There’s nothing better than a dip in a cold lake after a hot hike - and Two Jacks lake is arguably the Best in Banff! We found Two Jack Lake after a bit of online searching for good swimming spots near Banff and decided to head straight over.
Two Jacks Lake is around 1.5 square kilometers, and 15 meters deep (to put that into perspective Loch Ness is 132m, and Loch Morar 310m).
It’s conveniently located, only a 15-minute drive from downtown Banff, so it’s easy to get to. Be warned, though, it gets busy. We went on a Saturday, and both the upper and lower car parks were completely full, mostly with cars carrying paddleboards. We had to wait a fair bit for a space before heading down to the shoreline, which was also pretty packed.
Paddleboarders enjoying the calm waters of Two Jack Lake on a busy summer weekend.
The moment you see the lake, you understand why it’s so popular. The views are incredible, with the famous shape of Mount Rundle dominating the skyline at a staggering 2,948m above sea level it makes even the biggest Scottish mountains look tiny. It’s a classic Canadian Rockies scene.
The main beach area was buzzing, so we decided to look for a quieter spot. We headed right from the main path and followed a wooded trail along the shore. The short walk paid off, and we found a more peaceful place to get in.
Wading into the water was easy enough; the bottom was soft and silty and the water itself was a beautiful emerald colour. As it’s fed by glacial meltwater, and the lake itself sits at 1,500m, it was definitely chilly! That’s why even in early September, it was around 12-15°C! We braved it in just our swimsuits and managed a good 15-minute swim.
This was probably one of our favourite swims of the trip. Floating in the cool water, surrounded by mountains and old pine trees, was just magic. We couldn’t hear any traffic, just the hubbub from the beach further away. A couple of people walking past stopped to ask about the water, to which we gave the classic British reply, “It’s a bit nippy!”
Apart from some kayakers in the distance, it was just us in the water. Most of the paddleboarders were around a corner, so it felt like we had this part of the lake to ourselves. It was a perfect, peaceful swim that captured the wild feel of Banff.
Good to know
- There are public toilets near the car park.
- It’s a good idea to arrive early, especially on weekends, if you want to get a parking spot.