Both Lake Louise and Lake Moraine are in Banff National Park, so it’s easy enough to see both places on the same day. Parking can be a real problem, however, so unless you plan on arriving at Moraine Lake around 3 AM, we would recommend taking the shuttle from Lake Louise. Make sure you reserve your spot on the shuttle as soon as possible because the slots fill up quickly.
Moraine Lake is one of the most popular spots in the park and it’s difficult to get there unless you plan ahead. Note that it’s more or less impossible to reach Moraine Lake during the winter; all the roads are closed and the only way to get close is to cross-country ski across the park.
If you do manage to secure a spot on the shuttle, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of the most beautiful lake in Canada. Moraine Lake is glacially fed, so it gradually fills up every year, reaching its peak around June. When the lake is full, the rock flour that the glaciers have deposited in the water gives it a distinctive light blue color. It’s truly a unique and beautiful view and one that we highly recommend seeing for yourself if you can. You might recognize Moraine Lake from its appearances on a few different Canadian coins and bills or as one of the default wallpapers in Windows Vista.
Of course, Lake Louise is no slouch when it comes to natural beauty either. The presence of rock flour means that the color of the water there is almost as striking as at Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise features plenty of opportunities for kayaking and canoeing.
To make the most of your trip to Banff National Park, check out our Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ to gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.
