Featured Accommodations

Jasper Accommodations – Top Hotels in Jasper National Park

By Chris Smith

Mount Robson Inn - Top Rated Hotel in Jasper National Park Mount Robson Inn The Mount Robson Inn in Jasper National Park is a landmark...

Hostelling in the Canadian Rockies

By Chris Smith

Many visitors to Banff and the Canadian Rockies choose hostelling as their accommodation of choice. Usually centrally located in the city or town, hostelling provides...

How to be a seasonal resident in Canmore

By Chris Smith

It might sound too good to be true, but a long-term stay in Canmore is easy if you try.

Long-Term Accommodation

By Chris Smith

Located just five minutes from Banff National Park and fifteen minutes from the Banff townsite on the edge of Kananaskis Country, the Town of Canmore...

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

By Chris Smith

Information provided courtesy of Kananaskis Country Towering mountains, pristine lakes, evergreen valleys, and glacial streams...Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is an area of striking contrasts where...

Canadian Vacation Destinations

The Alberta Guide to Hotels in Banff

By Chris Smith

Planning a trip to Banff National Park? You are going to need a place to stay! There are a plenty of options, from several hotels in Banff to lodges, cabins, hostels, or campsites.

The Ultimate Canadian Rockies Vacation Planner

By Gail McGlamery

Here is everything you need to know about visiting Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies.

Banff National Park of Canada Maps & Guides

By Trevor Holewinski

Banff National Park of Canada offers visitors amazing experiences through a robust line of free maps, vacations guides, brochures, and a monthly newsletter. Get on the list!

Canmore – The Underestimated Town of the Rockies

By Trevor Holewinski

The Canadian Rockies town of Canmore, located just 15-minutes from Banff National Park, is a town built around recreation and entertainment.

From Vancouver to Banff by Train

By Gail McGlamery

The Rocky Mountaineer and VIA rail tours offer the every traveler unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies travelling from Vancouver to Banff by train.

Things to Do in Banff

By Gail McGlamery

There are so many things to do in Banff National Park that you will wish you had more time on your vacation. Check out the Complete Guide on Things to Do in Banff.

A Trail of Stunning Canadian Rockies Scenery and Backpacking in Banff National Park: Lake Minnewanka to Devil’s Gap

This is yet another beautiful hike just a few kilometers outside Banff, Alberta at Lake Minnewanka. At nearly 30 kilometers from the end of Lake Minnewanka to Devil’s Gap, this is a long trail but worth it for the incredible scenery, especially in late spring or early autumn. Unless you’re planning on doing an out-and-back, you’ll want to bring a backpack, tent and related gear for a multi-day trip.

This trail starts out the same way as the Aylmer Pass hike, at the Lake Minnewanka parking and picnic area. You start at the west end of Lake Minnewanka and proceeds along to the north shore for about 20 kilometers, with little change in elevation. Along the way you’ll cross Stewart Canyon as well.

There are plenty of places to camp along the way; one of the first options is to hike up the first part of the Aylmer Pass trail to the Aylmer Pass campground. As the trail approaches the east end of the lake, you’ll witness a graduation to more vegetation that is typically Canadian Rockies alpine – pine groves interspersed with wildflowers such as brown-eyed Susans, harebells and western wood lilies.

Once the trail moves beyond the end of Lake Minnewanka, it soon encounters the shore of the first Ghost Lake, following a channel which then connects that lake with the second one. You can ford this channel and hike eastward to Devil’s Gap or turn right and follow another trail 9 kilometers back to the south shore of Lake Minnewanka.

This is also an excellent place for cross-country mountain biking; the entire length of the trail is open to mountain bikes.

To get to the trailhead, from the interchange of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Banff East Exit follow the Lake Minnewanka Road 5.5 kilometers to the parking area at the lake.