Important Update To Moraine Lake Access in 2023. Starting in 2023 Moraine Lake will no longer be accessible by personal vehicles during any time of the year. The overwhelming traffic and the environmental and wildlife impacts are the main reasons for the ban. The days of easily driving yourself to Moraine Lake are gone. The options to get to the lake are the Parks Canada shuttle service and commercial shuttle companies, the Roam Transit bus, guided tours, taxi and bicycles. The only exceptions where personal vehicles are permitted to drive to the lake are guests of Moraine Lake Lodge and vehicles with a proper accessibility parking permit. Information about the change and more detail on why it was implemented can be found here: Private vehicles banned at Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is only half the size of its nearby neighbour Lake Louise, but perhaps even more scenic. It’s situated at an elevation of 1883 meters in the beautiful Valley Of The Ten Peaks in Banff National Park. This glacier-fed lake becomes the most intense and vivid shade of turquoise blue. The setting of the surrounding majestic mountain peaks makes the scene almost surreal.
Rent a canoe or try one of the trails in the area that range from casual walks to more strenuous hikes. Or just sit and take in the beauty of the lake.
When Does The Road To Moraine Lake Open And Close Seasonally?
The drawback to this beautiful lake is that it’s access road is only open to vehicle traffic for part of the year. The road crosses through an area of high avalanche risk. For safety it is closed to all vehicle traffic through the winter and early spring. Parks Canada opens the road when the risk of avalanche has passed, usually in early June.
The road closes for the season after the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday (the second Monday in October).
The timing for opening and closing the road can be subject to change depending on the conditions. Once the road is closed for the winter season there is no way to access the lake by vehicle.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Moraine Lake?
When the road opens to Moraine Lake for the season don’t count on seeing the turquoise water that Moraine Lake is famous for. Due to the lakes high elevation it can remain frozen until late May or into early June depending on the temperatures. When it first thaws the water level is very low. As the temperatures warm up the glacier melt from above the lake starts to feed into it. The lake water level crests in mid to late June and from this time through September is it’s peak of blue colour.
The weeks of October leading up to the road closure are a still a great time to visit but the colour of the water may not be as intense at this time.
The photos below were taken in different years just shortly after the road to Moraine Lake was opened for the season in mid to late May. The setting is still undeniable beautiful, but it’s too early to see the stunning colour of the glacier water.
How Does The Water Of Moraine Lake Get To Be So Blue?
When the melt water from the glacier up above starts to flow into the lake it brings with it glacial silt, also referred to as rock flour. The silt particles are so fine that they are suspended in the meltwater. It’s the light reflecting off the silt that gives the lake the intense blue colour.
The two photos below were each taken in early October in different years. As you can see the weather and views can be quite different.
The Twenty Dollar View
It’s more like a million dollar view, but the iconic image of Moraine Lake and the Valley Of The Ten Peaks was used on the back of Canadian twenty dollar bills issued between 1969 and 1979. The beautiful deep blue water with a backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains is one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies and possibly in all of Canada.
The Rockpile Trail Offers The Best View Of Moraine Lake
The Rockpile trail switchbacks along the back of the moraine with several sets of stone steps. It brings you to the top of the rock moraine where there are fantastic views overlooking the lake.
As you make your way along the trail watch for pikas, marmots, squirrels, chipmunks and variety of birds that are frequently spotted in the area.
You won’t be disappointed with the views. Keep working your way up to the highest viewpoint levels to get different vantage points.
- Trailhead – Starts from the lower end of the parking lot across the bridge on the outlet stream.
- Distance – 350 meters
- Elevation – 30 meters
- Time – 40 minutes return trip
Moraine Lakeshore Trail Will Leave The Crowds Behind, Even On Busy Days
Starting near the canoe docks there is a fairly flat trail that works its way along the shoreline to the back of the lake. As the trail weaves in and out of the trees it offers glimpses of the water and mountains.
Only a dent of the crowds will venture onto the Lakeshore trail and even fewer still will go the full distance of it. A boardwalk is located at the end of the lake where a stream of rushing water flows from the Wenkchemna. It’s a total of 2.9 km’s, returning back on the same trail. Allow approximately 45 minutes.
Other Trails At Moraine Lake And Seasonal Travel Restrictions
Due to bear activity some of the trails accessed near Moraine Lake have seasonal restrictions to maximize safety. During these times it is mandatory that hikers travel in a tight group of four or more. It’s typically from mid-July to mid-October. Occasionally trails may be closed off completely. It is always best to check ahead with Parks Canada for the current trail conditions. Information and a map of the Moraine Lake Group Access area can be found here: Bear Management Moraine Lake Group Access Restrictions
Larch Valley And Sentinel Pass
The Moraine Lakeshore Trail branches off to hikes to Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley Trails and to Wenkchemna Pass And Eiffel Lake.
Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley are one of the premier hiking areas in Banff National Park, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd week of September when the larch trees are displaying the peak of their golden colours. You can choose to do the easier Larch Valley hike or continue on to the more challenging trail to Sentinel Pass. The summer months are another great time to hike in this area. It’s not as crowded as when the fall colours are taking place. In late July wildflowers are usually at their peak bloom.
Larch Valley/Minnestimma Lakes
This hike is rated as moderate. It’s 8.6 km’s return trip with an elevation gain of 535 meters. Allow up to 4 hours depending on how long you spend taking in the views.
The trail head is located at Moraine Lake, follow the lake shore to the trail marker sign. It is a continuous ascent through a thick forest that offers occasional glimpses of Moraine Lake. A long series of switchbacks into higher elevations opens up into the meadows of the Larch Valley. In the background are the famous Ten Peaks. You can turn around at this point or continue through the valley. As you start to leave Larch Valley there are views of Mount Temple and Pinnacle Mountain and one of the Minnestimma Lakes comes into view, the other is behind a ridge near the base of Sentinel Pass.
Sentinel Pass
The first part of the Sentinel Pass trail is the same as the Larch Valley trail noted above. From the Larch Valley there are challenging switchbacks ascending to Sentinel Pass. The pass sits at an elevation of 2611 meters between Mount Temple and Pinnacle Mountain. This hike is rated difficult. It’s 11.6 km’s round trip with an elevation gain of 725 meters. Allow 5 to 6 hours.
During the fall colours these trails can be overwhelmed with people. To avoid some of the crowds hike on a weekday if possible. Start your hike very early in the morning or later in the day. See more info here: Larch Valley And Sentinel Pass
Moraine Lake Lodge Accommodation
Moraine Lake Lodge is the only accommodation at the lake. Considering it’s a luxury resort sitting meters from the water the nightly rates are at a premium. If your budget allows a stay you can take advantage of enjoying the lake at any time without having the frustrations of getting a parking spot. Simply stroll out of your room to witness the sunrise or enjoy the lake later in the evening when most of the tourists have left the area. The lodge is open from early June to early October. The amenities include a gift shop and a restaurant.
Below is a view from the top of the rockpile trail looking at the lake shore. On the right you can see the Moraine Lake Lodge accommodations.
Accommodations Near Moraine Lake
As mentioned above there is only one accommodation at Moraine Lake. The next closest options are approximately 12 to 14 km’s from Moraine Lake and very close to Lake Louise. To get to these properties you continue heading uphill on Lake Louise Drive past the turn off to Moraine Lake and towards Lake Louise.
- The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (located at Lake Louise)
- Deer Lodge (5 minutes walking distance from Lake Louise, less than 1 km)
- Paradise Lodge and Bungalows (2.5 km’s from Lake Louise)
There are also accommodation options in the village of Lake Louise that are approximately 14 km’s from Moraine Lake. There are a variety of price ranges with the lowest being the HI Hostel Lake Louise to the luxury Post Hotel and Spa.
Moraine Lake Canoe Rentals
The dock hours change slightly throughout the season, but are generally from 9am to 5pm from mid-June to mid-September, with the last canoes going out between 4pm and 430pm. Rentals costs start at $140CAD per canoe for an hour rental. It’s best to check hours and prices directly with the Moraine Lake lodge as they are subject to change. Paddles, life jackets and basic instruction are provided. The canoes available can accommodate two or three people. No pets are allowed. Reservations are not accepted, the canoes available on a first-come, first served basis. Guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge take priority.
The operation of the canoe dock is weather dependent. It can shut down without notice due to inclement weather such as snow, rain or strong winds.
Can I Bring My Own Private Canoe, Kayak Or Paddle Board To Moraine Lake?
The answer is sort of yes. You can bring your own kayak, canoe, paddle board or inflatable watercraft to the lakes and rivers within Banff National Park. However, there will be limitations to what can be brought to Moraine Lake now that private vehicles have been restricted from driving there. Inflatable watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards can be accommodated on the Parks Canada shuttles to Moraine Lake. If you’re booking with a commericial shuttle check with each individual company to see what they allow.
There’s no public boat launch at Moraine Lake, you will have to launch from the shore. Some rules have to be followed to bring your own watercraft to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. They can be found here: Parks Canada Banff Clean Drain Dry Regulations
A self certification permit is required to be filled out and kept with you while you are using any watercraft in the park. It can be found here: Banff Self Certification Permit For Watercraft
Parks Canada offers more information about using water watercraft is available here: Paddling in the parks.
Is It Possible To Visit Both Moraine Lake And Lake Louise In The Same Day?
Absolutely, these two beautiful attractions are not that far from each other. Both Lakes are accessed from Lake Louise Drive. Keep reading further for bus and shuttle options that are available to get you to both lakes.
How Long Should I Plan To Spend At Moraine Lake?
You could spend as little as an hour at Moraine Lake if all you plan to do is climb the Rock Pile trail or take a short walk along the lakeshore, but likely you’ll want to allow a bit more time to soak in the stunning beauty. You may want to spend a half or full day to do one of the many hikes in the area. Check the average length of hiking time for any particular trail you are interested in and plan accordingly.
Directions To Moraine Lake
Note: Personal vehicles are no longer permitted to access Moraine Lake. For bicycling or general informational purposes the directions are below:
From the Lake Louise Village located off Trans Canada Hwy #1 follow Lake Louise drive uphill for approximately 3 km’s. Look for the turn on the left hand side for Moraine Lake Road. Follow the winding road for 12 km’s to the parking area at the end. If you keep going past the turn off to Moraine Lake Road and continue up Lake Louise Drive you will reach the parking area for Lake Louise within a few minutes.
Tips For Avoiding The Summer Crowds At Moraine Lake
Recent restrictions in 2023 which have banned access to the lake by private vehicle are going to create changes. It’s not yet known how this new implication will effect the number of people at the lake. However, it’s probably safe to say that the following holidays will continue to have larger volumes of visitors.
- Victoria Day long weekend – the first Monday of May.
- Canada Day – July 1 and the entire weekend if the holiday falls on a day that creates a three day weekend.
- Heritage Day Weekend – the first Monday in August.
- Labour Day Weekend – the first Monday in September.
The Larch hiking season is another crowded time at Moraine Lake. This is when the trees in the Larch Valley are showing off their golden coloured needles. The peak of the colours usually occur in the 2nd and 3rd week of September and can continue to retain some colour through the end of the month. Locals come from all around the area to hike and its become very popular with visitors as well. Expect the surrounding trails that are accessed from the Moraine Lake area to be extra busy at this time. You can try to avoid some of the crowds by planning your hike for mid-week.
The photo below shows the small parking area for Moraine Lake. These spots will no longer be available to private vehicles, except those with proper accessibility hanging tags. The parking will be limited to tour buses and shuttles.
Options For Getting To Moraine Lake
Starting in 2023 personal vehicles are banned year round from Moraine Lake Road. This leaves four options for getting to Moraine Lake.
- Reserve a seat on the Parks Canada shuttle
- The Roam Transit bus
- A commercial transportation provider, such as a guided tour, taxi or chartered bus.
- Bike via Moraine Lake Road
More information is provided on each of these options below.
Parks Canada Shuttles To Moraine Lake And Lake Louise
The Parks Canada shuttles leave from a parking area located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort at #1 Whitehorn Road. Advance reservations are required. You can book the shuttle to Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
Once you are at either lake you can visit the other lake by taking the Lake connector shuttle. This lake connector shuttle is available on a first come, first serve basis. There is no additional charge for lake shuttle reservation holders. Your reservation includes a return trip back to the Park and Ride area at the ski resort from either lake.
There is a bus that connects the village of Lake Louise and the campground to the Park and Ride shuttle area at the ski resort. If you are staying in the village or the campground you are encouraged to leave your vehicle at your accommodation and take the bus to the Park and Ride area. It is on a first come, first serve basis and is free if you have a lake shuttle reservation.
How Do The Advance Lake Shuttle Reservations Work?
In the spring 40 percent of the seats for the Parks Canada Moraine Lake shuttle are released for reservations. The remaining 60 percent are released on a rolling basis at 8am, 48 hours prior to the departure day.
Are there any same day shuttle reservations available?
In peak times it’s a slim chance you would get a spot on the shuttle, but Parks Canada staff can assist with making a reservation on the next available time slot for that day. If any are available they would generally sell out by 9am.
Time schedules, routes and pricing information for the shuttles can be found here: Visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
Additional Transportation Options To Moraine Lake
Hop On Hop Off Shuttle
From late May to the end of September the HopOnBanff company has a shuttle bus that offers options for accessing Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, the Lake Louise Village, Lake Louise Gondola and Johnston Canyon. Schedules, fares and information can be found here. HopOnBanff
WowBanff Explorer Tour Bus
WowBanff operates an open top double decker bus from early June to early October. It runs between the parking lot at the Lake Louise ski resort and Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Advance reservations are recommended, but you can take your chances and try to buy a ticket at the bus. More information can be found here: WowBanff
Mountain Park Transportation Private Shuttle To Moraine Lake
Mountain Park Transportation offers a shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with bookings available from June to mid-October. Advance booking is highly recommended, otherwise you can take your chances with a spot being available on a first come, first served basis. The shuttle does pick ups and drops offs in the village of Lake Louise near Wilson’s Sports in the Samson Mall and at a few of the village hotels. More information can be found here: Mountain Park Transportation Moraine Lake Shuttle
Private Taxi Service To Moraine Lake
For one or two people this is not an economical option. However, it may be worth the price for a small group of people. Inquire with Rocky Mountain Transit at 403-522-2525
Banff Public Roam Bus – Moraine Lake Express Fall Season Service
The public Banff Roam bus only operates in the fall to Moraine Lake for the Larch Valley Fall hiking season. There are daily shuttles from Banff that run directly to Moraine Lake from the 3rd week of September to mid-October. Schedules and fares are available here: Roam Transit Bus
Booking A Tour To Moraine Lake
Another option is to visit Moraine Lake as part of a tour. This way you can sit back and let someone else take care of all the details. Many tours offer a narration about the area and it’s history.
Some of the companies that offer pre-organized and customized private tours to Moraine Lake are below:
Bicycling To Moraine Lake
Bicycles and pedal-assisted e-bikes are an option to reach Moraine Lake. Keep in mind that it’s 30 km’s round trip from the village of Lake Louise. The route is along Lake Louise drive uphill for 3km’s at a moderate elevation to the turn off to Moraine Lake Road for the additional 12 km’s. Both roads are narrow and have minimal or no shoulders. Use extreme caution as you will encounter traffic on Lake Louise Drive and even though private vehicles have been banned from Moraine Lake road there will be bus and shuttle traffic. Heavy traffic on Moraine Lake Road can be avoided by riding early or late in the day.
Note: There is no parking available at the connection point of Lake Louise Drive and Moraine Lake Road. Your bicycle journey to Moraine Lake will not be able to start here unless you can have someone drop you and your bicycle off.
If you want to bike to Lake Louise, skip the turn off to Moraine Lake Road and continue another 1 km uphill along Lake Louise Drive until you reach the Lake Louise Parking area where bike racks are provided.
If you plan to start your bike ride from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake note that it can be difficult to obtain a parking spot at Lake Louise.
More information for road and trail riding can be found here: Road Cycling in the Lake Louise area
In some years the road to Moraine Lake is still free of snow for a short period after being closed for the winter season and before it opens to the shuttle bus and commercial tour buses. This makes for a peaceful ride uninterrupted by traffic. If you choose to ride a bike to the lake at this time check first with Parks Canada for the most current road and avalanche conditions.
Is There Any Way To Get To Moraine Lake During The Winter Road Closure?
This is the most frequent question we get about Moraine Lake. To clarify there are no vehicles of any kind permitted on the road once it is closed for the season. There are no tour companies, shuttles, dog sleds or any other type of transport that is available to get to the lake. The road is closed for good reason. There’s an extreme avalanche risk on the last few kilometers near the lake. Visitors are so eager to see the lake they contemplate walking through the deep snow or attempting to snowshoe. It’s not recommend. Not only would you be crossing through hazardous avalanche terrain it would be an exhausting return distance of 25 km’s from the connection point at Lake Louise Drive and Moraine Lake Road. If you are a cross country skier you can enjoy the tracks that are set on the first half of the road. See below for more information about skiing.
Moraine Lake Road Cross Country Skiing
In the winter the road becomes a popular spot for cross country skiing. Once there’s enough snow Parks Canada sets tracks, but they end at the viewpoint for the Consolation Valley and the Ten Peaks which is well before you reach Moraine Lake. The total distance is 15.6 km return. The trail has a steady climb with gentle rolling and hilly stretches. It’s rated as easy/novice.
Going past the track sets the road crosses large avalanche chutes and is not recommended. Anyone attempting to go past the end of the grooming should be equipped and trained in avalanche rescue and first aid. There is a high avalanche risk from November to late April.
Chris Hayward
Is the road to Moraine Lake closed now?
Audrey
Yes, the road is usually closed by mid-October.
Sandy
If I need to get into Moraine Lake in February, March, April or May to paint there (with Painting supplies and Large panels), is there some other way without snowshoes or skis. Maybe Dog sled or helicopter?? If so, who can I hire?
I wish I was still in shape to follow a sherpa:)
Sandy
Audrey
Hello,
Sorry I don’t know of any other way to get to Moraine Lake in the winter other than cross country ski, or snow shoeing. As far as I know helicopters are not allowed to land in the National Park. It is very popular with cross country skiers all winter. I can’t remember how many km’s it is return trip, something like 15km I think. It is considered easy to novice, but not sure how you could do it with large panels.
I am not sure that dogs are allowed to go to Moraine Lake either, but you could try contacting Kingmik. They are the company that offers a dog sled trip that goes down the old Great Divide Hwy which is accessed not too far from the start of the Moraine Lake road access.
Cheers
Sandy
Thanks Audrey for the reply. I checked out Kingmik, Looks like a lot of fun.
Thanks,
Sandy
Audrey
Hi there,
The road to Moraine Lake is closed to all vehicle traffic in the winter for safety reasons. Unfortunately the only way to get there in winter is to cross country ski. I wouldn’t recommend trying to walk there, it would be an exhausting experience to do the 11km’s in both directions.
Sabrina
Hi, thinking of staying 2-3 nights in Moraine Lake instead of Lake Louise before heading to Jasper in 1st week of Sept., we are not hikers but the scenery looks amazing, is 2 nights enough & most importantly will there be snow capped mountains? Thank you for your time
Audrey
Hi there,
2-3 nights around the Lake Louise area is more than enough, maybe too long if you do not hike. If you are planning to use Lake Louise or Moraine Lake as a base to explore the other areas of Banff National Park then 2-3 days is fine, perhaps not enough time.
Keep in mind that there is nothing at Moraine Lake but the accommodations and their one restaurant. Not that is is a bad thing, but some people book there not realizing that.
The mountain tops are quite bare of snow in July and August. I couldn’t say for sure if they will have snow on the tops yet in the beginning of September. It depends on whether snow has started to fall at that elevation yet. I wouldn’t count on any in most areas during the end of August, if there was it would be a very light sprinkling.
Cheers,
Audrey
Linda
Will lake moraine road be closed around the April 23 2014
Audrey
Yes the road will be closed in April. It usually opens in early June if the conditions are safe enough.
Nathalia
Hello Audrey, im from Brazil am planning to go by car from Vancouver to Calgary with my mom in early September. We´d like to go from Salmom Arm, to Emerald Lake; Lake Louise; Moraine Lake and Banff. Could you plz tell me if is necessary to hike to get to the lakes? My mom is 65 and she is not that sporty, the best would be getting close by car, is it possible? Thank you for the help, Nathalia
Audrey
Hello Nathalia,
You do not have to hike to access the lakes you have mentioned. Emerald Lake is a short flat walk from the parking area. If it is busy you may have to park a bit further down the access road from the parking area, but you could drop your mom off close to the lake and then go park and walk back to meet her.
From the Moraine Lake parking area it is also a short walk to get to the lake. For Lake Louise there is one section of parking that is fairly close, it can be a bit of a walk from the overflow parking area, but still only a couple of minutes. You could drive her to the front entrance area of the Fairmont Chateau Hotel and drop her off, it’s just a short walk to the lake from there. Then park and come back to meet her.
There’s lots of beautiful scenery around the Rocky Mountains and Banff that you can see without having to hike, she will be able to have a very enjoyable trip.
If she is okay with a bit of walking there is nice downtown Waterfront Park in Salmon Arm. A long wooden pier extends into Shuswap Lake. It’s a great place to enjoy a walk and experience the surrounding scenery.
Cheers,
Audrey
Jenny
I am planning to go moraine lake on 1st july from vancouver . Is that road open now? I just have 2 day off so i confuse about louise lake and moraine lake. I’m not hiker. I just looking for nice view and photograph so which one is better?
Audrey
Yes, the road to Maligne Lake is open. I would suggest you visit both lakes, they are both very scenic and great places to take photos. The two lakes are very close to each other, the drive between the two is about ten minutes. Keep in mind you have chosen what is probably one of the busiest days of the year to visit the area. It may be difficult to find parking at the limited area at Moraine Lake, I would suggest you try to get there very early in the morning or later in the evening.
Audrey
It is first come, first serve. I believe the only canoes that can be booked are for the early sunrise experience. You can find more information on through the Fairmont Hotel that rents the canoes. Here is the website. http://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/promotions/canoeing/
Itamar Campos
hello Audrey!
I`m going to visit Jasper and Bannf parks in next October ( 10 until 18 ) . Could you please tell me If Moraine Lake road will be open in this time! Thanks is advanced !! Itamar Campos
Audrey
Hi there,
I’m going to say not likely. It generally closes in early October but it depends on the conditions. They close it due to avalance safety concerns. I would suggest checking to see if it is open when you first arrive. A day or two could make the difference between missing out because the road has been closed.
Cheers,
Audrey
Itamar Campos
Thank you Audrey!cheers!
Audrey
You’re welcome!
Tara
Hi Audrey,
We are hoping to do the Larch Valley hike this coming weekend. We have dogs with us and I know that dogs are not allowed on the shuttle bus. The road was closed by the time we got there last weekend, around 10:30am. How early would you say we need to get there to make sure we can park in the parking lot?
Audrey
I honestly don’t know how early you would need to get there, it has gotten so crazy over the last few years. The earlier the better, I would say prior to 9am as a guess.
I would really caution you about bringing dogs into the Larch Valley hiking area. It’s such a high activity area for grizzlies, and especially at this time of year. You never know how a bear or any wildlife is going to react if you have an encounter and a dog is present. It brings extra risk for you and other hikers and of course your dog.
Cheers,
Audrey
Matt
Hello Audrey, wondering if you can help or advise me? I’m travelling to lake Louise or 3 nights from 9th-12th may 2015, iv booked to stay in lake Louise inn for those 3 nights.. i want to see Moraine Lake and Lake Louise for the views and the photos.. what is the best way to travel to them both? i wasn’t aware until now the public transport does not operate at that time.. im sporty and healthy if that makes my options better? any help would be greatly appreciated.. thanks in advance
Audrey
The road to Moraine Lake does not generally open until the beginning of June, that’s why the public shuttle is not operating there yet. Unfortunately there is no way for you to get to Moraine Lake in mid-May unless you want to navigate the 22 kilometer round trip by shoeshoes or cross country skis. I don’t know that the skiing conditions would be that great by mid-May though.
To get from Lake Louise Inn to up to Lake Louise, you can check with Inn, they may offer a shuttle? Otherwise there is a local taxi that runs people frequently from the village up to the lake.
Jason
Audrey,
I would like to do moraine lake in December but don’t really ski. Are snow mobiles allowed on the road?
Audrey
No, snowmobiles are not allowed on Moraine Lake road and are actually prohibited in all of Banff National Park.
Jason
Okay. I talked with the concierge at the chateau and they said that you technically aren’t even supposed to go pass a certain point due to avalanches so you can’t even see moraine lake?!
How long does it take to snowshoe?
Audrey
I can’t answer on whether you can actually get to Moraine Lake or not, we have never tried to go there in winter. If the concierge says you can’t then I would assume they are correct. It’s a 22km round trip that I would imagine takes a while to do on skis. I wouldn’t even attempt to snowshoe there, it would be exhausting.
Audrey
Hi Amy, normally you would not be able to canoe on Moraine Lake by mid-June. The large photo in our post of Moraine Lake covered in ice was taken at the beginning of June when the road to the lake first opened for the season. The canoe rentals might be operating by mid-June for Lake Louise, it depends on the year. It generally thaws in the first week of June, but sometimes takes longer. The waters don’t really get that signature turquoise colour until closer to July.
Cheers
Audrey
In Lake Louise I wouldn’t say Canada Day is any busier than a typical summer day. There’s not a lot going on, a small parade in the village and some activities such as the polar bear dip at the Lake. Banff is more crowded because they have a large Canada Day parade and more events. I wouldn’t plan a trip just to be there on Canada Day, but you happen to be in the area then certainly check out he festivities.
Karen
Is it possible to park an RV in the parking lot overnight so that we can be there for sunrise or does the parking lot close?
Audrey
No, There’s no overnight parking allowed in the parking lot for Lake Louise or Moraine Lake or anywhere else within Banff National Park other than designated RV sites. Parks Canada will issue you a ticket and will especially catch on quick if there is an RV parked there. As you can imagine everyone would be parking for free if they could. The only exception is if you were doing back country overnight hiking in the area, but that requires a back country permit.
Maureen
Audrey,
thanks for the great advice. We are a group of 10 planning to visit the area the last week of June. Just want to ask to see how long is distance to walk along the shoreline to the back of the lake for round trip. We want to limit our hike for 2 hours round trip.
thanks
Maureen
Audrey
It’s not very far at all. 1.2 km’s one way and would take approximately 45 minutes return trip. You could take in the Rock Pile trail as well to the top of the moraine and still be under your 2 hour hiking time, it will also take up to 45 minutes return trip.
Philip
Hello!
We are planning a trip to Banff in late March to early April 2015. I read the posts and noticed that lake moraine is closed during that time unless we ski or walk there. I was wondering if you could tell me if there would be anything else we can do there in Banff. My number one priority in banff was to see lake moraine…… Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the best time to go was in July. Please help me. I would still love to see lake moraine and more scenice views!
Thank you!
Audrey
There’s plenty of sights to see in late March and early April. We’ve listed winter activities and things to here: http://banffandbeyond.com/winter-activities-in-banff-and-lake-louise-for-non-skiers/
You won’t be able to access Moraine Lake, there’s Lake Louise and other lakes that are accessible in the area. They will still be frozen during your visit though.
Marra-Marie Magsakay
Hi, I’m planning a trip to Banff on May 27-May 30. Would the road to Moraine Lake be open by then?
Audrey
The opening of the road can’t be predicted. It’s when Parks Canada determines there is no longer a risk of an avalanche. With the mild weather the area has been experiencing this winter it might be open by the end of May, but you’ll just have to wait and see.
Cheers
Marra-Marie Magsakay
Hi Audrey! Thanks for responding to my previous question! Since it’ll be our first time visiting Banff I don’t want to risk it and not be able to access the lake. Would you recommend going mid or late June to be able to access the lake, go canoeing and catch the turquoise blue color?
Audrey
The road is usually open at the beginning of June, but to canoe on it and see turquoise water you would want to go as late in June as possible, but even then there’s no guarantee. The lake level is quite low when the snow first melts. The water level rises as the snow starts to melt from the mountains up above. If you scroll a bit down in this post you’ll see a photo of the lake and the writing above it that says it’s at the beginning of June. That photo was taken on the first day the road to the lake opened that year. As you can see the lake bottom is still just a bunch of snow. Nearby Lake Louise usually has the canoe rentals going a bit earlier than Moraine Lake, sometimes by mid June but can also be towards the end of June depending on the year.
Wendy
Can you bring your own kayak to Lake Moraine?
Audrey
Yes, kayaks, rowboats and canoes (non-motorized boats) are allowed on all the lakes and rivers in the park. I don’t know that the Moraine Lake Lodge is going to let you use their boat launch for your private kayak so you’ll likely have to launch from shore.
Here’s an article from Parks Canada with more information about paddling in the parks.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/canotage-canoeing.aspx
Maruf Rahman
Hi, we will be visiting the Lake Louise area during the weekend of May 23. Will the road to Moraine Lake be open at that time? We really want to check out the gorgeous views of the lake. If not, is it possible to hike up there and how long does it usually take? Thank you!
Audrey
The road to Moraine Lake was officially opened today, May 19th. You’re not going to see the water of the lake if that’s the view you are expecting though. The lake will still be frozen, but it’s a pretty area regardless.