Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks near Lake Louise. It is renowned for its vivid turquoise water and striking mountain backdrop, which make it one of the park’s most photographed scenes.

The site offers short walks, the Rockpile viewpoint for the iconic vista, and canoeing on the lake during the summer season. Facilities are seasonal and services such as parking and boat rentals operate mainly in the warmer months when the road is open.

The lake occupies a cirque carved by glaciers and receives fine rock particles that give the water its colour; the surrounding peaks and glacial terrain create a compact alpine landscape used for day visits, photography and short hikes.

Moraine Lake lies within Banff National Park in Alberta, approximately a 20 to 30 minute drive from the Lake Louise hamlet when the seasonal road is open, and is accessed from the park road system.

• Turquoise water: The lake's distinctive turquoise colour comes from suspended glacial rock flour that scatters light, and the colour is most vivid in spring and summer melt seasons.
• Seasonal access and best time: Public access is seasonal; the road to the lake and services are generally open in late spring through early autumn, and parking fills early on sunny days making early morning the best time to visit.

What to See #

• Rockpile viewpoint: Rockpile viewpoint provides the classic framed vista of the turquoise lake surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks and is reached by a short, well-defined trail from the lakeshore parking area.
• Canoe launch: The lakeshore hosts a canoe launch and rental operations in summer, allowing close-up views of the glacially turbid water and the surrounding peaks from the lake surface.