Lake Louise Banff National Park

111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 1E0

Website

403-762-1550

Year Round. Activities Vary.

 
Lake louise

About Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta

Lake Louise is a glacial lake in the Canadian rockies which sits at an elevation of 200 vertical feet above the valley floor.

Called ‘The Lake of the Little Fishes’ by the Stoney Natoka First Nations, the Lake was named after Princess Louise, a daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Governor General of Canada, Marquess of Lorne.

The greenish colour is due to the rock silt which flows into the Lake due to the melting of glaciers.

What to do at Lake Louise ?

Things to do at Lake Louise

 

20 Things to Do in and Around Lake Louise During Summer

  • Enjoy the panoramic splendour of Lake Louise surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
  • Hike Lakeshore trail (2km) from Fairmont Chateau to the back of the Lake to get a closer view of the glacier hanging on the mountain at the back, which causes the emerald colour of the Lake.
  • Canoe in the lake.
  • Go trail riding .
  • Go Hiking. Lake Louise is the trail head for many trails.

Lake Louise Hikes

Fairview Lookout is an easy one. Climb this 1km trail from the boathouse and enjoy the view of the Lake with the historic chateau at the background.

Lake Agnes, the most popular hike of Lake Louise area is moderately strenuous with a distance of 3.4 km one way and 385 m elevation gain. Finish this hike and reward yourself with soups, teas and sandwiches from the tea house while enjoying the view of Lake Agnes. If one is not interested in hiking upto the Tea House, you can go on horseback riding.

  • Mountain bike on Ross trail (7.3km one way). Trail head : Behind the Chateau Lake Louise.
  • Visit Fairmont Chateau, built by the Canadian Pacific Rail; appreciate the architecture and gardens in front of it.
  • Be brave and take a Polar Bear Dip in Lake Louise during Canada Day celebrations (July 1).

Lakelouise

Experience the incredible talent of international ice carvers as they delicately balance gruelling physical labour with precision artistry in a 34 hour International Ice Carving Competition.

Lake Louise Activities in Winter

Go on horse-drawn sleigh rides along the Lake shoreline.

Ice skate on the the spectacular ice rinks on the Canadian rockies.

Play a pick-up(shinny) game on the hockey rink set up on the Lake. Annual Pond Hockey Classic in February.

Admire and take picture of the intricate Ice Castle made by Fairmount Lake Chateau chefs.

Snowshoe on Lake Louise.

Experience Lake Louise in all its winter glory by going on Cross country skiing.

Who all can go to Lake Louise ?

All ages.

How to get to Lake Louise?

Lake Louise Chateau

Lake Louise Chateau, Banff National Park

Lake Louise Location/directions

The address given on the sidebar is actually that of the Fairmont Chateau, which is located on the Lakeshore.

During the height of the tourist season, July – September, there will be traffic restrictions and other related congestions.

Lake Moraine to Lake Louise

Head northeast on Moraine Lake road. Turn left onto Lake Louise Dr and continue for 1.8 km to reach the lake.

From Banff/Calgary

Take the Bow Valley Parkway exit toward Lake Louise/Promenade de la vallée Bow from Trans Canada Highway /AB1 W. Turning left to Bow Valley Parkway and merge on to Lake Louise drive and continue for 3.9 km to reach the Lake.

If you want to take a scenic route take Bow Valley Parkway immediately after Banff Town. Then travel on Bow valley Parkway.

From Jasper

Travel south on Ice fields Parkway, take the AB1 east exit and travel on Trans Canada Highway towards Calgary. Take the exit towards onto Bow Valley Pkwy. Turn right to Lake Louise drive continue for 3.9 km to reach the Lake.

 

1. In your own car direct to Lake Louise shore:

Paid parking is available at Lake Louise shore for $12.25 per vehicle per day This is in addition to the Banff National Park entrance fee.

If the lots are full, you will not be allowed in and you should have a backup plan available. You will not be allowed to stop and wait until a spot becomes available.

Paid parking will be in effect at Lake Louise Lakeshore from May 13 to October 10, 2022, 7 am to 7 pm.

You can pay at parking kiosks located at the Lake Louise lakeshore pathway.

2. In your own car to Lake Louise Park & Ride Lot:

The best way to see Lake Louise is to reserve a seat on Parks Canada Shuttle which originates from the parking lot of Lake Louise Ski Resort/Summer Gondola. Lake Louise Park and Ride lot is located approximately 7 kms from Lake Louise.

Reservations begin on May 4th, 2022 and are available online. A portion of seats will be released in a rolling window, 48 hours prior to departure day, daily at 8:00 a.m., starting on May 11, 2022. Walk-up seats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The shuttle will run every 20 minutes, daily from May 13 to October 10, 2022 between 8 am and 5:40 pm. The final return bus from Lake Louise Lakeshore to the Park and Ride is at 7:30 pm Boarding will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

The cost of the shuttle is Adult (18-64) – $8; Senior (65+) – $4; Youth (6-17) – $2; and Child (under 6 years) – free. This includes return and the use of the Lake Connector to Morain Lake. There is an additional $3 non-refundable transaction fee per reservation when purchasing shuttle tickets on the Parks Canada Reservation System.

Lake Louise shuttle is not wheelchair accessible.

3. From Moraine Lake:

From Moraine Lake, you can take the Lake Connector shuttle from June 1 to October 10, 2022.

Lake Connector shuttle between Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake is on a first-come-first-serve basis. You will receive proof of purchase for the Shuttle from Park & Ride so that you can ride the Lake Connector Shuttle for Free.

4. From Lake Lousie Village:

If you are staying at the Village of Lake Louise, take Parks Canada Shuttle: Park and Ride Connector to the Park and Ride. This service loops between the Lake Louise Campground, the village of Lake Louise (Samson Mall) and the Lake Louise Park and Ride. This free service is available daily from May 20 to October 10, 2022. Reservations are not required for Park and Ride Connector.

5. From Banf Town:

You can use public transport – Roam Transit 8X: Lake Louise Express or Roam Transit 8S: Lake Louise Scenic.

This year, when you buy a Roam Transit Super Pass, you can ride the Parks Canada Lake Connector shuttle for free.

In addition, you can also use Hop-On Hop Off bus from Banff Town to visit various attractions including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

How much will Lake Louise visit cost?

Lake louise

Lake Louise Banff National Park

Admission/fees Lake Louise

Free with National Park admission.

Canoe rentals

$135 per hour | $125 per half hour. Canoe rentals are available at the boathouse, located on the west shore of the lake. Each canoe may be rented at an hourly rate and can hold either three adults or two adults and two small children under 55 pounds (25 kilograms) each.

Voyagear canoe costs $65+GST per adult, $30+GST per youth (ages 8-12)

Trail rides

Hourly trips: around $60.00 per person.

More expensive packages like Destination Lakehead Ride, Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House Ride, Full Day Expedition Ride are also available.

Sleigh rides

Adult : $30.00 plus 5% GST

Child (<8) : $ 27.00 plus 5% GST

When to see Lake Louise ?

Lake Louise Hours / Timing

Year round.

Trail Ride Hours

In summer.

Boathouse Summer Hours (canoe rental)

11:00 am – 7:00 pm (last boat at 6:00 pm) Weather dependent until mid October.

Sleigh ride Hours

Mid-December and to early April, weather (and snow cover) permitting. See exact sleigh ride schedule on the attraction website. Link above. Rides are approximately 45 minutes to one hour in length.

How long will it take to see Lake Louise ?

Depending on interest, one hour to whole day(if hiking).

What about Amenities, accessibility & parking?

Restaurant & 24 hours Deli in Fairmont Lake Louise Chateau.
Wash rooms .
Parking available.
Stroller & Wheel chair accessible on the Lakeshore trail (2km).

ACCOMODATIONS NEAR LAKE LOUISE



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Posted in Attractions, Lakes & Rivers and Nature

A tip for your trip!

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  1. Kerwin Maude

    If you get the chance, whether you are a Canadian or a visitor, check out Banff as one of the wonders of this great sprawling landscape. It is not unusual to see wildlife up close and personal like moose walking down the street, or bears along the roadside into Banff. Watch them from a distance but be careful not to feed them, and remember they are wild animals and it is better to get pictures of these majestic creatures than to go to the hospital because of bad judgment and recklessness. Highly recommendable place to see nature’s wonders with tourquoise lakes, snow capped mountains and tourist shops.

    May 24, 2016 at 9:17 AM

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