Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake stands as a testament to Canada’s unparalleled beauty. Surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, this iconic alpine lake has become a popular destination for anyone visiting Banff National Park.
There are countless alpine lakes scattered throughout the Rockies that vary in size, colour, and accessibility. At the top of virtually every list, you will find Moraine Lake. Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed lakes not only in Canada but in the entire world.
Unfortunately, the popularity of this lake has created many challenges for travellers. In 2023, Parks Canada closed the 11-kilometre access road to all private vehicles. This leaves limited options for visitors wanting to explore the area.
In this guide, we’ll explore the four main ways to reach Moraine Lake in 2023: hiking, biking, taking the public shuttle or opting for a private tour. We’ve arranged them in order of least recommended to most recommended, although all options are possible.
*You can use the discount code MADETOEXPLORE10 for 10% off ALL small group and private shuttles to Moraine Lake by Big Nature. Click here to check them out!*
4. Hiking to Moraine Lake
22 kilometres & 400 m of elevation gain
For those seeking an intimate connection with the stunning landscapes of the Rockies, hiking to Moraine Lake is a one-of-a-kind experience. For this option, you will hike up the 11-kilometre service road. It is paved the entire way and only shared with public shuttles, private tour companies, and the occasional bikers.
Once you reach the lake, you will likely want to add the Rockpile and Shoreline trail onto your hike. The will increase the total distance to 26 kilometres with 450 m of elevation gain. The Rockpile is located right near the parking lot and boasts a gorgeous view of the lake and towering peaks. The shoreline trail continues along the west side of the lake offering a chance to ditch the crowds and admire the turquoise water.
While hiking to Moraine Lake can be a good option for fit visitors with a lot of time on their hands, it is our least recommended method. Parking at the base of the road can be difficult and you may have to park in the village of Lake Louise if you can’t find a spot. In this case, you would end up hiking over 35 kilometres in total.
Essentially, there are just quicker and easier ways to get to Moraine Lake.
3. Public Shuttle to Moraine Lake
$8 CAD per adult from 6:30 AM to 6 PM
For travellers looking for a more convenient and budget-friendly way to reach Moraine Lake, the public shuttle service is a good choice. This shuttle operates from the Lake Louise Park and Ride, taking visitors to Moraine Lake and back several times each day.
The public shuttle to Moraine Lake can be reserved on the Parks Canada Reservation Website by selecting the day use tab. The first shuttle is at 6:30 AM daily. After that, they run every hour from 7 AM to 6 PM and cost $8 CAD per adult plus a $3 online booking fee. Although this is the cheapest shuttle option, it does come with some disadvantages.
First, the shuttle books up weeks in advance. This means that if you are not on top of your booking, you may be out of luck. They do have a few last-minute tickets that become available at 8 AM two days in advance. These can also be very competitive, though.
The second downside is that you are travelling with a huge group of tourists in a massive bus. For some people, this is not an issue. For people like us who hate crowds, this is absolute torture.
2. Biking to Moraine Lake
22 kilometres & 400 m of elevation gain
For the eco-conscious traveller who enjoys a bit of physical activity, biking to Moraine Lake is a fantastic option. We biked up for sunrise last week and has an incredible experience.
Here’s the best way to go about it:
If you don’t have a bike, you will need to rent one the night before. We rented an e-bike from Rocky MTN E-Kruise in Canmore and they were excellent! They were the only shop that would rent us a bike overnight without charging us for multiple days.
We picked up our bike late one night and returned it around lunchtime the next day. The total came to $90 CAD (2023). They also have a shop in Banff if that is more convenient for you.
Sunrise at Moraine Lake changes daily, so you will want to check the time online in advance. Aim to be at the lake at least 30 minutes BEFORE sunrise. 30 minutes before to 1.5 hours after sunrise is the most beautiful time of day at Moraine Lake. It took us about 30 minutes to bike up the road with e-bikes, budget at least an hour for regular bikes.
NOTE: If you are showing up for sunrise, you will likely be able to park in this small lot directly across from Moraine Lake Road. This lot fills up quickly in the morning, and once full, you will have to park in the village of Lake Louise.
There are bike racks at the lake and from there, you can explore! When we visited in July, we arrived around 5:30 AM. This meant we had over an hour before the public shuttle began arriving. Perfect!
1. A Small Group or Private Tour
If you’re seeking a more personalized and luxurious experience, a private tour is an ideal option. With a private tour, you can tailor the experience to your preferences. Whether that means spending more time at specific viewpoints, engaging in photography sessions, or enjoying a gourmet picnic by the lake.
While a private tour comes at a premium cost, the benefits of having a knowledgeable guide, comfortable transportation, and a customized itinerary are well worth the investment. There are several tour companies that have access to Moraine Lake. Prices range from $75 CAD per person on a small shuttle to $2,000 CAD for a private bus.
Last week, David and I took the Big 3 Sightseeing Tour run by our new favourite local guides, Big Nature. Although we don’t typically consider ourselves “tour people”, we were absolutely blown away by the convenience, customer service, and level of comfort we experienced.
Our guides and the owners, Bryce and Cassie, were knowledgeable, friendly and fun. Plus, we had round-trip transportation from Calgary with tons of space to spread out, take in the views, and enjoy the provided snacks and refreshments.
*You can use the discount code MADETOEXPLORE10 for 10% off ALL small group and private tours that Big Nature offers. Click here to check them out!*
As we watched other large groups swarm around with little interaction or direction from their guides, we became increasingly more thankful for Bryce and Cassie. They led us to a quiet spot away from the crowds and handed out sitting pads, sleeping bags and hot drinks. We felt completely taken care of and had a blast experiencing the sunrise at Moraine Lake together. Bryce even set up a tarp shelter for us when we got a few minutes of rain.
Our worry before visiting Moraine Lake via tour was that it would feel rushed and crammed with people. To our delight, this experience was the complete opposite. We were able to enjoy this magnificent lake without any of the stress. Big Nature took care of everything, all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the view.
On this tour, we visited Moraine Lake for sunrise, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake AND Takakkaw Falls in one incredible day. This tour maxes out at 13 guests, so you know you will never be part of a huge crowd. With prices starting at just $220 CAD per adult, they provide exceptional value in this 12-hour day of adventure. You can also book a private tour if you have a large group or prefer a more exclusive experience.
*You can use the discount code MADETOEXPLORE10 for 10% off ALL small group and private tours that Big Nature offers. Click here to check them out!*
For more information on our experience with Big Nature, check out this blog post:
Our Favourite Tour in Banff: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Emerald Lake in ONE day!
We hope you enjoy your time in Banff National Park. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have or comment below with your favourite way to get to Moraine Lake. We would love to hear from you!
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