What time does the Morning Tour leave, and how long is it?

We pick up around 8:00 AM in Canmore and Harvie Heights and around 8:30 AM in Banff, using short 15-minute pickup windows so you know roughly when to be ready. The whole tour runs about 6 to 7 hours, so you are back by early afternoon with the rest of your day free.

Do I need a reservation or a parking pass to get into Moraine Lake?

Not with us. Private vehicles can no longer drive to Moraine Lake, and the personal parking reservation system fills up fast. We have priority access and handle all of that for you, so you skip the lottery entirely and just enjoy the lake. That is the whole point of riding with us.

Do I need a Parks Canada pass?

Banff National Park normally requires a Parks Canada pass, and guests bring their own. Just let your driver know you have it at pickup. Please do not plan to buy one at the park gate, it slows everyone down. If you are unsure where to get one, ask us and we will point you the right way.

Will we actually see wildlife?

Often, but nature never promises. Your guide keeps an eye out, especially on the return leg through the Wildlife Corridor, where elk, bighorn sheep, and the occasional bear show up. Bring a little patience and a camera, and enjoy whatever the mountains decide to show you.

What is included, and what should I bring?

Bottled water and umbrellas ride along with you, plus your guide's stories, tips, and local know-how. Bring layers (mornings are cool in the mountains even in July), comfy shoes, a camera, and a snack, since the lakeside cafe lines get long. Your Parks Canada pass, meals, and tips are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations for scheduled shared (group) shuttles and tours made at least 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up time will receive a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled pick-up time are non-refundable. Group bookings for six or more guests require a 7-day cancellation notice. No-shows or failure to cancel a reservation will result in no refund.

Tours

Parks Canada Pass Required

There are two good reasons to join our morning tour.

The first is the light. We time our visit so you're at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise during the hours when the turquoise water is typically at its most vibrant. As the sun climbs over the surrounding peaks, both lakes glow with that impossible shade of blue you've seen online. Except in real life, it's somehow even brighter.

The second is the timing. By the time we arrive at Moraine Lake, the sunrise photographers have already packed up, but the biggest crowds haven't arrived yet. It's the sweet spot, giving you beautiful light without setting your alarm for 4 AM.

You'll be back in the early afternoon too, leaving plenty of time to explore Banff, relax in Canmore, or finally decide whether that mountain goat was judging you.

The Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Morning Tour is one of Canmore Travel's daily guided tours to both lakes. We pick up guests in Canmore and Harvie Heights between 8:00 and 8:15 AM, and in Banff between 8:30 and 8:45 AM. Please be ready at the beginning of your pickup window, as the exact pickup time depends on the day's route and other guest pickups. We travel to the lakes via the Trans-Canada Highway and return through part of the Wildlife Corridor, the original two-lane road where elk, deer, bears, and bighorn sheep roam freely. Enjoy 1.5 hours of free time at both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, with the same local guide and the same vehicle from pickup to return. From $155 CAD per adult. Running daily since 2020.

Expedited access to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. NO waiting in lines!
Convenient pick-ups at many locations - most are within a 1- 5 minute walk from any accommodations in Canmore, Harvie Heights and Banff. Pickup Locations
Comfortable transportation in a modern 14-passenger van with air conditioning, a high ceiling, and large panoramic windows.
Travel through a wildlife corridor and a wildlife habitat for animal sightings (not guaranteed but seen on almost all trips).
Knowledgeable guide to share insights about Banff National Park, its wildlife, history, and landscapes.
Access fee to Moraine Lake is included in the price.
You can leave your belongings in the van while you explore.
No multiple transfers/shuttles, no changing buses or drivers - your friendly guide stays with you for the entire journey.
Complimentary use of umbrellas in case of unexpected weather.

White passenger van parked on a road with tall trees in the background

Step 1: Pickup

Your guide arrives at your designated 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. Board once. Leave your extra belongings in the van while you explore.

Moraine Lake with pine trees, rocky peaks, and glowing sunset clouds

Step 2: Moraine Lake

You arrive in the early morning light, when the turquoise is more intense than photos suggest. 1.5 hours at the lake: the Rock Pile viewpoint, the lakeshore walk, the canoe dock. Most guests crest the Rock Pile and go quiet. It happens every trip.

Lake Louise with turquoise water reflecting forested peaks and a bright blue sky

Step 3: Lake Louise

Spend 1.5 hours at Lake Louise. Enjoy the Chateau, the lakeshore walk, and glacier views up the valley toward Victoria Glacier. The view that has been on every Canada postcard for a hundred years. The real thing is bigger.

Bull elk with large antlers standing in a forest clearing, green trees 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.

What time does the Morning Tour leave, and how long is it?
We pick up around 8:00 AM in Canmore and Harvie Heights and around 8:30 AM in Banff, using short 15-minute pickup windows so you know roughly when to be ready. The whole tour runs about 6 to 7 hours, so you are back by early afternoon with the rest of your day free.
Do I need a reservation or a parking pass to get into Moraine Lake?
Not with us. Private vehicles can no longer drive to Moraine Lake, and the personal parking reservation system fills up fast. We have priority access and handle all of that for you, so you skip the lottery entirely and just enjoy the lake. That is the whole point of riding with us.
Do I need a Parks Canada pass?
Banff National Park normally requires a Parks Canada pass, and guests bring their own. Just let your driver know you have it at pickup. Please do not plan to buy one at the park gate, it slows everyone down. If you are unsure where to get one, ask us and we will point you the right way.
Will we actually see wildlife?
Often, but nature never promises. Your guide keeps an eye out, especially on the return leg through the Wildlife Corridor, where elk, bighorn sheep, and the occasional bear show up. Bring a little patience and a camera, and enjoy whatever the mountains decide to show you.
What is included, and what should I bring?
Bottled water and umbrellas ride along with you, plus your guide's stories, tips, and local know-how. Bring layers (mornings are cool in the mountains even in July), comfy shoes, a camera, and a snack, since the lakeside cafe lines get long. Your Parks Canada pass, meals, and tips are not included.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations for scheduled shared (group) shuttles and tours made at least 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up time will receive a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled pick-up time are non-refundable. Group bookings for six or more guests require a 7-day cancellation notice. No-shows or failure to cancel a reservation will result in no refund.

Get in touch

Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Morning Tour: Sightseeing and Wildlife

What to Expect on the Morning Tour