Moraine Lake is a glorious destination in the heart of Banff National Park — Canada’s oldest national park. It’s world-renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and the soaring mountains of The Valley of the Ten Peaks.
If you still need to decide where to go for your annual vacation, consider the Canadian Rockies! And if you do go, Moraine Lake is an absolute must-visit location.
Here, we will break down some Moraine Lake shuttle hacks so that you have a smooth and seamless visit, leaving you more time to absorb and explore the breathtaking environment.
About Access to Moraine Lake
You might be thinking that there’s no need for a shuttle if you can just take your own vehicle. However, at the start of 2023, Parks Canada announced they were closing Moraine Lake Road — the road that leads to the lake — to personal vehicles to halt the unmanageable levels of traffic busying the area. The only exception to this rule are private vehicles that display blue handicap hang tags.
Shuttle Services in the Area
Fortunately, the area has shuttle services to get you to and from Moraine Lake. Taking the bus is also an arguably less stressful experience than if you were trying to battle the crowds of vehicles yourself.
For one, Morainelakebus.com sells the most tickets per day to Moraine Lake-bound visitors. They operate for the entirety of the summer season (from early June to mid-October). Their easy-to-navigate website provides round trips starting at $35 CAD for adults and $25 CAD for children. With this company, you can even book the time of your return trip — a service not many other shuttle providers offer.
Their tours depart from Samson Mall or the Lake Louise Summer Gondola throughout the day. Please note that if you’re eager to hop on the 4 a.m. sunrise shuttle (you won’t regret it!), the pick-up location is by Samson Mall.
We highly recommend reserving your shuttle service sooner than later, as this service books up months in advance.
How Long Should You Stay at Moraine Lake?
This is absolutely up to you. If you favour hiking, why not spend the late morning to early afternoon exploring one of the area’s many trails? Each distinctive peak of the Valley of the Ten Peaks is at least 3,000 metres above sea level, so as you can imagine — there’s so much to explore.
If you’re more of a see the sights, snap some pics, then head back to town kind of person, you can catch an earlier shuttle back. Whatever works for you.
Just make sure you’re back for your return time. Most shuttles won’t wait for you out of courtesy to their other guests.
What Can I Bring on the Shuttle?
This will depend on what provider you book through. But it’s safe to say that most shuttle services will allow you to bring a hiking backpack, strollers, climbing gear, and, in some cases, inflatable SUPs.
Service animals and pets small enough to fit inside a lap-sized crate are also allowed by many providers, but please note that they must be leashed when in the park.
The Takeaway on Our Moraine Lake Shuttle Hacks
If you’re planning a visit to Banff National Park this summer or early fall, don’t be deterred by the minor hurdle around booking a shuttle. It’s quite possible to book a seamless shuttle service that runs at the time you desire, and on time, to Moraine Lake; we guarantee that you won’t regret the decision to go. Don’t delay — get booked today!
