Johnson Lake is one of our favorite lakes in Banff because it’s often overlooked by the more popular Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka. It's known as a local favorite for various reasons - it's close to Downtown Banff, has a small beach, is less wind-affected than other lakes, and is "warm" for Canadian Rockies standards.

Heading to Johnson Lake is one of the best things in Banff on a sunny summer day. There's great swimming, hiking, and paddling at this stunning lake. There are so many interesting things to know about this lake and, surprisingly, many things to do here as well! If you're lucky in the winter it's also a popular spot for wild ice-skating.