//
Unincorporated community in Alberta, Canada
Photo: Martin Green, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons
Lake Louise is a mountain lake in the middle of Banff National Park in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and at the far end is a large glacier. The lake is quite isolated, but includes a luxury resort, the Château Lake Louise, and a conference wing on the 'inland' side of the hotel.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Spectacular example of a glacial lake. Best seen first thing in the morning before the hordes of other tourists arrive, or in the early evening, after they've gone. Parking at the site costs $36.75 (2025), and fills up before sunrise, and remains full until sunset. The Parks Canada shuttle fills up quickly in the summer, so make sure you reserve your spot in advance.
Scenic mountain location with the lake an incredible blue colour due to the glacial rock flour. A short paved trail from the car park (The Rock Pile, 0.8 km return, 30 meter elevation gain) provides a spectacular view of the lake, known as the "Twenty Dollar View", as it was featured on the reverse side of the Canadian $20 banknote (1969 and 1979 issue). By 8:30AM the coach groups start to arrive. Private vehicles are forbidden from driving up to the lake, so you must reserve a shuttle in advance.
Lake Louise hosts men's and women's World Cup ski events every November, making it the best-known ski area in Banff National Park. As such, it is also the busiest and most touristy. It is located close to the Lake Louise town site. The scenery is fantastic, as is the terrain when there is fresh snow. Snowshoe tours and Sunny Tube park (next to the magic carpet) for those who don't ski or board. Excellent all you can eat buffet breakfast served in the Whiskey Jack Lodge ($12). If you're on the Club Snowboard/Ski program get the early bus!
is the oldest dog sled tour company in the west, and goes along the Continental Divide.
on the lake, rental skates are available within The Fairmont Château Lake Louise and down in the village at Wilson Mountain Sports.
Sleigh Rides that leave from in front of The Château Lake Louise.
are abundant, rentals are available at the same places as the ice skates and Parks Canada will be more than happy to give you trail info, or guided tours do leave from The Fairmont Château Lake Louise.
Lake Louise Mountain Resort runs one of the chairlifts with gondolas in the summer up to an interpretive centre giving you a great spot to take breathtaking photos and learn about the local wildlife.
Interesting building and a few exhibits for rail enthusiasts. Reasonable food but the number of tables exceeds the kitchen capacity, so expect a long wait at peak times.
Excellent food (burgers, chili, salads) at a reasonable price.
Very good food, if a little pricey, with a patio at 2042 metres providing probably one of the best views from a restaurant you will ever see. Be aware can be cold outside even in June.
One of Canada's grand old hotels, the Château is the only option if you want to stay right at the lake. the château is luxurious, but extremely expensive. If you have the money, it is worth it for the beautiful surroundings and the clear crisp mountain air.
Good selection of room sizes and a reasonable restaurant. A short walk from the lake.
Very good quality, well furnished chalet rooms and cabins. A short walk from the lake.
Clean, comfortable, with breakfast buffet included, but it is an hour's walk from the lake, uphill along a busy road.
A large hostel in the town. There is a café at the hostel. In winter, dorm beds from $27 (non-member $31), private rooms from $78 (non-member $86). In summer, dorms from $34 (non-member $38), private rooms from $99 (non-member $112). Ski packages are available. Pets not allowed.
High-end hotel, with fancy dining, wine, and spa.
You can rent sporting equipment here.
By plane
By bus
By train
Regularly scheduled passenger trains no longer stop at Lake Louise's historic train station, but luxury Rocky Mountaineer sightseeing trains run from Vancouver between late April and early October…
By public transit
Moraine Lake vehicle access restriction
No personal vehicles are allowed to travel to Moraine Lake. Roam Transit, the Parks Canada Shuttle, and commercial buses are your only options to reach Lake Moraine.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Calgary · International · YYC
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Lake Louise and Canada.
Travel tipsDiscover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
ItinerariesThe Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93 between Lake Louise and Jasper, is the primary north-south route through the Alberta Rockies in Canada, and one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) is a series of provincial highways which join all ten provinces of Canada. Following 8,030 km (just under 5,000 miles) of Trans-Canada Highway across all ten provinces is one of the three…
Wikivoyage
InspirationSome hotels have a heritage from the golden age of steam railways and ocean liners, before the Second World War, in the 19th or early 20th centuries. These hotels were where the rich and the famous of the day would stay.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.