How to Get from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake in 2025

Can you drive from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake?

Private vehicles are not allowed on Moraine Lake Road for most of the year. The road closes to personal cars from early June until mid-October, and the gate sits right at the junction with Lake Louise Drive. Parks Canada made the closure permanent in 2023 because the narrow parking lot at Moraine Lake could not handle the number of visitors, and the road has no shoulder for emergency stopping.

Four exceptions allow private vehicles. Guests with a confirmed reservation at Moraine Lake Lodge can drive in to check in and park. Vehicles with a valid disabled parking placard may pass, as long as the permit holder is inside. Commercial buses and licensed tour operators with an approved Parks Canada permit also have access. Bicycles and pedestrians are free to use the road any time, with no booking needed. If you are staying in the Lake Louise area, the lodge has a nearby shuttle stop that connects you to the Parks Canada system, so you do not need to drive.

From the closure gate to the Moraine Lake parking lot the drive takes under 20 minutes in light traffic. Without the ban, the lot would fill before sunrise and cars would queue along the road for hours. For more on what to expect once you park, see our guide to skiing in Banff, Lake Louise and Sunshine and the surrounding trails.

What is the distance from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake?

The road distance from Lake Louise village to the Moraine Lake car park along Moraine Lake Road is 14 kilometres. As the crow flies, the two lakes are separated by less than 5 kilometres, with the Valley of the Ten Peaks rising sharply between them.

The route gains about 350 metres in elevation from the village to the lake, which sits at roughly 1,885 metres above sea level. The road is a paved two-lane mountain road with several switchbacks, and since 2023 Parks Canada has closed it to private vehicles year-round. Only the shuttle bus, Roam Transit, commercial buses and cyclists with an approved pass are allowed.

A Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride takes roughly 30 to 35 minutes in normal summer traffic. Early morning departures tend to be quicker, before the road gets busy. Buses leave every 20 minutes through the peak season, and the ride itself is direct with no intermediate stops.

How does the Parks Canada shuttle work?

The Parks Canada shuttle is the main way to reach Moraine Lake because the access road is closed to private vehicles. You reserve a seat online through the Parks Canada Reservation Service for a specific date and departure time. A ticket covers a round trip from the Lake Louise Park and Ride lot, located 6 km east of Lake Louise village along the Trans-Canada Highway, to Moraine Lake and back.

The shuttle also includes the Lake Connector, a separate bus that links Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, so you can visit both lakes on one ticket. In 2025 the shuttle runs from June 1 to October 13, with departures starting at 6:30 a.m. and the last return bus leaving Moraine Lake at 7:30 p.m. Reservations open in April and sell out quickly for peak summer dates.

From parking to arriving at Moraine Lake, the process goes like this:

• Drive to the Lake Louise Park and Ride and show your reservation confirmation to the attendant at the entrance.
• Park in the designated lot and walk to the shuttle boarding area, where a staff member scans your ticket.
• Board the bus to Moraine Lake; the ride takes about 30 minutes along a winding mountain road.
• At Moraine Lake the shuttle drops you at the upper parking area, a short walk from the lakeshore and the Rockpile viewpoint.
• When you are ready to leave, catch any return shuttle to the Park and Ride; buses depart every 15 to 20 minutes during the day.
• Use the Lake Connector shuttle if you want to visit Lake Louise on the same trip; it runs on a loop between the two lakes with no extra reservation needed.

How do I book Roam Transit to Moraine Lake?

Roam Transit runs the Route 10 Moraine Lake Express, a dedicated bus that departs from the Lake Louise Lakeshore and goes straight to the Moraine Lake parking area. You book a seat through the Roam Transit website or their mobile app. Reservations open in late spring, usually around mid-April, and you can book any date in the operating season, which runs from late June to mid-October. A return trip is included in the fare and you pick a morning departure window when you book.

Unlike the Parks Canada shuttle, Roam Transit does not require you to park at the Park and Ride lot 15 km away on the Trans-Canada Highway. You can leave your car at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot, at the village, or walk from nearby lodging. The bus runs frequently through the morning peak, and the ride takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic. Keep your booking confirmation on your phone because the driver checks it when you board.

If you have already read about skiing in Banff, Lake Louise and Sunshine, the same Roam network covers winter routes, but Route 10 is a summer-only service. Seats for the first departures of the day, between 6:00 and 8:00, sell out fastest. You can change or cancel a reservation online up to two hours before your departure time for a small fee, and last-minute seats sometimes appear when other travellers cancel the night before.

Can you bike from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake?

You can bike the full 14 km from Lake Louise village to Moraine Lake along Moraine Lake Road. The road is paved for the first 8 km to the Moraine Lake Road junction, then turns to packed gravel for the remaining 6 km. Parks Canada closes the road to private vehicles for most of the summer, so cyclists share it only with shuttle buses and the occasional service vehicle.

The ride is a steady uphill climb, gaining roughly 400 metres of elevation from the village to the lake. An average cyclist with moderate fitness should allow 75 to 90 minutes to reach the top. The descent back to the village takes about half that time. There are no water stations along the route, so carry at least a litre per person.

Bike rentals are available at Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise village, which stocks hardtail mountain bikes and a limited number of e-bikes. E-bikes with pedal assist are permitted on Moraine Lake Road under the same rules as regular bicycles. Parks Canada classifies them as bicycles, not motor vehicles, provided the motor cuts out above 32 km/h. Book your rental at least a day ahead during July and August, as morning slots sell out quickly.

Is there a hiking trail between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?

A footpath connects the two lakes, but it is not a casual stroll. The Highline Trail via Paradise Valley runs roughly 18 km one way with about 600 m of elevation gain. Most hikers take six to eight hours to complete the route, which crosses avalanche paths and holds snow well into July. Parks Canada classifies it as a difficult, full-day objective, not a connector for sightseeing.

The trail begins near the Lake Louise boathouse and climbs steadily to the Saddleback Pass before dropping into Paradise Valley. From there you follow the Paradise Valley Trail to the Moraine Lake Road junction and walk the final stretch along the road to the lakeshore. The descent is steep in places, and the valley section has limited cell reception. Bear spray and a downloaded offline map are standard precautions.

Because the route is a one-way traverse, you need a plan to return. Parking a second vehicle at Moraine Lake is impractical under the summer access rules, so most hikers arrange a shuttle pickup at the Moraine Lake lot or book a seat on the Parks Canada connector. A few fit parties treat it as a long out-and-back, which doubles the distance and the elevation. For a simpler walk between the lakes with a vehicle shuttle, read about skiing in Banff, Lake Louise and Sunshine and the road-based options that replace the trail for most visitors.

What time should you arrive to avoid the crowds?

Moraine Lake is quietest before 7 am and after 5 pm, though private cars are not allowed on the road at any time. The only way to reach the lake early is by booking the earliest Parks Canada shuttle of the day, typically a 6 am or 6:30 am departure from the Lake Louise Park and Ride. Those first slots sell out weeks ahead, so reserve them as soon as bookings open in April.

A sunrise visit requires a pre-booked shuttle and a short walk from the drop-off point to the rockpile viewpoint. By 8 am the lakeshore and the trail up the rockpile are already filling with passengers from the second wave of shuttles. In the late afternoon, between 4 pm and 5 pm, the last departures thin out and you get softer light and fewer people on the trails. Midday from 10 am to 3 pm is the busiest window, no matter which shuttle you catch.

If your schedule allows, aim for one of these quieter blocks:

• Book the first shuttle departure of the day, usually 6 am, and arrive at the Park and Ride 15 minutes before boarding.
• Aim for a shuttle that reaches Moraine Lake before 7:30 am to walk the rockpile with only a handful of other visitors.
• Choose a return shuttle after 4:30 pm when the largest groups have already left and the light is better for photographs.
• Check the Parks Canada reservation page on opening day in April for the earliest morning slots, because they go first.
• Avoid shuttles that arrive between 10 am and 3 pm, when every viewpoint and the shoreline are at their peak density.

Frequently asked questions

Is Moraine Lake Road open to private cars?

No. Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. The only exceptions are vehicles with a valid disabled parking placard, guests of Moraine Lake Lodge, and commercial buses with a permit. Everyone else must use a shuttle, Roam Transit, a bike, or hike in.

How long is the shuttle ride from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake?

The shuttle ride takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes each way, depending on traffic and wildlife on the road. The distance is about 14 km, and buses move slowly on the winding mountain road.

Can I visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on the same shuttle ticket?

Yes. The Parks Canada Lake Connector shuttle links the two lakes. You book a departure time from the Park and Ride to either lake, then catch the connector shuttle between them on a first-come, first-served basis. A single reservation covers the round trip.

When do shuttle reservations open for the 2025 season?

Parks Canada typically opens shuttle reservations in two waves: one in mid-April for the full season and a second batch 48 hours before each operating day. The 2025 shuttle season runs from early June to mid-October, weather permitting.

Read also

• How to plan a trip to Banff and Lake Louise without a car