You’ve planned to visit Banff’s most iconic lakes, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but you don’t want to just show up for a photo and miss the best parts. The big questions are how much time you actually need at each lake, what there is to do, what to book ahead, and whether you can (or should) visit both lakes in one day.
Here is a full list of how you can spend your time at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake so that you are making an informed decision about whether to visit both lakes in the same day.
What Can You Actually Do at Lake Louise?
Let’s start with Lake Louise. What is there to do at Lake Louise?
Lake Louise is much more than just a quick photo stop. There’s a lot to do at Lake Louise. Your experience can range from a peaceful lakeshore stroll to a full day of hiking.
Here are the best things to do at Lake Louise:
Walk the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
This easy walk hugs the shoreline to the back of the lake and is about 4 km out and back. The Lake Louise lakeshore trail is mostly flat. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on how often you stop to take in the view (and believe me, you’ll want to stop).
Fairview Lookout Hike
If you are short on time but want a stunning view over the lake, this is where you’ll get it. Just 2km return this short but steep hike is well worth it! It should take you about an hour.
Hike to Lake Agnes Tea House
One of the most popular moderate hikes in Banff is the Lake Agnes Tea House hike. It’s around 7.5 km round trip with 500 m elevation gain (4.8 miles / 1650 ft elevation gain) and takes 2 to 3.5 hours depending on your pace. I would plan for 3 to 4 hours to be safe and to have time to soak it in and talk all the pictures.
You can extend this hike to either the Little Beehive trail (adds on an extra 2 km) or the Big Beehive trail (adds on an extra 3.5 km) for even better views. Either of these are well worth the extra steps for the expansive views you get! Bring cash for the teahouse just in case and there are no reservations.
Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House Hike
The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House hike is longer at about 14.6 km round trip with 590 m elevation gain (8.8 miles / 1940 ft elevation gain). This Lake Louise hike can take 5 to 6 hours depending on your pace but I’d allow extra time for pictures and stopping at the tea house.
What I love most about this hike at Lake Louise is that it’s less crowded than Lake Agnes and offers incredible glacier views. Plus you get fantastic views back over Lake Louise and you get the easy lakeshore trail as part of the hike. You’ll also find a teahouse here so bring cash. What a treat to have a slice of cake part way through a hike!
Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
If you’d rather enjoy the views without hiking, you can book an afternoon tea at the Chateau Lake Louise. Reservations are required and should be made well in advance.
Canoeing on Lake Louise
A bucket-list experience for many is to canoe on Lake Louise. The Lake Louise boathouse will typically open late may or early June until early to mid October (weather dependent). The cost is $170+ per hour for non-hotel guests and $160 per half-hour. Bookings are first-come, first-served. If you are a guest at the Fairmont you not only get a discount on canoeing but you also get your own shorter line!
Plan for an hour plus waiting in line. If you are arriving early at Lake Louise, you may want to consider canoeing first for shorter lines.
Horseback Riding
Brewster Adventures offers guided rides to Lake Agnes or Plain of Six Glaciers (or both). These must be booked in advance. Plan for your Lake Louise horseback riding to take 3 hours for Lake Agnes, 4 hours for Plain of Six Glaciers and 1.5 hours if you are just doing the Lake Louise lake head (to the far end of the lake).
Of course, there are several other hikes you can do at Lake Louise as well, but the ones I listed are the most popular and the ones first time visitors tend to do. If you are looking for something a little more off the beaten track, find even more Lake Louise hikes here.
So how much time do you need at Lake Louise? if you’re just doing the lakeshore trail and soaking in the view? You might spend 1 to 2 hours. But if you’re hiking or doing tea or a canoe ride, plan to spend at least a half day. If you plan on a doing a big hike like Plain of Six Glaciers or the entire circuit, then plan for most of your day to be at Lake Louise. You may want to consider doing Moraine Lake on a separate day.
📌 Important Tip: You can still drive and park at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot if you go early or get lucky but you can’t connect to Moraine Lake from there. The only exceptions to this are that you’re staying at the Fairmont or Paradise Lodge and using Parks Canada shuttle or you booked the Parks Canada Alpine Start shuttle.
During summer (mid-May to early October), paid parking is $42 (regardless of how much time you spend at the lake) and the lot fills up before sunrise in peak summer months.
So if you want to see both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in the same day, driving to the lakeshore is not the best option. If you are just visiting Lake Louise and want to get an early start then you may choose to drive!
If you’ve booked a Parks Canada shuttle then you don’t have to worry about how long you spend at Lake Louise. You just get in line for the next Lake Connector shuttle when you are ready to head to Moraine Lake.
What Can You Do at Moraine Lake?
Now what about Moraine Lake. Moraine Lake is even more restricted. You can’t drive to Moraine Lake at all unless you’re staying at Moraine Lake Lodge. Everyone else has to book a shuttle or take a guided tour, which I explain fully in my guide to getting to Moraine Lake.
Moraine lake is similar to Lake Louise in what there is to do there.
Rockpile Trail
It’s short but iconic. The Rockpile trail at Moraine Lake is just 0.8 km round trip with a long set of stairs. It’ll take 15–30 minutes, depending on how long you stare at the glacier-fed blue water of Moraine Lake.
Walk the Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail
The Moraine Lake lakeshore trail is a scenic path that starts at the lake and stretches to the far end. Along this lakeshore path, you’ll find views of the lake and benches to sit and take in the scenery. It’s around 4km round trip and relatively flat, but you’ll find roots and rocks to navigate over. Plan for about an hour to take your time.
Canoeing on Moraine Lake
Canoeing at Moraine Lake is also first-come, first-served (no reservations) and rentals are about $140+ per hour. Expect long lines in peak season. The canoe rentals operate between mid-June to mid-September depending on the water levels.
📌 Important Tip: Moraine Lake is a designated “Water Preservation Zone”, which means that personal watercraft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, etc) are now banned to prevent the spread of invasive species. Only the canoes that stay only on Moraine Lake that are available for rent are allowed.
Hike to Consolation Lakes
The Consolations Lakes trail is a great family-friendly trail from Moraine Lake. This Moraine Lake hiking trail is 6 km round trip with 240 m elevation gain (3.7 miles / 790 ft elevation gain) and will take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Hike to Larch Valley / Sentinel Pass
The Larch Valley hike is one of Banff’s most beloved hikes, especially in larch hiking season. It’s 8.6 km out and back to Larch Valley with 535 m elevation gain (5.3 miles / 1755 ft elevation gain). That increases to 11.6 km round trip with 820 m gain (7.2 miles / 2690 ft elevation) when you add on Sentinel Pass (which I recommend you do). You’ll want to plan takes 4 to 5 hours for this Moraine Lake hike. Sentinel Pass adds more challenge and time but the views are amazing!
Eiffel Lake or Wenkchemna Pass
For a quieter alpine adventure. The Eiffel Lake hike is about 12 km round trip and 610 m elevation gain (7.5 miles / 2001 ft elevation), and Wenkchemna Pass adds another 6 km / 3.7 miles round trip, making it a longer day (up to 5-6 hours and even more if you add on Wenkchemna pass).
So, if you just want to walk the lakeshore and do the Rockpile, 1 to 2 hours might be enough. But if you want to canoe or hike, plan for a half-day to full day at Moraine Lake too.
Can You Visit Both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the Same Day?
Can you do both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in one day? Yes, it is possible to do both lakes in one day.
If you’re just planning to visit each lake, walk the lakeshore trails, and take your photos, then yes, you can visit both lakes in one day.
This works best if you book a shuttle like the Parks Canada shuttle which includes the Lake Connector shuttle that will get you between the lakes.
There are plenty of other shuttles that will stop at both lakes and give you 1.5 hours at each lake as well. See the best shuttle options to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise here.
If you are planning just one big hike, then you could still fit a visit to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the same day. For example, you could do Moraine Lake at sunrise, then visit Lake Louise to hike to one of the tea houses. Or start at Lake Louise and do your big hike first, then visit Moraine Lake in the afternoon enjoying a leisurely walk along the lakeshore or just up the Rockpile.
But if you’re planning a big hike and canoe rentals at both lakes? Then I recommend splitting them into two separate days so you’re not rushing or stuck watching the clock.
Also keep in mind weather and smoke can be unpredictable. So make sure you are well prepared for a full day out in mountain weather!
Final Tips on Visiting Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
I think it’s really important to think about how you like to travel and don’t try to fit too much in. Pick the lake that’s most important to you, and build your day around that.
If Moraine Lake is your bucket-list spot, go early, plan to stay a while, and take the pressure off seeing both lakes in a single day.
If you want to do afternoon tea, horseback riding, or hike to a teahouse, give Lake Louise a day in your itinerary.
