MORAINE LAKE
Welcome to our comprehensive FAQ page!
Your ultimate guide to everything you need to know about visiting Moraine Lake in Banff, Canada! Whether you’re planning your first trip to this iconic destination or are a seasoned explorer looking to discover more hidden gems, we’ve gathered all the essential information, tips, and insights to ensure your visit to Moraine Lake is nothing short of unforgettable.
GENERAL FAQ
Answer: The best time to visit Moraine Lake is undoubtedly at sunrise. The early morning hours offer a surreal and tranquil ambiance, with the soft light casting a mesmerizing glow over the turquoise waters and surrounding peaks. To make the most of your experience, we recommend arriving at Moraine Lake before sunrise to witness the breathtaking beauty of nature unfold before your eyes.
As of 2023, Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year round. You cannot drive to nor park your own vehicle at Moraine Lake. This was done to combat extremely high traffic and congestion and to make the visiting experience better.
Our Moraine Lake Sunrise shuttle is one of the few commercially licensed shuttles that can bring you to Moraine Lake. We are one of the only shuttles that brings you there at the best time: sunrise.
You can not drive to Moraine Lake. The only way to access the lake is by shuttle.
The best way to get to Moraine Lake is by taking the Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle. You can easily book your spot online through morainelakesunriseshuttle.com.
Parks Canada shuttles and other commercial operators can also bring you to Moraine Lake.
Moraine Lake serves as a gateway to some incredible hiking trails. One popular option is the Rockpile Trail, which offers a short but rewarding hike to an elevated viewpoint overlooking the iconic lake. There is also the Lakeshore trail that is an easy hike that meanders along the shoreline to the back end of Moraine Lake. For more adventurous hikers, the Larch Valley-Sentinel Pass Trail and the Consolation Lakes Trail are excellent choices, showcasing stunning vistas and abundant natural beauty.
To fully appreciate the serene beauty and engage in some light hiking, we recommend allocating at least 2 hours. This is the amount of time we give you on our Sunrise Shuttle.
We arrive 45 minutes before sunrise and booking times vary based on this arrival timing. You will have 2 hours to enjoy the lake and it’s surroundings. Plenty of time to set up your camera or find the perfect spot to take in one of the world’s most beautiful sunrises before we head out. Our shuttle will be waiting in the parking lot and guests are welcome to board any time prior to departing Moraine Lake.
If you wish to explore more hiking trails and soak in the tranquil ambiance, consider dedicating half a day or more to truly immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings.
Certainly! We offer a Lake Louise add-on for this reason.
While it is possible to visit both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day, we highly recommend prioritizing Moraine Lake at sunrise for an unforgettable experience. Starting your day early at Moraine Lake provides the best opportunity to fully appreciate its natural beauty. If time allows, you can also visit Lake Louise later in the day or on another day during your trip.
Lake Louise Add-on:
After departing Moraine Lake, those who have booked the Lake Louise Add-on will be dropped off at the Lake Louise lakeshore and have 5 hours to explore at their leisure before we pick you up and return you to your pickup location.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are relatively close to each other, with a distance of approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles). The drive between the two lakes takes around 20-30 minutes, making it convenient to visit both on the same day if desired.
To witness the breathtaking Moraine Lake sunrise, we recommend arriving at least 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise time. Our shuttle arrives 45 minutes before sunrise to allow you to find a good spot, set up your camera, and fully immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance before the sun starts to ascend over the peaks.
Yes. Since you must be on a shuttle to access Moraine Lake, you must pay to go there.
Our ticket price is $75 which includes a round trip ticket to Moraine Lake then back to your pickup/drop off point. We have headlamps, blankets and offer complimentary hot beverages to take with you to the lake.
Our Lake Louise Add-on is an additional $50 per person
Yes, you will need a valid Park Pass to enter Banff National Park, wherein Moraine Lake and Lake Louise reside.
You can purchase your National Park Pass ahead of time at Banff Lake Louise Tourism.
Our ticket price is $75 which includes a round trip ticket to Moraine Lake then back to your pickup/drop off point. We have headlamps, blankets and offer complimentary hot beverages to take with you to the lake.
Our Lake Louise Add-on is an additional $50 per person
While both sunrise and sunset at Moraine Lake offer stunning views and unique experiences, many visitors find sunrise to be particularly special. The serene atmosphere, the play of light on the turquoise waters, and the peaceful surroundings make sunrise an unforgettable moment.
The Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle ensures you don’t miss this magical time of day and can make the most of your visit to this iconic location.
Fun Facts about Moraine Lake
THe Lake with The $20 View
From 1969 – 1979, Canada featured Moraine Lake and the Valley of The Ten Peaks on the country’s $20 bill. These bills are now quite rare, and coveted by locals.
Happiest Half-Hour of A Life
After naming Moraine Lake, Walter Wilcox stated that his time spent contemplating the view was the “happiest half-hour of my life”.
Canada's Oldest
Park
Moraine Lake resides in Banff National Park, a jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Banff is the oldest National Park in Canada, having welcomed visitors from across the globe since its establishment in 1885.
ten 10,000 Footers
The beautiful turquoise water of Maligne Lake is accentuated by the landscape it reflects off its glassy surface – 10 majestic rocky mountain peaks, all over 10,000 feet tall. Moraine Lake and these 10 mountains make up what is known as the “Valley of the 10 Peaks”.
The 10 peaks are:
Deltaform Mountain – 3,424 meters / 11,234 feet
Mount Allen – 3,310 meters / 10,860 feet
Mount Tuzo – 3,246 meters / 10,650 feet
Mount Fay – 3,235 meters / 10,613 feet
Neptuak Mountain – 3,233 meters / 10,607 feet
Wenkchemna Peak – 3,170 meters / 10,401 feet
Mount Little – 3,088 meters / 10,131 feet
Mount Bowlen – 3,072 meters / 10,079 feet
Tonsa – 3,057 meters / 10,030 feet
Mount Perren – 3,051 meters / 10,010 feet
Sunrise Shuttle
TIPS
Book soon
Moraine Lake road is open for a limited time of the year, from the beginning of June until mid October. Spots on the shuttle are limited, so booking as soon as you have your travel dates are highly encouraged.
Be Ready to Go
Our pick-up times are meticulously planned to make sure we get you to Moraine Lake 45 minutes before sunrise. Ensure you are at your pickup location 5 minutes before departure to ensure smooth operation.
Charge Your Camera
If you’re planning on shooting any photos, make sure all your camera batteries and cell phones are fully charged. Pro tip- double-check you have your memory card before you get on your sunrise shuttle!
Dress in Layers
Moraine Lake can be chilly at sunrise. We highly recommend being prepared with a warm jacket, toque and gloves. Closed-toed shoes are suggested for warmth and the terrain.
Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle FAQs
Ticket price is $75 which includes a round trip ticket to Moraine Lake then back to your pickup/drop off point. We have headlamps, blankets and offer complimentary hot beverages to take with you to the lake.
Our Lake Louise Add-on is an additional $50 per person.
We drop you off at the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot after your two hours Moraine Lake sunrise experience. What you do with your time at Lake Louise is up to you! We do not stay at the lake for this portion of your trip as we’ll be returning our other guests back to their pickup locations.
When booking your seats for the Moraine Lake sunrise tour, there will be an option to add the Lake Louise Add-on during the second step of the booking process. Once booking is completed, you will receive a separate confirmation email with your Lake Louise return time.
*If you’re planning to visit the Lake Agnes Tea House, please note they only accept CAD and USD cash.
When you book online, you reserve a seat for a specific date and time. We operate rain or shine. All bookings are non-refundable. If you can’t make it on your selected day, please reach out to us and we may be able to reschedule your reservation to a different day if a seat is available. Please be advised that we require at least 24 hours notice to make a change.
One ticket includes your return fare. If you decide to not come back on your return journey you will not be refunded the difference.
To Moraine Lake:
Canmore pick-up: 80 minutes
Banff pick-up: 60 minutes
Lake Louise pick-up: 25 minutes
We arrive 45 minutes before sunrise and booking times vary based on this arrival timing. You will have 2 hours to enjoy the lake and it’s surroundings. Plenty of time to set up your camera or find the perfect spot to take in one of the world’s most beautiful sunrises before we head out. Our shuttle will be waiting in the parking lot and guests are welcome to board any time prior to departing Moraine Lake.
Lake Louise Add-on:
After departing Moraine Lake, those who have booked the Lake Louise Add-on will be dropped off at the Lake Louise lakeshore and have 5 hours to explore at their leisure before we pick you up and return you to your pickup location.
Although we stay at Moraine Lake for your entire visit, this is not a guided tour. As locals who have visited Moraine Lake hundreds of times, we are more than happy to offer suggestions and tips for the perfect sunrise viewing spot and how to get to the trails. We often take in sunrise (we can’t help ourselves) so you’ll likely see us up on the rockpile before we make our way back to the shuttle.
You’re welcome to return to the van at any time during your visit. What you do while you’re there is up to you! You’ll receive an email after booking with recommendations and tips.
Our Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle is a 15 passenger Ford Transit van. It is well maintained and comfortable with plenty of storage in the back for gear.
We have an extended back which can accommodate transportation of your gear. Whether you have a backpack or camera bag we have room to stow your stuff while on your journey.
Unfortunately pets are not allowed on the shuttle. Certified service dogs are always welcome. Please reach out to us in advance to make arrangements.
We are the only Moraine Lake Shuttle pickup that moves with the sun! Our schedule is timed so that you get to Moraine Lake roughly 45 minutes before sunrise. However there are other providers if we don’t fit your needs. Our friends over at Moraine Lake Shuttle have a list.
Mornings can be quite chilly at Moraine Lake Sunrise. Temperatures can hover just above zero degrees Celcius even in the summer. We recommend you dress in layers and bring a hooded jacket or toque, mittens or gloves and wear close toed shoes for your comfort. We provide blankets, headlamps and offer hot beverages to help keep you cozy!
If you decide to do the Lake Louise Add-on we recommend bringing a daypack with water, bear spray and snacks. It’s also handy for storing those extra layers as the day warms up.
Children under the age of 6 or under 40 lbs. require a child safety seat. We have a limited number of child safety seats available, please contact us to make arrangements. We cannot accommodate children under the age of 2. If you do not make prior arrangements for a required child safety seat, you will be denied boarding as it is a requirement under Alberta transport laws.
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
BOOKING POLICY
When you book online, you reserve a seat for a specific date and time. We operate rain or shine. All bookings are non-refundable. If you can’t make it on your selected day, please reach out to us and we may be able to reschedule your reservation to a different day if a seat is available. Please be advised that we require at least 24 hours notice to make a change.
If you need to cancel your booking, please reach out to us as we do have a wait list for other people wanting join the shuttle. If we can fill your seats we will offer a refund of the booking total less a fee of $5 per guest.
The departure time on your booking is when the shuttle leaves your pickup location. You must be ready to board the shuttle 5 minutes before departure time. If you are not ready to board at this time, the shuttle will leave without you and you will be considered a no-show and will not receive a refund. If you have any concerns about arriving on time it is your responsibility to contact us in plenty of advance notice. When operating our shuttle in the morning we do not answer phone calls, but please call and leave a message or text the number provided on your booking invoice explaining your circumstance. It is up to the drivers discretion to wait or make arrangements for your boarding. We take our schedule seriously and respect our guests schedules. The sunrise doesn’t wait!
One ticket includes your return fare. If you decide to not come back on your return journey you will not be refunded the difference.
Children under the age of 6, or under 40 lbs. require a child safety seat. We have a limited number of child safety seats available, please contact us to make arrangements. We cannot accommodate children under the age of 2.
If you do not make prior arrangements for a required child safety seat, you will be denied boarding as it is a requirement under Alberta transport laws.
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
moraine lake sunrise shuttle Pick up locations
canmore, banff and lake louise
ready to redefine sunrise?
Our moraine lake Shuttle is Best Suited For Everyone
Seasoned mountain adventurer or a first-time visitor to Banff National Park, Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Moraine Lake while having more time to explore and capture stunning photos of the breathtaking scenery.
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