A Complete Guide to Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is the most beautiful lake in Banff National Park in Canadian Rockies of Alberta. From how to get to Moraine Lake, where to park, where to stay, when to visit, what are the best activities, hikes, and things to do in the Moraine Lake area, we've got you covered. Read our comprehensive Moraine Lake travel guide that includes everything you need to know before you go.
When standing on the shore of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, you can feel the excitement in the air.
The excitement you share with other co-travelers, who, same as you, for a long time had been planning the visit to one of the most photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies. And now the moment has finally come.
Only a short walk from the parking lot lies the iconic Moraine Lake; it is almost ridiculous how easily accessible it is by car.
Well, you might think that it is just a viewpoint, but make sure you allocate enough time for your visit, as based on our experience, you won't be willing to leave.
We spent near the lake many hours (and we visited the lake three times already) because we wanted to savor the moment or take yet another picture.
If we hadn't planned the visit to Lake Louise and hike to Plain of Six Glaciers for the same day, we would have been probably standing on Moraine Lake's shore for the whole day, waiting for the magical moment when the sun rays touched the water surface and turn the lake to even bluer color.
Is Moraine Lake the most beautiful lake in the Canadian Rockies or even in the world?
Well, we leave it to your judgment, but we won't conceive the fact that this awe-inspiringly glacier-fed blue lake surrounded by rugged peaks (known as Valley of Ten Peaks) is truly wonderful, and you should not miss it when traveling around the Canadian Rockies.
When you hear all the time that something is best, you might start having unreal expectations, and even small details can ruin your day.
Before visiting Moraine Lake, there are some essential things to know, so hopefully, your trip gets as smooth as possible after reading our blog post.
Thanks to the popularity and severe weather conditions, visiting Moraine Lake is not that simple, you might have expected, since it is one of the top attractions in Banff National Park, and it requires a bit of planning. But no worries.
Our Moraine Lake travel guide will provide you with everything you need to know before visiting this remarkable site.
We share with you tips on how to get to Moraine Lake, where to park, when to visit, where to stay and how to get the best photos.
HOW TO GET TO MORAINE LAKE
So the most burning question of all is actually the most simple one. How do you get to Moraine Lake?
In the summer season, Moraine Lake is relatively easily accessible, but... But the popularity of the lake has reached international dimensions, and getting to the lake requires a bit of planning and sometimes also a lot of patience.
Moraine Lake parking lot is quite small, and spaces are limited. Furthermore, Moraine Lake Road was closed, and it's no longer possible to get there by car.
Therefore, you can only reach Moraine Lake Park and Ride area by car located on Highway 1 and take a shuttle from there.
Or alternatively, arrange a different mode of transport to make sure you are not going to miss one of the best views in the Canadian mountains.
Moraine Lake is an hour's drive from Banff and only a 20-minute drive from Lake Louise Village.
We've created this list of the ways to get to Moraine Lake; we hope you will find it helpful and choose the alternative that suits you best.
BY CAR
As of 2023, Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round, which means you can't longer reach Moraine Lake Parking by car.
Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, and commercial buses are permitted from June to mid-October.
To get to Moraine Lake by car, you need to get to Park and Ride first. This huge parking area is on Highway 1, about six kilometers south of Lake Louise village.
Lake Louise is about 60 kilometers west of Banff via the Trans-Canada Highway or 233 kilometers south of Jasper via the Icefields Parkway.
Golden is 85 kilometers from Lake Louise if you are arriving from the west along the Yoho National Park (via Trans-Canada Highway).
Honestly, we cannot imagine traveling around the Canadian Rockies without a car for reasons such as freedom, flexibility, and convenience.
Having your own car is a huge advantage for the Rockies, as you can explore as many places as you want along the way at your pace.
When going on a road trip, we use Rentalcars.com.
Important Update | The following section is no longer valid as the rules changed in 2023.
You will find the most up-to-date information in the section above. However, we decided to keep the original part live in case things will change in the future.
Getting to Moraine Lake by car is the most convenient option, but there is a risk that you will not be able to find a space at the lake.
Usually, the rangers close the road once the parking lot is full, and they will direct you to another parking called Park and Ride, from where you need to take a shuttle bus as it is not within walking distance.
Since 2020, it is necessary to reserve the shuttle bus, so this might be a complication as you cannot know whether you will need it if you rely on getting to Moraine Lake by car.
Therefore, we cannot stress enough how important it is to arrive at the Moraine Lake parking lot early in the morning. How early? Well, Moraine Lake is a popular sunrise spot for photographers, so it is usually safe to arrive around 5-6 AM.
Later during the day, it is always hit or miss. If you find the parking full, it is possible to carry on to Lake Louise (though the situation there might be similar) and return to Moraine Lake on your way back, and there might be a few spots available.
The situation with a full parking lot is the most critical between July and August, and also the problem is that you cannot know if the people who have their car parked will be there only for a couple of minutes to take some photos, or if they set off for several hours-long hikes, so the situation is hard to predict.
Having said that, we had already visited Moraine Lake three times in peak season and were able to find a space for our car at the parking lot two out of three times, although we were probably just lucky.
You should not have a problem finding a parking space in the shoulder season, but that's never guaranteed.
SHUTTLE BUS
People in Parks Canada realize that the parking situation is not ideal near Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, so they run shuttles to the shores of both lakes daily, which is something we really appreciate.
These days when traveling is accessible to so many people, destination management is one of the keys to success and sustainable travel.
Currently, it is necessary to book your seat on a shuttle (the reservation system will open on April 1); no walk-in seats are permitted.
You can make your reservation online via Parks Canada.
Shuttles frequently run, every 15 to 30 minutes all the season when the road to Moraine Lake is accessible, so we think booking a shuttle is a really great option.
The shuttle starts from a large Park and Ride, located 6 kilometers southeast of Lake Louise Village.
In the light of the recent events, the situation with regular lines and timetables can change, so always double-check the up-to-date information before your trip.
HOP-ON-HOP-OFF BUS
As the transport around Banff National Park is limited; you might find useful hop-on-hop-off service.
When you buy a Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Day-Pass, you can easily get around the park's top attractions, such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, or Johnston Canyon.
This is perfect for travelers without a car or for those who want to see the best of this destination without worrying about parking as the transport is arranged on your behalf.
ROAM TRANSIT
Public transport in the area is limited, but Roam Transit runs a direct line between Banff and Moraine Lake. But it is essential to know that direct service runs only from mid-September to mid-October.
The main reason behind running the buses in this period is that the area is super-popular in autumn when the trees change color, and it is a great opportunity to do Larch Valley Hike.
TOURS
Either in Lake Louise and Banff, you will find plenty of travel agencies offering a tour to two well-known places in the national park, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
A guide will pick you up, tell you more about the area, and you won't have to organize your transport at all.
Here is a link to a very popular Moraine Lake Tour that also includes Lake Louise.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MORAINE LAKE
Moraine Lake sits at an altitude of 1883 meters above sea level, and it means one thing. The winter here can be really long, and on top of that, every year, the weather conditions are different.
Well, yeah, it is not easy to say when is the best time to visit Moraine Lake, but we can at least give you a few recommendations.
WINTER
First, it is important to know that Moraine Lake Road leading to the parking lot is closed from mid-October to mid-May because of high avalanche risk.
The exact dates vary every year depending on the current conditions, but if you are traveling around the Rockies during this period, you should not put this destination on your itinerary because it is inaccessible.
Do not despair though, winter in the Canadian mountains is beautiful; you just need always to have a backup plan.
Even though the road is closed for cars, it is still possible to visit Moraine Lake in winter, but for that, you should be well-experienced, well-equipped, and well-trained. It is possible to either walk on foot or cross country ski there.
The deep snow will be a problem when hiking, so use snowshoes. As the distance to Lake Moraine is quite long, cross-country skiing is a much better idea as you can cover longer distances more easily.
As the winter terrain in Banff National Park can be difficult and hazardous, we do not recommend you these options for safety reasons unless you really know what you are doing.
It is much better to wait for the spring months. If you decide to visit Moraine Lake in winter anyway, make sure you have an avalanche kit with you.
SUMMER
Well, as you can see, Moraine Lake can be normally visited only six months a year. But there are more things to consider.
In general, the best months to visit Moraine Lake are late June, July, August, and September.
During this time, you have a high chance the snow had already melted, and Moraine Lake is not frozen anymore, and you will see the beautiful blue color of the lake.
During this time of the year, the color of the lake is at its best; usually, the weather is a little bit better, but the area is also the most crowded.
Most travelers visit Moraine Lake in summer, and you can't expect to have this area just for yourself.
SHOULDER SEASON
Visiting Moraine Lake in shoulder season either in May, June, and October has its pros as well (fewer crowds), but be ready for a possibility that the lake could be either still (or already) frozen or partially covered with snow.
This does not make the place any less wonderful, but if turquoise water and mirroring peaks are what you came for, this information might save you a disappointment.
To put things into perspective, we hiked to Larch Valley on a sunny weekend in late September, and the parking lot, Moraine Lake's shore, and the trail were super crowded.
In fact, we had to use the overflow parking lot this time, so it almost seemed like the situation was even worse than in summer.
BEST TIME OF DAY TO VISIT MORAINE LAKE
When it comes to the best time of the day to visit Moraine Lake, we would suggest you arrive as early as possible.
First of all, early in the morning, you should be able to find a space for your car.
Sunrise is the most magical time of the day at Moraine Lake, and your photo (when the weather allows) will be perfect, the lake's surface will be without canoes, and also your chances for the mirror-like effect are the highest because the winds usually pick up later in the afternoon.
If you want to combine your visit to Moraine Lake with activities such as canoeing and hiking, you might want to arrive a bit later when the temperatures are a bit higher.
Of course, we know that your Canadian Rockies itinerary will be packed, and some of you won't be able to visit Moraine Lake early in the morning.
No worries. The area is stunning all day long. Obviously, there will be many more people around later in the day.
THINGS TO DO IN MORAINE LAKE
Except for walking to a viewing platform that's overlooking the area, you have plenty of options on how to spend your time in Moraine Lake. In a nutshell, hiking and canoeing are the best activities to do in Moraine Lake.
By the way, the view of Moraine Lake and the peaks is much more iconic than you would have thought because the exact picture you can see now was on $20 bills in the 1970s.
If you are looking on what to do in Moraine Lake, you’ve come to the right place.
CANOEING
One of the most popular activities is renting a canoe and admiring the Canadian Rockies' beauty as you paddle along.
When paddling on Moraine Lake with towering mountains on your side, you will for sure appreciate even more the greatness of Canadian wilderness.
It is possible to rent a canoe at Moraine Lake in a kiosk (opened from mid-June to mid-September between 9:30 AM and 5 PM) close to Moraine Lodge for 120 CAD per hour.
Yeah, we know it is not the most budget-friendly activity, and for us, this would be a colossal waste of money.
Still, it is possible to bring your own canoe or kayak to Lake Moraine, even though we know not many (international) people travel around the Rockies with their own gear.
The canoes are available on a first-come-first-served basis, and it is possible to share the boat with two more people, so if you are a solo traveler, to save some money, it is really worth it to look for a partner to share this activity with.
BEST HIKES IN MORAINE LAKE
Yes, by taking the perfect photo of Moraine Lake and after an hour of canoeing, the fun does not need to end. Rather the opposite. If you are a keen hiker, we have great news.
Moraine Lake is a starting point for some of the best hikes the Banff National Park (or even the Canadian Rockies) have to offer.
According to our opinion, hiking in the Moraine Lake area is one of the top activities you can do in Banff National Park; therefore, we share a short list of the best trails you can experience here.
And unlike the canoeing, hiking in the Moraine Lake area is free, so it's the best budget-friendly thing to do in the Canadian Rockies.
THE ROCKPILE TRAIL
Well, normally, we would not have even included this short hike to this list, but since this is the trail every single visitor walks in the Moraine Lake area, it is here.
The Rockpile Trail will take you from the parking lot to THAT sought-after viewing platform, where you will understand why this place is the top attraction on every traveler's itinerary.
The trail has some steps carved into rocks that help you get to the top of a huge pile of rock. You will find some benches at the top, but most importantly, the best lookouts of Moraine Lake.
Arguably, this is the best photo place in Moraine Lake, and even if you arrive early in the morning, there will be photographers and tourists with tripods waiting for the first sun rays touching the snow-capped peaks.
MORAINE LAKE SHORELINE TRAIL
Even when short on time, a stroll along Moraine Lake's shoreline is a must. You do not have to walk to the very end, but we think at least a couple of hundred meters is a must when you've arrived in such a unique area. The trail is accessible and easy to follow.
The trail ends with a wooden platform near the creek that feeds the lake and helps to get its unique color.
LARCH VALLEY
Larch Valley hike starts at the base of the lake, and although you can do this track all year round (when the trail is not covered with snow), the most popular time for this hike is from mid-September to beginning of October.
Why? Well, in September, or in general, when autumn arrives in the Rockies, large larch trees turn red and yellow, and all the valley turns into a colorful palette.
The hike to the valley is relatively short but pretty steep (4.3 kilometers one-way with an elevation gain of 525 meters), so lace up your boots and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
SENTINEL PASS
If you arrived in Larch Valley and still have enough energy, it is possible to continue to Sentinel Pass, which will provide you with even more epic views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Sentinel Pass trail is 5.8 kilometers one-way with an elevation gain of 725 meters, and you should bring your trekking poles with you.
We would rate Sentinel Pass as a strenuous hike, but it's well worth the effort. The views from the top are really that good.
EIFFEL PEAK
Another trail you can follow from Larch Valley is the one leading to Eiffel Peak.
If you decide to do this one, make sure you will reserve at least a half-day for this activity, but on the other hand, you will be rewarded with wonderful vistas of Banff National Park.
CONSOLATION LAKES
If you are looking for an easy trail only to stretch your legs (sometimes sitting in the car can be tiring), this hike is the right for you. The path to the lakes is almost flat for the entire length and will lead you to yet another stunning lake in the area without much effort.
The trail gains only 65 meters of elevation on 2.9 kilometers, and we believe this is one of the safest bets when looking for an easy hike in Moraine Lake.
TOWER OF BABEL
This challenging hike will take you to yet another wonderful viewpoint overlooking the lake and the valley. As this trail leads uphill on scree, you won't meet here that many travelers because getting to the top requires a lot of effort.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR MORAINE LAKE
Moraine Lake is a premier destination in the Canadian Rockies, and the prices of lodging options in the area skyrocket, especially between June and September.
But do not worry. With a bit of planning, you will be able to find accommodation near Moraine Lake within your budget category.
For the ultimate experience (if you are willing to pay for it), you can stay in a lodge on the shore of Moraine Lake, but mountain towns such as Banff or Lake Louise are within driving distance, so you can base yourself there, and visit Moraine Lake on a day trip.
There is no campground at Moraine Lake, the nearest campsite you can reserve is in Lake Louise village.
In this list, we've picked the best accommodation options near the lake.
Moraine Lake | Moraine Lake Lodge - To be honest, when walking around the lake, we felt a bit jealous that we are not staying in this lodge. Situated right on the shore, the rooms offer hard-to-beat views, and if you are lucky enough that your dates are available (the lodge is often sold out) and you can stretch your budget, this is for sure a place to stay.
Banff | We have written a full post on Where to Stay in Banff, so check it out before making your reservation. Banff is an hour's drive from Moraine Lake, and it can easily become your base for exploring the national parks as well. Banff features quite many hotels and hostels, but if you are looking for a mid-range option, check out Banff Inn.
Lake Louise | Only 20 minutes drive from Moraine Lake is another famous mountain town hiding another gem of the Rockies, the same name lake. You can stay here, and visit both lakes in one day, and even do some hikes. When you decide to stay here, we can recommend you checking rates in Lake Louise Inn, or the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
WHAT TO PACK
It can be freezing cold in the Moraine Lake area, even in the summer, and even if you are planning to walk only a couple hundred meters from the parking lot to the viewing platform, you should be wearing adequate clothes.
If you plan to do one of the hikes to see Moraine Lake from above, you should pack even more carefully as it is quite common to experience four seasons in one day in the Canadian Rockies.
And what should not be missing in your daypack?
It gets cold in Moraine Lake area, so have a rain jacket and consider wearing hiking pants. Also, a proper down jacket keeps you warm in the morning.
Also, it is good to have a rain poncho or travel umbrella with you even if you don't want to hike. It is also a good idea to have gloves and a hat to stay nice and warm in the shoulder season.
You do not need hiking boots for the short trail along the lake, but we strongly recommend wearing them if you decide on doing longer hikes.
Even though nowadays it is possible to take nice photos with a phone, we are still faithful to our trusty travel camera, and for such a famous photo spot, it is worth it to bring a sturdy tripod when shooting sunrise over Moraine Lake.
It's better to be prepared for the unpredictable weather in the mountains, don't forget to check out our helpful post on what to pack for the Canadian Rockies.
STAYING SAFE
In general, the area around Moraine Lake is perfectly safe; you should only follow a few simple rules.
As we've mentioned above, windproof and waterproof gear is a must, but there are a couple more suggestions. When canoeing, always wear a life jacket to ensure you will stay safe.
Also, even though the trails in the Moraine Lake area are heavily trafficked, we recommend you pack a bear spray.
It is not common (although it is not impossible) to see bears on the two most popular trails, such as Rockpile Trail and Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail, but once you get further to the forest, you should be more attentive as encounters with bears are not uncommon.
Some of the trails might even be closed during berry season, so always look for the most up-to-date information.
Except for carrying a bear spray, it is recommended to travel in groups of four. For more information on how to stay safe in bear country, read our more detailed post.
In general, the parking lot at Moraine Lake is safe, though it is always better to leave your valuables in a hotel room. That's at least what we would do for the piece of our mind.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
ENTRANCE FEE
There is no entrance fee to Moraine Lake, but you still need to purchase a seasonal or annual pass to enter the Banff National Park.
If you are an international visitor planning on also visiting Jasper National Park or Yoho National Park, we highly recommend purchasing Discovery Pass.
Although the initial price for Discovery Pass might seem high, it's worth every penny.
The pass costs almost $145.25 for a family (up to seven people in a vehicle) or $72.25 for an adult, is valid for a year, and covers 80 parks in Canada.
We must admit that we are not used to paying for entering national parks in our home country, but we could see the hard work people at Parks Canada do to ensure you have the time of your life in the Canadian Rockies and believe it was money well-spent.
HOW MUCH TIME YOU NEED
If you plan things right, we would say that two to three hours are enough for visiting Moraine Lake.
It takes twenty minutes to get there by shuttle bus from Park and Ride (add another twenty minutes to get back), you can walk the Rockpile trail and stroll leisurely around the lake's shore.
We might be a little bit biased on how much time to spend in Lake Moraine, but whenever we went there, we didn't want to leave.
One thing is certain, though, every visit is different. Before you go, ask yourself if you want to see the lake only or have time to canoe or hike one of the excellent trails.
Once we drove from Calgary to Moraine Lake to catch the sunrise, hiked to Sentinel Pass, and spent some time in the Larch Valley and area around the lake, and the trip took us basically an entire day.
If you are short on time, you also might want to visit the Lake Louise area on the same day to save time, so plan your activities carefully.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
