Find out how to get to Moraine Lake now that Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.
As of 2023, personal vehicles will no longer be permitted on Moraine Lake Road year round to limit traffic in the area and reduce disruptions/stress to wildlife in the Fairview Wildlife corridor. According to Parks Canada, during peak season in 2022, each day 900 vehicles accessed the lake and 5,000 were turned away – and those vehicles emitted 4 tons of carbon dioxide daily! Due to these changes, we’ll have to find alternate ways to get to Moraine Lake. Here’s how you can access this beautiful hiking, mountaineering, and paddling destination. Bookmark this post for future reference!
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Table of Contents
How to Visit Moraine Lake (and Lake Louise)
1. MOST CONVENIENT: Take the Parks Canada Moraine Lake Shuttle
The easiest and most affordable way to visit Moraine Lake (and Lake Louise) is by Parks Canada shuttle bus.
Booking tickets: Parks Canada Moraine Lake Shuttle tickets can be booked online on April 18, 2024 for June 1- Oct 14, 2024; or 48 hours before your visit. 40% of the tickets for the season will be released on April 18, and 60% will be released on a rolling 48-hour window to allow people to visit Moraine Lake at shorter notice. Take note of the booking dates below. A small number of tickets are available on a walk-up basis (first come first served), but I wouldn’t count on getting them.
April 18, 2023 at 8 am: Book Moraine Lake Shuttle Tickets for the season (June 1 to October 14, 2024).
Two days before your visit at 8 am: Book Moraine Lake Shuttle Tickets two days before your trip, at 8 am. For example, if you’d like to visit Moraine Lake on July 15th, book tickets on July 13th at 8 am. Moraine Lake Road is expected to open on June 1, 2023 but may open earlier or later, depending on road/avalanche conditions. Visit Parks Canada | Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake for updates.
How it Works: Your outbound shuttle ticket has a one hour departure window, so if your ticket is for 6:30 am – 7:30 am, you can take any shuttle between 6:30 am and 7:30 am. The Moraine Lake shuttle departs the Park and Ride (located at Lake Louise Ski Resort) every 20 minutes from 6:30 am to 6 pm. If you’d like to hop off at Lake Louise en route to Moraine Lake, you can do so; Lake Connector Shuttle from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake is included with your Moraine Lake Shuttle ticket!
You do not need to schedule your return trip; return shuttles are every 20 minutes and are first come first served. Keep in mind that the last shuttle returns at 7:30 pm and the gate to the Park & Ride parking lot closes at 8 pm.
New in 2024
- In 2024, you can book the Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle for 4 am or 5 am!
Shuttle FAQs
- What are the shuttle hours? Regular shuttle hours are 6:30 am – 7:30 pm: First bus to Moraine Lake leaves at 6:30 am; Last bus leaves Moraine Lake at 7:30 pm. *Alpine Start Shuttles depart at 4 am and 5 am.*
- Are walk-up tickets available? A limited number of tickets are available for same day travel, however they usually sell out by 9 am.
- Where is the Park & Ride? At Lake Louise Ski Resort. Click here for Google Maps directions.
- How much is parking at the Park & Ride? It’s FREE! Note: In order to prevent overnight (illegal) camping, the gate on Whitehorn Drive (road to the parking lot) is closed from 8 pm to 6 am.
- How much is the shuttle? $8 per adult, $4/senior, FREE for kids 17 & under.
- What if I have to cancel? There is a $3 cancellation fee per paid ticket, and no cancellation fee for kids’ tickets. Due to high demand, you can cancel SAME day if something comes up. Please cancel your tickets if you don’t need them, so someone else can visit Moraine Lake.
- Can I park at Samson Mall or Lake Louise Lakeshore and take the bus to Moraine Lake? No
- Can I visit Lake Louise on the same visit? Yes! The connector shuttle is free with your Moraine Lake shuttle ticket. Hop off to see Lake Louise, then take the Moraine Lake connector to Moraine Lake.
- Does the Moraine Lake shuttle pickup from the campground? It does, but it takes you to the Park & Ride first.
- Are the shuttles wheelchair accessible? Unfortunately the Parks Canada shuttles cannot accommodate wheelchairs. However, if you have a blue accessible parking placard, you can show it to parks staff and park at Moraine Lake.
- Can I bring my dog? Only a) certified assistance animals and b) small dogs that can be kept in a crate on your lap are permitted on the shuttle.
- Are strollers permitted? Yes, the shuttles have room for strollers.
- Can I bring my inflatable SUP or kayak? Inflatable SUPs, inflatable kayaks, and small kayaks may be transported on the shuttle, space permitting. NOTE: Small watercraft users are required to self-certify their boats/SUPs and clean, drain, and dry them properly.
- Does the shuttle stop at Paradise Valley? There are a limited number of first-come-first-served tickets to Paradise Valley trailhead. You can return via Paradise Valley Trailhead or Moraine Lake, but note that there are only 2 seats reserved per shuttle for pickup from Paradise Valley (so if there is a big group and the bus doesn’t have more than 2 empty seats, the rest of your party will have to wait 20 minutes for the next shuttle). If you are camping at Paradise Valley Backcountry Campground, you will receive a special shuttle bus ticket; show it to the bus driver so s/he stops at Paradise Valley!
- What if I want to take sunrise/night/sunset photos, climb Mount Temple, or stay a Neil Colgan ACC Hut? Are there any exceptions to the parking ban? Personal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road, so you will have to find a tour operator, private shuttle, or taxi to transport you outside of Parks Canada shuttle hours (details on public transit and private shuttles/taxi services below). The only exception is for individuals with a blue accessible parking placard. Backcountry campers with a Paradise Valley Backcountry Campground permit or bivouac permit, and those staying at the ACC Hut, will receive bus tickets with their bookings.
For more information, visit Parks Canada | Visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
2. BEST OPTION FOR BANFF VISITORS WITHOUT A CAR: Ride Roam Transit from Banff
Use Roam Transit’s Super Pass to go from Banff to Moraine Lake, via the Lake Louise Express Route 8X and transfer to the Moraine Lake Connector Shuttle (included) at Lake Louise Lakeshore. $25 round trip for adults, $12.50 for seniors (65+) and youth (13-18). Kids 12 & under ride free but require a reservation. Service: June 1 – mid October. Reserve your $25 Route 8X Super Pass online.
During larch season (mid September 19 – early October), you can take the Roam Transit Moraine Lake Express Fall Route 10. This bus goes directly from the Banff High School Transit Hub to Moraine Lake without stopping at the Park & Ride or Lake Louise.
Fall Route 10 Fares:
- Reserve your $25 Route 10 Super Pass online, or
- Save $5 and purchase a $20 round trip Moraine Lake Day Pass on the bus, at the Roam Info Centre in Banff, or through the Token Transit App.
For more information, or to book tickets now, visit Roam Public Transit.
3. BEST OPTION FOR SUNRISE: Take a private shuttle
a) Moraine Lake Bus Company is a family-run business offering sunrise shuttles!
- Shuttle service is available June 3 – October 14, 2024, 4 am – 6:20 pm.
- Earliest departure from Samson Mall: 4 am, arrives at Moraine Lake at 4:30 am.
- Earliest departure from Lake Louise Summer Gondola parking lot: 6:25 am, arrives at Moraine Lake at 6:55 am.
- Last shuttle from Moraine Lake: 6:20 pm
- Choose from a direct ride to Moraine Lake, or ride to Moraine Lake with a 1-hour stop at Lake Louise
- Round-trip fares: Adult (16+): $35 & up | Child (3-15): $25 & up | Infant (0-2) in your lap: Free
Book your sunrise shuttle tickets at Moraine Lake Bus Company.
Disclosure: I earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our small family business (and MLBC’s)!
Tickets can be booked up to 1 hour before travel time, but with high demand (especially for sunrise shuttles), we recommend booking well in advance to get spots on the bus.
b) Mountain Park Transportation tours from Banff to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Mountain Park Transportation has been in operation for over 20 years. They offer tours departing from Banff which include half an hour at Lake Louise and half an hour at Moraine Lake.
- Tour Times: 4-hour Tours depart Banff at 8 am, 1 pm, and 6 pm
- Round-trip fares: Adult (18+): $99.99 | Youth (13-17): $79.99 | Child (5-12): $59.99 | Infant (4 & under): Free
c) For more options, visit TripAdvisor.
4. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AREA: Book a sightseeing tour
Guided tours will provide you with detailed information on Moraine Lake’s geography, history, flora, and fauna. Tour operators that offer tours with stops at Moraine Lake include: Brewster Sightseeing, Discover Banff Tours, HopOnBanff, Mountain Park Transportation, Radventures, White Mountain Adventures and WowBanff.
5. BIKE MORAINE LAKE ROAD: A good option for mid to late May before the road opens to cars
Bicycles and pedal assist e-bikes are permitted on Moraine Lake Road. Note that the journey is 26 km round trip with 350 m elevation gain from Fairview Parking Lot (just past Moraine Lake Road on your right as you come up the hill from the Village), the shoulder is non existent, and parking is limited in Lake Louise so we don’t advise biking from June to October. It’s a steady incline all the way there, and then a gentle downhill on the way back.
If you’re like to bike, go in late May before the road opens to shuttle buses/taxis on June 1st (or in mid October right after the road closes for the season, conditions permitting). Talk, sing, and ding your bell frequently as there are a lot of bears in the area. Note: There is significant avalanche danger on Moraine Lake Road until mid to late May (why the road is closed from mid October until June), so spring travel here is not recommended.
Bike rentals are available from Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise.
6. LAST MINUTE TRAVELERS: Take a taxi
If you’d like to visit Moraine Lake at short notice and are staying in Lake Louise, you can call Mountain Park Transportation for a taxi! Summer taxi service is available from the hamlet of Lake Louise to Moraine Lake.
- Hours: Saturday – Wednesday, 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Phone: 403-996-2869
7. SPLURGE AND STAY AT MORAINE LAKE LODGE
If you have a special occasion coming up and don’t mind to splurge, stay at luxurious Moraine Lake Lodge which is located next to Moraine Lake. Beautifully-appointed lodge rooms and cabins with a view are available, and your stay includes free parking, breakfast, canoe rentals, afternoon tea, naturalist talks, and interpretive guided hikes.
For more information, visit Moraine Lake Lodge.
Know Before You Go
- A Parks Canada Discovery Pass / daily admission fee is required to stop in Banff National Park.
- There is no cell service at Moraine Lake, so you should be self-sufficient: pack the 10 essentials and keep an eye on the time so you don’t miss the last bus.
- You are in bear territory (yes, bears have been spotted here even though it’s a busy area!). Review our Bear Safety Tips and keep bear spray accessible on the trail.
- Small dogs that you can keep in a crate in your lap may be brought on the Parks Canada shuttle, Moraine Lake Bus, and Mountain Park Transportation bus ($10 fee).
What to Bring: Hiking Essentials
Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small family business!
Good hiking boots, a down hoody/fleece, toque, gloves, and windproof/waterproof shell are recommended year round. You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a headlamp, a GPS / satellite communicator / compass, and map of the area, sunscreen (this one is safe for babies), bug spray (this deet-free one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Frontiersman Bear Spray Holster or Scat Belt.
For winter conditions, we recommend traction devices such as Kahtoola Microspikes (Available from Amazon and MEC), or Hillsound Trail Crampons (Available at Amazon and Sport Chek) and trekking poles with snow baskets. Base layers, insulated winter boots, a down jacket and windproof/waterproof shell (or insulated ski jacket/parka), gloves or mittens, and toque are cold weather must-haves. See our fall/winter hiking gear guide for product recommendations.
What to Bring: Biking Essentials
Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our small family business!
Bring a full water bottle (plus an extra one in your backpack) or hydration backpack, snacks, midlayer, waterproof/windproof layer, gloves, first aid kit, bike tube, bike tools, and portable bike pump. A bike pannier rack and pannier bags are handy if you don’t want to carry a backpack. Don’t forget a bike lock so you can lock up your bike at the bike racks at the lake!
You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, a headlamp, GPS / satellite communicator / compass, and map of the area, bug spray (this one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks), sunscreen (this mineral one has safer ingredients), and bear spray. We recommend keeping bear spray in a Kodiak Singletrack 225 g Bear Spray Holder fits in your bike’s water bottle holder), or Scat Belt.
I hope these tips make it easier for you to visit Moraine Lake this year! While I was disappointed to hear parking is no longer permitted at Moraine Lake, and would have preferred a day permit system, I understand why Parks Canada brought in the parking ban. It’s extremely challenging to manage a parking lot of 100 stalls that thousands of vehicles are trying to access on the daily. When you consider all the pollution, traffic, and disruption to wildlife in the wildlife corridor Moraine Lake Road passes through, something had to give. Fortunately, the shuttle will meet most hiker’s needs with a mix of advance tickets and shorter-notice (48-hour) tickets, plus extended shuttle hours. Enjoy exploring this beautiful destination and let me know how your experience with the shuttle went!
More Fun Things to Do in Banff National Park
- Hiking from Moraine Lake to Eiffel Lake
- Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, Lake Louise
- Ride, Hike, and Dine at Lake Louise Summer Gondola
- Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park
- Banff Summer Fun Guide
- 12+ Free Things to do in Banff
- The Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway
