Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

 Lake Louise Lakeshore

When: Daily from May 16 to October 13, 2025
Where: This service runs between the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Road) and the Lake Louise Lakeshore.
Service Frequency: Every 30 minutes between 6:30 am and 6 pm. (8 am to 6 pm May 16 to 31). The final return bus from Lake Louise Lakeshore to the Park and Ride is at 7:30 pm.

Advance reservations required.

Reserve now!

 Moraine Lake

When: Daily from June 1 to October 13, 2025
Where: This service runs between the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Road) and Moraine Lake.
Service Frequency: Every 30 minutes between 6:30 am and 6 pm. The final return bus from Moraine Lake to the Park and Ride is at 7:30 pm.

Advance reservations required.

Reserve now!

 Lake Connector

When: Daily from June 1 to October 13, 2025
Where: This service runs between Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake
Service Frequency:

• Lake Louise to Moraine Lake: Every 30 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm
• Moraine Lake to Lake Louise: Every 30 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm

The Lake Connecter shuttle is for reservation holders only after they have checked-in at the Lake Louise Park and Ride (boarding pass required), Alpine Start shuttle reservations holders looking to return to their vehicle (boarding pass required), or those riders who have purchased a Roam Public Transit Reservable Super Pass. The shuttle is included with your reservation and is first-come, first-served. You do not need to book a specific time for the Lake Connector shuttle.

Note about parking: Your shuttle trip must begin and end at the Lake Louise Park and Ride where Parks Canada staff will check you in. Vehicles may access the Lake Louise Park and Ride between 6 am and 8 pm. Ticket holders who attempt to park at the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot will not be permitted on the shuttle. Only Alpine Start shuttle reservation holders must board their shuttle at the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking. Alpine Start shuttle riders leaving a vehicle at the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot are required to pay for parking there.

Learn more about parking in the Lake Louise area.

 Alpine Start

When: Daily from June 1 to October 13, 2025
Where: This service runs between Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake.
Service Frequency: Two departure times daily (4 am and 5 am)

Visitors looking for an earlier start to Moraine Lake can now reserve two early morning departures daily. Parks Canada is offering a limited number of Alpine Start shuttle tickets with departures at 4 am and 5 am. Advanced reservations are required.

Reserve now!

Pending availability, reservations can be made up until the minute before the departure window. However, in 2024, shuttle reservations typically sold out only a few 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 16, 2025. 40% of the seats for the entire shuttle operation season will be available for reservation at this time. The remaining 60% will be released at 8 am, 2 days before the day of departure, throughout the entire season. For example, the second release of tickets for Saturday, June 7 will be available at 8 am MDT on Thursday, June 5.

Visitors must have a reservation to access Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake by Parks Canada shuttle. All shuttles, except for the Alpine Start shuttle, leave from and return to the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Road).

Reservations for the regular daytime shuttle service can be made up until the minute before the departure window, however, in 2024 shuttle reservations typically sold out a few minutes after being made available in the two-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 online through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, or by phoning 1-877-737-3783. An account is required to use the Parks Canada Reservation Service.

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 Lake Louise Park and Ride is included with the reservation.

All shuttles, except for the Alpine Start shuttle, leave from and return to the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Road). 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. Free parking is available at the Lake Louise Park and Ride for those with reservations.

Exception: The Alpine Start shuttle leaves from 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.

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 are strongly encouraged to be mindful of the time for their return travel.

Visitors who miss their return transportation are responsible for securing their own transport back to their vehicles or accommodations (including any costs incurred).

Note: There is limited public access to the Lake Louise Park and Ride after 8 pm. Access to Whitehorn Road is restricted for wildlife movement between 8 pm and 6 am from May to October.

From Lake Louise:

Cell service and Wi-Fi capabilities are available in many areas around the community of Lake Louise and the Lake Louise Lakeshore.

From Moraine Lake:

There are no guaranteed transportation services offered at Moraine Lake Day-use Area between 8 pm and 7 am. Visitors who miss the last shuttle may have to walk 14 km down Moraine Lake Road to access transportation services available in the community of Lake Louise.

Moraine Lake Day-use Area is located in a remote area, with limited facilities and services. Visitors should prepare to be self-sufficient. The area does not have cell phone reception or Wi-Fi capabilities. A public phone is located on the path leading up to Moraine Lake Lodge.

Taxi services are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road, however licenced transportation operators may be available between 8 pm and 7 am. There is no guarantee that any licenced transportation providers will be available to pick up visitors between 8 pm and 7 am.

Visitors planning trips that may not be completed during shuttle operational hours are highly encouraged to pre-arrange transportation from the lake via licenced commercial transportation operators. Access to the lake for these operators is allowed 24-hours a day.

Yes, from June 1 to October 13, 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 Lake Louise Park and Ride, from either lake.

No, parking at the Lake Louise Park and Ride lot is free for those with reservations.

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 valid, government issued accessible parking hang tag will be granted access to the Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake parking lots and parking is permitted whenever accessible stalls are available. Visitors are advised to clearly display their accessible parking hang tag for traffic control personnel to see. Visitors with an accessible parking hang tag are able to travel to Moraine Lake in their personal vehicle between 8 am and 8 pm if accessible stalls are available.

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

Parks Canada offers 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 from June 1 to October 3 – one at 4 am and one at 5 am.

The Alpine Start shuttle is reserved through the Parks Canada Reservation Service and has the same fares as the daytime shuttles, however there are several key differences in how this service operates:

• Due to overnight closures on Whitehorn Road preventing early morning access to the Lake Louise 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 departs from the Upper parking area at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot and visitors return to their vehicles using the Lake Connector shuttle. The Lake Connector shuttle departs every 30 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm
• Visitors taking the Alpine Start shuttle and leaving their cars in the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot are 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-hours access.

Multi-day shuttle tickets for backcountry camping 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 (i.e. before the first shuttle departure at 6:30 am), you will need to book one of the Alpine Start shuttle departures (4 am or 5 am) in advance and pay for parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot.

Parks Canada strongly encourages all visitors to Lake Louise area 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.

This is not a regular shuttle stop, but you may request to be dropped off there. Please ask your bus driver to drop you off at the "Village South" bus stop on your way back to the Lake Louise Park and Ride lot. Please note that the shuttles will not stop to pick up passengers at the Village bus stops.