Commercial Operator Information

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the busiest destinations across Canada. Demand to see these sites is high, and Parks Canada is taking action to improve visitor experience.

Visitors wishing to travel by commercial transportation operator can find a full list of providers by visiting Banff and Lake Louise Tourism.

Are you a commercial transportation provider operating in Banff National Park? Here is everything you need to know about accessing Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Commercial transportation providers should expect traffic congestion from June to September. Operators are expected to follow all signs and direction provided by traffic control personnel. This is essential in maintaining the flow of traffic and ensuring visitor safety.

Lake Louise | Moraine Lake | Traffic Management | Other Parking Areas

Moraine Lake

For the 2023-2024 season, operators will be required to obtain a business licence add-on that indicates they have been approved for travel on Moraine Lake Road. This add-on is separate from a regular business licence and can be applied for once a 2023-2024 shuttle, taxi or tour bus business licence has been finalized for Banff National Park. There will be no additional fees for this add-on, which will include a unique decal that is issued to each commercial vehicle.

Once your business licence for Banff National Park has been finalized, please contact llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca and indicate your interest in operating on Moraine Lake Road in 2023-2024.

A Moraine Lake Commercial Transportation Pass business licence add-on and decal alone do not grant you access to Moraine Lake Road. Vehicles will be required to display any commercial vehicle registration decals issued by the province, territory or state of governance, which is the responsibility of the operator to comply with. 

• What vehicles are permitted on Moraine Lake Road?
• Buses are permitted to travel Moraine Lake Road. No time restrictions are in place. Buses are defined as commercially registered vehicles that can transport 11 or more persons, including the driver, and are used for the purpose of transporting persons.
• All commercial buses must have a business license with Banff National Park and clearly display a commercial park entry pass.
• Taxis, with a business license to operate in Banff National Park, are also allowed to travel Moraine Lake Road.
• Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, and emergency response vehicles are still permitted. Vehicles with a valid disabled parking hang tag will also be permitted.
• I hold a business licence in Banff National Park, does that make me a commercial transportation provider?
• No. Holding a business licence in Banff National Park does not automatically qualify you as a commercial transportation provider. Only buses will be allowed to travel Moraine Lake Road. Buses are defined as “commercially registered vehicles that transport 11 or more people, have a business license with Banff National Park, and have a commercial park entry pass”.
• Business licence holders, such as guides or photographers, who wish to take clients to Moraine Lake will need to book seats on the Parks Canada Shuttle or arrange transportation with a commercial transportation provider, such as a private shuttle.
• Can I apply for a taxi business licence to drive clients to Moraine Lake for my other business venture (photography, elopement, guiding, etc.)?
  • No, taxi businesses must be operated as a taxi service for the general public and community, not specifically for another business venture.
• I am a contractor working for Moraine Lake Lodge. Do I need to apply for the Moraine Lake Commercial Transportation Pass in addition to my business licence? 
  • No, contractors working for Moraine Lake Lodge will be let through but must park in the Moraine Lake Lodge parking area, not in the Parks Canada lot. Contractors should coordinate with Moraine Lake Lodge in advance to obtain a gate access code, or speak to the onsite Parks Canada staff upon arrival.
• I’ve been awarded a shuttle, taxi, or tour bus business licence. Am I now able to pick up and drop-off wherever I want in the community of Lake Louise?
  • While pick up and drop-off for existing clients is permitted (for example, stops on a bus tour), operators are not permitted to solicit new clients in any Parks Canada lots, including the Lake Louise overflow parking lot on Highway 1. 
  • Shuttles, buses, and taxis wishing to operate on third-party leaseholds, such as commercial accommodation, must obtain written permission from each leaseholder. This is a longstanding requirement for all shuttle and taxi business licence holders.
• Can I turn left on to, or off of Moraine Lake Road?
• No. Commercial operators are not permitted to turn left when entering or exiting Moraine Lake Road due to high traffic volumes on Lake Louise Drive. This is to ensure the safety of contracted traffic control personnel and visitors.
• Can I park my van or bus overnight in the Moraine Lake parking lot?
• No, no overnight parking is permitted unless your tour group is on a multi-day backcountry experience.
• Where can I park once at Moraine Lake?
• Commercial vans and buses have separate, defined parking spaces in the Moraine Lake parking lot.
• Commercial vans that will comfortably fit in a standard sized parking stall will be directed to park in the commercial van parking area, shown in orange.
• Anything that is over-sized for a regular stall is considered a bus and will need to use the bus parking area, shown in blue.



• What happens if the parking is full?
• If all commercial van and bus parking is full, then there is no additional parking available. Operators will be given access to drop off their passengers but they will not be able to remain on site.
• Arrangements must be made to organize a pick up time with the group and the vehicle will be required to leave the parking area until the scheduled pick up time. There will be a 10-minute maximum allowance for passenger drop off and pick up.
• Business licenses do not give the licensee any rights or priority of access in the national park, which includes parking. Parking in Banff National Park is on a first-come first-served basis, which includes all commercial vehicles. Parking on road shoulders is illegal.
• When deemed necessary for park management purposes, the Superintendent may close any area to public use or traffic, including access or parking.

Lake Louise

• What vehicles are permitted to travel on Lake Louise Drive?
• All vehicles are permitted to travel on Lake Louise Drive, however there may be times where the volume of traffic is too high and all vehicles are redirected at the Trans-Canada Highway. Parks Canada cannot guarantee that parking will be available for any visitors, regardless of whether or not they are a commercial operator.
• What happens if the parking is full?
• If all commercial van and bus parking is full, then there is no additional parking available. Operators will be given access to drop off their passengers but they will not be able to remain on site.
• Arrangements must be made to organize a pick up time with the group and the vehicle will be required to leave the parking area until the scheduled pick up time. There will be a 10-minute maximum allowance for passenger drop off and pick up.
• Business licenses do not give the licensee any rights or priority of access in the national park, which includes parking. Parking in Banff National Park is on a first-come first-served basis, which includes all commercial vehicles. Parking on road shoulders is illegal.
• When deemed necessary for park management purposes, the Superintendent may close any area to public use or traffic, including access or parking.
• I am a commercial bus; do I need to pay for parking at Lake Louise Lakeshore?
• No. Commercial buses do not need to pay for parking at Lake Louise Lakeshore.
• Commercial buses are defined as commercially registered vehicles that can transport 11 or more persons, including the driver, and are used for the purpose of transporting persons. All commercial buses must have a business license with Banff National Park and clearly display a commercial park entry pass.
• Can I turn left out of the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot onto Lake Louise Drive?
• No. Due to high traffic volumes on Lake Louise Drive, no vehicles are permitted to turn left when exiting the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking area to access hotels or pick up visitors. This is to ensure the safety of contracted traffic control personnel and visitors.
• Can I park my van or bus overnight in the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot?
• No, no overnight parking is permitted unless your tour group is on a multi-day backcountry experience.
• Where can I park once at Lake Louise Lakeshore?
• Commercial vans and buses have separate, defined parking spaces in the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot.
• Commercial vans that will comfortably fit in a standard sized parking stall will be directed to park in the upper parking area, shown in orange.
• Anything that is over-sized for a regular stall is considered a bus and will need to use the bus parking area in the middle lot, shown in blue. This lot is reserved for buses and motor coaches only.

Other Commercial Vehicle Parking Areas

Lake Louise Community

The Samson Mall parking lot has parking to accommodate large vehicles, such as buses and RVs on the end nearest to Village Road. There is a time restriction on how long you may park in the lot and parking is only available on a first-come first-served basis. Parking spaces in this lot fill quickly and may not be available during peak times.  Additional parking for large vehicles is available in the lot located behind the Shell Gas Station on Village Road.

Peyto Lake

The upper parking lot at Peyto lake is designated for accessible and commercial vehicle parking and operates at a first-come first-served basis.  Due to the design of the parking lot, drivers are advised to stay with their vehicles to allow others room to park.  Any vehicles staying for an extended period of time must park along the sides of the lot to allow traffic to flow freely.

Emerald Lake

Commercial vehicle parking is located on the right-hand side from the beginning of the parking lot until the hotel access bridge.

Notes to be aware of:

• Parking at many sites across Banff National Park often reach capacity during June to September.
• Parking on road shoulders is illegal.
• Commercial buses are defined as commercially registered vehicles that can transport 11 or more persons, including the driver, and are used for the purpose of transporting persons. All commercial buses must have a business license with Banff National Park and clearly display a commercial park entry pass.
• Business licenses do not give the licensee any rights or priority of access in the national park, which includes parking. Parking in Banff National Park is on a first-come first-served basis, which includes all commercial vehicles.
• When deemed necessary for park management purposes, the Superintendent may close any area to public use or traffic, including access or parking.