Last Updated on January 2, 2026 by Samantha
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise are the two most popular stops you’ll be making on your trip to Banff National Park. The turquoise water and stunning mountains make both lakes a must-see destination.
These lakes are located close together to they are easy to see in one day. Some choose to spend a day at each lake but both can certainly be done in one day. Depending on what you plan to do at each lake will impact how long you spend at each. Most people don’t have the time to dedicate a full day to each lake. Also, with the way the shuttle works it just makes sense to do both in one day.
Know Before You Go
- You are not allowed the drive to Moraine Lake as there are no personal vehicles allowed on the road there.
- You can drive and park at Lake Louise but the parking is quite expensive and very limited.
- Bring bear spray with you as both locations are very popular for black bear sightings.
- Moraine Lake is closed during the winter months and is not accessible.
How to Get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Parks Canada Shuttle
The shuttle is definitely going to be the cheapest way to see both lakes. I was able to book a 7AM-8AM shuttle and it only cost $11.50CAD. As I was planning to do both lakes in one day, I was able to take the shuttle between both lakes.
Obtaining a ticket through Parks Canada is not very easy as they’re in high demand. 40% of tickets are released for sale starting on a date in April. You will want to buy your tickets as early as possible. The other 60% of tickets are released two days prior to departure at 8AM MST.
These tickets are very difficult to obtain and they typically sell out in less than 2 minutes. You will want to be logged on before 8AM and will want to start clicking on the time you want before 8AM in hopes that you will get through.
I recommend booking as early as possible if you are planning to hike. I would have preferred to book the 6:30AM departure but the 7AM one was still good. The later you go the busier it will be.
Privately Operated Shuttle Buses
If you are unable to book one of the Parks Canada shuttle buses then you can also book a shuttle bus through a privately owned company. This is a more expensive option but if you aren’t able to get a Parks Canada shuttle then this will ensure you are able to see both parks. Moraine Lake Bus Company was highly recommended to me if I was unable to secure a ticket.
Lake Louise
If you are planning on doing any hiking then I recommend starting at Lake Louise. I started at Lake Louise as I was planning to do the Little Beehive hike. This hike is 9.33 KM and will take approximately 4 hours to complete with a stop at the Lake Agnes Teahouse. This hike has a 644m elevation so the first half will be entirely uphill and downhill on your way back.
This is not an easy hike so you will want to make sure you are well prepared. You will want to make sure you wear appropriate footwear, bring water and snacks and pack layers depending on the time of year and weather. Although the hike isn’t the easiest it is definitely worth it to see the breathtaking views overlooking Lake Louise.
You can also rent canoes to take out on the water but it is quite expensive at $155CAD for just 30 minutes. Although the views are stunning, I do not consider this a must at Lake Louise but if you can afford it then I would do it for some stunning photos. If you do decide to rent a canoe, I would recommend doing it in the morning before it gets too busy.
Moraine Lake
After finishing at Lake Louise, I hopped on the shuttle to Moraine Lake. The shuttles runs pretty frequently so you shouldn’t have to wait long. After hiking at Lake Louise, I had decided I was going to take it easy at Moraine Lake. Moraine Lake was much less busy than Lake Louise. It would make for a great spot to stop and have a picnic along the lake if you decide to bring your lunch with you. Once you’ve eaten (or if you ate at Lake Louise), head up to the top of rock formation for some pretty incredible views of Moraine Lake.
While you are here, you can also rent a canoe to take out on the lake. Like Lake Louise, it is quite expensive to do this but definitely breathtaking. If you do want to go canoeing, I would recommend doing it at Moraine Lake over Lake Louise. As it was generally less busy, there was significantly less canoes on the water.
If you do decide to do some hiking while you are here, I recommend doing the Eiffel Lake Trail. This hike is 11.9 KM and will take 4.5-5 hours to complete with a 591m elevation. It is a long hike but it offers some incredible views and is a slightly less elevation than the Beehive hike at Lake Louise.
If you would like more hiking recommendations, you should download the AllTrails app, which gives access to all of the hiking trails so you can plan which hike is best suited for your ability and time.
Although Lake Louise and Moraine Lake have become inundated with tourists, it was still one of my favourite stops during this trip. No Banff itinerary is complete without Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
