How to Spend One Day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

If you’re planning a trip to Banff, chances are Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are already on your list and honestly, for good reason! Both sit within Banff National Park, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, and their turquoise water and dramatic mountain backdrops have made them famous worldwide.

But visiting these lakes takes a little planning. Moraine Lake Road is closed to most personal vehicles, so organizing your transportation ahead of time is essential. Between shuttle reservations, canoeing, and hiking trails, it helps to know how you want to spend your day before you arrive.

I visited at the end of June during my Canada road trip, combining canoeing on Moraine Lake with a walk along Lake Louise and the beginning of the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. In this guide, I’ll share how to plan one day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with practical transportation tips and time to enjoy both from the water and the trails.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me continue creating honest, firsthand travel guides—thank you! Read my full affiliate disclosure for more information.

How to Visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in One Day

Yes, you can visit both lakes in one day! I’d set aside a full day, especially if you want to canoe on Moraine Lake and walk beyond the main viewpoint at Lake Louise.

Transportation is the first thing I’d organize. You have a few options, depending on where you’re staying, your budget, and how much flexibility you want. Once you know where your day starts and how you’ll return, planning the activities becomes much easier.

Parks Canada Shuttles

The regular Parks Canada shuttles depart from the Lake Louise Park and Ride at the ski resort. Your reservation includes access to both lakes, transportation between them on the Lake Connector, and your return to the Park and Ride.

Choose your first lake when booking and check in at the Park and Ride during your departure window. If you haven’t booked well in advance, additional seats are released at 8 a.m. Mountain Time two days before departure. Check the official Parks Canada shuttle information for current fares, dates, and schedules.

Booking a Tour Through GetYourGuide

A tour is another option if you’d like someone else to organize the transportation. GetYourGuide is a platform I personally recommend: I’ve booked plenty of adventures through them around the world and have always had great experiences.

When comparing trips, check the departure location, pickup arrangements, and time allowed at each lake. If you want to canoe or hike, make sure the itinerary gives you enough time for those activities.

My Experience With Moraine Lake Big Bus

Now, I’ll be honest: I’m not always the best at booking far in advance, especially when I want to check the weather before committing to an outdoor adventure! Parks Canada didn’t work out for my visit, so I chose an independent shuttle instead.

I booked Moraine Lake Big Bus, which included parking near Lake Louise and gave me the flexibility I wanted for the day. The double-decker shuttle was a lovely bonus, I could take in the mountain views as we travelled between the lakes, making the journey part of the experience.

I found the service easy and reliable, and it worked well for combining canoeing on Moraine Lake, walking along Lake Louise, and exploring the beginning of the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. If you like having some freedom over how you spend your time, it’s worth considering.

Can You Drive to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?

Lake Louise has limited paid parking, but finding a space can be difficult. Moraine Lake Road is closed to most personal vehicles, with specific authorized exceptions, including registered Moraine Lake Lodge guests.

Having a car can still be useful for reaching your shuttle departure point. That’s what made the included parking with my Big Bus booking so convenient: I could leave the car and enjoy the rest of the outing.

If you’re planning a longer stay, this day trip also fits into my Banff National Park: 3-Day Bucket List Itinerary.

My One-Day Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Itinerary

I booked a 9 a.m. shuttle from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake with Moraine Lake Big Bus, planning to spend the morning at Moraine Lake and the afternoon at Lake Louise. My booking included parking at Deer Lodge until 5 p.m., approximately a five- to ten-minute walk from Lake Louise.

That arrangement worked really well for me. By visiting Moraine Lake first, I could take the shuttle back around midday and spend the afternoon exploring Lake Louise with my car nearby, without needing to catch another bus at the end of the day.

And let’s be real: these are two world-renowned lakes, so expect crowds. An early or late visit might offer a quieter experience, but even during my daytime visit, I found ways to get a little space and fully enjoy the scenery.

9 a.m.: Take the Shuttle to Moraine Lake

The double-decker bus was such a nice part of the experience. I sat on the upper deck and enjoyed the mountain views along the drive between the lakes.

After organizing the booking and parking, it felt good to settle into my seat and let someone else handle the road. The sightseeing had already started before I even reached Moraine Lake!

Spend the Morning Canoeing on Moraine Lake

When I arrived, renting a canoe turned out to be my favourite way to get away from the shoreline crowds. The rental dock was right by the water in front of Moraine Lake Lodge, with canoes available on a first-come, first-served basis.

I paid $170 CAD for a one-hour canoe rental, and an hour felt like enough time to really enjoy the lake. It gave me time to paddle, pause, and take in the full landscape around me.

From the water, you get a completely different perspective. With the mountains rising around the lake and a little distance from the busy shoreline, I could slow down and appreciate where I was.

It was a splurge, but for me, it was worth it. If you’re deciding where to canoe during this day trip, I loved combining canoeing at Moraine Lake with walking at Lake Louise.

Check the Moraine Lake Lodge website for current rental prices and operating information, as these may differ from my visit.

Still deciding where you actually want to paddle? I put the two experiences side by side in my Moraine Lake vs Lake Louise canoeing comparison.

Around 11:30 a.m.–Noon: Head Back Toward Lake Louise

Around 11:30 a.m. to noon, I made my way back to the bus area and waited for the next shuttle.

Make sure you board with the same company you booked. Several operators serve the lakes, so check the bus and pickup point rather than assuming your ticket works with any shuttle. I had packed a picnic for the day, which gave me the freedom to eat when it suited me. It was one less thing to organize and left more time for enjoying the lakes.

Spend the Afternoon Walking Along Lake Louise

Back at Lake Louise, you have another opportunity to rent a canoe, but I was happy to spend this part of the day on foot. I followed the shoreline away from the Fairmont Château Lake Louise, taking my time along the water. During my visit, the farther I walked from the hotel and main viewing area, the fewer people I encountered.

That was my second way of finding a quieter experience: keep walking beyond the busiest photo spots. There were still other visitors, but the crowds thinned out, and I had more space to enjoy the views.

Remember to look back as you go. Seeing the Château from farther along the shore gives you another perspective on the lake and just how much mountain scenery surrounds it.

Continue Toward Plain of Six Glaciers

At the far end of the lakeshore walk, I continued onto the beginning of the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. I didn’t complete the full hike, but I enjoyed extending the walk and seeing more of the landscape beyond the main lakefront.

This is where you can adapt the afternoon to your energy and available time. You can turn back after the shoreline walk or continue farther if conditions allow.

Check the current Parks Canada trail conditions before setting out, and leave enough time to retrace your steps. For me, the 5 p.m. parking deadline gave the afternoon a clear endpoint while still allowing plenty of flexibility.

Finish With a Cold Plunge and Time on the Rocks

It was a hot summer day, and after walking back, I ended up taking a cold plunge in Lake Louise, followed by warming up on the rocks.

That moment has stayed with me: the cold water after the walk, the warmth as I dried off, and those mountains right in front of me. It’s a memory I’ll carry for a long time.

This was part of my personal experience rather than an essential stop on the itinerary. Simply sitting beside the water would also be a lovely way to finish the afternoon.

Around 5 p.m.: Return to the Car

With my included parking ending at 5 p.m., I wrapped up the afternoon and walked back to Deer Lodge to collect my car and head to my accommodation.

Starting at Moraine Lake and finishing at Lake Louise made the day feel easy to manage. I had time for canoeing, a picnic, walking, and a final pause by the water, all without needing to squeeze in another shuttle before leaving.

What I’d Prioritize With One Day

For a day built around the experiences I had, I’d focus on one canoe outing and one main walk. That gives each lake its own place in the itinerary: time on the water at Moraine Lake, followed by exploring Lake Louise on foot.

If time becomes tight, the extension toward Plain of Six Glaciers is the easiest part to shorten. You can turn around earlier without losing the lakeshore experience.

If canoeing matters less to you, use that time for more walking or simply a slower visit at Moraine Lake. The best version of this day is the one that reflects what you came to experience.

I’d keep Bow Lake and Peyto Lake for a separate Icefields Parkway day. That’s how they fit into my wider Rockies trip, and you can find those stops in my Icefields Parkway guide.

What to Bring

Keep your bag manageable, but bring enough for a full day away from your accommodation.

• Water: Carry what you need for your planned activities.
• Lunch and snacks: Bringing food gives you more flexibility about when and where to stop.
• Comfortable walking shoes: Choose footwear suitable for the trails you intend to walk.
• Layers and a waterproof jacket: Pack for changing conditions.
• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
• Your phone or camera: Leave enough battery for tickets, photographs, and the return journey.
• Saved booking details: Keep pickup locations and return instructions easy to access.
• Appropriate hiking supplies: If you plan to go beyond the lakeshore, prepare for the specific trail.

With shuttle details, photos and a full day away from your accommodation, a power bank is worth considering; I share the one I use in my travel tech essentials guide.

Before leaving, check the forecast and trail information, then adjust what you carry to your actual plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Time Do You Need for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?

For the combination in this post, I’d reserve a full sightseeing day. You need time for the activities themselves, transportation, meals, and pauses. Your journey from Banff or Canmore also sits outside the time you spend at the lakes.

If you only have a few hours, simplify the visit around the views and shorter walks.

Visiting the lakes as part of a longer Rockies trip? See how I combined this day with Canmore, Banff, Johnston Canyon and the Icefields Parkway in my 3-day Banff National Park itinerary.

Which Lake Should You Visit First?

Start with the lake that fits your transport reservation and your main priority.

The suggested itinerary above places Moraine Lake first, but you can reverse the order. If you’re organizing the day around a longer Lake Louise hike, you may want to give that activity the earlier part of your day.

Do You Need to Canoe at Both Lakes?

You don’t need two canoe outings to enjoy both places. I canoed at Moraine Lake and explored Lake Louise on foot. That combination offers different ways to experience the scenery and leaves more room in the day for walking.

Can You Complete a Long Hike and Visit Both Lakes?

Potentially, but the hike needs to be central to your plan. Research the full route, account for your own walking pace, and work backward from your return transportation. You may need to shorten your time at the other lake or skip canoeing.

My visit included only the beginning of Plain of Six Glaciers, so it shouldn’t be used as a timing guide for the complete hike.

Do You Need to Visit at Sunrise?

Sunrise can be a beautiful reason to plan an early visit, but it doesn’t need to be the starting point for this itinerary. I personally loved the morning sunlight at Moraine Lake, it really brought out the turquoise blue of the water. My 9 a.m. shuttle worked well for enjoying that light without a pre-dawn start.

Choose a departure that gives you enough time for your priorities. If sunrise is on your wish list, book transportation specifically for it and consider how the early start will fit with the rest of your day.

Can You Follow This Itinerary in Winter?

This is a summer itinerary based on my late-June visit. Lake Louise can be visited year-round, but the combined lake outing depends on seasonal Moraine Lake access. Winter also changes which walking routes are appropriate; Parks Canada advises against hiking to Plain of Six Glaciers in winter or spring.

If you’re planning a separate winter visit to Lake Louise, see my guide to what to wear in Canada in winter for clothing and layering advice.

Final Thoughts

One day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake gives you the chance to experience both places in more than one way. For me, that meant canoeing, walking the shoreline, and exploring a little farther along the trail.

My advice is to organize your transportation first, choose the activities you care about most, and leave some room between them. There’s value in having time to stop when a view catches your attention.

If you’re building a longer Rockies adventure, my Banff National Park: 3-Day Bucket List Itinerary shows how this lake day fits with Canmore, Banff, and the journey toward Jasper.