How to Book the Moraine Lake Shuttle in 2025
Parks Canada runs the only shuttle to Moraine Lake, and reservations open in April 2025. This guide covers the booking dates, departure points, and what to do if the shuttle sells out.
When do Moraine Lake shuttle reservations open for 2025?
Parks Canada opens the first block of Moraine Lake shuttle reservations in mid-April 2025. The exact date is announced on the Parks Canada website about two weeks beforehand. In the past three years, the date has fallen between April 15 and April 20. On that morning, about 40 percent of the season’s seats go live at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time. The most popular sunrise slots usually sell out within the first hour.
Parks Canada does not hold the remaining 60 percent of seats for a second fixed date. Instead, it releases them on a rolling basis exactly 48 hours before each departure time. At 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time every morning, new seats appear for the shuttle running two days later. If you log on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m., you can book a seat for Friday morning’s bus. Even if you miss the April release, you still have a fresh chance every day from early June through mid-October.
Where does the shuttle to Moraine Lake leave from?
The shuttle departs from the Park and Ride lot at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, located at 1 Whitehorn Road. This is roughly 6 km east of Lake Louise village along Highway 1. The lot is a large gravel area with clear signage for Moraine Lake shuttles, and staff are on hand to check tickets and direct you to the correct queue.
If you are driving from Banff, take the Trans-Canada Highway west for about 55 km and follow the signs for the Lake Louise Ski Area. From Lake Louise village, head east on Lake Louise Drive and turn left onto Whitehorn Road after crossing the overpass. There is no public parking at Moraine Lake itself during shuttle season, so the Park and Ride is your only car access point.
Parking at the lot is free, and spaces rarely run out even on busy summer mornings. Once you park, walk to the shuttle loading zone near the main lodge building. Buses run on a loop and you board the next available one for your reserved time block.
How much does the shuttle cost and what is included?
Parks Canada sets the shuttle fares. A non-refundable reservation fee is added to each ticket. The ticket itself covers a return trip from the park-and-ride lot to Moraine Lake, with a free transfer connector to Lake Louise included on the same day.
- Adult aged 18 to 64 pay the standard fare plus the reservation fee.
- Senior aged 65 and over receive a reduced fare.
- Youth aged 6 to 17 pay a lower youth fare.
- Children under 6 ride free but still need a reserved seat on the bus.
- A non-refundable reservation fee applies to every ticket, including free child seats.
- The fare covers unlimited connector travel between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise that day.
You pay the ticket fare and the reservation fee together when you book online. The reservation fee is not a deposit. It is not deducted from the fare, and you will not get it back if you cancel.
Can I book the shuttle if I am staying in Banff?
Yes, you can reach Moraine Lake from Banff without a car by combining a Roam Transit Route 10 bus with your Parks Canada shuttle reservation. Book your Moraine Lake shuttle for a morning time slot at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, then take the early Roam Route 10 bus from Banff to the same location. The two systems connect at the Park and Ride lot just off the Trans-Canada Highway.
Roam Route 10 runs from downtown Banff to the Lake Louise lakeshore and the Park and Ride, with morning departures starting around 6:00 a.m. from the Banff High School Transit Hub. The trip takes roughly 50 minutes. Buy a Roam Super Pass or a one-way fare separately from your Parks Canada shuttle reservation. You need both tickets ready before you travel. Allow at least 15 minutes between the bus arrival and your shuttle time slot in case of delays.
What time slots are available and which one should I pick?
Shuttles depart from the Lake Louise Park and Ride in 30-minute intervals, with the first bus typically leaving at 6:30 am and the last departure around 6 pm. The return service runs on the same schedule, and you are not tied to a specific bus coming back. You can board any later shuttle as long as there is space, giving you full control over how long you stay at the lake.
An early morning slot, ideally between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., gets you to the lake before the largest crowds and when the water is often at its calmest. The light is softer for photography, the shoreline trails feel quieter, and you have the option to walk the full Moraine Lake shoreline before the midday rush. Midday departures still get you to the lake reliably, but the area around the rockpile and the main viewpoints will be busier. If you want a relaxed visit with fewer people in your photographs, pick the earliest available slot.
What if the shuttle is fully booked on my date?
Parks Canada releases a final block of last-minute seats exactly 48 hours before each departure, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Set a reminder and be on the reservation site a few minutes early. Those tickets go within seconds. This is the most reliable backup if your preferred date and time slot showed no availability during the main release.
If you still miss out, you have two solid alternatives. A commercial bus tour is a straightforward option. Several operators run daily trips to Moraine Lake from Banff and Lake Louise, and the tour ticket covers your access. Booking a tour also removes the need for a separate shuttle reservation.
For a more active plan, consider cycling:
- The Moraine Lake Road opens to cyclists once the snow clears, typically in late May.
- The ride from Lake Louise village is about 14 km one way on a paved road with a steady climb.
- You can rent a bike in Banff or Lake Louise, or bring your own on a Roam Transit bus.
- An e-bike makes the uphill section much easier at altitude.
- Check the Parks Canada website for the current road status before you set out.
Do I need a Parks Canada pass as well as a shuttle ticket?
Yes. Every person aged 18 and over needs a Parks Canada entry pass. Staff check it at the Park and Ride lot before you board the shuttle. The shuttle ticket covers your seat on the bus only. It does not include park entry, so you need to buy the pass separately or show an annual Discovery Pass if you already have one.
You can buy a daily pass online at the Parks Canada reservation site or in person at the Banff Visitor Centre and at the park gates. If you book online, print the pass or save a clear screenshot. Staff at the Lake Louise Park and Ride will ask to see your pass along with your shuttle confirmation before you join the boarding line.
If you plan to visit Banff and Lake Louise more than once during the year, the annual Discovery Pass often works out cheaper than buying daily passes each time. The pass is valid for a full calendar year and covers entry to most national parks and national historic sites across the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moraine Lake Road open to private cars in 2025?
No. Parks Canada closed the road to private vehicles year-round starting in 2023. The only ways to reach the lake are the Parks Canada shuttle, a commercial bus tour, a taxi or ride-share with a commercial permit, cycling, or walking the 14 km road from the gate.
How long is the shuttle ride from the Park and Ride to Moraine Lake?
The ride takes about 25 minutes each way. Your ticket also lets you transfer to the Lake Louise lakeshore shuttle, which runs every 15 minutes and takes roughly 10 minutes from the Park and Ride.
Can I bring a stroller or hiking pack on the shuttle?
Yes. The shuttles are full-size highway coaches with under-floor luggage bays. Strollers, day packs and hiking poles can be stored there. The buses are not wheelchair accessible, but Parks Canada can direct you to accessible commercial options.
Are dogs allowed on the Moraine Lake shuttle?
Dogs are permitted on the shuttle if they are in a carrier. At Moraine Lake itself, dogs must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed on some trails, including the Rockpile Trail.