Welcome to the first post in our “Banff in 3 Days” series! Like many other travelers, Banff National Park was a bucket list destination for us. We couldn’t wait to walk along the jaw-dropping blue lakes of the Canadian Rockies. So in the summer of 2019, we road tripped to Banff for a vacation we’ll never forget with another couple we are friends with. In this post, we focus specifically on how to experience Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day.
When most people think of Banff, the iconic Lake Louise usually comes to mind. You’ve probably seen this picturesque lake in the Canadian Rockies all over Instagram and travel websites. But it’s one thing to see it through photos and another to see it with your own eyes. Don’t forget about the nearby Moraine Lake either. It is smaller than its more well-known cousin, but it still packs quite a scenic punch. In fact, many will argue that Moraine Lake is better. But there’s no reason to pick one or the other… they’re both amazing! So how did our itinerary go?
MAKING MISTAKES
Well, before we begin, we have to share that making mistakes is an inevitable part of travel. While frustrating at times, learning from our mistakes help us when planning future trips. And our Lake Louise and Moraine Lake adventure definitely started off with a mistake. Our original plan was to visit these lakes on our first full day in Banff. That morning, we departed from our Airbnb at Falcon Crest Lodge in Canmore. We first stopped by the visitor center in downtown Banff, and then were on our way to Lake Louise parking lot.
However, as we got close, we noticed street signs directing us to the overflow lot instead. Well, once we got to the remote lot, the first thing that we saw was a line long enough to put Disney World to shame. It was a bit discouraging, but we found a parking spot and got in line for the shuttle. It wasn’t long before we found out we would be waiting in line for several hours. And we definitely did not drive all the way from Illinois to spend that much time just waiting in line!
Overall, the mistakes we made were:
- We didn’t leave for the lakes early enough. By the time we got to overflow parking, it was mid-morning. It is definitely worth it to wake up early to try and get a parking spot at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake.
- We forgot it was Canada Day weekend. Not only was it summer, but it was a long holiday weekend for Canadians. Those two ingredients resulted in high crowd levels and long lines.
So what did we do? We decided to call an audible and explore other lakes in Banff National Park and drive down the Icefields Parkway. (Read about that day here.) It wasn’t until our 3rd day in Banff that we ended up exploring Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. And here’s how it went:
MORAINE LAKE
We headed out early after learning our lesson the hard way and was able to get a parking spot at Lake Louise. For those that want to visit both lakes, there is a shuttle to Moraine Lake available here. We opted to take the bus to check out Moraine Lake first. This way, we could keep our parking spot for when we left Lake Louise later in the day. Be sure to check if there are any shuttle fares beforehand.
Surrounded by mountains, Moraine Lake truly is a wonder to behold. The unbelievably turquoise color of the water looks like a Photoshopped scene in real life. The color is due to sunlight reflecting off the rock flour deposited into the lake by surrounding glaciers. A great hike to do here is the Rockpile Trail. To no surprise, this short hike is up a rock pile! This path can get crowded during the day, but the view is still worth it. In fact, this view was featured on previous issues of the Canadian twenty dollar bill. Kids and adults will enjoy the easy trail and scrambling across the rocks to find the perfect spot for your family photo. We even saw a couple getting their wedding photos done here!
Also be sure to walk along the Lakeshore Trail which follows the western edge of the lake. This is another easy trail about 2 miles down and back. Be prepared to be mesmerized the entire way!
LAKE LOUISE
When taking the shuttle back to Lake Louise, you may have a longer route back. During our visit, there was no direct route from Moraine Lake to Lake Louise. Instead, the only option was to take the bus to the overflow parking lot and then transfer onto a bus headed for Lake Louise. Luckily, you are allowed an immediate transfer and we didn’t have to wait in the long line. If you’re like us and packed lunches for the day, this was a great time to eat while being transported between the lakes.
Arriving at Lake Louise was an interesting mix of emotions. On one hand, we had been waiting for this destination the entire trip. On the other hand, by the time we got there in the early afternoon, the shoreline was PACKED with people. This was a little disheartening at first. Yes, the views from this initial area are beautiful. But the crowds can definitely be distracting.
However, it was a pleasant surprise that the further you go down the Lakeshore Trail, the less people you’ll see. Don’t feel like you have to get all your photos from the first spot. There are plenty of areas along the Lakeshore Trail for beautiful photo opportunities with unique perspectives and less tourists. The entire trail is about 3 miles, but it is a flat and easy path. At the other end of the lake, there is a beach of glacial silt. From here, you can also see the famous Fairmont Chateau hotel across the lake. For those more nautically inclined, you can canoe or kayak in the lakes of Banff National Park. Depending on the season, you can rent canoes at both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake if you don’t have your own. However, this option comes at the cost of high rental rates.
One fun but challenging hike we recommend is the trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House. The distance from the lake to the tea house is 3.6 km (2.2 miles). David had originally miscalculated the conversion to miles and we initially thought it was a lot shorter… oops! It’s a doable hike for families but it can be strenuous as the trail has an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet. We have to give major props to our friend who was pregnant at the time for conquering this hike! The final elevation where the tea house is located is over 7,000 feet. So exercise caution if you get altitude sickness or are not used to the thin mountain air.
As you get higher on the trail, there will be opportunities to see glimpses of Lake Louise. But that’s not the only lake to see. You will also pass by Mirror Lake towards the end of the uphill portion right before you arrive at the tea house. Due to its location at the top of a mountain, the tea house has no electricity or running water. The staff brings fresh food up the trail by staff during the summer and fall months when the tea house is open.
We hadn’t carefully thought through all these details this prior to beginning the hike and made the mistake of not bringing any cash. Of course, looking back, it totally makes sense that a tea house at the top of a mountain would not be able to take credit cards. Despite our disappointment on arrival, a very nice Canadian family graciously treated us to some drinks and snacks. Also, remember to check what hours the tea house is open. We were lucky and barely made it before it closed for the day. We definitely won’t make the same mistakes next time we visit and hope to return the favor someday.
DINNER
After we hiked down from the tea house, we headed back to Canmore for dinner at the Grizzly Paw Pub. Everyone was able to find something they were craving on the diverse menu. We enjoyed a tuna poke bowl, bison burgers and a steak sandwich. But the real stars of the show were the drinks. While there are plenty of craft beers on tap to enjoy, they also had bottomless craft sodas. This was a great option for our pregnant friend, but also if you have kids or non-beer drinkers in your party. All in all, it was a delicious way to wrap up a wonderful day in Banff.
If you are only spending a few days at Banff National Park, it is definitely possible to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day. Which areas of Banff are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!