Moraine Lake Lake

Address: Moraine Lake, Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff

Hours: Road access seasonal (typically late May-October); lake area accessible year‑round though winter access is limited

Admission: Access requires Banff National Park entry (Parks Canada day/seasonal passes); shuttle/reservations may be required in high season

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.

Moraine Lake is reached by road from the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 1) in Banff National Park. From Calgary drive west on Highway 1 toward Lake Louise (roughly 2 hours / ~180 km), continue to the Lake Louise area and turn onto Moraine Lake Road; from the village of Lake Louise the drive is a short distance (Moraine Lake Road leads directly to the parking area).

Moraine Lake Road is seasonal and parking fills early in summer; Parks Canada and private shuttles / ROAM transit run seasonal shuttles from the Lake Louise Park & Ride when private-vehicle access is restricted. From the Moraine Lake parking lot the main viewpoint is a short walk.

• Aim to arrive at Moraine Lake at or before sunrise (summer) to secure one of the very limited parking spots and to photograph the classic Rockpile viewpoint in calm conditions before the daytime wind picks up.
• Use the Lake Louise area as your base and check Parks Canada's seasonal road and shuttle information - Moraine Lake Road is often closed by snow in shoulder seasons and shuttles/parking reservations are commonly required in high summer.
• After visiting the popular Rockpile lookout, continue along the shoreline or take the short trail to Consolation Lakes for a quieter lakeside experience that most visitors skip.