The Complete Guide To Moraine Lake 2024
SEPTEMBER 2024 DISCOUNT -
Starting September 14 2024 Via Via Moraine Lake have a 15% discount for all shuttles with the "LARCH15" discount code - BOOK HERE
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Visiting the best lake in Banff National Park with Moraine Lake Bus Company & Via Via Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake holds a special place in my heart. As an Australian living in Canada, I regularly get asked why I moved here. Often I’ll give an easy answer like, “I just wanted a change of lifestyle” or “I wanted to experience a Canadian winter” and whilst both are true, the core reason was truly the landscape. Specifically photos I saw of Moraine Lake.
Ever since I first saw this stunning location I just knew that if places like this existed in the world, I needed to see them and experience them for myself. So I packed my bags and moved my life overseas for this lake.
In the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this incredible turquoise lake is both the most photographed and visited for a very good reason. With the picturesque mountain peaks surrounding the exquisite waters, this location is truly a photographer's dreamscape.
In the last few years, travel to Moraine Lake has become a little more complex. With the ever growing number of people who also want to experience this magical place, the park was struggling to accommodate the growing capacity.
As a result, in 2023 Parks Canada decided to close Moraine Lake road to private vehicles. The journey to the lake has looked a bit different since, as you can no longer drive yourself there (unless you have a blue accessibility permit) and instead must get a shuttle or private tour in.
Lots of companies opened to address this demand and suddenly we are spoilt for choice. Having tested a few of them out myself, I want to share my experience with Moraine Lake Bus Company and Via Via Moraine Lake to help you plan your next trip to this iconic destination!
Watch the full video below or keep reading to learn more about visiting Moraine Lake:
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is located in Banff National Park, just 20 minutes from the town of Lake Louise. Due to where the lake is located in the mountains, it is only accessible for part of the year due to avalanche risk in the winter. As a result, you can only visit Moraine Lake from early June - early October.
It is also important to note that the opening/closing dates are always weather permitting.
How to get to Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake Bus Company and Via Via Moraine Lake are my top choices of providers when it comes to visiting Moraine Lake. Each company offers different routes, times and benefits so keep reading to decide which one you should book with for your next trip!
Moraine Lake Bus Company
This company was started in 2023 by a local couple in Banff National Park. When Parks Canada closed the road to Moraine Lake in 2023 and chose not to provide any sunrise shuttles, they started the Moraine Lake Bus Company to provide us with this amazing service!
I visited Moraine Lake with the Moraine Lake Bus Company in 2023 and their shuttles are truly one of the best ways to visit this season!
Here is everything you need to know…
The online booking process is so easy! You don't need to create an account, you can see the full availability online and everything you need to know can be found on their website.
There are 5+ shuttles running all day, 7 days a week so you will never have to wait in line for your departure or return!
Shuttles start as early as 4am making them the best choice for sunrise! You can ensure you will be on the Rockpile in time for the beautiful sunrise glow or head in super early to get an alpine start on your sunrise hikes (check out my sunrise hike suggestions below!)
They also offer direct to Lake Louise options or bundle packages to see both lakes in one day!
Conveniently they also have space for larger items such as inflatable paddle boards or strollers so you can bring your own gear.
You can even take your pets with you provided they are in a carrier!
When we visited, we booked online and all we had to do was select our departure and return time then proceed to checkout! Any questions I had were quickly answered in the frequently asked questions section of their website.
The shuttles depart from the Lake Louise Summer Gondola, 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB.
This location is perfect as there is plenty of parking. The parking lot is a short walk from the shuttles so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to find a park and walk over to your shuttle location. From there they will check your tickets and you’re ready to go!
When we visited, I asked if there was flexibility with our return time and they advised they would happily bring us back earlier or later, provided there was space on the other shuttles. Priority will go to those with bookings but they were very happy to accommodate our flexible schedule where possible.
Booking with the Moraine Lake Bus Company was a hassle-free experience, allowing us to fully immerse in the day!
Via Via Moraine Lake
Via Via Moraine Lake is another local company that is offering shuttles to Moraine Lake but there is one thing that makes them unique! This company is currently the ONLY shuttle company to offer a direct service from Canmore and Banff, to Moraine Lake!
Until now, shuttles into Moraine Lake have only operated from the town of Lake Louise. This has meant that any visitors who stayed in Banff or Canmore, had to drive themselves to the town of Lake Louise to catch any shuttle. Via Via Moraine Lake is changing the narrative when it comes to accessing this lake and they are providing a great alternative for visitors to get there easily.
Via Via Moraine Lake is a locally owned and operated company, designed to make sure you make the most of your time in Banff National Park. As the sole shuttle offering multiple daily departures from Canmore & Banff, they offer comfortable shuttle options, convenient schedules and flexible return options.
With 5 pickup locations in Canmore and 1 central pickup location in Banff, getting to Moraine Lake has never been easier. From Canmore, the drive to Moraine Lake takes 1.5-2 hours so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery of the Canadian Rockies from the shuttle.
If you want to combine your visit to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, they also have options for that!
Starting September 14 2024 Via Via Moraine Lake have a 15% discount for all shuttles with the "LARCH15" discount code - BOOK HERE
Which shuttle is the best to book?
Both the shuttle options suggested are fantastic and I would consider your departure location as the deciding factor.
If you want to drive to the town of Lake Louise first, or are staying in the town of Lake Louise, I would recommend booking with the Moraine Lake Bus Company.
If you are staying in Canmore or Banff, don’t have a vehicle, or simply want to sit back and enjoy the ride, I would recommend booking with Via Via Moraine Lake.
The Rockpile - September 29, 2021
What time of year is best to visit Moraine Lake
I can assure you that Moraine Lake will be stunning regardless of what time of the season you visit! In saying that there are a few things to consider which may affect your trip timing.
In order to guarantee a visit to this lake, I would steer away from booking your travel in early June or from mid October. Snowfall can affect the opening and closing dates of the Moraine Lake road and it has been delayed or shut early most years.
July and August are going to be the busiest time of the year to visit, hands down. Summer in the National Park is incredibly busy and for a good reason. You are going to get beautiful temperatures, the best weather and great hiking conditions. The sunlight hours are the longest in these months which is great for exploring, but may mean a very early wakeup call if you want to see Moraine Lake for sunrise.
September is a lovely month to visit as crowds slow down and we start getting fall weather. Late September - early October are also an amazing and unique time to visit (and the most special in my opinion) because not only do you get the beautiful lake, but you also get to see incredible Larch Trees. Larch trees are a special type of pine trees that lose their needles in the fall. Before they drop off they turn a beautiful golden colour and there are valleys just full of them. The hiking opportunities at this time are just unbeatable and with a dusting of fresh snow, it can’t be beat!
Sunrise at Moraine Lake
If you can, sunrise is by far the best time to visit Moraine Lake. Most of the incredible shots you will see of this lake have been taken at sunrise. As the sun pokes up and hits the mountain range behind the lake, it creates the most incredible orange glow above the blue lake which might just be the best sight I have ever seen.
Visiting at sunrise is the most in demand time slot for the bus and shuttle companies and not all providers offer services at this time. The Moraine Lake Bus Company and Via Via Moraine Lake are some of the best services to get you there for sunrise as they have shuttles starting as early as 3:00am and 4:00am!
The most popular spot to view Moraine Lake is the Rockpile. The Rockpile is as the name suggests, a pile of rocks sitting at the end of the lake. The elevation above the lakeshore is what makes this spot so popular as the higher vantage point makes the water appear beautifully blue. This viewpoint is 0.8km (0.5 miles) from the shuttle drop off point. The walk is generally considered easy and takes just 10m one way. This trail does involve stairs and is not very even so I would advise against it if you have mobility issues. You’ll find this will be the busiest spot at Moraine Lake during sunrise, but for a very good reason so find a spot and enjoy the show.
Tower of Babel
If you are looking for something a little more remote for sunrise, Tower of Babel holds my number one sunrise spot to this day! This hike is considered “hard” and should only be attempted by those with hiking experience. The trail is a short but steep climb up one of the nearby peaks. When I first completed this hike, we started the hike at 4am in early September. The climb was very tough. The whole trail is only 2.9km total, but 516m of elevation gain so it is an intense ascent across plenty of loose scree.
Making it to the top of the Tower of Babel was the most rewarding and challenging experience! The sun was starting to illuminate the sky in beautiful shades of pink, orange and blue and we felt like we were on top of the world (literally).
We found a beautiful spot overlooking Moraine Lake and enjoyed our breakfast as the sun rose. Even with the incredible amount of traffic Moraine Lake sees, we only shared the sunrise with 4 other people as we sat atop that mountain. There was something so special about having such a popular place to ourselves and we were so fortunate to get one of the best sunrises we have ever seen. If you are capable and willing, step out of the normal and go find an amazing trail to explore at Moraine Lake and I promise you will have an experience you won't forget!
What is there to do at Moraine Lake?
Moraine Lake is a spot you can visit for an hour or spend the whole day exploring! Aside from visiting the Rockpile, there are so many things to do at Moraine Lake.
Head out on the water
Taking a canoe or stand up paddleboard out on the lake is one of the most iconic and peaceful things you can do while visiting. On our last visit we took our stand up paddle boards with us on the shuttle and after watching sunrise from the Rockpile, we carried them down to the shoreline and pumped them up. It was the end of fall and the temperatures were low. Our feet were chilly and there was no way we were taking any layers off so we headed out on the water, fully clothed, just hoping we didn't fall in or get too wet! Despite the frigid temperatures, it was the most magical morning and we were completely alone on the water because the rental dock was not open.
If you don't have your own watercraft, they offer canoe rentals on the lakeshore which is the easiest option to enjoy this activity while travelling! Renting a canoe is a very popular and very in demand activity at the lake and rentals operate on a first come, first serve basis with canoes accommodating 2-3 people. With only one rental operator, the price tag on rentals is steep and you may need to be prepared to wait for quite a while in peak periods. Once you secure a canoe and get out on the water, you can usually find some space and serenity. While you won't have the lake to yourself, the further you paddle, the more the crowds will thin and you can hopefully get the experience you are after!
Another alternative would be to rent an inflatable canoe or SUP from the town of Banff and bring it with you on your shuttle so you don't need to wait in line!
Hiking at Moraine Lake
If you have significant time to explore Moraine Lake and are an avid hiker, you are going to be spoilt for choice! There are so many great trails in the area with some of my personal favourites being Tower of Babel, Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. If you are looking for a real challenge, Temple Mountain is the highest peak in the area and offers quite the hike.
AllTrails is the best app to explore the trails, see reviews and keep up to date with current conditions. Remember, make sure you have bear spray accessible at all times as you are hiking in Bear Country.
Larch Valley Hike in Early October
Picnic
If you are seeking a more relaxing day by the water, pack a picnic and find a spot along the shore to set up and enjoy your surroundings. Moraine Lake Bus Company have space on the buses for coolers so you can bring everything you need and even save some money while doing so!
Lake Louise
Finally, while you are in the area, you can also plan to visit both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on the same day. Just a short drive apart, both these lakes offer vastly different views and experiences. Many people often debate which is their favourite and by now I am sure you know where I stand, but seeing both is a must while you're in the Canadian Rockies. While you can drive to Lake Louise, getting a shuttle there is the best and most cost effective option as parking is never guaranteed and it does come with a steep fee. When travelling with the Moraine Lake Bus Company, you can bundle your experience and see both lakes in one day! What better way to see the Rockies and compare two of the most famous spots?!
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Why is the water so blue?
Finally, one of the most common questions about Moraine Lake is “why is the water so blue?”
It's all thanks to a special little dust called Rock Flour!
Glacial-fed alpine lakes in the Rocky Mountains are among the clearest in the world. Fine rock dust, produced by massive glaciers rubbing against bedrock, stays suspended in the water, reflecting light and creating the turquoise colours that Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are known for.
Moraine Lake is such a breathtaking location here in the Rockies and a must-see if you are travelling here at the right time of year. If you're planning your whole trip around this lake, I don't blame you! Hey, I moved my whole life overseas for it… if you are just slotting this into an already planned itinerary, that's amazing! Just make sure you plan in advance, book your shuttles and have the best time!
I hope you get to see the magic of one of my favourite places for yourself soon.
