Lake Louise

(Point of Interest)

  ANY HI YES

Difficulty: ⭐

Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Region: Banff NP

When to Go: Year-Round

Parking: Large paved lot

Pass: Discovery or $11CAD day-use fee

AllTrails: N/A

Trailhead Coordinates:

51.416610, -116.214140

Know Before You Go:

  • A world famous spot that is worth the visit if you can stomach the crazy crowds.

  • The lake viewpoint is a great spot for watching sunrise.

  • Parking fills up incredibly fast here, we recommend arriving several hours before sunrise to secure a spot. You will have to pay $12.25 CAD for parking in addition to your park entry fee.

  • There are pay stations that accept credit card where you can pay your parking fee and buy your day pass all at once.

  • If you are unable to get parking or don't want to fight the masses you can take a Park Shuttle from the town of Lake Louise just down the road. The shuttle tickets are free but need to be reserved in advance and do sell out every day during peak season so plan ahead.

  • There are many amazing trails that start from this parking lot - the lake shore path is an easy option - good for families or if you're short on time. If you have time for a longer hike the Little Beehive Loop is a great choice.

  • There are also two backcountry teahouses you can hike to for lunch or a mid-hike snack. They can be pretty crowded so be prepared to wait in line.

  • Taking a paddle on the lake in the famous red canoes is also a popular activity here. You can pay for 30 min or an hour.