Moraine Lake
Difficulty: ⭐⭐
Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mileage: 0.25 mi
Region: Banff NP
Elev. Gain: 32 ft
When to Go: Jun—Oct
Avg. Time: 10 min
Parking: Large paved lot
Type: Out + Back
Pass: Discovery or $11CAD day-use fee
Know Before You Go:
One of the gems of the Canadian Rockies.
Getting here can be a pain but the spectacle makes it worth the hassle.
Beginning in 2024 the only way to access the lake is via Park Shuttle that requires a pre-reserved ticket. The park releases 40% of the shuttle seats early, in mid April, the rest are available 2 days before your desired date. You can make your reservations here.
Sunrise is spectacular here - the Rockpile is the best place to take in the views.
There are a handful of amazing hikes that begin from Moraine Lake like Sentinel Pass and Eiffel Lake and we highly recommend trying one if you have a day to spend exploring this spot.
If you only have a short amount of time to spend here, Consolation Lakes is another great hike option.