Banff 
Credit: Parks Canada
If you are planning to visit Canada’s busiest mountain Lakes this summer, then you need to plan ahead.
Parks Canada is introducing a two-year paid parking pilot program for all public parking stalls from mid-May to mid-October.
Shuttle reservations (Park & Ride) are also required for those who want to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake from Lake Louise Overflow Lot/Park & Ride with no walk-ups allowed.
How to Plan to Trip to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
Planning Your Trip to Lake Louise:
1. In your own car direct to Lake Louise shore:
Paid parking is available at Lake Louise shore for $11.70 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 back-up 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 mid-May to mid-October, 7 am to 7 pm.
You can pay at parking kiosks located at the Lake Louise lakeshore pathway.
As per Parks Canada, “The Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot will operate on a pay-by-plate system, so be sure to remember to take a photo of your license plate! You do not need to return to your vehicle to display your parking permit.”
2. In your own car to Lake Louise Over Flow or Park & Ride Lot:
If you plan in advance, then the best way to see Lake Louise is to reserve a seat on Parks Canada Shuttle which originates from Lake Louise Park and Ride lot, which is located 6 km east of Lake Louise Village.
Reservations are available online.
The reservations for the shuttle open starting April 28. 50% per cent of the seats are available for reservation and additional seats will be released, subject to provincial COVID-19 health orders at the time, 48 hours prior to departure.
The shuttle will run every 20 minutes, daily from May 14 to October 11, 2021 between 8 am and 6:20 pm. The final return bus from Lake Louise Lakeshore to the Park and Ride is at 7:50 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.
Credit: Parks Canada
3. From Moraine Lake:
From Moraine Lake, you can take the Lake Connector shuttle.
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 21 to October 11, 2021. 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.
Planning Your Trip to Moraine Lake:
Photo Credit: Max Muench
1. In your own car direct to Moraine Lakeshore:
Free Parking is available at Moraine Lakeshore.
If the lots are full, you will not be allowed in and you should have a back-up plan available.
The 13 km road to Moraine Lake opens (subject to weather conditions) the Tuesday after Victoria Day in mid-May and closes the Tuesday after Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October. The planned opening day for 2021 is May 25, 2021.
2. In your own car to Lake Louise Over Flow/Park & Ride Lot:
If you plan in advance, then the best way to see Moraine Lake is to reserve a seat on Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake which originates from Lake Louise Park and Ride lot, which is located 6 km east of Lake Louise village.
Reservations are available online.
The reservations for the shuttle open starting April 28th. Parks Canada says 50% per cent of the seats are available for reservation and additional seats will be released, subject to provincial COVID-19 health orders at the time, 48 hours prior to departure.
The shuttle will run every 20 minutes, daily from May 21 to October 11, 2021 between 8:10 am and 5:30 pm. The final return bus from Morain Lake lakeshore to the Park and Ride is at 7:50 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 Lake Louise. There is an additional $3 non-refundable transaction fee per reservation when purchasing shuttle tickets on the Parks Canada Reservation System.
Moraine Lake shuttle is not wheelchair accessible.
3. From Lake Louise:
From Lake Louise, you can take the Lake Connector shuttle.
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 21 to October 11, 2021. Reservations are not required for Park and Ride Connector.
5. From Banf Town:
You can use public transport – Roam Transit Route 10: Moraine Lake Express.
More Information is available here.
