The Easiest Way to Visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake from Banff
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If visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is high on your Banff bucket list, let me save you a lot of stress and time right now: trying to visit these lakes on your own can be a logistical nightmare.
Before my trip, I fully intended to drive to both lakes myself. Then I looked into parking and quickly realized that wouldn’t be realistic. Parking reservations sell out within seconds of opening, on-site parking is extremely limited, and traffic around both lakes can be chaotic during peak season.
So instead, we booked a small-group lake tour from Banff operated by Radventures, and honestly, it ended up being one of the best decisions we made all trip. I was shocked that I hadn’t considered this route in the first place.
Not only did it eliminate all of the transportation stress, but it also became one of my favorite experiences during my Banff trip. Here’s why I think booking a Lake Louise and Moraine Lake tour is the best way to see both lakes, plus my honest review of the exact tour we took.
Why Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on Your Own Is So Difficult
If you’ve started researching how to visit these lakes independently, you’ve probably already discovered how complicated it can be.
At first, it seems easy. Parking reservations for Lake Louise can be booked online, but they open only a few days before, and spots are released at a specific time in the morning. On top of that, on-site parking spots are extremely limited, and traffic builds up quickly, especially during peak season. And even if you do manage to get parking, you’ll likely still deal with congestion and long waits. Thinking of parking at Moraine Lake? Sorry, you’ll be out of luck. Personal vehicles aren’t allowed on Moraine Lake Road. Only shuttles, taxis, or tour vehicles have access.
Initially, I was set on reserving a parking spot through the reservation system - how hard could it be, right? I set my phone alarm 5 minutes before the parking spot release time, logged in to the reservation system, and waited for the spots to become available. I refreshed my browser the second it became time to book, and poof… all the parking spots filled up!
After seeing how competitive the reservation system was, we quickly realized we didn’t want to spend part of our trip stressing over parking logistics.
Why I Recommend Booking a Lake Louise Tour Instead
Booking a tour of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake solves all of those headaches. Instead of stressing over parking reservations and heavy traffic, you simply show up, hop in the van, and let someone else handle the driving.
At about $250 per person, this full-day 8-hour tour is one of the best values in Banff. Honestly, I wish we had skipped stressing over parking reservations from the start and just booked the tour immediately.
In addition to this being by far the simplest way to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, it’s also an amazing tour. You’re with a small group (max 12 guests), and you get time on your own at each stop. The majority of this tour is on your own, so you get to choose what you do at each lake and choose your own pace. Your guide will give you a brief overview of each lake, then a departure time and meeting point; that’s it. Of course, you’re welcome to hang out with your guide or ask them any questions you might have.
What’s Included in This Lake Louise Tour
This tour includes:
Round-trip transportation from Downtown Banff in a modern, spacious van with panoramic windows
Small-group experience (max 12 guests)
Visits to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Scenic bonus stops along the return drive
Free time at each lake to explore independently
My Experience on the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Tour
Our tour departed from a parking lot near downtown Banff at 8am, just before sunrise. Yes, it was early, but it was 100% worth it. The meeting location is the free parking lot just after you enter downtown Banff. This ended up being our go-to parking lot any time we were in the area.
The group size for this tour is capped at 12, which already makes it feel more intimate than larger coach-style tours. Our group ended up being even smaller, with around 8 to 10 people in total, which we loved.
Our guide was friendly, informative, and personable without being overbearing. One thing I especially appreciated was that once we arrived at each lake, the tour felt very hands-off. We were given a meeting time and then free to explore however we wanted.
That flexibility made it feel more like independent travel with logistical support rather than a rigid guided tour.
View of Moraine Lake from the top of Rockpile Trail
Visiting Moraine Lake at Sunrise
Our first stop was Moraine Lake, and this alone made the tour worth it. Typically, this tour stops at Lake Louise first, then Moraine Lake, but they ended up going in reverse order the day we went because Lake Louise was already too crowded.
Arriving at Moraine Lake before the crowds felt magical! The lake itself was jaw-droppingly beautiful. Truly one of those moments where photos don’t even begin to capture what it looked like in person.
The morning sunlight was just starting to hit the lake, creating the dreamiest glow across the water. A few kayakers were already out on the lake, and their reflections mirrored perfectly on the glassy surface.
We had about two hours here, which was plenty of time to soak in the views, take photos, and explore without feeling rushed. My friend and I walked along the shoreline trail, then walked back toward the entrance, where we hiked up Rockpile Trail (literally just what it sounds like). There are a lot of steps, but the view from the top is worth every single one.
Exploring Lake Louise
After Moraine Lake, we headed to Lake Louise, which was about 30 minutes away. Again, we had about 2 to 2.5 hours here to explore on our own.
Rather than just staying at the shoreline, we opted to hike the Fairview Lookout Trail, which I highly recommend if you want a slightly elevated view of the lake but don’t have time for a longer hike. If we had more time, I would have loved to do the hike to Lake Agnes Tea House instead.
After the hike, we grabbed a light lunch from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and sat by the lake to eat. It felt surreal sitting there with that iconic bright blue water right in front of us.
Scenic Stops on the Way Back
On the drive back to Banff, we took the scenic route and made a few bonus scenic stops that elevated the tour even more.
One of the stops overlooked a famous winding railroad bend through the mountains, which was incredibly scenic. We also saw a bear crossing the road during the drive, which felt like such a quintessential Banff moment. Those little extras made the experience feel like more than just transportation to two lakes.
Lake Louise vs Moraine Lake
If you’re wondering which lake I preferred, my answer is easily Moraine Lake. While both are absolutely stunning, Moraine Lake felt far more special to me.
I preferred it because it was quieter and less crowded. We stopped here first, before other larger tours showed up, so it felt like we had the place to ourselves. I also couldn’t get enough of the surrounding mountain views. They felt so much more dramatic, especially with the sunrise. It was really magical.
That said, I still think both lakes are worth seeing if you have the chance. These are two of the most popular and iconic landmarks in Banff National Park, and they really shouldn’t be missed.
Is This Lake Louise Tour Worth It?
Yes, this tour is absolutely worth it! This was one of the highlights of our Banff trip and one of the easiest tour recommendations I can make.
It removes the most frustrating logistical challenge of visiting Banff while enhancing the experience by getting you there before crowds and adding scenic stops along the way.
If you’re debating between DIYing it or booking a tour, I would choose the tour every single time.
Tips for Booking a Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Tour
Book early, especially if visiting in peak season.
Dress in layers since mornings can be chilly.
Bring water and snacks if you plan to hike.
Wear comfortable shoes for exploring.
Don’t stress about trying to get parking reservations. A tour is absolutely the easier option.
If you want to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake without the stress of dealing with parking, reservations, traffic, and crowds, this is hands-down the best way to do it!
The early start, small-group format, and thoughtful itinerary made the experience feel seamless from start to finish. And getting to see Moraine Lake before the crowds arrived? That was worth every penny on its own.
If I were planning another trip to Banff tomorrow, I would book this tour again in a heartbeat.
Happy travels!
-Tess
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Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!