The Unofficial LakeLoui.se Guide
Weather Roads Resort Trails Plan

Summer Logistics

2026 access for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Parks Canada manages high demand through a shuttle-first model. Moraine Lake Road is gated 24/7; personal vehicles prohibited year-round (no dawn-to-dusk exception). Lake Louise parking is limited and expensive. Below is a 2026 action checklist and pro tips for avoiding crowds.

Part 1: Action Checklist

1. Secure Your Parks Canada Shuttle (April 15, 2026)

  • Launch: April 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM MDT. Parks Canada releases 40% of the season's seats. Book at reservation.pc.gc.ca.
  • 2026 shuttle fees: $8 adult, $4 senior (65+), free for youth (17 and under), plus a non-refundable $3 reservation fee. Shuttles run every 30 minutes.
  • Queue: Create your account before launch day. Log in at 7:30 AM to enter the waiting room. At 8:00 AM everyone is assigned a random queue number.
  • 48-hour window: The remaining 60% of seats release at 8:00 AM MDT exactly 48 hours before the departure date.
  • First lake choice: You must choose either Lake Louise or Moraine Lake as your first stop. Your ticket includes the Lake Connector to see the second lake.

1b. Lakeshore Parking (2026)

  • Paid parking: May 17 to October 12, 2026 (typically 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.). $42 per vehicle per day (CPI increase from 2025). Limited spaces; often full by 7:00 AM.
  • Canada Strong Pass: Free park admission and 25% off camping during Dec 12, 2025–Jan 15, 2026 and June 19–Sept 7, 2026. Parking and shuttle fees still apply.

2. Choose Your Transportation Mode

  • Parks Canada Shuttles (Park and Ride): Best value ($8/adult in 2026). Park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Rd). Book with Parks Canada.
  • Roam Public Transit: Roam Transit Route 8X (Lake Louise Express) runs year-round from Banff to Lake Louise Lakeshore. Route 10 (Moraine Lake Express) typically operates only during Larch Season (mid-September to mid-October). The Super Pass (approx. $30) is the only Roam pass that allows use of the Parks Canada Lake Connector between the two lakes.
  • Private operators: If Parks Canada is full, Lake Louise Ski Resort offers Gondola + Shuttle (good for grizzly viewing). Moraine Lake Bus Company and Fairview Limousine offer sunrise shuttles (as early as 4:00 AM) that Parks Canada daytime service does not provide; typically $35–75.

3. Master the Lake Connector

  • Once you arrive at either lake via a Parks Canada shuttle or Roam Super Pass, you can board the Connector. It runs every 15–30 minutes between the two lakeshores.
  • No separate ticket if you started with a Parks Canada shuttle or Roam Super Pass. You cannot use the Connector if you drove yourself or took a private taxi.

4. Special Access and Activity Rules

  • Dogs: Parks Canada and Moraine Lake Bus Co allow only service dogs or small pets in a crate on your lap. Fairview Limousine is more pet-friendly (extra fee for larger dogs).
  • Bikes: Roam Transit has limited bike racks (usually 2 per bus); first-come first-served. For guaranteed bike transport, use a private operator.
  • Sunrise: Alpine Start Shuttle at 4:00 and 5:00 AM (reservable April 15). Departs from Lake Louise Lakeshore, not the Park and Ride. Private operators (Moraine Lake Bus Co, Radventures) offer 3:00–5:00 AM pickups.
  • Accessibility: Vehicles with a valid blue accessibility placard are the only private vehicles allowed on Moraine Lake Road. At Lake Louise, a reduced parking fee (approx. $8) applies to placard holders.

5. Alternative Paths

  • Biking Moraine Lake Road: 14 km one way from the village; approx. 250–300 m elevation gain; steady climb. Bear-aware; high grizzly density. Carry bear spray on your person.
  • Taxis: Commercial taxis and ride-shares cannot drive Moraine Lake Road during shuttle hours (6:00 AM–8:00 PM). They can drop off at Lake Louise Lakeshore or the village only.

Part 2: Pro Tips for Avoiding Crowds

  1. Second wave strategy: Most people aim for Moraine Lake at sunrise. By 11:00 AM the first wave leaves. A shuttle at 11:30 or 12:00 often means shorter lines at the Lake Connector.
  2. Evening alpenglow: Sunset is far less crowded than sunrise. Take a late shuttle (4:00 PM) and catch the final return at 7:30 PM. The light on the peaks is often better than at dawn.
  3. Hike the backside of Louise: Instead of staying at the lakeshore, head toward the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. Crowds thin after the first 2 km; the teahouse offers a quieter perspective.
  4. Mid-week advantage: Tuesday or Wednesday see lighter traffic. Friday through Sunday bring heavy local traffic from Calgary and longer Connector wait times.
  5. Shoulder season: Early June (right after Moraine Lake Road opens; avalanche hazard may persist from winter) or mid-October (just before it closes). You may encounter snow, but you avoid the Larch March and peak summer crowds.