How Moraine Lake tours work
Moraine Lake Road is closed to general private cars. Licensed commercial buses are one of the few ways to drive all the way to the lake. They need a Licence of Occupation, a business licence and a Visitor Access Licence from Parks Canada. Tours run in the season, from June to mid-October, and approved trips can also leave outside the regular shuttle hours.
Tours start from Banff and Canmore, from Calgary and from Lake Louise. Some go only to Moraine Lake, others add Lake Louise or more stops. The prices below are from-prices for adults. They are examples, not a market range, and the final price depends on date, taxes and options. Pick a tour for the time you want at the lake, not only for the price.
Our picks: Moraine Lake tours
Our take: the small-group combination gives the most time at both lakes. The Yoho day covers more ground, and the half-day tour is the short, low-cost option.
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 and Lake Louise combination tour
- Two hours at each lake
- Moraine Lake access fee
- National park pass
Two hours at each lake in a small group, with road access and the park pass covered.
Check availability →
Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Johnston Canyon and Yoho
- Live guide
- All national park fees
- Return transport
A long day that adds Yoho National Park to the lakes. Moraine Lake depends on the season.
Check availability →
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise half-day tour
- Guide
- National park pass
- Bottled water and Wi-Fi
A guided half day with the park pass included. A driver and guide service fee is paid separately.
Check availability →Moraine Lake tours from Banff, Calgary and Lake Louise
Day trips, sunrise tours and Lake Louise combinations, with live prices and availability.
Tour examples by departure point
Example trips, in CAD.
| Departure | Example trip | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banff or Canmore | Moraine Lake day trip | From CAD 59 | Round trip in one day |
| Banff or Canmore | Sunrise trip | From CAD 85 | Early start; see sunrise |
| Banff or Canmore | Sunrise with Lake Louise | From CAD 105 | Both lakes on one trip |
| Calgary | Full day: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and more stops | CAD 130 per person, a promotional CAD 117 was offered | Pickups Calgary Downtown 07:30, Canmore 09:00, Banff 09:30 |
| Lake Louise | Short bus rides to the lake | – | Season 1 June to 12 October 2026; sunrise departures 04:00, 05:05 or 05:30 by part of the season |
For most visitors staying in Banff or Canmore, a day trip is the simplest single booking. From Calgary, the full-day combination avoids the drive and the parking. If you already sleep near Lake Louise, compare a tour with the Parks Canada shuttle, which covers both lakes.
What to check before you book
The wording differs more than the price.
Return time and time at the lake
Private return trips, the length of your stay and the lake combination are set by the operator. Ask how long you get at Moraine Lake if you want to walk the shore or the Rockpile. A short stop does not replace a hike to Larch Valley or Sentinel Pass.
Hikes at Moraine Lake →A tour is not the Parks Canada shuttle
The Lake Connector between the lakes needs a boarding pass from a Parks Canada reservation. Do not assume a private ticket gets you on it. Ask the operator how the trip between the lakes works.
Canoe and other extras
A canoe, a meal or a second lake can have its own conditions and price. Rental canoes are priced by the lodge, per boat. See canoe rental.
Park entry and operator fees
Parks Canada charges operators fees per vehicle and trip. That is a business fee and not your personal park entry. Ask whether park entry is included, and see the park pass guide if you need a pass.
Cancellation and weather
Terms differ by operator, so read them before you pay. Shuttle and bus service depends on the weather and on the season dates.
The 2026 season has ended
The tour season ran from June to mid-October 2026. Offers for the next summer appear once operators open their dates, so check the dates before you book.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where tours fit.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
One ticket or one tour for both lakes.
How to get to Moraine Lake
Every way in, from shuttle to bike.
Where to stay
Bases that fit the pickup points.
For tours elsewhere in the park, such as Banff town, the gondola or the Icefields Parkway, see the Banff National Park tours guide.
Moraine Lake tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best Moraine Lake tour?
That depends on where you start and how long you want at the lake. From Banff or Canmore a day trip is the simplest choice, from Calgary a full-day combination, and for first light a sunrise trip. The table above compares single examples, not a ranking.
How much does a Moraine Lake tour cost?
From-prices for adults ranged from CAD 59 for a day trip from Banff or Canmore to CAD 105 for sunrise with Lake Louise. A Calgary full-day combination cost CAD 130 per person. These are examples, and extras can change the final price.
Can a tour take me to the lake when I cannot drive there?
Yes. Licensed commercial buses may drive on Moraine Lake Road in season, which private cars may not. Check that the operator holds the needed licences and which dates it runs.
Do tours include park entry?
It differs by operator. Operator fees paid to Parks Canada are not your personal entry. Ask before you book and read the trip details.
Can I combine Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on one tour?
Yes. A sunrise trip from Banff with Lake Louise starts from CAD 105, and the Calgary full-day trip adds both lakes and more stops.
Is moraine-lake.org a tour operator?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to Parks Canada, Roam Transit, the Moraine Lake Lodge or any tour operator.