Moraine Lake, one of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions, will not be accessible by private vehicle this year.
Wall Boat/Flickr
Even with the public vehicle ban on Moraine Lake Road, there are numerous ways to see the beautiful lake. When you use the multiple transportation and tour companies in Banff National Park, you can explore Moraine Lake and other nearby places without the hassle of navigating summertime traffic in the park.
These companies can also help you easily get to:
- The Lake Louise Summer Gondola: the ski resort’s gondola is open for summer sightseeing. The large parking lot serves as the Park and Ride stop for Parks Canada and other shuttles.
- Lake Louise Lake Shore: from here, you can explore the famous Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise or rent canoes from the boat house. The area has many options for dining during your stay at the lake as well. Lake Louise’s lake shore is also a start to famous Banff hikes like the trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House or the Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House.
- Johnston Canyon: this popular hiking area can offer simple trails through the canyon, waterfall views, and access to the Johnston Canyon Inkpots.
- The Parkways: some of these tour companies will travel along the Icefield or Bow Valley Parkways. Both routes are great for watching wildlife, seeing more mountain scenery, and finding more beautiful mountain lakes.
Car-Free Sightseeing Guide: How to Visit the Best Attractions in Banff and Lake Louise
Ways to Get to Moraine Lake
With Moraine Lake Road now closed off to public vehicle access, the only simple way to see the lake is with one of these public tour or transit operators. Once you’re at the lake’s viewing area, you can take short hikes to various viewing areas or a longer hike along the shoreline.
Parks Canada Shuttles
Parks Canada makes it easy to get around some of the country’s most beautiful places, Banff included. The Banff Parks Canada Shuttles are a cost-effective way to travel the park and will get you to the prettiest points of interest. This includes Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Village, Lake Louise Lakeshore, and the Lake Louise Campground.
The Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake originates from Lake Louise Park and Ride lot, situated at Lake Louise Summer Gondola (Ski Resort).
When: Daily from June 1 to October 13, 2025., service every 20 minutes between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., and 15-minute frequency between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
- Alpine Start — between Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake. — Daily from June 1 to October 13, 2025, 2 departure times daily (4 am and 5 am)
How much: $4 per senior 65+, $8 per adult 18 and older, 17 and under FREE. 60% of the shuttle tickets will be released on a rolling basis two days before departure.
Credit: Parks Canada
Where: From Lake Louise Summer Gondola (Ski Resort) or connector from Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake Bus Company
The Moraine Lake Bus Company will begin making daily departures from the Lake Louise Village on June 1st. During the summer, the company offers a simple way to get to Moraine Lake from many area hotels and cabins and will take you to Moraine and more. You can also use the Moraine Lake Bus Company to visit The Lake Louise Summer Gondola, Lake Louise Village, and the Lake Louise Lake shore.
But if you want an extra-special experience at Moraine Lake this year, you can also hop aboard the Bus Company’s Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle. The bus departs in the darkest hours of the morning, so you can arrive at Moraine Lake right before the sun starts to rise. The earliest bus leaves Lake Louise Village’s Samson Mall at 4am.
When: June 1-October 13, 2025
How much: Adult (16+): $54.00 each & up
Where: From Samson Mall / Lake Louise Summer Gondola
Mountain Park Transportation Shuttle
Get a full dose of Banff’s nicest areas, viewpoints, and driving scenery, from the comfort of the Mountain Park shuttles. The company offers basic shuttle service that can get you from Calgary to Banff, and vice versa. Their shuttles also travel from Banff to Lake Louise, and from Lake Louise Village to Moraine Lake. These shuttles can stop at a wide variety of hotels in Banff and Lake Louise.
When: Moraine Lake shuttle June 1-October 13 only
How much: Adult: $84.99; Youth: $77.99; Child: $67.99
Where: From Mountaineer Lodge, HI Hostel (Meet in car park), Post Hotel, Samson Mall (Taxi waiting area)
HopOnBanff
HopOnBanff is a great and cost-effective way to travel the 45-minutes or so between Banff and Lake Louise. The buses take the Bow Valley Parkway rather than Highway 1 and can drop you off at the Johnston Canyon trailheads. After the Parkway, when heading to Lake Louise, the bus stops at the Lake Louise Summer Gondola, the Chateau Lake Louise/shore, and Moraine Lake.
When: June 7-September 21, 2025
How much:$126.00
Where: From Various Locations
WowBanff
WowBanff offers Rocky Mountain sightseeing made easy and interesting. Their tour will shuttle you to , Lake Louise Lake shore, and Moraine Lake from Lake Louise Summer Gondola. But what makes these tours so interesting is that you get to ride on an open-top double-decker bus. These tours certainly make the journey part of your adventure.
When: June to October 13, 2025
How much: $25 to $75
Where: 200 Pipestone Rd, Lake Louise
Roam Transit – Route 10
During the Fall season, when Moraine Lake’s Larch Valley turns golden, Roam public transit will offer a service from Banff town. Route 10 departs the downtown Banff High School Transit Hub with direct service to Moraine Lake. Details
When: September to Thanksgiving Weekend
Where: From Banff High School Transit Hub, Town of Banff
Brewster Sightseeing
The Brewster Sightseeing tour is a full mountain sightseeing tour with a stop at Moraine Lake included. In addition to Moraine, you’ll get to stop at the Spiral Tunnels, Takkakaw Falls, Emerald Lake Lodge for lunch, and Lake Louise on the return trip.
When: June 16 – October 13, 2025
How much: Adult: $232
Child (age 6-15)
Where: From Various Locations
Discover Banff Tours
The Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Tour offered by Discover Banff Tours gives you the views, and the time to explore them. While on the tour, you’ll have time to explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The tour also stops for epic views of Castle Mountain, with expert guides to provide more information.
When: June 1-October 13, 2025
How much: Adult (13+): From $140
Child (3-12): From $108
Infant (0-2): $0
Radventures
There are a few different ways to see the Banff Rockies with Radventures: by foot, in a 4X4, by canoe or kayak, or on an SUP. They have simple shuttle tours, as well, which take you to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway, or the Bow Valley Parkway. You can even book an Early bird Explorer tour and see the sunrise over one of the two lakes!
When: June-October
How much: Varies
White Mountain Adventures
You have several awesome options when it comes to sightseeing in Banff with the White Mountain Adventures company. They offer year-round tours of the park, with the summer offerings starting in June. The Glaciers, Lakes and Peaks of Lake Louise tour will include wildlife watching on the Bow Valley Parkway, stops at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, including time to walk to the top of the “Rockpile” at Moraine Lake, a lunch at your choice of two locations, and the option to add on a Lake Louise Summer Gondola ride. You can also book guided hikes around the two lakes with White Mountain.
When: June-early October (weather dependent)