As of 2023, it’s no longer possible to drive the road to Moraine Lake in your own vehicle – with two exceptions. (You can drive yourself if you have a parking pass for people with disabilities, or book a night at the Moraine Lake Lodge.)
Parks Canada closed the road to private vehicles because visitors were arriving as early as 4 a.m. just to get a spot at this famous lake! Parking was always at a premium as the lake side only has so much space to accommodate vehicles.
Happily though, you can still visit this once-in-a-lifetime bucket list location by shuttle. In this article, we’ll help you understand the different shuttle options so you can find the best one for you, depending on what you plan to do at the lake!
Table of Contents
When does Moraine Lake open?
The road to Moraine Lake is only accessible between June 1st and October 14th. (It becomes an avalanche hazard during the winter.)
It’s worth mentioning that Moraine Lake’s neighbor, Lake Louise is open all year round – and beautiful in the winter too!
Moraine Lake Shuttles
The chart below compares the different shuttle options available for the 2025 season.
The Parks Canada shuttles are the least expensive, but do tend to be crowded with long line-ups in the summer time. If you’d like a more laid back experience, you may prefer to book with one of the private companies instead.
Regardless of who you choose, make sure to book your shuttle ahead of time to guarantee your seat. Some operators, like Parks Canada and the Moraine Lake Bus Company, do let you buy a ticket when you arrive – but only if space allows.
| Shuttle Company | Schedule | Pick-up Location(s) | Fee (Round Trip) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parks Canada | June 1 to Oct 9: Every 20 minutes from 6:30am to 6:00pm. The last return shuttle from the lake leaves at 7:30pm. | Lake Louise Ski Resort parking lot (free parking) | Adults: $8 Seniors: $4 Children: Free Booking fee (online): $3 Booking fee (phone): $6 | Comes with a free connection to Lake Louise. (Runs every 15 minutes between both lakes.) Long line-ups during July and August. To book, click on the “Day Use” tab in their reservation system. |
| Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle (Sunrise option) | June 1 to Oct 9: leaves at 4am and 5am | Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot ($36.75 daily parking fee) | Adults: $8 Booking fee (online): $3 Booking fee (phone): $6 | |
| Lake Louise Connector Shuttle | Runs every 15 minutes starting at 8am. | Runs in both directions between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise | Free with Parks Canada Moraine Lake pass | To take this bus from Lake Louise, you must park your vehicle at the Lake Louise Ski Resort – not the parking lot next to the lake itself. |
| Moraine Lake Bus Company | June 3rd to October 14th: Many pick-up times starting at 4am. The last return shuttle leaves from the Lake at 6:50pm. (7:30pm during peak season.) | Samson Mall (before 6am only) OR Lake Louise Ski Resort (free parking all day) | Moraine Lake only: $59 Lake Louise only: $39 Both lakes: $89 Moraine Lake Sunrise: $99 | Frequent trips throughout the day make this a great option if you want to spend more time at the lake. (Hiking, rock climbing, photography etc.) |
| Mountain Park Transportation | June 1st to October 14th: 8am, 1pm, and 6pm | Your hotel in Banff | Adults: $149 Youth: $119.99 Children: $89.98 Infants: Free (includes both lakes) | From Banff: 4 hour round trip with 30 minutes at each lake. They also offer shuttles directly from Mountaineer Lodge & Paradise Bungalows (if you are a guest) |
| Canmore Travel Shuttle | Sunrise: based on the sunrise time for the date you book Morning: 10am or 11am | Canmore Hotels (The Malcolm, Falcon Crest Lodge, Coast Canmore, Northwinds) Banff Park Lodge | Sunrise trip: Adults: $145 Kids: $125 Day trip: Adults (13+): $125 Kids: $110 | Sunrise trip: 5 hour round trip, with 1.5 hours at Moraine Lake only Morning trip: 6 hour round trip, with 1 hour at each Moraine Lake and Lake Louise |
| Sunrise Shuttle | From June 1st to October 14th: The earliest bus leaves at 4 am | Many hotels in Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise. See this page for complete list. | Moraine Lake only: $115 Moraine Lake and Lake Louise: $185 (includes breakfast) | Optional: guided photography workshop for an extra $75 per person (group sizes up to 4.) Breakfast is included with their Moraine Lake and Lake Louise trip. |
| Ten Peaks Shuttle and Tours Inc. | Sunrise trip: 5am Departure times vary by pick-up location, starting at 7:30am. (See website for more details.) Return trips start at 2pm. | Many pickup locations from Banff, the Bow Valley Parkway, and Lake Louise town (see website) | Adults: $65 Early Riser: $95 | Flexible return trips make this another great option for hikers or anyone who plans to spend a longer time at one of the lakes. Some of their trips include both lakes and some only one. |
| Roam Public Transit | Fall service for larch season only (Sept 19 – Oct 10) | Multiple locations in Banff | TBA |
Other Ways to Get to Moraine Lake
- Walk or bike the road – it’s 14.4km long and uphill! The road is also very busy with tour and shuttle buses, so this isn’t the best option.
- Hike – again, this is a 28km round trip so not recommended for most visitors.
- Book a tour that stops at the Lake. This is a good option if you want to see lots of places in one go. But your time to see each location can be more limited.
- Take a private limousine or taxi.
How long does the shuttle take?
It takes about 20-30 minutes to get from Lake Louise (the town) to Moraine Lake by shuttle bus.
What if I miss the shuttle?
Many shuttle companies will let you use your ticket on the next available ride – if they take multiple trips each day. Make sure to check their website just in case.
The main Parks Canada shuttle that leaves from the Lake Louise Ski Resort parking lot is generally pretty understanding about missing the bus and will let you get on the next available seat. Their buses leave for the Lake every 20 minutes.
How much time can I spend at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise?
If you’d just like to stop and take a few photos at each lake, an hour gives you plenty of time. If you’re planning a hike, like the Lake Agnes Tea House at Lake Louise or the Larch Valley-Sentinel Pass at Moraine Lake, you’ll need more.
The amount of time you get at each lake varies by shuttle company. On average, most of the private companies give you around an hour. The Parks Canada shuttle runs at 20-minute intervals, which offers the most flexibility.
Getting to the pickup points without driving
If you’re visiting Banff or Canmore without a vehicle, you can get to the town of Lake Louise via the Roam bus, which runs daily between Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise. The fares are very affordable! Click below for route information:
- Banff Express Route 8X (to Lake Louise)
Another very convenient option is to book one of the shuttles that will pick you up straight from your hotel, such as the Ten Peaks Shuttle, Canmore Travel Shuttle or Mountain Park Transportation.
Do I need a Park Pass to take the Moraine Lake shuttle?
Yes – regardless of how you get to Moraine Lake, you will need a valid Park Pass as the lake is located inside Banff National Park. You can buy a Pass online before your trip or at one of the gates when you drive into the Park. Buying online does allow you to drive past the lines at the gates, so it’s well worth it during the busiest seasons!
Are pets allowed on the shuttles?
Most shuttle buses allow service dogs as well as smaller, crated pets that can fit on your lap.
If you’re bringing an animal, it’s a good idea to call ahead and let them know to make sure they can accommodate. For service dogs, you may be asked to provide proof.
If you’d like to bring a larger dog to the lake (that isn’t a service dog) you may have to book a private taxi as none of the shuttle companies allow large dogs.
Can you bring a canoe or kayak on the shuttles?
Yes – you can bring your own watercraft to the lake. The shuttles allow you to take your own canoes, kayaks etc. as long as space allows. Some only allow inflatable watercraft, so check their website before you book. We recommend calling ahead as well to make sure they can accommodate you on the day you plan to visit.
Should I tip the shuttle driver?
Drivers always appreciate tips, but they aren’t required or expected (the way they might be at a restaurant.)
Can you drive to Moraine Lake?
No, you can no longer drive your own vehicle to Moraine Lake. Instead, you’ll have to take a shuttle or private taxi.
There are two exceptions to the rule: having a parking pass for people with disabilities, or reserving a night at the Moraine Lake Lodge, which has its own private parking lot for guests. Just be aware that rooms at the Moraine Lake Lodge run upwards of $1000 per night!
It’s also possible to walk, hike or bike the road up to Moraine Lake (see above). We don’t recommend this option for most visitors as it’s a 28km round trip through bear country!
Best Moraine Lake Shuttle
Least Expensive
The Parks Canada (Park and Ride) shuttle is the least expensive option. It’s quite flexible as it runs every 20 minutes. Your ticket also includes access to the Connector Bus that runs all day between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
With that said, the Parks Canada shuttle can have long line-ups, especially during July and August. Their online booking system can also be pretty confusing.
Most Convenient
If you’re not keen to stand in line on a hot day, you’re better off booking with one of the private shuttle companies. They may be more expensive, but they offer a more convenient experience.
Some shuttle companies even pick you up straight from your hotel in Banff or Canmore. This saves you from needing to drive to Lake Louise (the town) and figure out parking, which again can be crowded.
For Photographers (Sunrise Trips)
Photographers especially will appreciate taking a sunrise shuttle. Parks Canada operates their own sunrise shuttle, as do most of the private companies.
The Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle offers an optional guided photography workshop for an extra $75 per person (group sizes up to 4.) Breakfast is even included with their Moraine Lake and Lake Louise trip. They calculate the departure times to make sure you arrive 45 minutes before sunrise. This gives you enough time to get your location scouted and tripod set up.
Sunrise trips are also offered by the Canmore Travel Shuttle and the Moraine Lake Bus Company.
If you’re staying in Canmore
If you’re staying in Canmore (about 20 minutes from Banff), there’s a convenient option that will take you straight to Moraine Lake as well as Lake Louise: the Canmore Travel Shuttle. They even pick up from four of the major hotels in Canmore.
Moraine Lake Souvenirs
Looking for a beautiful reminder of your trip? Take a piece of the Canadian Rockies home with you with some of our Made in Canada gifts and souvenirs! You can find them both in our online store and in select Bow Valley stores.
-
Moraine Lake – Canadian Rockies Watercolour Card$6.00 -
Moraine Lake, Banff Alberta Magnet$7.00 -
First Snowfall at Moraine Lake Greeting Card$6.00 -
The Valley of Ten Peaks, Moraine LakePrice range: $55.00 through $1,250.00 -
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park Greeting Card$6.00
Enjoy your visit!
We hope this article helped to clear up a very confusing subject! Enjoy your visit to Moraine Lake.
