How to Get To Moraine Lake – Canada’s Turquoise Jewel
The Enchanting Beauty of Moraine Lake
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake is a place of such breathtaking beauty that it seems almost too perfect to be real. Situated in Banff National Park in Alberta, this glacially-fed lake, with its strikingly vivid turquoise waters and encircling snow-capped peaks, has captured the imaginations of travelers and photographers from around the world.
A Jewel in the Rockies
Moraine Lake’s allure begins with its stunning color. The lake’s vibrant turquoise hue is a result of the refraction of light off the finely ground rock, known as “rock flour,” that is carried into the lake by meltwater from the surrounding glaciers. This ethereal blue-green color is a vivid reminder of the power and beauty of nature’s artistry.
The lake itself is relatively small, measuring approximately 50 hectares, but it’s framed by towering peaks that seem to rise straight out of the lake. These jagged mountains, including the famed Ten Peaks, form a dramatic backdrop that enhances the lake’s already spellbinding appearance. When viewed from the Moraine Lake Rockpile, a popular vantage point, the scene is nothing short of spectacular.
The beauty is surreal. Moraine Lake, gleaming in sunlight, as if turquoise gems have dissolved into its glacial lake waters. Tourists and locals alike, find it challenging to pull their eyes from the mesmerizing shades. One of Canada’s most popular destinations, figuring out how to get to Moraine Lake has become a travel puzzle.
The Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounds the jaw-dropping lake in Banff National Park. Moraine Lake Canada, with nearby mountains, waterfalls and rugged rocky shores, is a must see destination. Indeed any visitor to Banff National Park wants to see Moraine.
Why is Moraine Lake closed to personal vehicles?
The stunning Banff Moraine Lake draws visitors by the thousands each day. From 1969-1979, the back side of the 20 dollar Canadian bill featured the view, only increasing its popularity.
In recent years, witnessing a Moraine Lake sunrise, required arriving by 4:00am or earlier to secure a coveted parking spot. On peak days in 2022, the parking lot was full almost 24 hours a day.
Beginning in 2023, Parks Canada, due to high demand, the Moraine Lake Road is closed to all personal vehicles.
Reasoning for the closure of the road include creating an improved visitor experience. The frustration of visitors being unable to park became a constant headache throughout summer.
The road runs through the Fairview wildlife corridor. By removing a large volume of traffic, animals will experience less stress.
Removing approximately 900 vehicles per day from the road will reduce carbon emissions. Parks Canada estimates up to 4 tonnes of CO2 per day.
How to get to Moraine Lake requires planning. Do not expect to arrive to Banff National Park without researching options for access up the Moraine Lake road.
Parks Canada Shuttles
All Parks Canada shuttles, to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shorefront, leave from the Lake Louise Park and Ride lot, located at 1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise, AB, at the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola.
Visitors can book shuttle tickets in advance. Shuttle fares include the route between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Bookings will open April 18, 2024.
Each shuttle ticket has a one hour window. Parks staff will check the ticket and then direct ticket holders where to board the shuttle bus.
Print out your ticket or take a screen shot of your confirmation email prior to arrival. This will serve as your proof of purchase and will be required.
Do this in advance, as cell service may be limited at the Park and Ride area.
Roam Public Transit
If staying in Banff, Roam Public Transit operates from the town of Banff to Lake Louise. According to Parks Canada, those riders who upgrade to the Roam Super Pass can access the Parks Canada Connector shuttle to Moraine Lake.
Roam route 8X: Lake Louise Express operates daily year round. Reservations are available for this route through the summer months and are recommended.
Roam route 10: Moraine Louise Express operates in the fall only between mid-September to mid-October.
Both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake draw millions of visitors each summer. Dealing with limited parking is enough to frazzle the most experienced driver’s nerves.
Paid parking is in effect for all public parking spots in the Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot from mid-May to mid-October. (shuttle season). The Lake Louise parking lot usually fills by 7am. parking at lake Louise lakeshore is $36.75 per day. There are no hourly options.
Moraine Lake bus between the two lakes, is the best way to see both in a day.
As of 2023, Moraine Lake road is closed to all personal vehicles year round.
When is Moraine Lake closed?
In this world-renowned, turquoise paradise, nature decides when the road will be open. A Moraine Lake winter is an extended season.
Opening and closing depends on snow conditions. Sitting at an elevation of 1,885 metres (6,183 feet), the lake is frozen from October to June.
Due to avalanche hazard, especially from November to April, Parks Canada decides when the road is safe enough to be cleared of snow. That timing varies from late May to early June.
By Canadian Thanksgiving, the second Monday of October, access to the glacial fed lake closes once again.
In winter, when the road is closed to vehicles, cross-country skiers can take advantage of the tracks set by Parks Canada.
The cross country ski trail ends before you can see the lake, due to avalanche danger.
Beginning in 2023 shuttles will run from June 1 to mid-October.
Cycling the Moraine Lake road
There is a short window of time, usually a week, when cycling to Moraine Lake without vehicles on the road is possible.
Depending on snow conditions, Parks Canada clears the road near the end of May. Between that time and when the winter gates open to traffic, cyclists have the entire 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) to themselves.
This allows for safe weaving of bicycles, overcome by gob-smacking views of Temple Mountain and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
The ride to the lake is primarily uphill and we describe it as moderately difficult.
The reward of having one of Canada’s most magnificent locations almost to yourself is well worth the effort. Besides the ride down is mostly downhill.
You can also cycle on the Moraine Lake road when the road opens. Beginning in 2023, no personal vehicles are allowed. However, cyclists will encounter bus traffic. The narrow road has no shoulders.
Parks Canada suggests for those wishing to cycle the road, that they go early or late in the day.
In past years a small parking lot at the intersection of Lake Louise Drive and Moraine Lake Road was our starting point. Parks Canada advises there is no parking at the Moraine Lake junction.
Again, we stress that parking anywhere in the area will be challenging once the road has opened for the summer season.
I have a disabled parking tag
Visitors to Banff National Park who have a disable d parking pass will be allowed vehicle access. The tag must be visible and staff at the Moraine Lake Road junction will direct drivers.
Those who require accessible parking but do not possess a disabled parking pass will need to proceed to the Park and Ride area. Speak to Parks Canada staff for assistance.
The Enchanting Beauty of Moraine LakeNestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake is a place of such breathtaking beauty that it seems almost too perfect to be real. Situated in Banff National Park in Alberta, this glacially-fed lake, with its strikingly vivid turquoise waters and encircling snow-capped peaks, has captured the imaginations…
Hot Posts
