Moraine Lake in a nutshell
Moraine Lake is a glacier-fed lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, in Banff National Park in Alberta. People come for a walk along the shore, the view from the Rockpile and the alpine hikes that start behind the lodge. The lake is about 14 km by road from Lake Louise Village, but you cannot simply drive up in your own car.
Moraine Lake Road has been closed to general private car traffic since 2023. You get to the lake by the Parks Canada shuttle, by a licensed commercial bus or tour, on a bike or on foot, or as a registered lodge guest. The shuttle season in 2026 ran from 1 June to 12 October. This guide explains the shuttle and the tours, sunrise trips, parking, canoes, hikes, the best time to visit and where to stay. Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and apply to 2026.
Our picks: Moraine Lake sunrise trips and tours
Our take: the sunrise trip is the one to book if you want the lake at first light with road access sorted. The four-lake day suits you if you have no car, and the shuttle with free time is the budget way to see both lakes.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Moraine Lake sunrise and Lake Louise golden hour
- Moraine Lake access fee
- National park pass
- Hot drinks and blankets
An early start for sunrise at Moraine Lake, then the morning light at Lake Louise. Road access and the park pass are covered.
Check availability →
Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake and Johnston Canyon
- National park pass
- Local guide
- Access to Moraine, Louise and Emerald
A full day of lakes with a local guide, also from Calgary. Moraine Lake is only on the route while the road is open in summer.
Check availability →
Shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, 1.5 hours each
- Return transport
- 1.5 hours at each lake
- National park entry
Transport only, without a guide, and the cheapest way to see both lakes on your own.
Check availability →Moraine Lake tours and shuttles
Day trips from Banff, Calgary and Lake Louise, sunrise tours and combinations with Lake Louise, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Moraine Lake visit
Start with the way in, then pick the pages you need.
Moraine Lake shuttle
Fares, departure times and the booking rules for the Parks Canada shuttle.
Tours from Banff, Calgary and Lake Louise
Day trips and combinations, with example prices in CAD.
Sunrise at Moraine Lake
The 04:00 and 05:00 departures and how to plan an early start.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
How to see both lakes on one ticket or one tour.
Moraine Lake or Lake Louise
Which lake to choose when you only have one morning.
How to get to Moraine Lake
Shuttle, tour, bike or foot, and what the road closure means.
Parking and park fees
Where cars wait, what lots cost and which fees apply.
Canoe rental
Rates, hours and the 2026 rules for boats on the lake.
Hikes, seasons and background
Trails, larches, facts and places to sleep.
Hikes at Moraine Lake
Rockpile Loop, lakeshore, Consolation Lakes, Larch Valley and more.
Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass
Trail distances, larch season and bear precautions.
Is Moraine Lake open?
Road season, closure dates and the lake in winter.
Best time to visit
Monthly climate figures, ice, snow and larch colour.
Moraine Lake facts
Water colour, the Ten Peaks and the lake on the twenty-dollar bill.
History of Moraine Lake
The name, early tourism and the Indigenous context of the region.
Where to stay
The lodge, Lake Louise, Banff or Canmore: which base fits.
A few things to know before you go
Rules and prices for the 2026 season.
The road is closed to private cars
Even a drop-off by a friend is not an exception. Allowed on the road are Parks Canada shuttles, licensed commercial vehicles, registered lodge guests and staff, contractors and emergency services. If you need accessible transport, reserve an accessible shuttle seat through the normal reservation.
How to get there →Shuttle and parking fees in 2026
The Parks Canada shuttle costs CAD 12.75 for adults aged 18 to 64, CAD 6 for seniors and CAD 4 for everyone up to 17. An online reservation adds CAD 3.50. Parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore costs CAD 42 per vehicle per day. The Park and Ride at the ski resort is free for reserved shuttle passengers.
Shuttle fares →Sunrise runs from Lake Louise
The early Parks Canada service, called Alpine Start, leaves the Lake Louise Lakeshore at 04:00 and 05:00. It does not leave from the Park and Ride. The direct Roam route 10 did not run in 2026.
Sunrise planning →Boats and the water
In 2026 Moraine Lake belongs to the Water Preservation Zone. Your own paddle boat, SUP or large inflatable is not allowed on the lake. Rental canoes that stay at the lake are exempt. Swimming is not banned in general, but the water is very cold.
Canoe rental →Park entry is separate
A shuttle or tour ticket does not replace the park pass. Entry was free from 19 June to 7 September 2026. Regular entry fees apply otherwise, and parking and shuttle reservations always cost extra. For passes, see the Banff park pass guide.
What this guide leaves to others
Topics with their own guides.
Moraine Lake is one stop in a much larger park. For the lake at Lake Louise itself, including walks and lodging there, see the guide to Lake Louise. This site stays with Moraine Lake and the way to reach it.
More independent Banff guides
Separate guides from the same team.
Moraine Lake: frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Moraine Lake?
No, not in a private car. The road has been closed to general private traffic since 2023. You can take the Parks Canada shuttle, a licensed commercial bus or tour, cycle or walk the road, or arrive as a registered lodge guest. Details are on the getting there page.
How much does the Moraine Lake shuttle cost?
In 2026 the fare was CAD 12.75 for adults aged 18 to 64, CAD 6 for seniors aged 65 and over and CAD 4 for passengers up to 17. An online reservation adds CAD 3.50 per booking. The ticket covers both lakes and the Lake Connector between them. See the shuttle page.
When does the shuttle run?
The 2026 season ran from 1 June to 12 October, depending on the weather. Buses left the Park and Ride every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 17:00. The service returns in summer, so check the timetable and the booking start date before you plan around it.
Can I visit Moraine Lake in winter?
Not as a normal outing. The lake is not accessible in winter because of avalanche danger. The road is partly used as a cross-country ski track, but that does not mean you can safely reach the lake. Snow or ice on the lake is not a reason to walk on it. See is Moraine Lake open.
Do I need a park pass for Moraine Lake?
Yes, park entry is separate from the shuttle fare, except in the period when entry was free, from 19 June to 7 September 2026. The regular adult day pass was CAD 12.25 and the family or group day pass was CAD 24.50 for up to 7 people in one vehicle in 2026.
Is moraine-lake.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Parks Canada, Roam Transit, the Moraine Lake Lodge or any shuttle or tour company. Prices and availability always belong to the provider.