Parks Canada Pass Required

A Parks Canada Pass is required for all guests to enter Banff National Park. It is not included in your tour price.


Summer 2026: Parks Canada has waived entry fees from June 19 to September 7. No pass purchase is required during this window.


Outside that window, purchase your pass online in advance at parks.canada.ca. Do not purchase at the gate. Our vehicle travels in a commercial lane that bypasses the gate queue, so there is no opportunity to buy on arrival.


We'll remind you of your pass requirement before your departure date.

Duration

9–9.5 hours

Pickup

8:00-8:30AM

Canmore & Harvie Heights: 8:00 to 8:15 AM 

Banff: 8:30 to 8:45 AM


Please be ready a few minutes before the start of your pickup window.

From

$189 CAD

Pricing includes round trip transport + Moraine Lake access. 


Additional booking fee + GST do apply. No hidden fees.

Group

Max 14

Frequency

Daily

Difficulty

Moderate to hard

4.95 ★★★★★ · 950+ reviews across Google, Tripadvisor, and GetYourGuide

Larch Valley Shuttle

Two weeks. Golden larches above turquoise water. We get you there.

What the Larch Valley Shuttle Is About

For just a few weeks each fall, the mountains above Moraine Lake transform as thousands of alpine larch trees turn brilliant shades of gold. The exact timing changes every year depending on the weather, but the display typically peaks sometime between late September and early October.


Larch Valley is one of the most spectacular places in the Canadian Rockies to experience this short-lived season. Golden larches, turquoise Moraine Lake, and the dramatic Valley of the Ten Peaks create a landscape that draws hikers from around the world. Miss the season, and you'll have to wait another year.


Because the Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, the only way to reach the trailhead is by shuttle. We'll pick you up in Canmore, Harvie Heights, or Banff, take you directly to Moraine Lake, and return later in the day after your hike. On the way back, we travel through part of the Bow Valley Wildlife Corridor, giving you another chance to spot wildlife before returning to your original pickup location.

"Definitely appreciated his tips on the trails best suited for our desires and physical abilities. The van was comfortable and I was even allowed to charge my cell phone. 10/10"

- Trisha Wood, Google ★★★★★

The Canmore Travel Larch Valley Shuttle is a full-day tour to Larch Valley, operating in September and October during peak larch season. The tour departs from convenient locations in Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff. Price is $199 CAD per person. The Larch Valley trail is 11 km round trip and rated moderate difficulty. Private vehicles are not permitted on the Moraine Lake road, so an authorised shuttle is required to reach the trailhead.
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Included

  • Convenient pickups in Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff. Pickup Locations
  • Guided transport to and from the Larch Valley trailhead in a 14-passenger van with high roof and panoramic windows
  • 5 hours at Moraine Lake (Larch Valley trailhead)
  • Wildlife spotting along the Wildlife Corridor (not guaranteed; seen on most trips)
  • Your belongings stay in the van while you hike
Black X mark on a white background

Not Included

  • Parks Canada Pass (required for all guests entering Banff National Park; purchase online in advance at parks.canada.ca)
  • Food and water: There is a coffee shop at Moraine Lake; however, lineups are often long.
  • Canoe rental at Moraine Lake approx. $160/hour
  • Gratuity (not mandatory; greatly appreciated)
  • Child safety seat. Required for children under 6 and under 18 kg by Alberta law. Bring your own, or request one when you book ($40 CAD fee).
  • Guide will not accompany you on your hike.
Black check mark on a white background

What to Bring

  • Hiking boots with ankle support (the trail has loose rock and rooted sections; trail runners are not recommended)
  • Waterproof jacket (afternoon rain is common in September at elevation)
  • Warm mid-layer (temperature drops significantly once you are above the treeline)
  • Full water supply – enough for a full day
  • Packed lunch and snacks
  • Bear spray (this is active grizzly habitat in September)
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Camera (you will want it)

Pricing & Tour Details

Adults (13+)

$199 CAD

Children (0-12)

$189 CAD

Pickup Time: Canmore/Harvie Heights

8:00 - 8:15 AM (please be ready at 8 AM)

Pickup Time: Banff

8:30 - 8:45 AM (please be ready at 8:30 AM)

Return Time

Late afternoon (Approx. 4:00 - 5 PM)

Hours at Moraine Lake

5 hours

Hours at Lake Louise

N/A (Moraine Lake only)

Minimum Guests to Operate

4 guests (not required to be from same group)

Cancellation Policy

Full refund 48h+ before departure · Non-refundable within 48h

Driving from Calgary? Free parking at the Legacy Trail lot (former Canmore Visitor Centre) — one of our pickup stops. Or: Banff Train Station (~9 hrs free parking, 6-min walk to our Peaks Hotel and Suites pickup point in Banff).

📆  Book Your Larch Valley Shuttle

4.95 ★★★★★ ·  950+ Reviews

Adults (13+)

$199 CAD

Children (0-12)

$189 CAD

Free cancellation 48+ hours before departure 

Same guide & vehicle guarantee 

Questions Before You Book?

Adults From

$189 CAD

What to Expect on the Larch Valley Shuttle

A full day from pickup to the Larch Valley trailhead and back. One guide, one van. Hike the trail at your own pace once you arrive. Here is how the day unfolds. Step order can vary depending on traffic and conditions.
White passenger van parked on a road with tall trees in the background

Step 1: Pickup

Your guide arrives at your pickup location within a 15-minute window: 8:00 to 8:15 AM in Canmore and Harvie Heights, 8:30 to 8:45 AM in Banff. Please be ready a few minutes before the start of your window. Leave your extra belongings in the van while you hike.
Person sits on a rock overlooking golden autumn larches and snow-capped mountains.

Step 2: Larch Valley Trail

From the Moraine Lake trailhead, the trail climbs steadily through subalpine forest, about 11 km round trip with roughly 400 m of elevation gain. At the halfway point the trees open into the larch meadows: the Valley of the Ten Peaks in front of you, Moraine Lake below, golden larches on every side. Hike at your own pace.
Moraine lake framed by pine trees and rocky peaks under a partly cloudy sky

Step 3: Moraine Lake

After the hike, take a stroll on the Rockpile Trail or rent a canoe and enjoy the lake. Just remember, the faster you hike, the more time you’ll have for exploring Moraine Lake. If you’re a slow hiker… well, consider it extra time to enjoy nature!
A buck with large antlers standing in a forest, with trees and blue sky in the background.

Step 4: Wildlife Corridor

On the return, your route winds through part of the Wildlife Corridor, the original two-lane road that runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway. Black bears, grizzlies, elk, and bighorn sheep are regulars on this stretch. Your guide knows where to look, to increase your chances of seeing wildlife.

Why Guests Skip the Parks Canada Shuttle

Parks Canada Shuttle

Canmore Travel

Getting there

Queuing

Between Lakes

Getting back

Total experience

Parks Canada Shuttle

Canmore Travel

Getting There:

Getting There:

Queuing:

Queuing:

Between Lakes:

Between Lakes:

Getting Back:

Getting Back:

Total experience:

Total experience:

Daily tours to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise

What Guests Say About the Larch Valley Shuttle

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Mountain lake with evergreen forest, rocky cliffs, and a small cabin reflected in calm water

Want More Time at the Lakes?

The Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Morning Tour is for guests who want the beauty without the cardio. 1.5 hours at each lake is enough for the Rock Pile, the lakeshore walk, and a coffee. If you want to canoe on Moraine Lake without rushing, hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House at Lake Louise, or spend a full 5 hours at Moraine Lake, the Extended Time Tour is the right choice.

Extended Time Tour · 9–9.5 hours · $199 CAD adults / $189 CAD children

Got questions?

Larch Valley Shuttle FAQ

  • When is the best time to do the Larch Valley hike?

    The Larch Valley hike is most popular in September and October, when the larch trees turn their needles a stunning golden hue. It's a must-do for many travelers visiting Banff National Park, so that short golden window tends to book up fast.

  • Where does the shuttle depart, and what time?

    We depart at 8 AM from Canmore and Harvie Heights with a stop in Banff around 8:30 AM, then drive the full 95 km directly to Moraine Lake. You'll arrive at the Larch Valley trailhead around 9:45 AM, with no pit stops and no figuring it out yourself.

  • How much time will I have at Moraine Lake?

    You'll have 5 hours to soak in the scenery and conquer the hike. Afterward, take a stroll on the Rockpile Trail or, if the canoe dock is still open, try some paddling. The faster you hike, the more time you'll have to explore, so it works out either way.

  • Can't I just drive to Moraine Lake myself?

    No. The lake is off-limits to private vehicles, so a shuttle is the only way in. Other shuttles start at Lake Louise, which leaves you to figure out how to get there first. We pick you up right in Canmore or Banff and handle the entire trip for you.