Lake Louise Itinerary: Explore this breath-taking place in one day

Lake Louise is an amazing place to visit in the Canadian Rockies, and is a stop on almost everyone’s Banff National Park bucket list! Find out how to visit Lake Louise in 1 day using this itinerary, and have the best day ever 🙂 .

Lake Louise Quick Info:

• Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
• Currency: Canadian Dollar
• Best time to visit: June – September
• Closest town: Banff Town (around a 45 minute drive)

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Lake Louise 1 Day Itinerary:

If you’re looking to spend a full day at Lake Louise, this is the best itinerary to follow and maximize your time! In order to squeeze everything into this jam-packed itinerary, make sure to get an early start at Lake Louise!

This one day Lake Louise itinerary works well for driving your own vehicle or taking a shuttle (we’ll touch more on that below).

1. Take Photos and Start Exploring the Lakeshore

Since you’ve probably arrived early for your day at Lake Louise, you have some time before the canoe boathouse opens (it opens at 10:30am). Use this time to start taking your photos (while there’s fewer people around!) and explore fun areas of the lakeshore.

If you’re up for it, explore the Lake Louise shoreline trail. It is a relatively flat trail and stretches around the north side of the lake. The hike takes most people around 1 hour to complete (out and back) and provides different views of the lake.

I wouldn’t recommend heading out on any major hikes if you want to rent a canoe, because they run on a First Come First Serve basis, and you’ll want to be in the area in case a line starts to form.

2. Rent a Canoe

Canoes at Lake Louise are rented on a First Come First Serve basis. If you’re hoping to canoe on Lake Louise, I would recommend renting it right away. That way you won’t have to wait around in line to rent a canoe later in the day, and you’ll be one of the first out on the water. There will be fewer boats out which means fewer boats in your photos.

Rent a canoe from the Lake Louise Boathouse, starting at $145/30 min or $155/hour. In 2023, the boathouse opened at 10:30 am and closes at 6 pm, with the last boat going out at 5pm. Boathouse hours for 2024 are still waiting to be released!

You can only rent a canoe in the summer season!

3. Take a Hike

Once you’ve knocked “canoeing on Lake Louise” off your bucket list, get ready for a hike! This hike is one of my favourite things on this Lake Louise itinerary because it is such a cool experience and one I’ve only done in the Canadian Rockies! The best Lake Louise hike (in my opinion) is the hike to the Lake Agnes tea house. This hike will take you to a teahouse nestled in the mountains around Lake Louise, and is located right beside Lake Agnes, another stunning lake in the mountains.

Quick tips for your hike to Lake Agnes Teahouse:

• Bring cash (they don’t accept cards).
• Prepare for crowds. It gets sooo busy at this teahouse.
• Check out the menu in advance.
• Bring your own water (you are on a hike!).
• The teahouse is closed from Canadian Thanksgiving to early June.

If you’re really into hiking, you can extend this hike and hike to the Little Beehive lookout before arriving at Lake Agnes, and then continue on to hike to Big Beehive Lookout and even continue on to Devils Thumb. The views from Little Beehive and Big Beehive will show you Lake Louise, from above.

Keep in mind, if you choose to hike all the way to Big Beehive or even Devil’s Thumb, you may have to knock something else off your itinerary as you may not have time to do it all.

Stronger hikers may be interested in hiking to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea house as well.

4. Have Lunch

If you chose to hike all the way to Big Beehive, you will probably be eating lunch at some point on your hike. If this is the case, plan to bring food with you (a sandwich) or plan to eat at the Lake Agnes Teahouse.

If you are only hiking to the Teahouse and/or Little Beehive, you will probably be eating lunch after your hike. There aren’t many restaurants on the Lake Louise lakeshore, so if you don’t pack your own lunch, your only option is to leave the Lake to find food or eat at the Chateau Fairmont Hotel, which is the only building on the lakeshore.

Options for lunch at Lake Louise:

• Picnic: Pack your own and have a picnic on the lakeshore! This is my favourite choice (or the teahouse).
• Lake Agnes Teahouse: Pick up a sandwich to eat after your hike, or enjoy a soup and sandwich during your hike if you’re hungry at the teahouse.
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel: There are multiple restaurants in this hotel, which is right on the lake. This can get a little pricy because it is a fancy hotel – prepare to spend if you’re choosing to eat here.
• Lake Louise Village: Lake Louise Village is a little area with cafes and hotels, about a 12 minute drive from the lakeshore (1-hour walk). If you drove yourself to Lake Louise, you’re risking losing your parking spot by heading to the village! If you took the bus, you should be able to get back as long as there is space on the bus. If you are taking the Parks Canada Shuttle, you should be prepared to leave the lakeshore and not return).

5. Ride the Gondola or Continue on to Moraine Lake!

The Lake Louise Gondola is not at the lakeshore, which means you will have to leave this area and head to the gondola which is close by. In the winter, this is where you can go skiing or snowboarding. In the summer, you can ride the gondola for awesome views and even more hiking.

If you purchase your Gondola ticket in advance, there is a free shuttle from Lake Louise to the gondola, which makes transportation easy! There is also free parking at the gondola parking lot if you choose to drive yourself.

If you do not want to spend the money on the Lake Louise Gondola, you can instead head over to Moraine Lake which is super close by to Lake Louise! Unfortunately, you can no longer drive your personal vehicle to the Moraine Lake Lakeshore. Now, it is only accessible by public bus, commercial bus, or Parks Canada Shuttle. I would recommend booking the Parks Canada Shuttle Bus (in advance), as they have a Lake Connector to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise. You can no longer visit Moraine Lake “in the spur of the moment” and need to preplan your transportation there.

Find out more about visiting Moraine Lake and all the tips you need here.

Lake Louise Tours

If you would prefer to be taken to Lake Louise by a tour/shuttle, or join an excursion at Lake Louise, I’ve put together this list of tours available in the area:

• Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Yoho National Park Day Trip
• Open Top Shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake from Lake Louise Ski Resort
• Half day tour to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
• Lake Louise Winter Snowshoe Tour

Things to Know About Lake Louise:

• Parking: Parking at Lake Louise now costs $36.75 CAD per vehicle per day (as of March 2024).
• Have a backup plan: The parking lot at Lake Louise is large, but it still gets full during the summer. Have a backup plan in case you arrive and there is no parking available.
• It can get BUSY during peak season and peak times. Mentally prepare for a lot of crowds during your visit. If it’s not too busy, then embrace your luck!
• You can spend as much or as little time as you’d like here – make a quick stop to admire the lake or spend time exploring and doing activities around Lake Louise

This itinerary is the best for visiting in late Spring, summer, or early fall. To make this itinerary suited for winter, make the following changes:

• Instead of canoeing on Lake Louise, plan to ice skate instead. There are also sleigh rides available in winter!
• Check trail conditions before hiking and prepare accordingly (crampons, etc.). The teahouse is closed from Canadian Thanksgiving to early June.
• Moraine Lake is closed in the winter, but the gondola is still open.

Have more time to explore more of the Canadian Rockies? Drive the Icefields Parkway and explore Jasper National Park too!

When to Visit Lake Louise:

Lake Louise is beautiful any time of year, but depending on what you’re hoping to see you should plan to visit at a certain time of year. Unlike Moraine Lake, Lake Louise is open year-round.

Summer: Late June – August. Best time to see blue lakes and the optimal time for hiking in nice weather. Lakes are thawed and canoeing is possible.

Fall: September – October. Best time to see yellow larches (hopefully) before the snow hits. Starting to get chilly, but still busy because of larch hikes.

Winter: November – March. Best time to visit for ice skating on Lake Louise, skiing, and winter festivals. Icy roads, a ton of snow, and cold weather.

Spring: April – Early June. Lakes are beginning to thaw but have a risk of snow and still frozen lakes. The slowest season so the least amount of crowds.

My favourite time to visit Lake Louise is during the summer.

How to Get to Lake Louise:

To get to Lake Louise, you can either drive yourself, take Parks Canada Shuttle, or take public transit.

Drive Yourself: It’s very easy to drive yourself to Lake Louise. The road doesn’t close during the year, so it’s accessible year-round. Plan to arrive early and pay for parking ($36.75 per day, per vehicle).

The lot doesn’t really fill up during winter and spring, but it can in the fall and will during the summer. If you’re visiting during peak season, make sure to arrive early (between 8 am-8:30 am should get you a parking spot, but the earlier the better).

Parks Canada Shuttle: To guarantee your trip to Lake Louise, you can park at the Lake Louise Park & Ride that is on Highway 2, and hop on the Parks Canada Shuttle to Lake Louise.

• Book the shuttle in advance (it sells out and fills up fast)
• Print your reservation (if possible) in case your phone dies

By booking a spot on the Parks Canada Shuttle, you get a free ride on the Lake Connector shuttle, which will take you to Moraine Lake as well. From Moraine Lake, you can take the shuttle back to the Park & Ride.

• The Parks Canada shuttle costs around $4 for children and $8 for adults

Public Transit: Roam Transit is Banff’s public transit system, and is one of the cheapest ways to get to Lake Louise. Route 8X is the route to take, which leaves from Banff Highschool and stops at Lake Louise Village, and the Lake Louise Lakefront.

You can reserve a spot on the bus in advance – in peak season, it may be hard to board the bus without a reservation.

Tour: Take a tour to Lake Louise (usually tours also go to Moraine Lake), so you don’t have to worry about parking or getting yourself there. I’ve listed a few different tours in the tour section of this post!

Is it Better to Drive to Lake Louise or Take the Bus?

In 2024, if you’re interested in visiting both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, I would recommend booking a spot on Parks Canada Shuttle Bus in advance. This way you won’t have to worry about paying for or finding parking, and you’ll be able to make the most of your time and leave for Moraine Lake straight from the Lake Louise lakeshore with the Lake Connector Shuttle.

Since there is no more personal vehicle access to Moraine Lake, this is also a way to guarantee a visit to both lakes in one day.

If you’re interested in only visiting Lake Louise, then it’s really up to you whether you drive or take a shuttle or public bus. If you choose to drive, plan to arrive early to guarantee your parking spot (and don’t forget to pay). Driving yourself will also allow you to have less people in your photos, because there won’t be a mass amount of you all arriving at once. But driving yourself will make it very difficult to visit Moraine Lake afterwards.

Taking ROAM Transit is an option, but I’ve heard it can be difficult during peak season (summer) or peak times, as the bus gets full and squishy, and lines can get long.

Where to Stay at Lake Louise:

If you’re hoping to stay in the Lake Louise area, there are a few options. Make sure to book in advance because everything fills up, especially during peak season.

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Right on the lakeshore, this is the closest hotel to the lake. It is also super expensive.
• Lake Louise Village: There are quite a few hotels in Lake Louise Village. I would recommend looking at google maps, hovering over to Lake Louise Village, and looking at the multiple hotel options that way.
• Lake Louise Campground: This campground is right near Lake Louise Village. The Lake isn’t really within walking distance, but it’s a great affordable option if you have the camping gear.
• Paradise Lodge and Bungalows: This hotel is on the road leading up to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, and is another option for those who want to stay nearby. It is about 15 minutes walking distance to Lake Louise.
• Deer Lodge: Another option on the road leading up to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. This hotel is about a 5 minute walk to Lake Louise, but doesn’t have the best reviews.
• Banff or Canmore: For a cheaper option, stay in Banff or Canmore. It is a little bit of a drive between Lake Louise and Banff, but this is what I usually do and it works out, the day just starts a little bit earlier.

What to do With More Time in the Lake Louise Area:

If you have more time to visit the surrounding area, I would recommend checking out one of the following:

• Emerald Lake and Yoho National Park (about a 30 minute drive) stopping at Takakkaw Falls on the way
• Johnston Canyon hike (about a 25 minute drive) or one of these other Easy Banff Hikes
• Drive down the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper and see Peyto Lake

Lake Louise Tips

Visiting Lake Louise in the summer can be very busy – buts it’s truly amazing at the same time! Here are my best tips for visiting Lake Louise:

• Arrive early to guarantee your visit (and get less people in your photos)
• Book your shuttle in advance if you’re planning to take the shuttle
• Combine your visit to Moraine Lake with your visit to Lake Louise – they are so close to each other! Remember, you can no longer take your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake
• Wear good shoes, especially if you’re planning to hike
• Pack lunch to save money (the only food option directly by the lake is the Fairmont Chateau Hotel restaurant)

Frequently Asked Questions:

As you build your Lake Louise itinerary, you may have some questions! I’ve answered the FAQ most asked questions about Lake Louise, but if you have more, feel free to send me an email or a message on Instagram.

Is Lake Louise worth visiting?

Lake Louise is stunning. And you can’t really visit Banff without at least stopping at Lake Louise and admiring its beauty. It is a little overrated, but I really think Lake Louise is worth visiting.

Can you visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day?

Yes! You definitely can visit both lakes in one day. They are so close to each other, I would highly recommend doing this if you can! In 2024, Moraine Lake is ONLY accessible via Parks Canada shuttle, ROAM Transit (public bus in the Fall), or commercial buses/tours. You can no longer drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake.

Do you have to pay to skate on Lake Louise?

No, ice skating is free at Lake Louise. The only costs you’ll come across are rentals for ice skates, and a National Park Pass (which you should have anyway if you’re exploring Banff National Park). Parking is free at Lake Louise in the winter season.

How many days do you need in Lake Louise?

I think you only need 1 day to visit Lake Louise, but it depends on what you want to do. If you just want to see the lake, you only really need 1 hour. If you want to do some activities around the lake (hiking, canoeing), you can fit it all in one day, as I’ve laid out in this Lake Louise itinerary. You just might be really tired after!

Best time of day to visit Lake Louise?

If you’re planning to spend a good majority of your day at Lake Louise in the summer, I would recommend arriving as early as possible. The morning time is the best time of day to visit Lake Louise (around 8am), as it will be easier to get a parking spot, there will be less people in your photos, and you can be the first person in line when the canoe rentals open at 10:30am. There will also be less people on the Lake Agnes Teahouse hiking trail.

If you’re just hoping to visit the shoreline, visiting Lake Louise in the evening would be a nice option as well. The sun doesn’t set until around 9pm in the summer, so by 7pm or later quite a bit of crowds should have left by then.

Hopefully this Lake Louise itinerary was helpful! I absolutely love Lake Louise, have you visited before? What was your favourite part!

Keep Reading:

• The Best 4 Day Itinerary for Visiting Banff National Park
• 8 Things to do in Banff This Winter
• How to Visit the Blackshale Suspension Bridge in Kananaskis, Alberta
• Moraine Lake Tips to Help You Plan Your Visit

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