Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, Banff NP, BC
Captivated by the magic of the lakes.
The Canadian Rockies are a hiker’s dream, offering something for everyone—from families to extreme adventurers. For an unforgettable family experience, visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with kids is a must on any Banff itinerary.
How Do You Get There?
Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake requires careful planning due to high demand. The parking lots at Lake Louise fill up before sunrise and stay full until sunset. To avoid stress and ensure you see these iconic lakes, taking transit or booking a Parks Canada shuttle is essential. Advance reservations are required.
The road to Moraine Lake is closed seasonally from early October to June due to avalanche risk. Because of high visitation, personal vehicles are no longer allowed access to the road.
Want to walk there?
Hiking to Moraine Lake from the community of Lake Louise is approximately 9 MILES one way with a 1729ft elevation gain. There is no pathway along Moraine Lake Road. This narrow, mountain road has minimal shoulders and large commercial vehicle traffic.
There are much better ways to get to these beautiful lakes!
Parks Canada: Shuttle to Moraine Lake
If you have a car, we recommend booking a ticket on the Parks Canada shuttle. Reserve your seat in advance for your desired time slot, as walk-ups are not available. Park your car at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, then board the shuttle bus at your selected time to visit either Moraine Lake or Lake Louise first. You can then use the Parks Canada Lake Connector Bus to visit both lakes on the same day. In early spring, 40% of shuttle tickets are released for the entire season, with the remaining 60% released at 8 am MST two days before departure. Popular dates and times sell out quickly, so booking in advance is highly recommended. We tried booking the ‘last-minute 60%’ tickets, but they were gone in seconds! We even called Parks Canada to confirm, and the representative told us they were sold out in just 56 seconds for the day we wanted to visit!
Shuttle Service to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
Booking a shuttle service to Moraine Lake is a great option, whether you’re traveling solo or with a large group. These shuttles can be booked in advance and will pick you up and drop you off at Moraine Lake. Companies like Fairview Limousine, Moraine Lake Bus Company, Mountain Park Transportation, and Ten Peaks Shuttle & Tours offer this service.
We used the Moraine Lake Bus Company and were able to secure the day and time we wanted for departure. We chose the “Two Lake Tour,” which included a 1-hour stop at Lake Louise before heading to Moraine Lake. From there, we picked our return time and spent 2 ½ hours at Moraine Lake. We would have loved to spend more time at each lake, but coordinating transportation and travel time between stops, especially with our dog Addison at the RV, made it challenging. Our drivers and tour guides were fantastic, providing great tips on where to spot wildlife, recommended restaurants, and additional hikes. We would definitely use the Moraine Lake Bus Company again!
A Guided Tour
A guided tour is another option that guarantees your visit to Moraine Lake. These tours, led by local experts, offer insights into the history and landmarks of these iconic locations. Most guided tours include Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and other key spots in Banff National Park. While these tours can be pricey, they provide a hassle-free experience.
Roam Public Transit
If you’re staying in Banff National Park without a car, Roam Public Transit offers a convenient option. Buses depart from both Canmore and Banff to Lake Louise, and the Super Pass allows you to use the Parks Canada Lake Connector Bus to Moraine Lake. Reservations can be made on the Roam Transit website, and it’s highly recommended to book in advance to secure your desired date. Seats on these buses fill up quickly during the short hiking window, so plan ahead.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is the quintessential Canadian postcard image. With its brilliant blue waters surrounded by the ten peaks, this iconic view has been attracting visitors to the Rockies since tourism began. Moraine Lake became part of Banff National Park in 1885, though it was originally home to indigenous peoples who lived off the land. European explorers arrived in the 17th century, trading with indigenous guides to explore the area.
The Hikes
While many visitors stick to the shores of Moraine Lake or the Rockpile Trail, the area is home to some incredible day hikes in Banff.
Our Favorites
Rockpile Trail:
The Rockpile Trail is a must-do when visiting Moraine Lake. This short, easy hike takes about 10 minutes to summit and offers a unique perspective of the lake’s turquoise waters and the surrounding Valley of the Ten Peaks. The trail begins with a sign directing you up the steps to the Rockpile lookout. Some may find the elevation and steps challenging, but the breathtaking views at the top are worth it. Pictures don’t do it justice; it’s a view that must be experienced.
From the Rockpile, you can continue on to the Consolation Lakes trail, an easy hike with stunning views. We chose to skip this due to a kid’s potty emergency!
Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail:
The Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail is a beautiful and easy path along the edge of the lake. We only had time to do half of this hike, but the portion we did was absolutely stunning. The vivid blue waters are truly a sight to behold.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a breathtaking mountain setting, known to the Indigenous people as Horâ Juthin Îmne, meaning “lake of the little fishes.” Only small fish like cutthroat trout, bull trout, and mountain whitefish can survive in the cold, glacier-fed water.
When Europeans arrived, Lake Louise became an outpost for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1884. Over the years, it has been known by several names, including Holt City, Laggan, and Emerald Lake, before finally being named Lake Louise after Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.
Visitors flock to Lake Louise to soak in the views from the shore or paddle bright red canoes on the glacial waters. While kids may not fully appreciate the stunning location, with its turquoise waters and the Victoria Glacier backdrop, Drew and I were in awe!
Lake Louise Lakefront Trail
With most hikes at Lake Louise being over 4 miles long, we opted for the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail. This simple walk along the lakeshore offers beautiful views along the entire length of the lake to the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. In the summer, you can canoe, and in the winter, you can walk out onto the frozen lake. The trail moves along the north side of the lake, with multiple side trails leading into the mountains.
There are many viewpoints and benches along the route, perfect for taking in the scenery, spotting wildlife, and enjoying local flowers. The trail’s end is a favorite spot for sledding and glacier views in winter. Although some sections are steep, making it less accessible for wheelchairs or strollers, parts of the trail can be navigated with all-terrain equipment. The surface is a mix of pavement and dirt, typically at least three feet wide.
Other Noteworthy Hikes
Though we didn’t do these hikes, they are consistently recommended in blogs and on AllTrails:
Lake Agnes Trail (4.6 miles):
This accessible and relatively short hike leads to the Lake Agnes Tea House, built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901 as a refuge for hikers. The trail offers fantastic views of the Nokhu Crags and Lake Louise. It starts near the Fairmont Chateau Hotel, and since it’s a popular spot, arriving early or during off-peak hours is advised.
Little Beehive via Lake Agnes Trail:
This trail runs from Lake Louise to the summit of the Little Beehive, offering stunning views of Banff National Park and Lake Louise.
Big Beehive:
A more challenging hike, the Big Beehive is a 6.7-mile trail noted for its difficulty but rewarding views.
The Fairmont Chateau Hotel
The Fairmont Chateau Hotel is an iconic image of old-world romance in the Canadian Rockies. Originally a rail chalet built in 1890, the hotel still stands on the edge of this pristine wilderness, offering rooms at a starting price of $800 per night.
Where We Stayed
Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground
Located close to the Town of Banff, this unserviced campground offers a traditional camping experience with stunning mountain views, firepits for cooking, and easy access to hiking and biking trails. With 618 unserviced sites, including a limited number of large campsites, this campground caters to various camping preferences—though not all sites have fire pits.
We loved our stay here, but being without electricity, water, sewer, Wi-Fi, and phone service for four days was challenging! It was our first boondocking experience, and we learned a lot from it.
On our last night at Tunnel Mountain Village 1, we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from our friends, the Niggemann family from Germany, whom we had met just 10 days earlier at the campsite in Whistler, BC! They were on a two-week RV adventure, and although our paths weren't supposed to cross again, they made some changes to their schedule. Out of all the places they could have stayed, they ended up at the same campground as us! They spotted our RV while on a family walk, and we got to hang out together once more.
We love meeting new people, especially those who live far away. It was wonderful to learn about their lives and see our kids hit it off with new friends even if they did not speak the same languages. It truly was a small-world experience to run into them again!
Do You Need a Parks Canada Pass?
Yes, you will need a valid Park Pass to enter Banff National Park, wherein Moraine Lake and Lake Louise reside. Passes can be purchased online or at the park entrance gates. The cost is $10 per adult per day, and kids under 18 are free. If you plan to spend seven or more days in Canada’s national parks, consider purchasing an annual family pass for $140, which offers better value. Since we initially paid for five days in the parks, we decided to upgrade to an annual pass before leaving, as we plan to visit Eastern Canada in the spring. Reminder: If you’ve already paid for park fees in Banff and are visiting Yoho on the same day, you won’t need to pay again! You can just park hop!
Overview
Since many shuttles leave from the Lake Louise Ski Resort, it’s a perfect opportunity to take the Lake Louise Summer Gondola. You can choose between a chairlift or a gondola, both offering fun and safe experiences for the whole family. Many blogs recommend the chairlift for a more exciting experience, especially since it passes over a wildlife corridor, offering a chance to spot grizzly bears. At the top, there’s a viewpoint overlooking Lake Louise. Kids will also enjoy the interpretive center, and the hikes at the top are particularly beautiful when the wildflowers are in bloom or during larch season in late September.
When people think of Banff, Lake Louise is often the first image that comes to mind. You’ve likely seen this picturesque lake on Instagram or travel websites, but seeing it in person is an entirely different experience. Don’t forget about nearby Moraine Lake—it may be smaller, but it’s equally, if not more, stunning. In fact, many argue that Moraine Lake is even better. Our family certainly thought so!
