With the road to Moraine Lake closed to private vehicles, there are still lots of options to get to the lake in summer 2024 and plenty of reasons it is still absolutely worth the effort! Probably the most popular spot to visit in the Canadian Rockies and for good reason, this picture perfect, bright blue lake draws a crowd. Then add on to that incredible hiking which starts from this location and you have a perfect storm.Â
For many years it was almost impossible to get a parking space at Moraine Lake and so in the summer of 2023, Parks Canada decided to close the road to all private vehicles.
This means that you can no longer drive the road up to Moraine Lake and park to visit. But never fear, there are an abundance of alternative options to visit the incredible Moraine Lake in the summer of 2024 and as lessons are learned new possibilities are becoming available every year.
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Options For Accessing Moraine Lake In Summer 2024
Parks Canada Shuttle
Possibly the most economical way to get to Moraine Lake in summer 2024 is the Parks Canada shuttle bus. You park the Lake Louise ski and summer sightseeing resort and hop on a bus at your allocated time. It’s seamless and easy to do and also one of the cheapest ways of getting to Moraine Lake.
Price: $8 plus a booking fee of $3 if reserving online or $6 if reserving on the phone.
How to book: You must reserve your spot on the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake, although it is possible to walk up, there are rarely any spots this way unless you are looking to go later in the day.
Booking opens on Thursday April the 18th 2024 at 8am MST, however limited tickets also become available 2 days prior at 8am MST for those who don’t want to book in advance.
Also note once at Moraine Lake it is possible to hop on the free connector shuttle and get to Lake Louise, which is notoriously hard to park at. It also works vice versa for anyone who wants to go from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake. You can then return to the parking area from whichever Lake you ended up at.
NEW FOR 2024 Parks Canada will be offering an extended shuttle schedule, departing much earlier in the morning, this is perfect for hikers looking to complete bigger objectives in the Moraine Lake area such as Mount Temple, or those who just want to watch the sun light up the mountains. The first booking slot for 2024 will be 6.30am to get to either Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
The Roam Transit Bus From Banff
The local Roam bus service operates a direct service from the town of Banff to Moraine Lake during the fall when visiting Moraine Lake to day hike to see the golden larch trees is a highly popular activity. The 2024 schedule hasn’t been released yet for the service 10 bus. Last year it cost $20 return for an adult and getting a reservation ahead of time was key to guaranteeing you the spot you wanted! More information can be found on the Roam Transit website, when it is released.
It is also possible to hop on the Lake Louise express, service 8X. Hop off in the Lake Louise Village and from here you can take the Parks Canada Lake Connector service to either Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. You’ll want to get the Roam Super Pass ticket for this option and not just a regular ticket. These can be purchased ahead of time and seats on the Roam Bus can be reserved ahead of time.
Private Shuttles
There are a number of shuttle bus options which will get you to Moraine Lake in summer 2024.
The popular Moraine Lake Bus Company offers a regular scheduled service and picks up at both the Lake Louise Ski area and the main Lake Louise Village and prices start at $35 return for an adult. There are options to also have an hour stop off at Lake Louise if you want to see both lakes in one day.
Fairview Limousine also offers regular daily schedules to Moraine Lake and they will also be offering an option to see both lakes in one day starting in summer 2024. They are based out of the Lake Louise Inn, so it is a perfect option if you are staying at the hotel. The Lake Louise Inn is easily accessible off the Highway too though if you aren’t staying.
WOW Banff is also already taking bookings to get to Moraine Lake for summer 2024. This is a double decker bus providing access to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Note some services may be run on an open top double decker.
Take A Tour
If you are looking for a more informative way of seeing the gorgeous Moraine Lake, check out the Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake tour provided by Discover Banff Tours. This tour picks up from a number of hotels in Banff along with a few central points with parking and is the perfect way to find out more about the area while taking in some key sights!
Depending on the summer month, this tour runs up to four times a day, however it does sell out, so I’d recommend booking as early in advance as possible.
There are a number of other companies who offer Moraine Lake tours in the summer months including Radventures, Brewster Sightseeing, WOW Banff and White Mountain Adventures depending on what kind of tour you want!
Grab A Taxi
Nothing else works with your timing? Want a more private experience, it is possible to book a taxi to take you to Moraine Lake. I’m going to keep this brief, it’s a pretty pricey option depending on where you get the taxi from. But it gives you complete freedom over your timings when visiting and allows for a more stress free booking option since shuttles have limited capacity and often book up early.
Peddle Power – Bike Up The Road
For those feeling strong and up for a challenge, it is possible to bike from the Lake Louise visitor centre to Moraine Lake. You’ll find a fairly large parking lot here, making it a great spot to start. It is a 15km cycle with 385m of elevation gain so it isn’t to be taken lightly!
The traffic can be heavy so the cycle to Moraine Lake is best done early or later in the day. For those who want some assistance, you can rent e-bikes from Wilson’s Mountain Sports in Lake Louise and set off from there, it is in the same area as the visitor centre.
Staying At Moraine Lake
One of the more pricey but memorable options for visiting Moraine Lake in summer 2024 is to book a stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge. With many rooms having views over the lake but with quite the price tag to go along with it, for many this will be a bucket list trip option.
However it means after all the shuttles are gone, you’ll have Moraine Lake almost all to yourself and likely see it like few others get to! Don’t forget to rent a canoe from the lodge for the ultimate Moraine Lake experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If You Are Staying In Lake Louise?
There is no guarantee to get to Moraine Lake if you are staying in Lake Louise. You will still need to plan ahead and book a shuttle to guarantee your entry, or hike or bike the road.
A number of the shuttle buses pick up in the central Lake Louise Village or at some of the hotels though so you don’t necessarily need to drive anywhere to get a shuttle.
Can You Take A Dog On The Shuttle?
Parks Canada will let all service dogs on the shuttle bus. They also allow small dogs in a small carrier which can fit on your lap. Unfortunately larger dogs are not allowed on the Parks Canada Shuttle.
What If I Have A Blue Badge
If you have a handicapped blue badge you are able to drive the Moraine Lake Road and park at the lake. Just stop at the end of the road and speak to the staff there, show your blue badge and they will let you through.
Can I Visit Moraine Lake In Winter
For those looking to visit Moraine Lake in the winter, a good portion of the road is trackset for cross country skiing. You can find trail conditions online, check before you head out. Rated as an easy cross country ski, the trackset ends at a viewpoint. After this point the road crosses a large avalanche path, it is advised everyone turns around at thi point.
However if you have the right training, skills and equipment it is possible to continue on to the lake where you will likely have it all to yourself.
The cross country ski is mostly all climb on the way to the viewpoint which makes heading back, mostly downhill fast fun!
