Parking
The closest road access is Burstall Pass Day Use Area in Kananaskis Country. From there, reach Burstall Campground by crossing Burstall Pass, about 12.5 km one way, then begin the lake spur from the nearby Great Divide Trail junction.
Overview
About Leman Lake Trail
A 3.04-mile out-and-back follows the named Leman Lake Trail from a junction beside Burstall Campground toward a mountain-backed lake view. This backcountry spur starts well beyond the road: from Burstall Pass Day Use Area, the approach to the campground is about 12.5 km one way over Burstall Pass. Add that approach separately and reserve the campground before an overnight stay. The reported lake view does not include direct access to the water.
Why go
- A mountain-backed lake view after a quiet forest walk
- A short, distinct side trip if you are already at Burstall Campground
Heads up
- A 12.5 km one-way cross-pass approach comes before this short spur
- The trail report found no direct access to the lake water
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,855–2,017 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedMentions Day Use Area, referenced in this guideJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Leman Lake Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Banff audio tour- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
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- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Leman Lake Trail
The lake spurThe route follows a narrow, twisting forest track from the Great Divide Trail junction beside…
The route follows a narrow, twisting forest track from the Great Divide Trail junction beside camp, crosses the creek bridge near camp and continues south toward the lake. The mapped corridor is about 1.52 miles each way; allow around two hours for the return walk. You get the lake and its mountain backdrop without the pass approach only if you are already in the backcountry. The route does not reach an accessible shoreline, so expect a view rather than a lakeside wander.
The full approachThe road-access start is the Burstall Pass Day Use Area in Kananaskis Country.
The road-access start is the Burstall Pass Day Use Area in Kananaskis Country. A field account measures about 12.5 km one way to the campground, with 549 m of climbing and 582 m of descent, crossing Burstall Pass and descending into the valley. Those figures stop at camp; the Leman Lake spur is extra. It is a substantial day if you return to the road, and an overnight trip needs a reserved backcountry campsite.
Conditions and rulesThe pass approach crosses braided glacier-outflow channels; flagged poles guide the crossing,…
The pass approach crosses braided glacier-outflow channels; flagged poles guide the crossing, and water can be deep. Higher parts of the route may stay snowbound into late June. Dogs must be leashed and under physical control in Banff.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
