Two Jack Lake

In early July, we found ourselves in Banff and had a chance to paddle Two Jack Lake. Parking here can be full on the weekend and on nice days. We got a spot in the lower lot at 9 am on a weekday without a problem. The carry was 25 feet to the water.

The parking area also has pit toilets and picnic tables. The gravel beach is shallow and it is an easy entry. The carry from the upper lot is not too bad, but is maybe 500 feet. Parks is using self-certification on this lake (either 48-hours dry or inspected by Parks staff).

The lake runs basically north-south. To the north it ends in a dam that controls the flow from Lake Minnewanka. This is a lovely rocky-shore paddle with amazingly clear water.

The south end of the lake sees the valley open up a bit with great vistas on a clear day.

The south end of the lake includes a canal. Half way down the canal, there is an old bridge that blocks access. 

You can get out and carry around the bridge. We didn't bother going further as we had a long drive ahead of us that day.

Overall, Two Jack is a great and easy paddle that take just over an hour. There is an adjacent campground, if that's your jam and you can manage to get a reservation. 

Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park

In August we had a chance to paddle Two-Jack Lake in Banff. The day-use area is accessed via Lake Minnewanka Road.

Depending on how full the day use area is, you can literally drive to the waters edge and park 20 feet from the water. There are picnic tables along the lake shore as well as a single washroom.

We were there on two different days and faced smoke both time. The pictures on the web of clear days are amazing, with a lovely green lake and amazing mountains in the background.

The beach is gravel and rock but very shallow so launching is a snap. We saw all manner of water craft on the lake.

You can also access the lake of you are camped in the Two-Jack Lake Lakeside Campground on the southern end of the lake. A full paddle around the lake is about 90 minutes.

It was lovely all day when we were then.

The northern end of the lake includes a dam and some interesting rock formations on the west side of the lake.

Immediately beyond the dam is Lake Minnewanka proper. Minnewanka is a pretty huge lake that can really roll in the right wind (or really any wind). Two Jack offers a very similar experience with much calmer waters (although a big blow can be pretty rough).

Overall, this is a lake we'd go back to on a sunnier day. Truly lovely clear water, interesting bottom and shore line and lots of see.