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You are here: Home / General Info / Banff National Park’s Little Known Facts

Banff National Park’s Little Known Facts

December 3, 2019 By Rena McDaniel 34 Comments

Banff National Park’s biggest lake is actually man-made and was damned up to bring water closer to Banff town. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Minnewanka Landing was a small mining town and operation on the banks of a nearby river and was purposely dammed in the mid 20th century to bring more fresh water to a growing Banff town.

Minnewanka Landing was left intact and still remains at the bottom of Lake Minnewanka now and is often visited by divers looking for an underwater adventure. The 1912 Dam Blockhouse is the most visited place from Minnewanka Landing. You can dive here year-round as well, but the hiking on the shores of the lake are just as exceptional and provide incredible views. Boat tours are also offered here, too.

Banff National Park is home to 53 species of mammals. This incredible diversity of wildlife is a reflection of the wide range of habitats found in the park due to variations in elevation, climate, and plant communities. you will regularly see elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. Hiking in the mountains you’ll sometimes come across grizzly bears, black bears, mountain caribou, moose, wolves, hoary marmots, wolverines, bald eagles, beavers, owls, and pumas.

BANFF PARK ORIGINALLY STARTED AS A 10-SQUARE MILE RESERVE AROUND THE SULPHUR MOUNTAIN HOT SPRINGS

Lake Louise is one of the most visited and photographed lakes in the world and is home to the world-renowned Fairmont Chateau. Although it was first called Emerald Lake, the lake’s name was later changed to Lake Louise after Princess Caroline Alberta Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Canada’s Governor-General.

People who work in Lake Louise live in accommodation provided by their employer. There is a “need to reside” requirement in Lake Louise and all of Banff National Park. To be an eligible resident you must be employed or operate a business within the park, or be a spouse or dependent of someone who meets the criteria.

Lake Louise doesn’t thaw until the first week of June and it can and has snowed during any month of the year. As most of the lakes in the Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise is not a lake you would want to swim in. The temperature of the water would rarely get above 5C. (41F.) The water is so frigid that the Lake Louise Polar Bear Dip is held during the Canada Day Celebrations on July 1st.

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Rena McDaniel
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Rena McDaniel

Web Designer | Wanderer | Storyteller at Wandering Web Designer | The Blogging 911
Hi, I'm Rena & I was born to wander. If I'm not on an adventure I'm planning one! I specialize in travel for couples & families in and around the US/Canada. I'm a wife of 28 years, mom, to three & grandma to 5. After years of caregiving, my life is finally my own & wandering is the name of the game!
Rena McDaniel
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Latest posts by Rena McDaniel (see all)

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Filed Under: #VanLife, General Info, Life On The Road, National Parks, Stories From The Road, Travel Tagged With: #Van Life, adventures, budget travel, camping, Canada, national parks, road trip, Roadtrip 2020, travel, vacation, vacations, wanderer

About Rena McDaniel

Hi, I'm Rena & I was born to wander. If I'm not on an adventure I'm planning one! I specialize in travel for couples & families in and around the US/Canada. I'm a wife of 28 years, mom, to three & grandma to 5. After years of caregiving, my life is finally my own & wandering is the name of the game!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. GiGi Eats says

    December 3, 2019 at 10:37 am

    I definitely want to road trip to BANFF in the near future. Probably in the summer – because I know it would be way too cold to truly enjoy it in the winter!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:22 am

      I bet it would be too. We’re going in early June and I’m a little worried about it.

      Reply
  2. Pam Wattenbarger says

    December 3, 2019 at 11:02 am

    How beautiful! I’d love to take a trip to Banff. I’d stay out of the water though. I complain when I go to the ocean and it’s dropped into the 70’s. 🙂

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:22 am

      Yes I agree Pam! Way too cold for me.

      Reply
  3. melissa chapman says

    December 3, 2019 at 11:06 am

    I have never been to Banff but it looks so special. I will try to get there someday but only in spring or summer.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:23 am

      Hi Melissa! I can’t wait to get there this summer. Lots more pics to come!

      Reply
  4. Karen BakingInATornado says

    December 3, 2019 at 11:38 am

    How lovely. Although I think it would be a lot of fun to see Minnewanka Landing, I don’t scuba dive. I could go for the hiking and the boat tours though.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:24 am

      I’m just like you Karen! I am not scuba diving. No way!

      Reply
  5. Jeanette says

    December 3, 2019 at 3:59 pm

    I was there when I was a teenager and I loved it then. I know I would appreciate it even more now. That is probably one of the best places to explore. It is just gorgeous. I wish there was a better word than gorgeous because it just would describe it so much better.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:25 am

      Thanks Jeanette! I am thoroughly excited to go.

      Reply
  6. Terri Steffes says

    December 3, 2019 at 5:21 pm

    Seriously, no less that 10 of my neighbors went to Banff this summer for vacation. I hadn’t heard of it until then and now I keep seeing it! Your post was so good, it is the first that told me what it really is. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:08 am

      It’s a sign Terri! You need to go.

      Reply
  7. Brianne Tursi Manz says

    December 3, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    Banff National Park is really a lovely place. I’d love to take the family there someday. There’s just so much fun stuff to do and the sights are breath-taking.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:07 am

      It is an amazing, beautiful place! I can’t wait to go Brianne.

      Reply
  8. Liz Mays says

    December 3, 2019 at 6:24 pm

    It would be really cool to visit the National Park and see some of the wildlife. Diving would be super fun too.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:06 am

      My husband refuses to fly so all of our trips are by auto.

      Reply
  9. Beth Havey says

    December 3, 2019 at 6:34 pm

    Lake Louise and Banff are like going to heaven. And all along the road to Jasper too. Canada’s highways are gorgeous and animal lovers will delight when they see the many overhead crossings for animals that the Canadians have built to honor and take care of their wild life.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:05 am

      I am so excited to go there Beth!

      Reply
  10. Brandy Ellen Writes says

    December 3, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    I love learning new little known facts about places. Especially National Parks. I’ll be checking out more about this location to add it to my travel bucket list.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:04 am

      That’s great Brandy! You should check out some of my other posts.

      Reply
  11. Denay DeGuzman says

    December 4, 2019 at 12:17 am

    Thank you for sharing this info on Banff National Park. I wasn’t even aware of this park before! I’d love to take a guided tour and enjoy stunning views of the water and its surroundings.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:04 am

      It’s a beautiful place Denay! I hope you get there one day.

      Reply
  12. Kathy says

    December 4, 2019 at 9:27 am

    I never even knew about this park before. Thanks for sharing about it. It’s always interesting to hear more about parks like these.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:03 am

      Thanks, Kathy! I love our National Park System.

      Reply
  13. Cheryl Eugenio says

    December 4, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    Banff is on my bucket list. Looks absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 11:01 am

      It does! It’s at the top of mine too Cheryl!

      Reply
  14. VICTORIA says

    December 4, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    Banff is a place that’s definitely on my bucket list. It looks beautiful there. These were some interesting facts also.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 10:59 am

      Thank you, Victoria. I can’t wait to travel there.

      Reply
  15. Kita Bryant says

    December 4, 2019 at 2:40 pm

    That is such an awesome park! I have never seen it before but now I really want to!

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 10:59 am

      I haven’t been there either, but I will be this summer!

      Reply
  16. Tasheena says

    December 5, 2019 at 12:30 am

    I really enjoyed reading this post. I would love to visit this park. This information is so helpful.

    Reply
    • Rena McDaniel says

      December 5, 2019 at 10:53 am

      Thank you Tasheena. I’m happy that you liked it.

      Reply
  17. mya kroeplin says

    December 5, 2019 at 11:42 am

    oh wow, i didn’t know some of that. beautiful area. i would love to go there.

    Reply
  18. Monica Y says

    December 5, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    I need to add this to my travel bucket list, looks like an amazing place to visit with the family

    Reply

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