How to get to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park in 2024

I know a lot of people are wondering how to get to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park in Canada, now that access is limited.

This iconic lake is on everyone’s bucket list when they visit the Canadian Rockies.

It’s no wonder, with its pristine turquoise water set in the majestic Valley of the Ten Peaks.

It’s so popular that, as of last year, Parks Canada closed the 14-kilometre road from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake for all personal vehicles.  The traffic had gotten out of control.

So, now what?

Don’t worry.  You can still visit the lake.  It’s just going to take some advance planning.

Here’s a rundown to simplify the options for getting to Moraine Lake on your holiday.

Why visit Moraine Lake?

Well, just look at it.

Most people are amazed to see that the lake really is that colour.

It’s believed the lake was formed by glaciers pushing rock and debris out of the valley.  That’s probably how the big rock pile at one end of the lake got there too.

Why is the water so blue at Moraine Lake? Glacier movement creates a dust, known as rock flour.  It floats in the water and reflects the light.  That’s why the colour is so intense, although it changes with the light and the season.

Where is Moraine Lake?

Moraine Lake sits in the stunning Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park.  It’s 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) via a narrow road from Lake Louise.

If you want to go from Banff to Moraine Lake, the distance is 70 kilometres (43 miles).  Canmore to Moraine Lake is 93 kilometres (almost 58 miles).

To travel from Calgary (the nearest airport) to Moraine Lake, it’s 195 kilometres (121 miles).

When is Moraine Lake open?

Technically, the lake is always open.

But the road from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake closes from early October to the start of June (the exact dates depend on weather conditions).

This has always been the case because there’s a high avalanche risk in this area.   What’s new is that you can no longer drive up there, even during the months when the road is “open”.

How to get to Moraine Lake in season (June to October)

Since the road was closed last year, Parks Canada has approved several new ways to get to the lake (in addition to its shuttle).  It’s kind of complicated now, so this guide should make it easier.

If you have your heart set on seeing Moraine Lake, book early.  Often, visitors wait to see the weather forecast before they go.  But if you wait, you might miss out (also weather forecasts in the mountains aren’t very reliable).  The only way to guarantee your visit is to book in advance.

Keep in mind that schedules and prices can change so be sure to check with your transport provider.

Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake

The Parks Canada shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is probably the best bet for most people.

The shuttle runs from the Park and Ride at the Lake Louise Ski Resort to the Lake Louise parking lot at the lake shore.  From there, you can catch the “Lake Connector” to Moraine Lake.  Your ticket includes both the Lake Louise shuttle and the Connector to Moraine and a return trip.  There’s no fee to park your car at the Lake Louise Park and Ride.

Forty per cent of the shuttle tickets will be released online starting in early spring.  The rest are available on a rolling basis at 8 am MT, two days before departure date.  Warning – – these normally sell out very quickly.

You can book tickets for a one-hour time slot – – just show up anytime within the hour.

Map showing the Parks Canada Shuttle Bus Route:

How to get to the Park and Ride from Lake Louise village or campground

If you don’t have a car, you can take a free shuttle to get to the Lake Louise Park and Ride.

This shuttle runs on a loop from the Lake Louise Campground  to Samson Mall in the Village of Lake Louise to the Park and Ride.  It goes from May 19 to October 9, 7 am to 7:30 pm, every 30 minutes.

Note that you still need a reservation to go from the Park and Ride to Lake Louise lake shore and Moraine Lake.

Public Transit from Banff to Moraine Lake

If you’re staying in Banff, you can take the Roam Transit 8X bus to the Lake Louise lake shore.  Check the Roam website for bus stop locations and pickup times.  The cost is $10 (one-way) for adults.

For $25, you can upgrade to a Super Pass. That allows you to get on the Parks Canada lake connector from the Lake Louise lake shore to Moraine Lake.  Again, this is only available in the summer months when the road is open. It’s a good idea to reserve early.

Roam bus direct to Moraine Lake in larch season

In the fall, the larch trees in Banff National Park turn a brilliant golden colour.  During this short season, from late September to early October, Roam Transit offers a direct bus to Moraine Lake (Route 10).

This route is extremely popular so be sure to book tickets well in advance.

Shuttles offered by private companies:

Several companies have stepped up to offer shuttle buses to Moraine Lake.

These include the Moraine Lake Bus Company, Fairview Limousine and Mountain Park Transportation.  Prices start at $35 per person round trip, but check each company web site for updated schedules, fares and pick-up points.

The Moraine Lake Bus Company and Fairview Limousine offer shuttles that will get you to Moraine Lake at sunrise – – something you can’t do in the summer via public transit.

Guided tours to Moraine Lake

Want to keep things really simple?

Book a guided tour to Moraine Lake.  There are a number of options from Lake Louise, Banff or Calgary.  Many of them stop in some of the other most scenic spots in Banff National  Park.

Tours from Banff:

This highly-rated tour by Discover Banff covers both lakes in half a day.

This popular Hop on/Hop off Bus stops at both lakes as well as Johnston Canyon.

From the Lake Louise Ski Resort:

Take this open-top double decker bus from the Park and Ride at the Lake Louise Ski resort to both lakes.  Stay longer and catch the next one (they run every 45 minutes).

From Calgary:

See some of the top highlights in the Canadian Rockies on this day trip from Calgary to Canmore, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto and Bow Lakes.

Sunrise tours to Moraine Lake:

Sunrise is the best time for photography at Moraine Lake.  Typically, that’s when you’ll get the best reflections and alpenglow on the mountain peaks.

But the public shuttle buses don’t run that early.

So, to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, you can book an early bird tour, like this one with Radventures or this one with Explore Banff Tours.  Both of these tours from Banff or Canmore will put you at Moraine Lake at sunrise, followed by a visit to Lake Louise.

Hiking and cycling

It’s possible to hike or cycle from Lake Louise Village to Moraine Lake.  But I’ll be honest — I’ve never done it.

Parks Canada doesn’t recommend hiking to Moraine Lake.  You could do it from Lake Louise (or Lake Annette) via the Paradise Valley Trail.  This is over a 20-kilometre hike that is considered very challenging.

Due to limited parking, cyclists will often leave their cars at the Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village and go from there.  This is a 14.6 kilometre route on the road to Moraine Lake, with a steady uphill climb.   You’ll encounter bus traffic and there are no shoulders on the road.

Things to do at Moraine Lake

The Rock Pile:  The most popular thing to do is to climb the rock pile to take in the amazing view of the lake.  There’s a short trail directly from the parking lot.  It’s 350 metres to the top, including some stone and wooden steps.

Canoeing on the lake is another classic activity, but it comes at a price.  The Moraine Lake Lodge offers canoe rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis from mid-June to mid-September.  A one-hour rental costs $140 plus tax.  That includes life jackets, paddles and basic instructions for up to three people (no pets allowed).

For hiking trails, see this list by the Moraine Lake Lodge.  The easiest one is the Lakeshore Trail.  It’s a flat trail that runs almost 3 kilometres along the lake and through the forest.  There’s a boardwalk at the end where the water from melting glaciers streams into the lake.

If you hike any of the longer trails, be sure to take bear spray.  This area is known for grizzlies.

Where to stay

As mentioned, be sure to book your accommodation early for the summer months.

If you’re looking to splurge, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Moraine Lake Lodge are lovely options.  The Chateau Lake Louise has a shuttle to Moraine Lake for guests, including a sunrise option.  The Moraine Lake Lodge is beside the lake.   If you book a room there, you get a pass to drive up to the lake yourself.

Banff is a 40-minute drive from Lake Louise and a common base for exploring the Rockies.   You can check pricing and availability on all hotels in Banff here.  I like the Moose Hotel.  I’ve also stayed at the Ptarmigan Inn, for a more affordable option.

You may find more reasonable options in the town of Canmore, about a 20-minute drive from Banff.  Check pricing and availability on Canmore hotels here.

See the Parks Canada website for campsites in Banff National Park.

Common questions:

When is the best time to visit Moraine Lake?

The only time you can visit Moraine Lake is from early June to early October.

Although the crowds will be less, I wouldn’t go too early in June.  Due to its high elevation, Moraine Lake isn’t always fully melted until early June and the intense colour usually develops later in the month.  The water levels are highest at the end of June.

The lake is gorgeous, with the best colour, in July and August.  But these are also the busiest times to visit.  Forest fire smoke has been bothersome in August lately, although this is impossible to predict.

My favourite time to visit is in early September (after Labour Day – the first Monday in September) when the park isn’t quite so crowded.

Are there dog-friendly transport options?

The Parks Canada shuttle allows service dogs and small dogs that can fit in a crate on your lap.

Otherwise, contact Fairview Limousine, which allows dogs for an additional fee.

Note that, because of the wildlife, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in Canada’s National Parks.

Can I visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on the same day?

Yes, you can easily visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day.

To take the Parks Canada shuttle, your trip must begin and end and the Lake Louise Park and Ride.  While driving to Lake Louise is still allowed, it’s extremely difficult to find parking there (unless you arrive before sunrise), and you can’t get on the shuttle to Moraine Lake.

Other shuttle options and tours described above will also take you to both locations.

Do I need a Parks pass to go to Moraine Lake?

Yes, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are in Banff National Park.  You must have a Parks Canada pass if you plan to spend any time in the park.   The passes can be obtained online, at the entrance gate of the park or at tourist information centres.

You can buy a day pass ($10.50 per adult or see the group option).  If you’re planning to spend more time in national parks, you may choose a Discovery Pass, which is good for a year.  The Banff – Lake Louise tourism site has a calculator to help get the best value when buying a pass.

If you’re taking a shuttle or a tour into the Park, check with your provider.  The cost of a pass may already be included in their rates.

Can you swim in Moraine Lake?

Well, it’s not against the rules.  But it’s super cold, about 5 degrees Celsius, because the water comes from glaciers.  So, it’s going to feel like a polar plunge.

What to wear?

At any time of the year in the mountains, you should have layers on hand. The weather can be cool at the lakes due to their higher elevation, especially in the morning or evening.   In the summer, this would include a T-shirt layer, a warm layer and a wind/rain jacket.  I always wear a merino wool base layer, which is comfortable in any situation.

 

There you have it – – everything you need to know about getting to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park.  Enjoy the view!

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