The ULTIMATE Guide to Moraine Lake: Shuttles, Trails, and Must-Know Tips

If you’ve ever seen photos of turquoise-blue water surrounded by massive mountain peaks, there’s a good chance it was Moraine Lake. It’s one of the most iconic spots in Banff National Park (and honestly, in all of Canada). But as popular as it is, visiting can be a little tricky—especially now that you can’t just drive up and park anymore.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting Moraine Lake, including shuttle options, the trail options, and a few tips that’ll make your trip way smoother.

Getting to Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. Shuttles are only available from May-October, exact dates can vary depending on the weather.

Roam Shuttle

Price:
$30 for unlimited rides on Roam Bus for the day
$12.50 for one way pass

In the summer, the only way to travel there with Roam is by getting the Super Pass which takes you to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Parks Canada Shuttle

Price:
$8.00 for adults

Parks Canada is your other option to reserve ahead of time, with additional slots opening up 48 hours before the day, starting at 8am MDT.

Reserving shuttle passes can be very stressful, especially if you want the earliest time slots. Reservations open at 8am and at 8:02 am the earliest two time slots were full. This isn’t to say it’s impossible to get shuttle tickets, I’d just recommend being flexible about what time you want to go! There are other private options available to get to either lake, however, these two are going to be the cheapest options.

Also, if you weren’t able to secure tickets, it helps to randomly check back to see if anyone has canceled and more spots opened up. We were lucky enough to get two seats for the 7:00 am shuttle the night before. If you book with Parks Canada, you’ll park at the Lake Louise Ski area then take a 20 min shuttle from there to Moraine Lake.

Rockpile Trail

At a Glance

Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy

The rockpile trail is a great option to get a view of the lake from a higher angle than just on the shore. The short trail is only 0.5 miles total but is uphill with multiple stairs to get there. There are two separate viewing areas once you reach the top, so be sure to check out both of them. Some people try to climb down the rocks to get closer to the shore or away from the crowds: don’t do this. Park rangers were continually coming around to make sure people don’t do this for their own safety, it might be easy to go down, but not as easy to get back up.

moraine lake rockpile trail — Trail to Moraine Lake Rockpile

To find the trailhead, head to the trail on the left side of the parking lot, on the right side of the bathrooms. Once on this trail you’ll continue straight/to the right, there will be a few times where the trail branches off to the left but that is not the trail you want to be on.

rockpile Moraine lake — Moraine Lake Rockpile

Shoreline Trail

At a Glance

Distance: 2.4 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy

To experience the lake another way, be sure to do the shoreline trail too. This trail is 2.4 miles round trip and is mostly a flat and easy walk, making it a great option for hikers of all levels. The trail starts at the Moraine Lake Lodge and follows the shoreline of the lake for the entire length of the hike. Sometimes the trail takes you through the trees a bit but always reunites with the shore line.

This trail allows you to experience Moraine Lake up close and take in its beauty. You will also have the opportunity to see some of the iconic peaks of the Canadian Rockies, including Mounts Temple, Victoria, and Lefroy.

banff itinerary — Moraine Lake Shoreline

After finishing these trails enjoy a picnic by the lake or warm up with a cup of coffee from the Lake Moraine Cafe. The line was pretty long when we were there, but the latte was just what I needed to warm up and give me some energy.

Longer Trails at Moraine Lake

If you’re looking for a longer hike with more views of the surrounding mountains check out one of these:

Larch Valley Trail: This moderate 5.3-mile out-and-back trail leads to a beautiful alpine meadow with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is especially popular in the fall, when the leaves of the larch trees turn a brilliant yellow color.
Sentinel Pass Trail: This challenging 7.2-mile out-and-back trail leads to a high mountain pass with stunning views of Moraine Lake, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and Paradise Valley. The trail is steep and strenuous, but the views are worth it.
Eiffel Lake Trail: This moderate 7.6-mile out-and-back trail leads to two beautiful alpine lakes, Eiffel Lake and Lower Eiffel Lake. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Things to Know Before Visiting Moraine Lake

Bear Activity: During some parts of the year, hikers are required to travel in groups of 4 or more on longer trails. This is because bears are in the area and groups of 4 people are going to make more noise to deter bears. Like for any hike you do in Banff, always have your bear spray on you and be ready in case you need to use it.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to hike the trail is during the summer months, when the weather is warmer and sunny. However, the trail is also open during the winter months, but be sure to check the weather conditions before you go.
Bring water and snacks. Like with any hike, so it is important to stay hydrated and fueled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it because the temperature is almost freezing year round.

Yes, the Moraine Lake Lodge operates a small café and gift shop. You can purchase coffee, snacks, and light meals here to enjoy by the lake.

Yes. Moraine Lake is located within Banff National Park, which is active bear country. It is highly recommended to carry bear spray on all trails (especially the longer ones) and know how to use it. On some longer trails, group size restrictions (minimum 4 people) may be in effect to deter bears.

The best time to visit is often the early morning (before 9:00 AM) for the calmest water and the most iconic reflection photos, or the late afternoon/evening to avoid the mid-day crowds. The lighting is often spectacular near sunrise and sunset.

No. The Moraine Lake road is typically open from late May or early June to mid-October (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend), depending on snow conditions. It is closed to all public access outside of this period.