Moraine Lake is so beautiful and is such a popular spot in the Canadian Rockies that it is on everyone’s Banff Bucketlist because it is so stunning. I have been to Moraine Lake a few times, living roughly four hours from Banff National Park my whole life, I’ve been lucky to live so close by. You can’t miss this incredible lake on your trip to Alberta, so keep reading to find out the best Moraine Lake tips to help you plan your trip to this iconic spot!
If you could only visit one Banff lake, I would definitely make it Moraine Lake!
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Moraine Lake Quick Facts:
- Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Currency: Canadian Dollar
- Fun Fact: Moraine Lake was featured on a previous version of the Canadian $20 bill – which is why it’s known as the twenty dollar view!
- Best Time to Visit: July – September (see more below)
Your 2024 Guide on visiting Alberta’s most famous lake – Moraine Lake!
Tips on How to Get to Moraine Lake
There are a couple of ways to get to Moraine Lake, but new in 2023, personal vehicles are no longer able to drive to Moraine Lake. The only option is hiking/biking up yourself, booking a spot on a shuttle, taking ROAM public transit, or by commercial bus (tour bus). This is a continuing rule for the 2024 season.
Hike or Bike to Moraine Lake
Because the road to Moraine Lake is now closed to personal vehicles, it will be a little easier to bike during June, July, and August – although there are still busses on the road and it quite a winding road (and uphill most of the way there!). There is a very small shoulder of the road as well, and so I probably wouldn’t recommend biking during peak times/hours.
During late May and early October, the road is closed to all vehicles (dates vary depending on the year and level of snow). This is the best time to bike to Moraine Lake because you won’t have to worry about vehicles on the road! This is also a great time to hike as well, as there is no path to hike on (meaning you’ll have to hike on the road).
Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake:
Parks Canada offers a shuttle bus to Moraine Lake for people to visit..
- The shuttle runs from June – October.
- To use the shuttle, you must reserve a spot in advance through the Parks Canada website.
- The shuttle will pick you up from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. You cannot park at Lake Louise lakefront parking lot and try to take the shuttle to Moraine Lake.
- If you are staying at the Lake Louise Campground, there is a connector that will pick you up from the Lake Louise Campground and take you to the Park and Ride at the Ski Resort.
To get between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, there is a Lake Connector Shuttle that connects Moraine Lake to Lake Louise that is free of charge and first come, first serve for visitors who arrived at either of the lakes via the Parks Canada shuttle. Lake Louise is super close to Moraine Lake, and I highly recommend visiting both lakes on the same day.
Because this will now be the main way to get to Moraine Lake, I would highly recommend booking a spot on the Moraine Lake shuttle in advance to guarantee your visit!
If the shuttle is full when you go to book, Parks Canada will also be “rolling out seats” 2 days before departure at 8am. Make sure to be on there a few minutes before 8am for the best chance at booking seats. (So, if you were hoping to visit on a Wednesday, check back at 8am the Monday before for any seat openings).
When booking, I would recommend choosing the lake that you really want to visit as your first stop (whether it is Moraine Lake or Lake Louise). As I have seen the line for the Lake Connector Shuttle to be incredibly long, so make sure you plan for this in your budgeted time. If the line is suuuuper long, I have heard that some visitors have not visited the second lake because they didn’t have time to wait for the connector.
Check out our Lake Louise Itinerary if you’re looking to visit this lake on the same day!
Roam Transit (Public Bus):
Another option to get to Moraine Lake is to take the public transit bus called ROAM Transit. This will take you from the Town of Banff, up Lake Louise Drive and Moraine Lake Road, and then to the Lake.
- This service only runs in the fall (mid-September to mid-October) during the larch season to Moraine Lake (but there is a bus that runs year-round to Lake Louise).
- This option is not available in the spring or summer.
- The bus to Lake Louise runs year-round.
- With a ROAM Super Pass, you can ride on the Parks Canada Lake Connector Shuttle. So think about upgrading to this pass if you choose this route.
Commercial Tour/Shuttle
The last option to get to Moraine Lake is to sign up for a tour with a company.
There are a bunch of different companies that offer tour stops at Moraine Lake:
- WowBanff Open Top Bus to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
- Banff Hop on Hop off Tour Bus
- There are other tours that stop at Moraine Lake, but a lot only give half an hour to visit the lake, which, unless you’re short on time, I would aim for a longer stop!
Mountain Park Transportation also runs a shuttle to Moraine Lake, leaving from a few hotels in Banff. Make sure to book in advance if this is the option you choose.
Moraine Lake Parking
Public vehicles are no longer allowed on the Moraine Lake road, which means the parking lot at Moraine Lake is for commercial buses/transportation only. You cannot park at Moraine Lake in 2024.
Tips on the Best Time to go to Moraine Lake
The road to Moraine Lake is closed during a portion of the year due to the risk of avalanches. The road typically opens the Tuesday after Victoria Day in May, and closes early-mid October, depending on avalanche risk. Moraine Lake in the winter time is closed!
Moraine lake is open from mid-May/early June to early-mid October.
In 2024, the opening of Moraine Lake Road is predicted to be June 1 (but can change depending on weather).
The road to Moraine Lake is usually plowed on the weekend leading up to Victoria Day, which means that it is the perfect opportunity to bike to Moraine Lake and beat the crowds! The lake is still thawing during this time though, so although it is still breathtaking, don’t expect that beautiful blue water you see in pictures at this time of the year. The snowy photo above was taken at Moraine Lake on May 23, 2021.
When to Visit Based on the Seasons:
Plan your trip according to what you would like to see when you visit Moraine Lake. If you’re after that stunning, icy blue water, plan your trip for later in the summer.
The end of June and the month of July is a beautiful time to visit for a chance at nice weather and a thawed lake.
Moraine Lake gets its color from glacial run-off, therefore, in mid to late August, there will have been plenty of time for glacial run-off to happen and the lake will be at its best color.
For yellow larches and fall colors, mid-September to early-October is the best time to plan your trip.
In the winter, it is extremely difficult to visit Moraine Lake after the road closes. Some adventurists try to go cross country skiing up the road, but the way there is majority uphill and there is a high risk of avalanche in the area.
Best Time of Day to Visit:
Because the shuttle system is new this year (and no personal vehicles are allowed), it’s hard to say what crowds will be like until we actually experience the new system this summer.
Typically, it has been best to go extra early (as early as possible) or late evening after the crowds have cleared. With the new shuttle system, I would recommend booking whatever time slot you can get, but being the first bus in would probably be the most ideal.
- Early: Being one of the first busses in will give you a chance to try to be one of the first few visitors to the lake.
- Late Evening: I’ve had luck around supper time (6 pm-ish) for fewer crowds at the lake, or even later day (8:30 pm-ish). Booking a shuttle later in the evening might be beneficial as most tours will peak at mid-day.
- Mid-Day: Visiting any popular spot mid-day is always the busiest time. But with the new shuttle system, it may not make much of a difference anymore.
Tips on What to do at Moraine Lake
Like I’ve said before, Moraine Lake is beautiful! One of the main things to do is just appreciate how amazing it is. But for actual activities, the best things to do at Moraine Lake are hike and explore the area, or rent a canoe and paddle around the lake.
Canoe at Moraine Lake:
Renting a canoe at Moraine Lake is on the bucketlist of so many travelers.
- Rent a canoe from the Moraine Lake Boathouse, right on the lakeshore!
- The boathouse is open from mid-June to mid-September
- Canoe prices start at $140 CAD plus tax for a 1-hour rental
- Canoes are on a First Come, First Serve basis
If you’re on a budget and just want to canoe on a lake in Banff, you can rent canoes from the Banff Canoe Club in town and canoe on a calm part of the Bow River, or even follow the 40 Mile Creek to Vermillion Lakes. Renting from the Banff Canoe Club starts at $60/hour, and is $30/each additional hour.
Hike:
A free option at Moraine Lake is to hike and explore the area. There are different hikes for all levels at Moraine Lake.
Hikes around Moraine Lake:
- Moraine Lakeshore: The easiest hike, this is a relatively flat trail and perfect for all skill levels. You can get unique views of the mountains and find different photo spots along the trail.
- Rockpile Trail: This is one of my favourite easy hikes in Banff hike, as there is just a small incline and it is not very difficult. This trail will take you up for a higher view of the lake and there are opportunities on this trail to try and angle your camera to avoid other people in your photos. The photo above of me on the rock in front of the lake was taken at Moraine Lake on the Rockpile Trail on July 17, 2021.
- Consolation Lakes Trail: This is another relatively easy hike in the area, but is a bit longer (around 2.5 hours). It will take you to the Consolation Lakes for more beautiful scenery.
- Eiffel Lake: This hike continues on from the Moraine Lakeshore trail, and takes around 4 hours with an elevation gain of 609m. It will lead you to a beautiful view of Eiffel Lake, which is located down in the valley from the viewpoint (you can’t actually get to the lakeshore of Eiffel Lake).
- Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley: You can hike to Larch Valley, which is amazing in the fall (but super popular), with an elevation gain of around 535 m. Continuing on to Sentinel Pass will have a total elevation gain of 799 m. This is an incredible bike, but one of the more difficult ones that leaves from Moraine Lake.
- Tower of Babel (scramble): This option is quite difficult, and is better suited for skilled hikers. It is a scramble to the top, meaning hikers must use their hands and feet to climb. You must have a helmet if it’s busy, and climb at your own risk!
Tips on Where to Stay Around Moraine Lake
There are a couple of options for where to stay in the Moraine Lake area:
- Moraine Lake Lodge: A more expensive (but beautiful) option, this hotel sits right on the Moraine Lake lakeshore.
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Lake Louise is quite close to Lake Moraine, and this is another luxury option for those looking to stay on the shore of another iconic Canadian lake.
- Lake Louise Campground: This is the closest campground to the lakes, and access to the Parks Canada Shuttle is free if you choose to camp here.
- 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 (although it is not within walking distance of Moraine Lake, unless you want to go a major hike up the road – 2.5 hours one way). 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. It is not within walking distance of Moraine Lake (just under a 3 hour walk).
- Hotels in Lake Louise Village: There are a few hotels in the Lake Louise Village. These are not within walking distance of Moraine Lake, but is a short drive and the Parks Canada Shuttle stops here as well.
- Banff or Canmore: Another option is to stay in the Town of Banff or the Town of Canmore. Although neither of these are particular closeby (about 2 hours from either place), sometimes it’s your only option.
Moraine Lake Photography Tips
It is so hard to take a bad photo of Moraine Lake. With its growing popularity though, there are some ways to try to get better photos with no other people in them.
Best photo spots:
- Rockpile Hike: This is my favourite place to take photos. Along the trail, there are different views of Moraine Lake, and you can usually angle your camera in different ways to avoid people in your photos. At the different viewpoints, other people typically wait their turn to grab a quick photo with Moraine Lake in the background.
- Lakeshore Trail: There are quite a few spots along the trail that are great for photos. As you walk the trail, you’ll see little areas right beside the trail where there are limited trees and a nice view of the lake. Sometimes there are little rocks to stand on as well (be careful, they are slippery!). Be respectful and only walk on areas that look like a common stop along the trail. Please don’t start venturing off path and trampling everything just to get a photo.
- On a Canoe: If you are planning to rent a canoe on Moraine Lake, this is one of the best ways to avoid people in your photos! You’ll be out on the water and can escape the crowds, with anyone in the background just adding to the photo because they will all be in canoes as well.
Best time to take photos:
- Early morning or late evening to avoid the crowds and for the best lighting
- July and August for the best weather and conditions & blue lake
- Mid-September or early October for yellow larches
Tips on Where to Eat Around Moraine Lake
There aren’t a huge amount of restaurants around Moraine Lake, because it is up in the mountains! Your best options for where to eat around Moraine Lake are:
- Pack a picnic for beautiful views and to save money!
- Either stop at the grocery store before heading up to Moraine Lake, or pick something up from a cafe in Banff to bring, or from Lake Louise Village before continuing to Moraine Lake (it’s on the way in).
- Moraine Lake Lodge Dining Room or Cafe
- There is a restaurant in the Moraine Lake Lodge that is right on the Lakeshore
- For a quicker option, stop at the cafe in Moraine Lake Lodge for food. You can grab food here for your picnic as well!
Activities in the Moraine Lake/Lake Louise Area you Might Also be Interested in:
- As mentioned throughout this article – Lake Louise is super close by!
- Head down to Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, and Takakkaw Falls
- Drive the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper National Park (stop at Mistaya Canyon!)
- Drive the Bow Valley Parkway and hike Silverton Falls and Johnston Canyon
- Try one of these other easy hikes near Banff
More Posts on the Canadian Rockies:
- Your 4 Day Banff Itinerary
- Hiking Lake Louise: Lake Agnes Teahouse, Big Beehive, and Little Beehive
- Your Banff Bucketlist: 28 Things to see
- Where to Stop on the Icefields Parkway (The Road from Banff to Jasper)
Moraine Lake FAQ:
These are the most frequently asked questions visitors ask when planning their trip to Lake Louise. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to send me an email or reach out via Instagram.
Yes! In fact I highly recommend it. These two lakes are so close to each other it would be great to visit each on the same day. But, if you are planning a super long hike at either of these locations, visiting on 2 different days may be best.
I also recommend visiting both lakes in one day if you are taking the Parks Canada Shuttle. There is a free shuttle connecting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, which is accessible to visitors who reserved a spot on one of the shuttles to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake from the Park and Ride.
You can no longer park at Moraine Lake, you must take a bus. It costs $36.75 per vehicle per day to park at Lake Louise (recent as of 2024).
There will be a cost to visiting Moraine Lake in 2024, as public vehicles are not allowed, meaning you will have to book transportation to the lake in advance. Cost depends on the transportation method you choose to book – weather it is a Parks Canada shuttle or a private tour. There is also a cost for canoe rentals if you are hoping to rent a canoe on Moraine Lake.
Yes, the road to Moraine Lake closes is usually closed from Mid-October to Mid-May due to avalanche risk.
Moraine Lake is open typically, from the end of May to mid October, depending on weather. In 2024, Moraine Lake is planned to open June 1.
During the winter, Moraine Lake road is closed and it is unaccessible. Some might try to cross country ski to the lake, but there is a high risk of avalanche and it not advised.
Hopefully these Moraine Lake tips were helpful to plan your trip! Have you visited Moraine Lake before?
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
Aoife says
Hi, thanks for this, heading to Jasper and Banff in 3 weeks from Ireland, so excited. How long is the Hike to Lake Agnes? I’m trying to guess when to book the Shuttle from Louise to Moraine. And then how long was the Rock Pile Trail? Again trying to guess how long i’ll be at Moraine to book the shuttle back.
Kat says
Hi!! How exciting!! I absolutely love Ireland. The hike to just Lake Agnes takes most people around 2.5-3 hours roundtrip to complete, depending on your skill level. It’s always nice to have extra time though. And the Rockpile Trail is super quick and easy! Maybe like 5 minutes to the viewpoint. Hopefully that helps you plan! 🙂
sammi swinton says
Your photo’s of this place are absolutely STUNNING!
Leah says
Looks absolutely stunning! Would love to go on a hike there. Thank you for writing such a detailed guide.
Kat says
Thanks Leah 🙂 I’m so happy it was useful!
simplyjolayne says
I am absolutely coming back to this post. Moraine Lake and the surrounding area is “so” on my bucket list for hiking and exploring.
Kat says
Thanks so much Jolayne! It is such a beautiful place to hike 🙂
Ildiko says
Moraine Lake is unbelievably gorgeous :O
Kat says
100% agree! 🙂
kmf says
Banff is high on my list. So greatly appreciate these tips when visiting Lake Lorraine. Great resource!
Kat says
Thanks so much! Banff is truly incredible! 🙂
Amanda says
It is such a dream of mine to visit here! This is such a thorough guide I’m definitely saving this for future use!
Kat says
Thanks so much Amanda!