Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Pending availability, reservations can be made up until the minute before the departure window. However, in 2023, shuttle reservations typically sold out 45 minutes after being made available 48-hours in advance. If you do not have a reservation on the Parks Canada Shuttle, Roam Public Transit, or other transportation provider, you should consider visiting alternative areas of the park, or returning when you have secured reservations in advance.

Alpine Start shuttle tickets are not available on a walk-up basis and must be reserved no later than 5 pm MDT the day before your intended departure.

Reservations for the shuttles are available beginning at 8 am MDT April 18, 2024. Forty percent of the seats for the entire shuttle operation season will be available for reservation at this time. The remaining 60 percent will be released on a rolling window at 8 am, 2 days before the day of departure, throughout the entire season. For example, the second release of tickets for Saturday, June 3 will be available at 8 am on Thursday, June 1.

Visitors must have a reservation in order to access Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake by Parks Canada shuttle. All shuttles, except for the Alpine Start Shuttle, originate at the Lake Louise Park and Ride located in the parking lot of the Lake Louise Ski Area at the end of Whitehorn Drive.

Reservations for the regular daytime shuttle service can be made up until the minute before the departure window, however, in 2023 shuttle reservations typically sold out 45 minutes after being made available in the 2-day rolling window.

Reservations for the Alpine Start Shuttle must be made by 5 pm the day before departure.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to arrive with a shuttle reservation. If you do not have a reservation on the Parks Canada Shuttle, Roam Public Transit, or other transportation provider, you should consider returning when you have secured reservations in advance.

Reservations must be made through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, or by phoning 1-877-737-3783. An account is required to use the Parks Canada Reservation Service. If you don’t already have an account, Parks Canada recommends creating your account well in advance of purchasing your ticket to ensure a smooth checkout process when booking!

After logging into your account, visitors will be asked to choose their primary destination (either Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake). Upon reaching either the Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake, reservation holders can ride the Lake Connector route at no extra cost to see both lakes. A proof of purchase will be required for the Lake Connector. The return trip to the Park and Ride is included with the reservation.

Most shuttle trips must begin and end at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Road). Click here for directions. Parks Canada staff will check you in. Ticket holders who attempt to park at the Lake Louise Lakeshore paid lot will not be permitted on the shuttle. Parking at the Park and Ride is free.

The Alpine Start shuttle originates and returns to the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot. Parking at this location is subject to a daily rate which must be paid before boarding your shuttle.

If you are staying in the community of Lake Louise or in the Lake Louise Campground, you are encouraged to leave your vehicle at your accommodation and use the free Park and Ride Connector shuttle. Visitors looking to connect to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake via the Lake connector shuttle and the Lake Louise Park and Ride must book a reservation in advance.

Yes, from June 1 to October 14, your shuttle reservation includes access to the Lake Connector shuttle at no added cost. This shuttle is first come first served and will take you between both lakes. It also includes your return trip to the Park and Ride, from either lake.

No, parking at this site is free.

Visitors taking the Alpine Start Shuttle and parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore are required to pay the daily parking fee.

As visitation to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake increases, so do the public safety risks. Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The shuttle reservation system helps to better manage traffic congestion, allows visitors to plan their trip in advance by guaranteeing access to the lakes, and maintains emergency services access.

Shuttle reservations help to spread visitation out throughout the day, and manages congestion. This improves the overall visitor experience, while also enhancing the protection and preservation of the surrounding area.

At this time, Parks Canada shuttle buses have limited accessibility.

Roam Public Transit is wheelchair accessible and offers service between Town of Banff and Lake Louise.

Vehicles with a disabled parking hang tag will always be granted access to the parking lots and parking is permitted whenever accessible stalls are available. Visitors are advised to clearly display their disabled parking hang tag for traffic control personnel to see. Visitors with a disabled parking hang tag will also be able to travel to Moraine Lake in their personal vehicle between 6:30 am and 8:00 pm when accessible stalls are available, if they are unable to take the shuttle bus.

Certified assistance animals are allowed on board at no charge. Owners of assistance animals should be prepared to show the animal's verification of training.

Only small passenger pets who can fit on the owner’s lap are permitted. These animals must be crated in a secure and clean carrier, designed and intended for the carrying of animals which is small enough to fit on the owner’s lap.

Passengers must hold onto the carrier at all times and are responsible for the safety of their pet.

The Parks Canada shuttles can accommodate many different types of non-motorized watercraft including inflatable paddleboards, packrafts, inflatable kayaks, and even small hard-sided kayaks provided space permits. If you are unsure about whether your watercraft can be accommodated, please speak to the Parks Canada staff at the park and ride. If the shuttle is unable to accommodate your watercraft, canoe rentals are available at Moraine Lake.

Remember to Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft and water-related gear before entering any river, lake or stream! Anyone launching non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, inflatables, and water-related gear are required to complete a self-certification permit every time you enter a new lake, river or stream in Banff National Park. Learn more.

The Parks Canada shuttles can accommodate strollers and other equipment, such as large backpacks and climbing gear.

Camping at the Paradise Valley Backcountry Campground? Simply show up at the Lake Louise Park and Ride kiosk to obtain and pay for your ticket and then board the next available shuttle. All reservations for this campground must be made 24 hours in advance through the Banff or Lake Louise visitor centres. This campground is closed when group access restrictions are in effect due to bear activity.

Day hiking in the Paradise Valley? All passes for Paradise valley access (either multi day or day-use) must be obtained from the Parks Canada kiosk at the Lake Louise Park and Ride. 50 day-use passes will be available each day on a first-come, first served, basis. Simply show up at the Lake Louise Park and Ride kiosk to obtain and pay for your ticket and then board the next available shuttle

To return to the Park and Ride, visitors can hike through to Moraine Lake and catch the shuttle from the lakeshore or return the way they came, and catch the next available shuttle to the Park and Ride from the Paradise Valley Trailhead. Two seats on every return shuttle are reserved for Paradise Valley users.

This year Parks Canada will be offering an Alpine Start shuttle service aimed at climbers, scramblers and hikers who need earlier start times to complete their planned trips. There will be two daily departures – one at 4 am and one at 5 am.

The Alpine Start shuttle is reserved through the Parks Canada Reservation Service and will have the same fares as the daytime shuttles, however there are several key differences in how this service will operate that riders of the Alpine Start shuttle should be aware of:

• Due to overnight closures on Whitehorn Drive preventing early morning access to the Park and Ride lot at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, visitors taking the Alpine Start shuttle will park at the Lake Louise Lakeshore.
• The Alpine Start Shuttle will depart from the lakeshore lot and visitors will return to their vehicles using the Lake Connector shuttle. The first Lake Connector shuttle departure from Moraine Lake will be at 7 am.
• Visitors taking the Alpine Start shuttle and leaving their cars in the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot will be required to show proof of purchase for paid parking in the lot before boarding. Visit our fees page for pricing.
• Reservations for the Alpine Start Shuttle must be made by 5 pm the day before departure. Parks Canada strongly recommends booking well in advance as reservations sell out quickly.

No. Climbers and mountaineers are unable to drive private vehicles to Moraine Lake and will need to take the Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial operator that allows for after-hour access.

Multi-day tickets for back country permit holders or ACC groups departing from the Lake Louise Park and Ride are always guaranteed to be available. With either of these groups, no advance reservation is required. Simply show up at the Lake Louise Park and Ride kiosk on the day of your trip to obtain and pay for your ticket and then board the next available shuttle.

If you require an earlier start, you will need to book the Alpine Start Shuttle departures in advance and will be required to pay for parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot.

Parks Canada strongly encourages all visitors to Lake Louise to take transit and avoid the hassle of finding parking in this very busy place. All of Parks Canada’s trip planning materials encourage the use of transit, and we partner with local organizations including the Town of Banff, Roam Public Transit, and Banff Lake Louise Tourism to help ensure prospective visitors and residents are aware of the transit options available to them. Parks Canada is constantly working hard to promote transit at every stage of the trip planning cycle.

Parks Canada takes great care to ensure that shuttle riders are aware of the last return shuttle times and do not get stranded at the lakes. Visitors who miss their return transportation, are responsible for securing their own transport back to their vehicles or accommodations (including any costs incurred). Visitors are strongly encouraged to be mindful of the time for their return travel.

Visitors returning after the last Parks Canada shuttle has departed to the Park and Ride should note: Access to Whitehorn Road is restricted for wildlife movement between 8 pm and 6 am from May to October, entry and exit is controlled by a gate and there is limited public access.

Cell service and Wi-Fi capabilities are available in many areas around Lake Louise and the Lake Louise Lakeshore. Visit Banff Lake Louise Tourism for a current list of commercial operators offering taxi and transportation services.

From Moraine Lake:
Moraine Lake Day-use Area does not have cell phone reception or Wi-Fi capabilities. Taxi services are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road, however approved on-call transportation services are offered from 8 pm-7 am.

Visitors returning back to the Moraine Lake Day-use Area between 8 pm and 7 am who require after hours transportation must contact approved operators only. A public phone is located on the path leading up to Moraine Lake Lodge. This phone will allow visitors to contact licensed transportation providers who are permitted to operate after hours on Moraine Lake Road for the current season.

2024 on-call after hours transportation provider (8 pm and 7 am):
Fairview Limousine, (403) 522-3736

• Moraine Lake to Lake Louise (Lakeshore or community) = $225 + gst for up to 4 people (each additional person = $50 + gst).
• Moraine Lake to the Town of Banff and surrounding area $450 + gst for up to 4 people (each additional person = $50 + gst).

Please note: rates have been set by the service provider and Parks Canada does not receive any revenue from the fares paid by visitors who use the after hours transportation service.

Cell service is available approximately 5km from the lake, down Moraine Lake Road. Visitors should prepare to be self-sufficient and not rely on the Moraine Lake Lodge for phone use, or shelter. Visitors planning trips that may not be completed during shuttle operational hours can also pre-arrange transportation to and from the lake via licensed commercial transportation services. Access to the lake for these operators will be allowed 24 hours a day.