Water activities

Banff National Park

Water activity restrictions in Banff National Park

Parks Canada is taking action to protect lakes and rivers in Banff National Park. An updated aquatic invasive species prevention strategy now guides how water activities are managed. This strategy is based on science and on how visitors use lakes and rivers in the park. It helps protect sensitive ecosystems while continuing to offer safe and enjoyable water recreation.

Fishing

A national park fishing permit is required when angling in Canada's national parks.

Boating

Boats with motors, both gas and electric, are allowed on Lake Minnewanka only. Learn more about boating on Lake Minnewanka.

Paddling

Get info on where to paddle and explore with your canoe, kayak or other watercraft in Banff National Park.

Scuba diving

Learn about scuba diving at Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

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Water activity zones

Lakes and rivers within Banff National Park are now grouped into three types of zones with different rules for water activities in each zone. Parks Canada encourages visitors to plan ahead and check which zone a waterbody is in to ensure their planned activity is permitted.

Water Recreation Zone

Water Recreation Zones are defined as popular waterbodies where recreational use can continue with safeguards in place. Before recreating, watercraft and equipment must be Clean, Drain, Dry, and Certified with a Self-certification Permit. Waterbodies in this zone are:

  • Altrude Lake
  • Arnica Lake
  • Boom Lake
  • Bourgeau Lake
  • Bow River (downstream of Hector Lake)
  • Cascade Ponds
  • Copper Lake
  • Hector Lake
  • Herbert Lake
  • Johnson Lake
  • Lake Louise
  • Rockbound Lake
  • Smith Lake
  • Twin Lakes (upper and lower)
  • Two Jack Lake
  • Vermilion Lakes
  • Vista Lake
  • Waterfowl Lakes

Allowed activities:

  • Swimming
  • Playing with beach toys
  • Snorkeling
  • Scuba diving (Two Jack Lake only)
  • Fishing (exception: no fishing in Johnson Lake or Cascade Ponds)
  • Paddling and large inflatables

Prohibited activities:

  • Motorized boating

Water Preservation Zone

Water Preservation Zones are prioritized for protection of ecologically sensitive waterbodies or areas with limited recreational use. Permitted water recreation equipment must be Clean, Drain, Dry, and Certified with a Self-certification Permit. Waterbodies in this zone are:

  • Bow Lake
  • Moraine Lake (Only on-site rental watercraft that do not leave Moraine Lake are permitted.)
  • All other waterbodies that do not fall within a different zone

Allowed activities:

  • Swimming
  • Playing with beach toys
  • Snorkeling
  • Fishing without waders or wading boots

Prohibited activities:

  • Fishing with waders or wading boots
  • Paddling and large inflatables
  • Motorized boating

Special Tactics Zone

Special Tactics Zones are high-use waterbodies where site-specific measures apply. Permitted water recreation equipment must be Clean, Drain, Dry, and Certified with a Self-certification Permit.

Waterbody in this zone: Lake Minnewanka

All watercraft, waders, and wading boots are prohibited, with the exception of motorboats that pass a Parks Canada watercraft inspection and rental watercraft available at the lakeshore that do not leave Lake Minnewanka.

Allowed activities:

Prohibited activities:

  • Fishing with waders and wading boots
  • Paddling and large inflatables
Select image to expand

Clean, drain, dry, and certify all watercraft and water-related gear before entering a new waterbody to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

clean 

Clean

all mud, sand, plant, and animal materials from your watercraft, gear, and angling equipment.

drain 

Drain

all watercraft, gear, and angling equipment before leaving the waterbody.

dry 

Dry

for at least 48 hours when last used within AB, BC, NWT, or YT; and at least 30 days when last used outside of AB, BC, NWT, or YT.

symbol of ais self-certification  

Certify

watercraft, gear, and angling equipment by completing a Self-certification Permit or by booking a Parks Canada inspection.

How to certify

Non-motorized watercraft, gear, and angling equipment

Fill out a Self-certification Permit and carry it with you while you recreate. Self-certification permits are available at:

Locations details

Banff Visitor Centre
Lake Louise Visitor Centre
Cascade Ponds
Johnson Lake
Lake Minnewanka
The Bow River - 5 Mile, Bow Falls, Town of Banff Recreation Grounds
Two Jack Lake & campgrounds
Two Jack Canal
Carrot Creek Access
Park Gates

When entering any new waterbody within Banff National Park, you must Clean, Drain, and dry your watercraft or equipment for 48 hours, and complete a new Self-certification Permit. If you are unable to meet the Clean, Drain, Dry requirements indicated on the Self-certification Permit, you are prohibited from launching a watercraft in Banff National Park until the permit conditions are met.

Motorized watercraft

Lake Minnewanka is the only waterbody in Banff National Park where boats with motors, both gas and electric, are allowed. There is an unloading ramp and parking area for boats and trailers. There are no public boat docks in the park. Please note that Lake Minnewanka is within the Special Tactic Zone and all motorized watercraft (gas and electric) must have a Park Canada Inspection prior to launching.

Inspections are offered by appointment only and must be booked 48 hours in advanced:

The Lake Minnewanka inspection station is located 6 km from the town of Banff along the Lake Minnewanka Road.

 

How to: clean, drain, and dry | Parks Canada

Transcript

[This video has no spoken language. Text appears on screen throughout the video.]

[Sounds of water and calm guitar music throughout the video.]

[Two people paddling a canoe; Parks Canada beaver logo appears.]

Text: Exploring Parks Canada’s lakes, streams and rivers is a popular way to see the national parks.

[Aerial view of large blue lake.]

Text: Yet these water bodies are vulnerable to aquatic invasive species.

[Two people paddling a canoe, paddleboarder behind them, on a lake.]

Text: These invaders can hitch a ride on watercraft like kayaks, inflatables and SUPs.

[Canoers and paddleboarder arrive to shore.]

[Images shown of zebra mussels and shelled invasive species.]

Text: Aquatic invasive species, once established, irreversibly damage ecosystems and harm species at risk.

[Canoers and paddleboarder arrive on shore.]

[The words “CLEAN DRAIN DRY” are written in mud on the back of a canoe. Water is slowly poured overtop and washes it away.]

[Canoers pull canoe onto shore.]

Text: Clean, Drain, Dry your watercraft and gear BEFORE and AFTER entering the water.

Large title on screen: Step 1: Clean

[Two people clean a canoe. A jug scoops water from a lake.]

[View from inside a canoe; water is poured onto the side of a canoe while a cloth wipes it down.]

Text: Clean all debris from your watercraft and water-related gear BEFORE and AFTER your trip.

[A paddleboard is wiped down with water and a cloth.]

[Two people pour water and wipe down the backside of a paddleboard.]

Large title on screen: Step 2: Drain

[Two people tip a canoe onto its side; water is emptied from a canoe on its side.]

Text: Drain coolers, buckets, compartments and other items that may hold water on land before leaving the waterbody.

[A paddle is pulled apart and emptied of water.]

Text: Some aquatic invasive species can survive in pools of water for 30 days.

[Two people stand a paddleboard up against a tree.]

Large title on screen: Step 3: Dry

[Two people wipe down the backside of a paddleboard. A close-up shows a hand wiping down a paddleboard with a cloth.]

Text: Use a clean towel to wipe down the entire watercraft. Set aside to dry.

[Two people wipe down a paddleboard with cloths.]

Text: Ensure items are completely dry before entering a new lake, stream or river.

[A close up of a paddleboard with water on it.]

[Two people walking through a forest, one person holding a paddleboard and another with PFD.]

[A person rolls a deflated paddleboard and wipes it down with a cloth as they roll it.]

[Two people pack a paddleboard into a bag.]

[A lake with two people paddling a canoe, and two people standing on paddleboards.]

Text: Sustainable aquatic ecosystems are vital to the overall health of Canada’s lakes, streams and rivers.

Text: Do your part to protect park waters: Clean, Drain, Dry.

[Logo] Parks Canada, Parcs Canada.

[Logo] Canada

Aquatic invasive species of concern

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, and diseases. Many AIS are harmful to freshwater ecosystems. AIS reproduce quickly, rarely have natural predators and often out-compete native freshwater species. Preventing aquatic invasive species from entering waterways is a Parks Canada priority. Once AIS are established, removal is next to impossible.

  • Whirling Disease

    Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that causes skeletal deformities of an infected fish’s body or head, usually in young fish, and the tail may appear dark or black. The disease can be spread to other waterbodies through spores in mud. This disease is not harmful to humans or other mammals but can have significant effects on some fish populations, such as Westslope cutthroat trout.

  • Invasive mussels

    Quagga and Zebra mussels are small, fan-shaped, and range from dark brown to white in colour. Just a few mussels can produce millions of eggs. They are very efficient at filtering nutrients from the water, leaving no food for native species. Dense colonies of mussels can clog water pipes and make the shoreline unusable because of their sharp shells and odour.

    Photo credit: invasive.org
  • Eurasian water milfoil

    Eurasian water milfoil is a perennial, submersed aquatic plant native to Eurasia and North Africa. Although not currently present in Alberta, new colonies can form from a single stem, seed or leaf. Eurasian milfoil forms thick layers that shade native plants and decrease oxygen levels as they decay.

    Photo credit: invasive.org
  • Didymo

    Didymo is a freshwater algae that has the appearance of wet toilet paper and the feel of wet cotton wool. It attaches to rocks in streams and can form into large beige to brown mats that completely cover the stream bottom, blanketing important fish and plant habitat.
    Felt-soled wading boots (banned in mountain national parks) and other water gear are a common way for didymo to spread.

    Photo credit: invasive.org
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