Banff’s iconic Lake Louise and Moraine Lake become extremely busy in summer. Here’s our top tips for visiting in peak season.
Banff National Park’s iconic Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies. Moraine Lake’s turquoise waters are framed by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, while Lake Louise sits under the Victoria Glacier, both as breathtaking in backdrop as each other.
During the summer months, these iconic lakes become extremely busy, so the best way to visit in the summer season is by reserving shuttle transfer, or booking one of many guided tours. Planning ahead is a must, especially for Moraine Lake, where the access road is closed to personal vehicles. Here’s the best place to book a transfer.
Moraine Lake only opens from June to October, while access to Lake Louise is available year-round – reserving your seat in advance is crucial to ensure you don’t miss out.
The simplest way to see the lakes is to book accommodation at Moraine Lake Lodge or the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, but if you’re staying elsewhere, here’s how to pre-book a transit service.
Transfer services from Banff township:
- Discover Banff Tours: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake combination from CAD 140 PP all departures are from Banff township
- Hop on Banff Day Pass: from 7.45 a.m. for nine hours from CAD 126 PP. Departing from the Banff townsite, stopping at Johnston Canyon, the Lake Louise Summer Gondola, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
- Radventures: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure from CAD 209 PP, all departures are from Banff townsite.
Transfer services from Lake Louise township & surrounds:
- For guests staying in or nearby Lake Louise, which are approximately 45 minutes drive from Banff (excluding Chateau Lake Louise or Moraine Lake Lodge), Ten Peaks Shuttle offers shuttle tours combining both lakes or Lake Louise only from CAD 75 PP picking up from a variety of cabins and lodges, including Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway.
- Fairview Limo shuttle services pick up from the Lake Louise Inn and Samson Mall in Lake Louise townsite, with day tours to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise from CAD 35 PP with prices increasing depending on the time of travel and lakes of interest.
- Moraine Lake Shuttle services start at CAD 33 PP to Lake Louise and CAD 59 PP to Moraine Lake.
Self Drive Lake Visits
Self-drive visitors cannot drive to Moraine Lake and parking at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is limited in summer with hotel guests having priorities. The best option is to park at the Lake Louise Summer Gondola or Samson Mall and take a pre-booked shuttle. Self-drivers must also have a National Park pass pre-purchased online or at the park gate entry.
Touring Companies and Small Group Tours
In addition to the independent options, Australian-based tour companies offer pre-built itineraries for travellers looking for all inclusive tours that stop by the lakes for either overnight stays or day trips including APT, Travelmarvel, Scenic, Evergreen, Inspiring Vacations, Globus, Cosmos, TripADeal, or Luxury Escapes.
Banff and Lake Louise offer incredible experiences that reconnect people to the natural world. Situated in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible year-round adventure and wellness are cultivated every day of the year by visitors from across the globe. Home to three ski resorts, countless glacier-fed lakes, two vibrant townsites and authentic Canadian culture and cuisine, this place is unforgettable.
