Parking for Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake has no public parking lot for visitors. The road is closed to private cars, so there is nowhere to drive to and park. The bus and service area at the lake is not a car park, and the private spaces of Moraine Lake Lodge are for registered lodge guests only. They cannot be shared with visitors or friends.
Instead you leave the car at Lake Louise and travel the rest by Moraine Lake shuttle or by tour. The lot you need depends on how you travel. If you hold a disability parking permit, check with Parks Canada before you travel, because you should not count on a drive to the lake.
Where to park for Moraine Lake
2026 information. Fees and hours can change from season to season.
| Place | Use it for | Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Moraine Lake | No public visitor parking | – |
| Park and Ride, Lake Louise Ski Resort | Regular shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise | Free with a shuttle reservation |
| Lake Louise Lakeshore (upper lot) | Alpine Start at 04:00 and 05:00 | CAD 42 per vehicle per day |
| Lake Louise Fairview | Visiting Lake Louise | CAD 42 per vehicle per day |
| Moraine Lake Lodge | Registered lodge guests only | Private |
For most visitors with a car, the shuttle from the Park and Ride is the better deal, since the lot costs nothing and the ticket covers both lakes. Pay for Lakeshore parking only if you take the sunrise departures.
Our pick: skip the parking question
Our take: a sunrise shuttle from Banff avoids the Lake Louise car parks altogether.
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 tours with pickup
Day trips from Banff, Calgary and Lake Louise that include the transport to the lake, so you do not need to park, with live prices and availability.
What each parking option means
Details to check before you drive.
Park and Ride
The Park and Ride at Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, is free for passengers with a reserved Parks Canada shuttle. It is not a free parking lot for hikers or for private shuttles. Check in during your reserved one-hour window.
Lakeshore and Fairview
Both lots charge CAD 42 per vehicle per day from 15 May to 12 October 2026, with fees from 03:00 to 19:00. Parking here does not replace the check-in for the Moraine Lake shuttle, and a space is not guaranteed. Alpine Start leaves from the upper Lakeshore lot, and you show proof of parking payment.
A sunrise cost example
For one adult with a car, the shuttle (CAD 12.75), the online booking (CAD 3.50) and a day of Lakeshore parking (CAD 42) come to CAD 58.25. Park entry is charged on top. Reserve Alpine Start by 15:00 the day before.
Sunrise guide →Lodge guests
Guests with a reservation at Moraine Lake Lodge receive access details from the lodge. The lodge car park is private and cannot be passed on to visitors or friends.
Planning tips for parking and the shuttle
Small decisions that save time on the day.
Reserve the shuttle first
The shuttle reservation is what gets you to the lake, so book it before you think about parking. Reservations for the 2026 season opened on 15 April at 08:00 MDT with 40 percent of the seats, and the other 60 percent were released two days ahead at 08:00 MDT. Check how the next season releases its seats.
Do not mix up the two lots
The Park and Ride at the Ski Resort and the Lakeshore lot at Lake Louise are different places. The regular shuttle starts at the Park and Ride. If you park at Lakeshore for the regular shuttle, you pay CAD 42 and still have to reach the check-in at the Ski Resort.
Arrive with time to spare
Lake Louise lots can be full, and a space is never guaranteed. Allow time for parking, the check-in window and the walk to the stop, and keep the last return in mind: the last shuttle back to the Park and Ride leaves at 19:30.
Skip parking with a tour
A tour with pickup in Banff, Canmore, Calgary or Lake Louise removes the parking question. The price is set by the tour operator, and it is a different product from the Parks Canada ticket, so check the return time before you book.
Moraine Lake tours →Park entry fees in 2026
Parking and shuttle tickets do not include the national park pass.
| Category | Day pass | Discovery Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | CAD 12.25 | CAD 83.50 |
| Senior (65+) | CAD 10.75 | CAD 71.50 |
| Up to 17 years | Free | – |
| Family or group, up to 7 people in one vehicle | CAD 24.50 | CAD 167.50 |
Park entry was free for all visitors from 19 June to 7 September 2026. Regular entry fees apply again, and parking and shuttle reservations were charged throughout. More on choosing a pass is in the Banff park pass guide.
More guides for your trip
Pick up the rest of the plan.
Moraine Lake parking: frequently asked questions
Is there parking at Moraine Lake?
There is no public parking for visitors at the lake. Private cars are not allowed on the road, and the lodge's car park is private. Park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort Park and Ride and take the shuttle.
How much does parking cost near Moraine Lake?
The Park and Ride is free for reserved shuttle passengers. Lake Louise Lakeshore and Fairview cost CAD 42 per vehicle per day in 2026, with fees from 03:00 to 19:00.
Where do I park for the Moraine Lake shuttle?
At the Park and Ride at Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road. This is not the Lake Louise Lakeshore. Alpine Start is the exception: it leaves from the upper Lakeshore lot.
Can someone drop me off at Moraine Lake?
No. A drop-off by a friend in a private car is not an exception to the road closure. Use a shuttle or a tour that is licensed to drive to the lake.
Do I need a park pass as well as a parking fee?
Yes. Parking and shuttle tickets are separate from park entry. The adult day pass was CAD 12.25 in 2026, and a family or group of up to seven in one vehicle paid CAD 24.50.