Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake
5
About
Known for its views of the Ten Peaks, this glacial lake is a stunning sight within Banff National Park. The hiking trails around the lake offer varying levels of difficulty, but the Rockpile Trail offers some of the best views. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the area, stay at the lakeside hotel and take an early morning canoe ride. The infrastructure here is basic, but that only adds to the natural beauty.
Plan your visit from mid to late June to catch the incredible reflection of the mountains in the lake.
– Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
5,955 reviews
Excellent
4,940
Very good
768
Average
152
Poor
36
Terrible
59
BackPacker569434
Newry, UK44 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
If you get a chance pay a visit to this beautiful lake. The road was closed but we could cycle in. It is 14km in but well worth the cycle . Get an e-bike for this cycle if you have not been on a bike in years. We hired it from Wilson’s in lake louise excellent service. The aqua blue water with snow in the background makes it so magical.
Written May 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moraine Lake
Lake Louise, Canada2 contributions
Jun 2022
During our stay at Lake Moraine last June, we were very lucky to have beautiful weather. The sun was shining and the sky was a perfect blue, making the entire landscape even more impressive.
It was the first day of canoe rentals on the lake, and we were excited to cross this activity off our bucket list. Renting a canoe and paddling on Lake Moraine was an incredible and truly enjoyable experience. The mountains around the lake provided a spectacular backdrop, and the turquoise waters were simply stunning.
We had a great time on the water, taking photos, chatting, and laughing. It was wonderful to be able to share this experience with my partner and enjoy it together. We also met other friendly visitors who shared our enthusiasm for this magical place.
I highly recommend visiting Lake Moraine and renting a canoe if you have the chance. It's a unique experience that you won't soon forget.
It was the first day of canoe rentals on the lake, and we were excited to cross this activity off our bucket list. Renting a canoe and paddling on Lake Moraine was an incredible and truly enjoyable experience. The mountains around the lake provided a spectacular backdrop, and the turquoise waters were simply stunning.
We had a great time on the water, taking photos, chatting, and laughing. It was wonderful to be able to share this experience with my partner and enjoy it together. We also met other friendly visitors who shared our enthusiasm for this magical place.
I highly recommend visiting Lake Moraine and renting a canoe if you have the chance. It's a unique experience that you won't soon forget.
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnnnita
Napa, CA2,470 contributions
Oct 2022
Everyone who visits Banff wants to see Lake Louise naturally. However, if you love Lake Louise, you must also view Moraine Lake. It's not nearly as accessible as Louise, but once you run the gauntlet of the "rock pile" path, it's equally as breathtaking and more than worth the effort.
We're not getting any younger, but it's still manageable to walk there from the parking area even if you are a senior in decent health.
Once you arrive at the Lake view, you can't help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the lake set against the background of the Tonsa Peak mountain range. That's something that Lake Louise doesn't have to that extent.
We're not getting any younger, but it's still manageable to walk there from the parking area even if you are a senior in decent health.
Once you arrive at the Lake view, you can't help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the lake set against the background of the Tonsa Peak mountain range. That's something that Lake Louise doesn't have to that extent.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie H-D
Poole, UK639 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We nearly didn’t go! It’s only after the coach driver insisted that we MUST visit that we went and boy are we thankful to him! The views are absolutely incredible over Moraine Lake, picture perfect and a wonderful place to grab some amazing selfies. Being slightly out of season was perfect as there were only a few of us up there so people weren’t block the view or stopping you from getting that perfect picture. This was better than walking around the lake itself, thank you coach driver!
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2TravelersMn
Stillwater, MN562 contributions
Jul 2022
Glacier-fed Moraine Lake is in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. It is a gorgeous body of water surrounded by sharp mountain peaks and glaciers. It is a beautiful setting for a hike or paddling a canoe.
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G_EvansWales
Brecon, UK899 contributions
Aug 2022
We were blown away by the spectacular scenery which greeted us after our short climb to a viewing area. Suffice to say that my computer desktop image is now a photo from here
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert S
Westbury, NY877 contributions
Sep 2022
Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks is breathtaking and one of the top spots in Canadian Rockies. Definitely, walk up the Rockpile for the best views. A walk along the lakeside trail is also special. Unless you go well into the low season, you'll have to take either the park shuttle or a private one.
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pennwoodpete
Pa.226 contributions
Sep 2022
Always this was on bucket list. Dirty, crowded, cobblestone pieces missing dangerous and not like the pictures. Glacier has receded and the picture perfect photos are not available.
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom
2 contributions
Oct 2022
Lake Louise is beautiful, but Moraine is even more so. Make sure you climb the rockpile for the best views.
Written October 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holiday-view23-7-11
Basingstoke, UK1,806 contributions
Sep 2022
Amazing views, we made the climb up to have the best views. It was difficult climb as I am not getting any younger but boy was it worth it. There are some natural steps to help you reach the top of the viewing area but a lot of it is wet from the mist or the damp weather. We had views that can only be described as amazing, we took photos of other climbers and everyone we passed going up or coming back down were in awe of the place. It is very much as nature intended and man has not impacted on it much. You need a couple of hours here but ensure you use the bathroom before coming here - a real downside was you could smell the public toilets as soon as the coach door opened. Children would have to be closely supervised as the climb is open and could be dangerous for this with mobility or sight issues.
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which should I go to first... Morraine or Lake Louise? Doing both same day planning on spending all day, taking shuttle
johnnnita
Napa, CA2,470 contributions
Good question. It depends. You can do both, but both deserve some special time to absorb/take in in terms of their majesty. So, I would suggest you visit Moraine Lake in the morning and Lake Louise later in the afternoon. Tour Groups there are great resources for planning. It was our first visit, so we did ours thru a local small group tour company.
If you haven't already, read some of my other reviews talking about this group. I believe it was called Brewster, or something like that.
First time in bear country! Is it safe to store food in your car while hiking (cooler and basically all our food…)?
Saif A
Markham, Canada50 contributions
You may want to put any food in ziplock bags so there is no smell that attracts wildlife :)
C_CIII
Markham, Canada
How’s air quality these days, is there any smoke from BC wildfire now? How bad the visibility will be?
Ben B
Calgary, Canada14,381 contributions
The air quality has not been awful, we've been in the area several times over the last few weeks. There's only been the odd time we've smelled smoke. BUT, the haze has been been there every day, making the long distance views of the gorgeous Rocky Mountain summits limited, sadly.
kathleenc115
Cincinnati, OH64 contributions
In second week of September sunrise shortly after 7:00 am. What time would we have to arrive to park?
Gail U
Toronto, Canada166 contributions
I would recommend getting there by 5:30 am the latest
Elijah Z
Saskatoon, Canada4 contributions
Is there a fee to go see the lake ? If yes how much
Margaret M
Chippenham, UK55 contributions
Hi, No fee, and well worth a visit.
Álvaro R
3 contributions
Hola, tenemos planeado hacer la ruta de las rocosas a finales de Febrero. He estado mirando que la carretera hacia el Moirane lake en invierno está cerrada. Si alguien ha hecho esta ruta en invierno como nosotros, me podría informar si pudo ir a este lago y disfrutarsus maravillosas vistas?
Gracias!!!
Kanadatraveller1
Alzey, Germany15 contributions
Nein im Februar ist es noch zu früh, um an den See zu gelangen. Die Straße ist bis Ende Mai wegen Lawinengefahr gesperrt. Ich empfehle Ihnen den Juni oder September!
Catherine
Montreal, Canada1 contribution
Hi! I've always wanted to visit Lake Louise/Banff/Moraine Lake and see all the turquoise lakes and scenery. I had a free weekend in February, but I am scared I won't see any of these as the lakes would be frozen. Keep in mind I don't ski or snowboard. Do you think I should save this experience and come July-October instead ? What are the lakes like in February?
Rosita D
Gold Coast, Australia39 contributions
I had a friend go in February and they said the lake was still frozen. I went in September. Just spectacular. Make sure if you visit Moraine Lake that you make the walk to the rockfall (Follow signage). It's from that vantage point that you can see the amazing colour of the water
João Victor Gomes Braz
Anapolis, GO18 contributions
Got an entrance fee?
Zwarte_Leeuw
Sliedrecht, The Netherlands1,111 contributions
No, only for the parking.
We’re traveling to Alberta next summer - end of June. Are the mosquitos and humidity really as bad as a lot of reviews say they are? Traveling with two small kids, and these shorter hikes around the lake would be perfect, but not if there are swarms of bugs. We are early risers and plan to do our hiking around 7am
clarkb54
Madison, MS45 contributions
My wife and I visited Lake Moraine in July of this year, hiked to Lake Agnes (Tea House ). We did see a few mosquitoes but did not create a problem for us. I do understand your with two small kiddos. Enjoy, have fun and be safe.
Escape38094332394
2 contributions
Has anyone heard of when they might close access to Lake Moraine this season? We will be visiting the 3rd week of October and I’m hoping we can still catch it. Thank you in advance!
Marjolein v
Canada127 contributions
On busy days they close eary but after the busy moments you can get back in after about 4pm. As october isnt full with tourism you might be able to just go in any time.
Its not closing this season so far known
Moraine Lake (Lake Louise) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Moraine Lake
- We recommend booking Moraine Lake tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 72 Moraine Lake tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Moraine Lake:
- Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway - Full-Day Tour (From $135.79)
- Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (From $78.81)
- Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Yoho national park Day Trip (From $119.91)
- 5-day Rocky Mountains Coho Tour from Vancouver finish Banff (From $881.86)
- 3-Day Rocky Mountains Athabasca Tour from Banff (From $463.46)
- Hotels near Moraine Lake:
- (3.34 mi) Moraine Lake Lodge
- (3.48 mi) Paradise Lodge & Bungalows
- (4.09 mi) Baker Creek By Basecamp
- (3.88 mi) Post Hotel & Spa
- (3.70 mi) Mountaineer Lodge
- Restaurants near Moraine Lake:
- (3.87 mi) Post Hotel Dining Room
- (4.79 mi) Whitehorn Bistro
- (4.07 mi) The Walliser Stube
- (4.09 mi) Baker Creek Bistro
- (4.10 mi) Lakeview Lounge
- Attractions near Moraine Lake:
- (1.67 mi) Timberline Tours Ltd. - Private Day Tours
- (3.52 mi) Banff Photography at Lake Louise
- (4.08 mi) Wild Water Adventures
- (5.02 mi) Kingmik Dog Sled Tours
- (5.08 mi) Plain of Six Glaciers