5 ways you can access Moraine Lake this year!

What is Moraine Lake?

Moraine Lake is one of Banff National Park's must-see lakes. One of the park's most iconic destinations, Moraine Lake is famous for its stunning azure blue colour, scenic hiking trails and views of the surrounding Valley of Ten Peaks. This lake is on nearly every visitor's itinerary when travelling to the Canadian Rockies. With thousands of people visiting every day during the Summer (June to early October), Moraine Lake is one of Banff's most popular travel destinations, along with Lake Louise and Sulphur Mountain. However, getting here is not an easy feat, and if you don’t plan ahead, you may very well leave your time in Banff National Park disappointed. 

Views of Moraine Lake from on top of 'The Rock Pile.'

Gone are the days of driving your vehicle and parking up at Moraine Lake for the day, which we were actually still able to do when we first moved to the area in 2022. In 2023, Moraine Lake Road was closed to the public in an effort to help alleviate several issues the area was facing, namely overwhelming congestion on the roads. Planning ahead is now essential to ensure you can access Moraine Lake during your trip. If you plan on driving up Moraine Lake Road, we can assure you that you will be turned around by Parks Canada officials who control the gates and vehicle access to this lake. 

Moraine Lake officially opens to the public in early June and closes at the start of October. The exact open and closure dates vary each season, depending on snow/avalanche factors that impact the use of Moraine Lake Road. There are several ways to access the lake during its open window, including hiking/biking, reserving the Parks Canada shuttle, booking an organized tour or shuttle, or splurging on a stay at Moraine Lake Lodge.

How can you access Moraine Lake this year?

1. Hiking or biking up Moraine Lake Road 

   
   

This is certainly the cheapest but by no means the easiest or safest option. If you are an avid biker or hiker then this could be a great choice for you; however, undertaking this as a novice is not advised. With over 1000m in elevation gain from entry at Moraine Lake Road and a 24km round trip, this trek shouldn't be taken on lightly. 

Now, a few things to keep in mind. The elevation and distance mentioned only include travel from the base of Moraine Lake Road; it does not include any additional elevation or distance you will accumulate from your starting point (generally in the village of Lake Louise or at Lake Louise itself).  This also doesn't account for any additional hiking at Moraine Lake that you may plan to do during your visit, such as the popular Larch Valley Trail. 

Another important thing to consider is your safety. As of 2025, there are no separate hiking/biking trails alongside Moraine Lake Road, which means you will be sharing this busy stretch of road with the constant flow of buses, shuttles and other vehicles. Moraine Lake Road is a winding road with several low to no visibility points around corners and a gradient reaching 17% on some sections of the road. Extreme caution should be taken if you do choose this option, with all appropriate safety gear and measures being taken. 

2. Reserving the Parks Canada Shuttle

   
   

Parks Canada is the government-run agency which manages over 200 national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas across Canada. As such, they are responsible for the operations and conservational care of Moraine Lake and are the governing body that decided to restrict public vehicle access to Moraine Lake Road. In 2023 their shuttle system was implemented to help visitors access this infamous lake. Booking a shuttle through Parks Canada is one of the most popular, cost-effective options for visitors.

Leaving from the Lake Louise park-and-ride, the Parks Canada shuttle departs from a convenient location that is close to town, with plenty of parking available. Tickets for this shuttle are available through the Parks Canada website, with 40% released in April and the additional 60% released at 8:00 am (MDT), two days before the date of departure. It is strongly recommended that you book your tickets ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

If you miss out on getting a ticket in the April pre-sale, you will be relying on snagging one within 48 hours of your planned visit or any last-minute spaces available for purchase the day of from the park-and-ride location. Whilst the Parks Canada Shuttle is a cheaper option, and chances of getting a ticket are high, this can be a little daunting for those who have limited time, like to have solid plans before arrival or simply want their trip to be as hassle-free as possible. For this, there are other shuttles available to help you secure a ticket for your visit ahead of time.

3. Book the Moraine Lake Bus Company shuttle 

Moraine Lake Bus Company - our go-to option for accessing Moraine Lake and Lake Louise when visiting Banff.

Moraine Lake Bus Company is one of many companies that offer a shuttle service to Moraine Lake during the summer. The thing that we love about Moraine Lake Bus Company is that they are a local, family-run business who have been operating their shuttle service since the initial closure of Moraine Lake Road in 2023.  

Being locals, Moraine Lake Bus Company understands what visitors and the community seek when exploring the area. With several shuttle options, these guys make it easy to cater your trip the way you want. Whether you're looking to visit Moraine Lake, go directly to Lake Louise or want to rise early and witness the infamous red peaks as the sun tips over the Valley of Ten Peaks, the Moraine Lake Bus Company has got you covered!

These guys have more 5-star reviews than any other current shuttle operator, giving you peace of mind that you are booking with a reliable company. Moraine Lake Bus Company also offers more departures, with more availability than any other shuttle provider, meaning you will almost always be able to book the time and date you want!

You can book your shuttle and find more information about Moraine Lake Bus Company and ticketing using our referral link here.

4. Take an organised tour

   
   

There are countless tours to Moraine Lake available from various companies, both big and small. Tours to Moraine Lake often include stops at various locations, such as Lake Louise, Emerald Lake and Banff Town. An organised tour is a great option if you are looking to see multiple attractions in one day with a knowledgeable guide, if you are limited on time and want an efficient way of squeezing in as much as possible, or simply want to take the stress of driving out of your trip, with hotel pick ups often available, then taking an organised tour is a great option for visiting Moraine Lake.  

Booking a tour to Moraine Lake through Get-Your-Guide is an easy way to get your trip planning going! Use our links below for some great options.

5. Staying at Moraine Lake Lodge 

   
   

There are many reasons why you should book a stay at the beautiful Moraine Lake Lodge, but admittedly, one of the best perks is the ability to drive up and park at the lodge (which is conveniently located on the shores of Moraine Lake). On the date of reservation, guests can drive up Moraine Lake Road in their private vehicle. To do this, guests must provide proof of their confirmed booking, with photo identification, to the Parks Canada employees who man the entrance to Moraine Lake Road. These employees are given an up-to-date guest list of check-ins each day to ensure only confirmed, registered guests are able to access this driving privilege.  

Moraine Lake Lodge - located along the shores of Moraine Lake, Banff National Park.

If Moraine Lake Lodge doesn’t have any availability at the time you plan to visit, their sister lodge, Cathedral Mountain Lodge, is a great alternative. Located in the beautiful Yoho National Park, owned and operated by Capilano Group, Cathedral Mountain Lodge offers a complimentary shuttle service to guests, which will transport them to and from Moraine Lake during their stay. Be sure to check with Moraine Lake Lodge and Cathedral Mountain Lodge directly for up-to-date information on their accommodations, shuttle and parking access.

Moraine Lake is honestly one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited, and we have made our way back there many times over the years. With several ways of accessing the lake, there is something available for every type of traveller. If you do make the trip up, be sure to read our tips for visiting Moraine Lake. Planning ahead, while it leaves little room for the spontaneous travel approach, is well worth it to help ensure you can make the most of your visit to this gem of the Rockies!

Looking for more information/ideas? Here are some other posts that might help!

• 10 Insider Tips for Making the Most of Your Summer Visit to Moraine Lake

• 5 Easy to Intermediate Hikes at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

• The BEST Way To Access Moraine Lake and Lake Louise this Summer!