travel to Lake Louise if you need to dump waste from your RV. Keep in mind that there is no cell phone coverage at the campground. The nightly fees are $17.60 for no fire and $26.40 for a campfire.

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