Swimming in Banff is one of the best things to do on a hot summer day in the mountains. There are a bunch of different places to swim in Banff National Park, from alpine lakes to public swimming pools and pools in amazing hotels! I’ve been visiting Banff, Alberta during the summers for around 7 years now – and one of my favourite things to do is go swimming when I visit!
It is important to know, the lakes in Banff are not supervised by a lifeguard. You are responsible for your own safety. Also please remember to Leave No Trace while visiting the Canadian Rockies!
In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about swimming in Banff, including where to swim, things to know about swimming in the Canadian Rockies, and a little bit of information on other water activities to do during the summer as well.
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Best Lakes to Swim in Banff National Park
The first thing to know about swimming in Banff is that it can be really cold!! Most of the lakes in Banff are glacially fed, meaning they are quite chilly. This can be really nice on a hot summer day though, and it is possible to get used to the water temperature at a lot of the alpine lakes.
Johnson Lake Swimming
One of the most popular lakes for swimming in Banff is Johnson Lake. This lake is actually not glacially fed, so it is one of the warmer lakes in Banff National Park. But, to me it is still quite chilly! Johnson Lake is about a 15 minute drive from Town and right off the Trans Canada Highway. There is a small beach area where kids can play both in and out of the water and makes a great spot for picnics as well.
If you find the beach area busy, try walking counter-clockwise around the lake to the small grassy area along the lake and set up a blanket to relax and swim from there.
Johnson Lake is one of my favourite places to bring my Stand Up Paddle Board as well. This can allow you to get away from some of the crowds on the shore and get in the water from your board. Another great idea is bringing a floaty and relaxing in the water in the sunshine.
Facilities at Johnson lake include pit toilets, picnic tables, bike racks, a watercraft washing station (to prevent the spread of whirling disease) and free parking. The parking lot does fill up quite quickly on hot summer days (especially on weekends), so plan to get there mid-morning at the latest during peak season. If you don’t want to drive, ROAM public transit also stops at Johnson Lake.
Cascade Ponds Swimming
Another great spot for swimming in Banff, especially with kids, is at the Cascade Ponds. This spot is right near Johnson Lake making it a great back-up plan (or Johnson Lake can be your back-up plan to this spot as well). The Cascade Ponds are beautiful, with a ton of picnic space, picnic tables, washrooms, and even some firepits. If you’re wanting to have a fire, make sure to bring firewood.
Note: firewood in Banff National Park must be purchased from Banff National Park to stop the risk of disease. If you’re camping, firewood is free so grab some on your way out of the campground to use at the Cascade Ponds.
This is a really beautiful spot, with stunning views of the mountains and pretty bridges that make it an amazing spot for photos. Bringing a SUP is a popular idea here as well. The water at the Cascade Ponds tends to be a little bit warmer than some of the other alpine lakes in Banff as well!
The ROAM Public Bus also stops at the Cascade Ponds if you’re worried about parking, or don’t have access to a vehicle/are travelling Banff on a budget.
Swimming at Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake is a glacially fed lake, meaning it is a bit colder than Johnson Lake and the Cascade Ponds. There is a great day use area here, although the parking lot is a bit on the smaller side. There are a few picnic tables at Two Jack Lake, a pit toilet, and a pebble beach.
Two Jack Lake is a nice spot to bring a floaty, and if you’re able to tolerate chilly water it’s a nice spot to swim! Two Jack Lake is also a popular spot to SUP and canoe – make sure to bring your own as there are no rentals at this lake.
This lake is right near Johnson Lake and the Cascade Ponds as well, and the same ROAM Transit Bus also stops at the Two Jack Day Use area as well. If you’re interested in camping, there are two really nice campgrounds near here as well! Check out Two Jack Main Campground and Two Jack Lakeside Campground if you’re interested.
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Two of the most popular lakes in Banff National Park are Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, and everyone always wonders if you can swim in these two lakes! The most basic answer is yes, you can swim in Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. However, they are glacially fed and they are freezing!! I wouldn’t call it a swim, but more of a polar plunge. If you can tolerate really cold water though, you may be able to swim for a bit.
Both of these lakes are very popular, but swimming in them isn’t super popular, so keep in mind you may have a lot of tourist eyes on you if you decide to jump in.
For more information on these 2 amazing lakes, check out my Lake Louise 1 Day Itinerary and Tips for Visiting Moraine Lake.
And remember, parking at Lake Louise in the summer costs money and private vehicles are no longer allowed to drive up to Moraine Lake!
Herbert Lake Swimming
A bit of a further drive from Banff National Park (around a 50 minute drive) is Herbert Lake. This pretty lake is on Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, and is not as trafficked as some of the other lakes. It’s a popular spot for photos, but sees less visitors that are interested in swimming and paddle boarding. Bring bug spray when you visit here as well, because sometimes they can be bad!
There’s also a short, easy hike that loops around the lake if you’re interested in exploring around Herbert Lake. Facilities here include pit toilets and a medium sized parking lot. You need a vehicle to visit here, as public transport doesn’t stop here!
Can you Swim in Peyto Lake?
I wanted to mention Peyto Lake in this article, because I get a lot of questions asking if you can swim in Peyto Lake. Technically I feel like you could, however Peyto Lake is more of a viewpoint and not a spot for swimming and relaxing. The view of Peyto Lake is quite high, and requires a short hike to get there (one of the best easy hikes in Banff!). To swim in Peyto Lake, you would have to hike down to the shoreline to jump in, and as far as I know, there’s no designated hiking trail to get down there. To me, it would be more worth it to swim in any of the other Banff lakes mentioned above!
Lake Minnewanka Swimming
Another lake a lot of people are curious about swimming in is Lake Minnewanka, and so I wanted to include it in this post as well. Lake Minnewanka is huge! And although you could technically swim in it, it’s freezing cold and there’s not really an ideal place to jump in and start swimming. Motor boats are also allowed on this lake, meaning you could encounter waves and may not enjoy your time as much had you chosen a different Banff lake to swim in.
Are there any Beaches in Banff?
Beaches in Banff National Park are quite limited, but there is a nice sandy beach at Johnson Lake and a pebble beach/shore at Two Jack Lake! In Canmore, there is also a sandy beach area at Quarry Lake. If you’re spending time in Jasper National Park, Lake Annette has a nice, small sandy beach.
Pools to Swim at in Banff
If you’re interested in swimming in a public pool in Banff instead of an alpine lake, there are 2 options for you! Both of these Banff swimming pools cost money – make sure to check their current rates on their websites for your trip planning.
Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Center
There is a public pool for swimming in Banff at the Aquatic Center in the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Center. Here, there is an indoor pool, hot tub, and a wade pool – and no lifeguard on duty so swim at your own risk! There are also change rooms and showers available for swimmers.
To access the pool, you’ll have to either buy a day pass, become a member, or be a hotel guest at the Banff Center. This swimming pool is an indoor swimming pool, but has a glass roof to still try for some views!
Banff Upper Hot Springs
About an 11 minute drive from Banff Town is the Banff Upper Hot Springs – a perfect place to go swimming! The water in the pool here is geothermally heated, meaning the pool water is warm and is meant for lounging and relaxing in, rather than actively swimming.
ROAM Transit has a route to the Upper Hot Springs, making it a great option if you don’t have a vehicle or don’t feel like driving. There is also a small cafe here and a gift shop if you’re interested!
Hotels With Swimming Pools in Banff
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
One of the nicest hotels in Banff National Park is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and they have a really nice indoor and outdoor saltwater swimming pool. If you’re looking for a luxury stay, swimming pools, pool bar, and hot tub, this is the hotel to choose!
Hidden Ridge Resort
The Hidden Ridge Resort is another nice hotel in Banff complete with outdoor pools. They have a large hot pool with amazing views of the Rockies, making this a great choice for relaxing outside!
Malcolm Hotel, Canmore
I wanted to mention the Malcolm Hotel’s swimming pool because it is located in the mountain town of Canmore, which is quite close to Downtown Banff (about a 20 minute drive). Plus, in my opinion this is one of the prettiest outdoor pools in the Rockies, with amazing views and a very nice hotel. They also have a hot tub and outdoor firepit area!
Other hotels with indoor pools include the Banff Park Lodge, Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets (and it has 2 waterslides!) and the Rimrock Resort Hotel.
If you’re just after a hot tub, check out Canalta Lodge for their outdoor hot tubs and sauna, Basecamp Resort in Canmore with a rooftop hot tub, or the Fox Hotel & Suites for their cool indoor grotto hot tub.
Swimming in Banff FAQ
The Banff Hot Springs are a commercial Hot Springs, which means they are not free! For their current rates, check out their website. If you’re looking for a natural hot spring that is free to visit, check out Mist Mountain (if you’re a strong hiker) or you’ll have to head into British Columbia.
Technically, yes you can swim in Lake Louise in the summer. But, it’s going to be extremely cold and will feel like a polar plunge! It’s not common to see someone swimming at Lake Louise.
There are no sandy beaches at Lake Louise. Instead, it is more of a shoreline with large rocks surrounding the lake.
Yes, Lake Louise is fed by a glacier and is very cold year round.
Technically, yes you can swim in Moraine Lake. Similar to Lake Louise, the water is very cold at Moraine Lake and you will be pretty chilly if you go for a swim! It’s not common to see someone swimming at Moraine Lake.
You could, however the Vermillion Lakes are not those crystal clear lakes you see in photos. They are very nice, but have marshy areas and may not be the most enjoyable Banff lake to swim in (although they are great for paddle boarding!).
Definitely. July is summertime in Alberta, meaning this is the best time to go swimming in Banff! Summer typically stretches from late June until early September (depending on snowfall), but the best times to go swimming in Banff are the months of July and August.
Other Places to Swim in the Canadian Rockies
Banff isn’t the only place to go swimming in the Rockies! A few of my other favourite places to swim are Emerald Lake, Quarry Lake, and Lake Annette.
Swimming at Emerald Lake in British Columbia
Located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Emerald Lake is just over an hour drive from Banff and a 30 minute drive from Lake Louise. Now the water here is also incredibly cold, so this lake is also more of a polar plunge type of a swim, but the area is stunning, and on a hot day a polar plunge is super refreshing!
Swimming at Quarry Lake in Canmore, Alberta
This swimming spot is about a 20 minute drive from Banff and is nice place to spend a hot summer day in the Rockies. The water here is typically a nice temperature, with a small beach and a lot of spots to hang out in the grass. It is quite popular on sunny days, but the parking lot is pretty big which makes it a great choice if you’re worried about parking. It has been known to fill up during peak season though so still plan to arrive by mid-morning to guarantee yourself a parking spot!
Swimming at Lake Annette in Jasper, Alberta
One of my favourite spots to swim in Jasper National Park is at Lake Annette. The lake is nice and big, although the beach front is small compared to the size of the lake. If you’re hoping for a spot on the sand, plan to arrive early. Otherwise there is a lot of spots in the grass further back from the water where you can spend your time when not swimming. The parking lot is medium sized and does fill up in the summertime. There are pit toilets and picnic tables here, and a small hike if you feel like exploring the forest around the lakeshore!
Swimming in Banff Summary
Going for a swim in Banff National Park is truly an unforgettable experience and needs to be on your Banff itinerary! Whether you choose to swim in a glacial lake or an outdoor pool, you won’t be disappointed. There are so many great spots to go swimming in Banff, each with their own unique charming and amazing views. Don’t forget to Leave No Trace while visiting the Rockies and stay safe!
Hopefully this Guide to Swimming in Banff helped you plan your trip!
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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