Moraine Lake

Stunning colours, just like you see in the photos. Can't take a bad photo. The only issue I had was the walk up the rock piles. Some of the steps were high, so for some like me, with some walkability issues, can be a bit difficult at times. However, well worth the walk up.

Absolutely breathtaking! Lake Moraine is straight out of a postcard — the turquoise water, towering peaks, and peaceful atmosphere are unreal. Go early to beat the crowds and truly take in the serenity. Whether you’re hiking, snapping photos, or just soaking in the views, it’s an unforgettable experience. A must-visit in Banff!

The shoreline walk around the lake is easy and short. Lots of access to the water along the way for a dip and pics. The Rock Pile path was overcrowded and noisy. Although it is July, but it was very cold. Not a lot to do around, few hours are enough to enjoy the scenery.

What a place!!! Stunning. Kayaks are $170 for 1hour FYI. Get here BEFORE 8 or 9 am my best advice. We got before 9 and it was quiet and lovely. Tourists are booking buses ($80), no private vehicles are allowed since three years ago. The tour guides are friendly and funny, respectful and seem to care about people which is great. I’d do Moraine in the morning and Lake Louise after to enjoy more hikes.

Absolutely stunning place, the most beautiful lake I've seen in whole Jasper and Banff NP. Must see. Recommended to go there early.

We went to Moraine Lake on June10, 2025 it was stunning! The water was clear blue, it looked unreal. The mountain view with the lake is just magical. A bit crowded, but totally worth it. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen!

All I can say is that it is stunning. There are not many months in a year when this lake is not frozen and that is the time you should visit to witness the beauty of this lake. It changes its color with the sun's brightness. 10 peaks complement the beauty around it. You cannot come by the private vehicle as there is not much parking out there. The visitor center is nice and food options are also available. I would love to visit again.

Morraine Lake is beautiful. However, it is very overcrowded and hard to get to. You have to take an expensive bus and battle the crowds to find a place to take a picture without tourists everywhere. I went in 2017, and pretty much had the place to myself. I even drove up there in my own car. Lovely place, but be prepared for crowds of people. Early morning, might be the best time to go to avoid the crowds.

STUNNING! I hope you get to visit when the sun is out. It truly is spectacular. Yes... you can only get to it by shuttle, Parks Canada, tour or private shuttle. Unless you are actually staying at the Moraine Lake Lodge... you cannot drive your own car. Figure out what works for you and Go! Yes... it's also highly visited and chances of you not being hip deep in people (during the summer - peak season) is highly unlikely. With that said... it's still worth it. The bathrooms are pit toilets. Do not put wipes in the toilets. There is always a line to use the toilets... we waited about 10 minutes which cut into our 90 minute visit. But... nature calls... what are you going to do. sigh We went up Rockpile first.... it's a short walk up ... a set of steep stairs but short. Almost everyone can do it if they go slow... provided they don't need a walker or wheelchair. Definitely bring your walking sticks if you need a bit of extra balance. The "stairs"... are really steps made of slate/granite. The trail is dirt/gravel. It would be best to wear sneakers at least, but we saw flip flops to sandals to dress shoes. (The guy trying to climb the big rocks in dress shoes to get a better view picture was an idiot as he almost fell several times and could have taken out a bunch of people if he fell off the rock.... as well as injure himself. So... try not to be "That Idiot".) Also... don't spend too much time up on Rockpile. We did ... I don't know why... but we did. So, we didn't have time to do the whole little Lake Hike/Walk which is about a good solid 45 minutes (out and back) round trip walk. Maybe a bit longer since the trail is along the lake which gives you lots of areas you can stop and take selfies. There are also canoe rentals.... there was a long line... there's always a long line as I understand it. I'd go back to Moraine ... it's that beautiful ... even with all the people.

Again, this area is a bit difficult if you don't have the shuttle pass. Though it was a nice alpine lake that's turquoise, we found it a bit too family friendly and devoid of any interesting features in terms of the hike. There were some kayak rental options but it was closed due to choppy waters.

Catch and release trout fishing is possible at Lake Moraine with a valid fishing license for Banff. If you're staying more than 3-5 days between Canmore/Banff, I'd suggest Wapiti Sports in Canmore to load up on lead-free gear and to purchase the annual fishing permit to fish in Banff. My family stayed at the lodge on Moraine Lake so we were able to fish a little later when the crowd died down and that's actually when the fish started biting. Staying at the lodge allows you to rent the canoes complimentary, weather permitting.

Moraine Lake is a snow & glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, outside the village of Lake Louise. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres. The lake is 4 miles around. The road to Lake Moraine is closed to private traffic. Tour buses filled the lot quickly and crowds came in. There was a lodge with a large gift shop and a cafe. There were latrines that were stocked. Canoe rentals were available. The lake was so turquoise the water didn't look real. We climbed up the rock trail peering onto the lake and the magnificent snow covered mountains that framed.

This lake is spectacular and under-rated! I never heard of this lake but you always hear about nearby Lake Louise maybe because the world famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is located there and there is a village named Lake Louise. But Lake Louise pales in comparison to this lake. Also while Emerald Lake may have the most striking color, this lake has it all including its classic glacial turquoise color, plus its unique, impressive, vigorous, and scenic Rockpile trail that leads upwards to a grand view of the lake. The Valley of the Ten Peaks is also in view and this lake is part of that valley thus adding to the spectacular scenery here. I would say this was my favorite and most awe-inspiring lake of all the lakes we saw here in Western Canada. The site is also uniquely closed to public vehicular traffic. Only tour buses (such as ours and other tour operators) are permitted vehicles and the public has to make a reservation at the Lake Louise Visitors Center to visit Moraine Lake via a tour group. The reservations can also fill up and were sold out when I looked during my stroll through the center, so that must be a letdown for those wanting to visit but can't. Like Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake has a lodge here as well.

Beautiful view! The water is bright blue and the mountains were just so pretty to look at. Reserve the shuttle 2 days in advance to go to both Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. There's a little Cafe in Lake Moraine for some snacking.

All of the stars really aligned when my husband and I visited Moraine Lake. We had visited Lake Louise the day before, and the weather was quite cloudy and rainy. We almost didn't come to Moraine lake because we didn't want a repeat of the weather we experienced at Lake Louise. However, when we got to Moraine Lake, the skies cleared, and the sun shone brightly. Since we were there at the tail end of the busy summer tourism season, there weren't as many people. We took the shuttle to get to Moraine Lake, as the main road there is now closed to pedestrian vehicles. I was so glad that we spent the time and the money to canoe on the lake, because the views from the water were breathtaking. I would definitely recommend a visit to Moraine Lake, especially if you would like to canoe, but not deal with the crowds that are typically found at Lake Louise.

OMG, no wonder this lake is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Everything about it was magical! Tip- hike the rock pile for the most amazing views. The water was so turquoise, and clear. So majestic against the snowy mountains. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The most difficult part is reserving a slot on the Parks Canada website for the shuttle service, since they do not allow personal vehicles on the road to Moraine Lake. We got lucky. Otherwise, would have had to book through a tour company.

This is one of the most famous lakes in the world. It's understandable given the obvious beauty, especially at sunrise. You can no longer drive up here unless you're staying at the lodge so plan to reserve a shuttle very early on or risk going for the last minute tickets. Aim for the 4am shuttle for best lighting on the mountains. The best viewing spot is on the rock piles which is a ten minute uphill hike from the parking lot. The first shuttle back after sunrise is at 700 am. Vault toilets are available in the parking lot.

Visited Moraine Lake when it was cloudy/raining but it was still beautiful! The sun came out for a little bit which made the water a different shade of blue. There's a convenient cafe at the Moraine Lake Lodge if you need a drink or quick snack. As previous reviews mentioned, you cannot drive a personal vehicle up to the lake anymore (so best to book transport through a tour group or other options in advance)

Remember those photos you saw on Instagram that you thought was photoshopped for had some crazy filter on them? Well, once you see this for yourself, you'll see that it was no filter or photoshop, it is the real deal. The turquoise water in between the Canadian Rockies is simply magical. Finding a photo shop without all of the other tourists is another tall task as everyone else wants the same. So make sure you're patient and friendly enough to make it happen.

Such a beautiful lake with an incredible back drop. Love canoeing on this lake. Crystal clear! $180/hour

My favorite lake, I love it! The best view is up on the rock pile. The rock pile is a hike up but worth it. It does get super busy and crowded. There are also nice views along the hike path along the lake. So worth a visit. If in the area, do your best to see it. You don't want to miss it.

Spectacular doesn't even begin to describe the beauty of Moraine Lake. A lot of people come to Banff with Lake Louise in mind, but let me tell you, Moraine Lake is where it's at. This place is absolutely stunning, so picturesque you might just have to pinch yourself to make sure you aren't dreaming. We did the the rock pile hike to get a view from up above. Although the hike was super short, it took a bit of time to get up there because it was so crowded. Think that picture of all the hikers trying to get up to the top of Mount Everest, now add a bunch of kids that need to be carried and people that have never hiked before. But, crowds aside, once you got to the top and had some room to move around you were able to spread out and get an unobstructed view of the majestic lake. There were also some pretty sweet views of the surrounding mountains on the back side of the rock pile summit. Once down the rock pile we walked around the lake a bit, my favorite views were definitely from up above, but still got some great scenery and much more serenity down below. We visited as part of a tour so luckily we didn't have to worry about parking and got right into the park.

We snagged some last minute shuttle tickets from Parks Canada when they got released 2 days ahead of time, and we did a Moraine/Louise/Banff day trip from Calgary. We did the easy rock pile hike and the blue/turquoise water just looked unreal once the sun came out! It's definitely a worthwhile trip, just be ready for no cell service and minimal food options.

One of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen!!! It looks surreal and just stunning!! Everyone recommends coming for sunrise but honestly, regardless what time of day you come it'll be gorgeous and absolutely breath taking. We've met with folks who waited since 10pm for the sunrise and that was insane! The entrance to the lake is blocked off unless you have a pass to access it. We took a shuttle from Lake Louise since we stayed there (there is a fee and is more expensive during sunrise). When we got there, we didn't know where to go lol we simply followed people that took you up stone steps (leg day for sure!) There's not a lot of room up there so be careful where you step. No matter where you are, you'll have a great view of the reflection of the mountains on the blue water. There are hikes you can do but we didn't have the chance to since we didn't really stay that long. And because we came for the sunrise, the gift shop wasn't open. If you've never been, you definitely should add this to your bookmarks. You won't regret it (the view at least, the parking and crowds hmm maybe haha)

I returned to Moraine Lake in late September because I messed up the first time I visited. Reason why...I never hiked ROCKPILE TRAIL! When I first came here in the middle of June, Moraine Lake was frozen, and it didn't nearly colorfully glisten as this 2nd time. Now, here on a beautiful autumn afternoon, Moraine Lake had this hypnotically turquoise aqua blue/green to it. Honestly, it was like a sight out of an artist's best work. A Van Gogh. A portrait. A postcard. Yes, so, I need to feature this name right here, right now... Rockpile Trail!!! It is an absolute MUST DO, and the first thing you need to do while here at Moraine Lake! Rockpile Trail. Rockpile Trail. Rockpile Trail. All I can say is, the views and sceneries of Moraine Lake were astonishing from Rockpile Trail/Overlook. From the left-hand side of the parking lot, you'll discover the trailhead along with pathways to other parts around Moraine Lake, but all you need to do is hike 4/10's of a kilometer and you'll have a choice of a few different vista points to look down upon and appreciate Moraine Lake. It just blew my mind that a place and area such as viewing Moraine Lake could be so easily accessible...granted you find a parking spot, lol, which can be impossible at times, and I highly recommend stopping by in late afternoon when the crowds dissipate. And, to get chills by not even having to work hard and be rewarded so easily, really left a lasting impression with my soul. And funny, there was a wedding photographer snapping pictures of a couple and the lake in the background. Yep, that pretty much summed things up. And that's it, that's all I wanted from this return trip back to Moraine Lake. It simply reinforced my joys of what makes the Lake Louise Area, Banff and the Canadian Rockies so special. I'm glad I have this chance to write an updated review about Moraine Lake and receive a much better perspective from glorious Rockpile Trail. I feel like I'm ready to continue trying to conquer the world!

Reserve, reserve, reserve. Let me tell you a story of NOT being able to see Moraine Lake in the "shoulder season" of late September when you think everyone is back in school and work... We headed to Lake Louise to see about the shuttles available on site to Lake Morraine and were told the buses were all sold out for the day, and referred back to the website to see if any cancellations happened last minute- which they did not. The only other option was to call around to other private shuttle or bus services to see if they had extra space. The Lake Louise Fairmont shuttle did not, and if they did; it would only be for hotel guests anyway. PS. Even though there were parking spaces that appeared to be available in the $21 parking shuttle lot for the day, they were turning away any cars from parking there if they didn't have reservations. There is an alternative parking option for the garage of the hotel- which is $30 parking for the day pass- to be paid at the "Registered Hotel Guests Only" Front Desk. It seems very off putting, but it is an option if you need it to access the shuttle.

So sad. For some reason when I was planning my Banff trip I was not reading my Yelp reviews very carefully. I had this place on my to do but I didn't know which trails to do. So when we got there I just kind of walked around aimlessly. Rockpile Trail!!! This is where you need to go to get all of the amazing views. On the day we went it was super overcast so it was hard to get the beautiful colors. But we were persistent and and stuck around until the sun finally came out. Once it did the colors just shined and shined. I still personally enjoyed Lake Louise more but this place is a must visit.z just plan accordingly as it is way more difficult to get here than Lake Louise.

Starting Summer 2023, the road to Moraine Lake is restricted to buses, those staying at Moraine Lake Lodge and those with a disabled parking permit. Many tours will have shuttles combining Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Parks Canada shuttle is quite affordable. Beware that only buses will be allowed to turn left onto Moraine Lake road, while all others will need to drive further ahead and pull a u turn. I think Moraine Lake was my favourite of the incredible lakes that we saw. We were fortunate enough to go twice, at different times of day and in different weather. There are various hikes to be done around Moraine Lake and nearby Lake Louise. Wise to read up on them and respect skill level, minimums required to walk together and have at least one can of bear spray among each group. Recognize that weather will complicate the hikes. We saw so many with hiking poles and I wished that I had a set.

Definitely worth the trip to see the beautiful colours of the lake. While there's several vantage points to take gorgeous pictures, the "premier" location is top of a small hill next to the parking lot. It's not a difficult walk (maybe 15 minutes), but it is not recommended for those with mobility issues (it's an uneven, uphill trail). The lake shimmers turquoise hues and IMHO, is as equally, if not more stunning, than the more famous Lake Louise (there's definitely less tourists here). In 2022 they closed motor vehicle access (cars, trucks, etc) to the lake, but there are still several ways to get there (shuttle (no cars allowed unless you have a handicap sticker), bike, or hiking). Worth the effort to get there.

I came for Lake Louise and danggggggg pales in comparison with Lake Moraine (and it was raining). The road to the lake is closed to the public so take Moraine Lake Bus Co there. They had a comfy clean bus. Ticket price was super reasonable and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly.

Moraine lake is a must go see if you're by lake Louise. Only accessible by Parks Canada bus (book online in advance or 48 hours before), this is one of my favorite stops. The crystal clear blue lake surrounded by the mountains and trees, and the reflection off the water makes it a great place to stop and enjoy the view. We hiked the rockpile which is a short and fairly easy hike, which offers the best views of moraine lake. There's also canoes for rent if you want to go onto the lake for a paddle. It can be expensive though so find some buddies to split the cost. Overall, definitely a place not to miss when in lake Louise area.

Warning ... staring at this lake will cause feelings of euphoria, glee, excitement, joy, fantasy, bewilderment & simply put - it's an emotional rollercoaster on the mind!!!!! Be prepared to be overcome & cry like a baby for no reason other than that - you're in your feelings!!! Utterly mind blowing epic was my time at the sensational - Moraine Lake!!!!! Putting a sentence together to describe it, would honestly be the understatement of the century - you have to see it to believe it!!! I was totally stunned by what I saw!!! Utter sheer pure 100% magnificence! Within 10 minutes of standing before this spectacular magnificence - I was so full in spirit, I could have headed back to Vancouver & been completely happy with the trip - I kid you not! How could a vacay get any better!?!! Honestly!!! *HEADS UP ALERT* Plan accordingly as to when to actually visit this dayum unique lake ie if you can get there early, you'll catch dawns sun rays glistening off the lake & if you're a night owl it will obviously look quite different in the evening. However, from what I witnessed - the more light the better! My recommendation - 'the early bird catches the worm' as the saying goes. I found that between the 7am to 9am hours to be just awesome for viewing & capturing excellent pix! *HEADS UP ALERT* If that crystal ball the weather station uses promises blue sky & sunshine the following morning - get to Moraine Lake first thing right at dawn - you won't regret it!!! This way you'll capture multiple images & have more to work with! The images you see of me dangling my feet & standing facing Moraine Lake, had me speechless in total awe of Mother Nature!!!!! I lost my tongue - no words could accurately describe the beauty of ML!!! I was utterly gobsmacked!!!!! Yelpies even Aunt Jemima declared the words in this review - too syrupy to accurately describe ML! You'll just have to go see ML live!!! I have never seen such gorgeous stunning nature in all my life! It's hard not to become an emotional wreck standing over this breathtaking lake ... I actually let out a tear that ran down my cheek! Was I ... 'in my feelings!?' Please don't tell anyone ok!?! *HEADS UP ALERT* Bring an extra SD card to Banff!!! Either that or make sure your cell has 1 terabyte free ... LMAO! I was clicking away nonstop throughout the whole trip & with video clips my first card filled up quick. *HEADS UP ALERT* I highly recommend you first come to Moraine Lake early in the morning, then after you've been shaken up by all that awesomeness you will witness, make your way over to Lake Louis for more stunning delight! Please note you will only get the same view I had at ML, by climbing the 'Rock Pile' (follow the signs) a 15min climb each way. I'm quite torn between whether or not Lake Louise is better than ML & vice versa!? Better is probably not the right word for comparison sake. I think it's actually like an iPhone & Samsung cell comparison. Both offer what they have & it comes down to like being in love - beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Right!!? To answer my thought, I'm leaning more towards Moraine Lake! Let me know what you think once you've visited both lakes!?! I declare Moraine Lake to be the - 8th 9th & 10th Wonder of the World!!! Do not dare skip out on this on your trip to Banff!

Eventhough we went during a white out snowing day, the whole lake was still pretty. The shuttle booking was a bit hassle and it was so hard to get the reservation, but we finally made it at the last minute. They have gift shop and coffee shop which opens basing on season.

Just a beautiful, gorgeous, blue lake chilling somewhere between the mountains. Photos do not do this place justice and you have to come in person to take it all in. It's amazing. Don't bother driving here unless you're a super early riser because the lot is ALWAYS full. Instead, there is a parking lot about 15 mins before you arrive that is located along the highway (look for signs), park there for free and get in the queue to get on a school bus that will shuttle you here and back =) There are crowds but not so much where you can't get the perfect photo. There is lots to see here and plenty of angles for that perfect shot.

Perfect! This place is just stunningly beautiful! Everywhere your eyes go, Moraine Lake is just so gorgeous! We came here late May, so half of the lake was still frozen. I was told that in the summer, the water is turquoise in color. I would've loved to see that too. There is a little hike, around 8-10 minutes, if you want the best view. Going up was not hard, just do it at your own pace. We see old and young people alike doing the hike so it's really not difficult at all. Going to Canada, it is a must to visit Banff specifically the Moraine. There are no words to describe this place. When you get there, take a lot of pictures, sit on one of the rocks, and just take it all in!

Lake moraine is tucked away 11 miles from her more popular sister Loraine. The 330am wake up call is worth it ! The parking lot gets full by 530-6am. FYI there are shuttles but the drive is another 20 minutes from the shuttle lot (which is at lake Louise fairmount ). Not bad if you don't mind bus rides through a mountainous windy road. Back to lake moraine - head to the rock pile hike to get the best views. There will be a huge crowd regardless of what time but you can avoid it if you veer to the left. The rock pile hike is an easy hike - 0.4? Around and there's steps. You can climb on the rocks n get a great view but note you will be known as the jerks who block the view/picture for everyone else. As the sun rises, the mountains n water are exposed and you will be speechless/left in awe. The water is a blue tranquil blue due to the glaciers and there is something subtle and beautiful bout moraine that I admire over her sister, Lorraine. Do the other hikes after you get your pics and the sunrises. We did not have time since we had other hikes planned but will totally come back :)

What you'll love about visiting Moraine Lake: - It's insanely gorgeous. - There's a huge pile of rocks you can climb up for the BEST view (the lake looks more blue the higher up you go). - There's not as many tourists here as other lakes, so you're more likely to find parking. - There's an interesting sign with facts about this spot. Note: To climb the huge pile of rocks, you can walk across the logs in the water. Only walk on the huge logs or they'll give way and you'll fall in the freezing water (may or may not have happened to my husband- lol).

This is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It is certainly the most beautiful lake I've ever seen. The color blue is a bright blue that is my favorite color. We hiked up the rockpile trail to see it in the morning. It was really pretty, but the mountains were still covered in fog. After our long hike, we went back up again and it was even more beautiful since you could see the mountains. We were told to get there early, so we arrived at 6:15 am. I'm glad we did because the parking lot filled up 5-10 minutes after we got there. We hiked to Eiffel Lake. It starts out very steep for the first 1-2 miles with a lot of switch backs. After it splits off from the Larch Valley trail, it flattens out for the rest of the hike. The view of the lake is gorgeous and you can see Moraine Lake from up in the mountains too. There were still several snow covered spots on the trail. We're not really sure if we finished the hike since there was no clear ending point. The hike continues on after the lake so once we got past the lake and lost the views were just turned back. It's supposed to be about 7.5 miles. This is my favorite thing we've done in Banff so far. I definitely recommend it!

This is gorgeous and very breathtaking!! You're missing out a big time if you visit Banff without visitng this lake and Lake Louise. This lake is also known as "The lake with the twenty dollar view", which is shown on the lake shown on the $20 bill. There's canoeing at this lake. It's $120/hr, but totally worth every single dollar. The canoe comes in 2 or 3 seaters. Also, be sure to take the walk up the rockpile. As for the time/schedule, be sure to arrive early, before 8am to get a parking spot. The roads and parking lot got blocked off when the lot is full. There's a free shuttle from Moraine lake to the overflow parking lot in the morning (this depends on the operation of that day). From the parking lot, you will need to wait for another shuttle to Lake Louise ($4 round trip), then from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake ($6 round trip). If not, you can drive to the overflow parking lot. It's on Hwy 1, 15mins drive from Lake Louise Visitor Centre towards Canmore. Note that the shuttle tickets do get sold out fast and the last shuttle ride from the Lake Louise is 5:30pm.

The most bluest lake I have ever seen in my life. It looks like someone put an Instagram filter over my eyes. I don't even think words can describe how spectacular of a view this place is. To get the full experience of the blueness, go up to the overlook up top - you will get a picture perfect photo without that much of a hike.

This place is a jewel of the Rockies. It hard to imagine more beautiful lake and the best time to visit is at sunrise or before sunset. If you are coming at sunrise, make sure to arrive really early (like 1hr before sunrise) otherwise the road will be closed or you will have to turn back as there are only about 100 or so parking spots in the parking lot. It's very popular and easily accessible spot, so there are crowds any time of the day.

Wow! This place did not disappointed at all!!! It was one of the place on my bucket list and I'm so glad it was even more prettier than I saw on all the video and advertisements!!! However getting to this place is a bit trouble some. First, you need to get your visitor pass if u don't you'll need to get it on the day you're going at the gate or at the visitor center which doesn't open until 8:30am. Now get this right, the parking is full around 8am!!! So plan according! We left Calgary at 4:30am and get there around 6:30am to guarantees our spot! Also if anyone plan to visit both place moraine lake and lake Louise must even plan harder. Why? U asked. First, both parking get full quite quickly so if u can get in one parking doesn't mean u can get in on both. Some plan to hike, its take approximately 1 hour+ to walk from one place to another. So what ur option? Park At the overflow parking (different parking from the lake) get the ticket and hope on the shuttle. Make sure u ask them where u want to go so u can get the right ticket. Me unfortunately, didn't know this info before so we r visiting the 2 places on 2 separate days to make our life easier. Here is the CURRENT routes: moraine lake to lake Louise Lake Louise to Moraine lake Cost: $6 round trip. Lake Louise to overflow (parking) Overflow to lake Louise Cost: $4 round trip Currently, There is no shuttle from Moraine to overflow parking! The canoe! Yes do it!!!! Quite expensive $120/hrs but do it! Worth every penny! We did 2 hours cuz we have 3 people however 1 hour should be good enough. The canoe can fit up to 3 people. So no worries if u have odd number group. So get out there and enjoy the view! Because it's amazing out there! These pix can't even justify the beauty of it!

A must see! I went to Moraine Lake on my last day in Banff and surely saved the best for last. The view lives up to the hype. Parking: The parking lot closes around 7:30 AM and reopens around 6 PM, so you have to go really early or in the evening. I arrived around 7:30 AM and there was an hour-wait for parking, so we just waited in our car until we moved down the line. You may also park at the Lake Louise overflow parking lot and there are shuttles to take you to Moraine Lake for $15 a person. But during busy times the lines are long and this may add an hour or more to your trip one-way! So how do you get to the viewpoint? As you walk towards the front of the lake, you will notice people climbing over logs/rocks to get to the top viewpoint for pictures. You don't need to do this! If you walk around the back of the rocks, there is a paved trail and stairs that will lead you up without taking the risk of getting wet. Granted, you may still climb the rocks if you are feeling adventurous :). If you come early, definitely stay until the sun comes up. That's when the lake has the most color.

No lake in the Canadian Rockies is as photographed as much as Lake Louise, but Moraine Lake comes close. We had left our hotel Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at 10am for the short trip to Moraine Lake. This was on our touring bus itinerary, but not a guaranteed visit. Heavily wooded area, with our bus taking the narrow winding Mountain road to the parking area. Driving slowly, both sides of the road are taken with parked cars. Up to 100 cars on each side, or almost half a mile of parked cars before we even get to the packed parking lot. The bus parking is not quite full, despite a few pickup truck with a camper on top, taking up bus parking spaces. Driver slides the full size tourist bus into a slot right between a camper and another bus. We were warned to use the restrooms at our hotel before arriving here, as long lines, almost exclusively women, at the bathrooms Didn't check to see if the bathrooms were unisex or just women. Gift shop and restaurant next to the parking lot. Viewing site at lake level crowded with tourists, with turquoise lake amid the mountains in the background. We take the quarter mile uphill hike to the top of the rock pile. Lake is hidden on the other side of the rock pile. 6200 feet elevation. Several cross traverse trails, with pikas darting in and out among the rocks. We reach over the top of the rock pile, and there is a lake to rival Lake Louise! Glacier fed turquoise lake, shimmering waters with reflections of the snow capped mountains in the background. Color of water varies with depth, with the shallow areas very brilliant turquoise, and the deeper waters a dark blue. Today, no smoke in the skies, and the surrounding mountains standing majestically beneath a bright blue summer sky. I can see canoes moored on the boat dock on one side of the lake. We only have a few minutes to enjoy our view, before the tour manager leads us back to the bus. We learn that the road to the Lake is often closed once the parking lot is full, as early as 7am, and that cars are let in only as others leave. Visitors have to park in a distant parking lot, and wait in line to take the shuttle, running every 15 minutes to the main parking lot, repeating the procedure in reverse when coming back. We luck out today, the Tuesday morning after Labor Day weekend, as the bus parking lot has a vacancy just for us. Another day in paradise!

Unfortunately when I came it was smokey due to the wildfires... but it was still very beautiful. Apparently this lake gets featured in a lot of magazines and famous photographs of Canada... and I've heard it's on one of the Canadian dollars? That said, I can understand why it's extremely popular - not only is the lake a glacier blue, but it has a view of many many mountain peaks. Even in the haze I could still see the peaks, though my camera wasn't able to capture it. Though it looks smaller than Lake Louise... I think the mountain peaks give it a better view. It's extremely picturesque and almost unreal how accessible it is - views like this you normally have to hike hours to get to. For this kind of view, you just have to make the 5 km drive from the main road, and the parking is right next to the lake. I do love how there's a giant rock hill next to the lake... you just have to climb over the logs and carefully climb up the small rock hill/mountain. Quite a fun activity if you're up to it, plus the view at the top is very rewarding since it gives you a clearer view of the lake and the peaks. There's a gift shop and a cafe from the lake side resort. There may be bathrooms at the resort... otherwise there are pit toilets outside Docking a star because getting here is tricky... when it's busy, park services manages traffic on the roads. Due to the limited parking at Moraine Lake, they monitor the situation and will close off the only road to the lake. During this time, they'll let cars in occasionally when they see 10 cars have left, but you're taking your chances. We made about 3 attempts to come to Lake Morraine... 3rd time was the charm. Attempt 1: Tried going in at 10 am... got turned away because the road was blocked. Attempt 2: The following day... we got here at 8 am... got turned away. They said the parking lot filled up by 7:30 am. Attempt 3: We decided to go more north and explore Yoho National Park and stop by on the way - sure enough we were allowed in at around 4:30 pm, and even got a parking spot close enough to the lake. Just don't give up, and if it doesn't work around have a back up plan for things to do. Plus don't give in to the freaking private shuttles that charge $30 per person round trip from the visitor center to the lake... such a rip off, and it bothers me they charge so much for a 15 minute drive. I'd be OK with $5, but $30? No way. The funny thing was we came on a Tues and Wed, the week after the US Labor Day. They even said this was a slow week for them! Visitor center recommends coming here before 8 am or after 5-6 pm, when there's a higher chance of getting access to the road. They should be starting a free shuttle service soon that will go from the Lake Louise Visitor Center to the lake, which will be helpful. Plus it'll prevent private shuttles from exploiting a natural beauty. I'll have to come back again to appreciate it when it isn't hazy. =P

I mean. Wow. Like 50 shades of blue going on over here. Moraine is so perfect. When you get here be sure to take your time. Climb the tall rockpile. Keep going straight. Don't turn left. Just go straight up. I love that people are so friendly and tourists respect each other if you want to share pics or crowd around a pretty vista for photos. Don't rush it. The rockpile has the money shot vantage points. Make sure to stroll around the lake. The smell here. Is magical. You are rewarded with so many views of the mountains and a sliver of a glacier the further you get down the trail. Oh and don't go crazy looking for the island. You know. The island that you see in all the famous Moraine photos. This island is literally a 5 foot chunk of land mass cropped around the toe of woods at the end of the trail. Not a big thing. Would hardly ever notice it. And. You would have to climb out onto the rocks (don't attempt this unless you are crazy like my husband) outside the boardwalk in order to get a photo. He has a great pic on his fancy Canon. I'll see if I can post it later.

Imagine going on a date with a girl you've been trying to holla at for a minute. And once you go back to her parents' house you meet the more sexy and sophisticated older sister. Moraine Lake is that older sister. Sure, Lake Louise is stunning, the more popular shawty, but Moraine has a bolder blue lake, more accessible stunning views, and shorter hikes (and more rewarding) hikes around it. She got dat AND a bag of chips. Things to know: ***** I. LOCATION & PARKING: Unless you plan on staying at the Moraine Lake Lodge - and have a pass to access it - you'll have to take the bus from Lake Louise there. (They take credit card and during daylight hours it runs every half an hour.) Banff National Park has several busses that go directly to Lake Louise, and the best route to take is dependent on where you're staying. II. WHAT TO DO: Upon arrival, I recommend veering to the left and ascending the stone steps to the top of the popular. Go down the rocks to take your pics and stay to the right since that part of the cliff has fewer trees obstructing your view. Then... a. Grab a map: Your phone may not have service, so grab a free map in the gift shop near the lake shore. b. Hike to Consolation Lake: It's a few miles, but the hike is worth it. c. Hike to the other side of Moraine Lake: Not very far, but the views of the mountains and lake will probably make you smile. III. OVERALL: If you don't visit Moraine Lake, you ain't doin' Banff right.

This was a very enjoyable hang out on the lake shore. Beautiful views, zero hiking. Name a more desirable combo. Come to the places I review; you will not experience any hiking beyond 30 minutes and will see sublime views.

The most beautiful lake I've seen. It's impossible to describe how beautiful this place is in either words or photos. You simply have to see it in person to appreciate it. In order to see the lake properly, you do have to climb the many steps on Rockpile Trail. Once you get to the top, the view of the lake is simply breathtaking. If there is only one place you can visit in Banff, this is it IMHO. Overall, this is a must see when you visit Banff. Parking lot is limited but a spot can be had if you have patience. If you're worried about parking, you can always park at Lake Louise Park and Ride (about 5 km from Lake Louise) and take a bus to Lake Louise first, then buy another ticket from Louise to Moraine. Upon return, the bus will take you directly back to the parking lot instead of Lake Louise.

Banff is Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. A must visit if you are in the area and I guess every single visitors wants to visit Banff. Moraine Lake is 14 kilometres outside the Village of Lake Louise. The window of visit is short as the road leading up the lake is closed for the winter due to heavy snowfall and high avalanche risk. The road opens sometime between the third week of May and the first week of June and closes in October after the Thanksgiving weekend. Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at an elevation of 6,183 feet (1,885 m). The lake distinctive shade of blue is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis. It is worth it for the experience and the view! It is the most photographed locations in all of Canada and that view is also know as the "Twenty Dollar View" as Moraine Lake was featured on the reverse side of the 1969 and 1979 issues of the $20 bills.

Put this place on your bucket list... NOW!!! Wow- Moraine Lake is jaw-dropping, mind-boggling, awe-inspiring, and whatever adjective ending in "ing" you can think of (lol). Photos don't do this place justice, you need to see it in real life. Moraine Lake is a deep turquoise lake with an alpine mountain backdrop. It is absolutely gorgeous and serene. It contains some of the bluest water I've ever seen in my life!! Parking here fills up very quickly so get here as early as you can- otherwise, you may have to take the shuttle. Tip: Climb to the top of the rock pile for the best views of the lake!

Moraine Lake is located about 10 km on a separate road from Lake Louise Village. The parking lot is huge but also extremely busy with lots of tour busses. There is a Lodge, restaurant, and gift shop on the premises. Perhaps the first thing you'll see is this gigantic rock pyramid. Rock climbers and adventurous folks would love Lake Moraine for this alone! For us, we prefer to stay on the beach and take in the beautiful Lake Moraine - similar to Lake Louise with turquoise waters. One difference is that they seem to have different rock formations here - limestone, shale, etc. Certainly worth a diversion if you're in the Lake Louise area.

One of the best spots (according to everyone) to go for sunrise. The parking lots fills up super early, though. The sunrise was around 7:30AM when I was there and it was recommended to get there before 6:30AM. I was there at 6:15AM just to be safe. During the summer months, I would imagine it being even more crowded. Although it was too cloudy for the sunrise, it still is incredibly beautiful and you need to go! There are a ton of tourists and so you'll have to wait if you want a picture where there aren't others around. Gorgeous!!

Get there early cuz the parking lot is small and fills up quickly! Because locals and tourists know this they will often stay here longer than Lake Louise. The is a beautiful aqua blue lake that is glacier fed from the surrounding mountains. There is a walking path along the edge of the lake on the right side. I haven't taken it all the way but it's quite picturesque and offers unique views. There are also nice little creeks and waterfalls that flow into the lake. There is a large rock pile that has been converted to viewing areas. I'd definitely recommend doing the mini hike up to take pictures. The colour of the lake is more vibrant from the higher vantage point. This area is less populated with tourists and it's approximately 14km away from Lake Louise so there is a much higher probability of seeing wildlife. Especially if you're hiking more remote trails away from the parking lot be aware of bears!

Another lake with lots of people. I walked a bit, found a spot for myself only. The color of the water came from the glacier a long time ago. The particle of ice has some minerals and so on, it made such a beautiful green under the sun.

Holy moly what an amazing experience! We started our journey on the 17 Km long Legacy trail from Canmore to Banff. I highly recommend everyone rent bikes and take a day to bike this trail. With stopping for photos factored in and some Deer it took us 3.5 hours. We next went to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine Lake Louise is Definite expensive tourist trap..... if you stay by the hotel but if you hike back the The Teahouse the population dwindles quickly. I highly recommend skipping the first Teahouse and hike to the top of the Six Plain Glacier Hike! Lake Moraine was beautiful and cheap to canoe. There were significantly less people here and it was equally as beautiful. My recommendations is go in the beginning of July we are the perfect hiking biking and enjoying nature weather!

Spectacular lake! I've seen a variety of lakes in several states. None has captivated me as much as the lakes I've seen here in Banff National Park. This includes Moraine Lake and Lake Louise which I will be reviewing later. Some cool facts about Moraine Lake: *Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park. *It is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at an elevation of 6,181 feet. *The surface area is 0.19 square miles and the lake runs 46 feet deep *The primary inflows are from Fay Glacier and Larch Creek. *The crazy blue-green color comes from the rock flour that is deposited from glacial erosion. *Has been one of the backgrounds shown on Android and Windows 7 *Has appeared on the reverse side of the Canadian twenty dollar bill in 1969 and 1979 There's a variety of viewpoints to view this glorious lake. At every viewpoint, the lake looks flawless. This lake is absolutely gorgeous! I've never seen anything like it. It is a must-visit!