a lake surrounded by mountains and a forest

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a mountain lake and village in Banff National Park, Alberta, about 180 km west of Calgary.

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Lake Louise is an unincorporated community inside Banff National Park, in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, on the Bow River. The village lies about 3 km northeast of the lake that gives it its name, and at 1,600 m it is described as Canada's highest community. Mount Temple, Mount Whyte and Mount Niblock rise around the village and stay snow-covered all year. The lake, framed by mountains, is one of the best-known mountain views in the world.

The community is on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), and the southern end of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) starts just north of the village. The community began in 1884 as a railway outpost, and its 1910 station is now a restaurant. The area joined Rocky Mountains Park in 1892. Winters are very cold, with January and February averages near -18 °C, and snow can fall in any month. Temperatures can drop below -50 °C in those months. Summer days are crisp and cool, but mornings are frosty, so pack warm layers even then.

Lake Louise in five

Reserve the Parks Canada shuttle earlyOne reservation covers Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Lake Connector and the return to the Park and Ride. Parks Canada releases 40% of seats on launch day and 60% at 8 am two days before.Parks Canada shuttle
Park at the Park and Ride, not the lakeshoreShuttle holders park free at the Park and Ride by the ski resort. Parks Canada says lakeshore spaces are unlikely without a booking, and the lot costs $42 a vehicle from May 15 to October 12, 2026.
Take Roam from Banff if you have no carRoam Route 8X runs daily and year-round from the town of Banff to Lake Louise Lakeshore, with reservations recommended in summer. A Super Pass adds the Lake Connector to Moraine Lake.Banff National Park
Walk the Tramline Trail from the villageThe Tramline Trail is 4.3 km one way, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Parks Canada discourages walking up Lake Louise Drive, which has minimal shoulders and heavy traffic.
Treat Moraine Lake as backcountryParks Canada says Moraine Lake has no cell service, Wi-Fi or running water, only pit toilets. Carry water and offline maps; reception returns about 5 km down the road.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Lake LouisePut the places you like in Lake Louise on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Calgary (YYC), then the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff
Getting there: Drive, coach or Roam Route 8X from Banff, year-round
Getting around: Parks Canada shuttles in season; the village is walkable
Best base: Lake Louise village for early starts; Banff town for choice
Time needed: 1 to 2 days; add a day for Moraine Lake and a hike

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-8°Low-16°Ski, deep cold
FebruarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-8°Low-18°Ski, cold
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-13°Spring skiing
AprilSnow12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-8°Lakes frozen
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low-2°Lakeshore shuttle
JuneRain15 rainy days1 snowy day1 day with stormsHigh13°Low2°Moraine shuttle
JulyRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low6°Trails open
AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low5°Peak season
SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days2 snowy days1 day with stormsHigh12°Low1°Larches turn gold
OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh3°Low-7°Quiet, first snow
NovemberSnow14 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh-4°Low-13°Early ski
DecemberSnow14 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh-10°Low-17°Ski, short days

Average daily high and low in Lake Louise, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Lake Louise

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

-5

Feels like: -9°
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 1%

Lake Louise

06:54 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today5°-7°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 1%.
Tue4°-5°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 1%.
Wed3°-6°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu0°-4°9%Thursday: Snow. High 0°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 9%.
Fri1°-6°49%Friday: Snow. High 1°, Low -6°. Chance of rain 49%.
Sat0°-8°18%Saturday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -8°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sun3°-4°28%Sunday: Fog. High 3°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 28%.

Updated 06:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD

Amount

Converted to

CAD · Canadian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Moraine Lakea shuttle ride from the Park and RideReservation-only access from June 1 to October 12 in 2026; the road is shut to personal vehicles.
Banff townby road on the Trans-Canada HighwayHot springs, restaurants and the Roam bus, a half day before or after the lakes.Read the guide
Icefields Parkway northa day trip or the start of a drive to JasperRoadside lakes begin about 30 minutes north, with the Columbia Icefield further on.Read the guide

Before you go to Lake Louise

Lake Louise village staysEarly starts at both lakesCheck availability

Lake Louise and Moraine shuttlesReserve on the Parks Canada siteCheck shuttle dates

eSIM for Lake LouiseNo signal at Moraine LakeRead the guide

Insurance for Rockies hikesCover for injuries and rescuesRead the guide

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Rules for Lake Louise, checked

A reservation is required on all Parks Canada shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake; Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Lake Louise Lakeshore general parking is $42 per vehicle per day from May 15 to October 12, 2026, and a park pass is also required.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
The Parks Canada shuttle fare is $12.75 per adult, plus a non-refundable $3.50 reservation fee online; a park entry fee is separate.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Lake Louise

Banff park pass

Daily pass or Discovery Pass for your dates

Read the guide Banff National Park

Town, hot springs and the wider park

Read the guide Banff and Jasper planner

Icefields Parkway, fuel and winter tires

Read the guide Jasper National Park

North end of the parkway, quieter trails

Read the guide Calgary

Airport, car hire and the Banff transfer

Read the guide All of Canada

eTA, regions, cities and money basics

Read the guide

Lake Louise FAQ

Can you drive to Moraine Lake?

No. Parks Canada keeps Moraine Lake Road closed to personal vehicles year-round. Access is by Parks Canada shuttle, a licensed commercial operator or as a registered guest of Moraine Lake Lodge.

How far ahead should you book the Lake Louise shuttle?

As soon as seats open. For 2026 Parks Canada launched reservations on April 15, with 40% of seats then and 60% two days before departure. Check the page for the next season launch.

Can you hike from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake?

Parks Canada does not recommend it. It is about 14 km one way with 527 m of climbing, and the road has no pathway, minimal shoulders and commercial traffic.

Is it better to stay in Lake Louise or Banff?

Stay at Lake Louise for early starts and the Park and Ride. Choose Banff for restaurants and rooms, and take Roam or a shuttle in, but accept a longer day.

How many days do you need at Lake Louise?

Two days covers both lakes on a reserved shuttle and one hike. One day is possible if you have a seat booked early; add a third to drive part of the Icefields Parkway.