Can I combine the Sunset Glow tour with stargazing?

We keep them separate on purpose, and here is the honest reason. We are the only company with real hands-on experience stargazing at Moraine Lake, and after fine-tuning these tours and capturing the aurora here, we know the timing for sunset and for stargazing simply does not line up. Combining them is like a buy-one-get-one deal where you get two experiences but both are watered down. We would rather give you one perfectly timed tour you can fully enjoy than two half versions. For the best night out, trust the pioneers who know Moraine Lake after dark better than anyone.

What time does the Sunset Glow tour leave?

Departure shifts with the season because it is timed to sunset, so a June pickup looks very different from a September one. You will get your exact pickup time when you book. Once there, you get roughly an hour of free time at each lake to enjoy the evening light. Pick up time changes throughout the season. Pick ups in Banff are approximately half an hour after the tour starts in Canmore.

Why go in the evening instead of the morning?

Evenings trade the morning rush for quieter shorelines and that warm golden-hour glow on the peaks. If you love softer light, fewer crowds, and a calmer pace at the lakes, this is your tour.

Will it be cold at the lakes in the evening?

It can be, even in summer. Mornings and evenings cool off quickly in the mountains, so bring a warm layer or two no matter the month. You will be glad you packed the jacket once the sun dips behind the peaks.

Do I need a Parks Canada pass, and will we see wildlife?

Yes, bring your own Parks Canada pass and mention it to your driver at pickup (please skip buying at the gate). Wildlife sightings are possible, especially on the return through the Wildlife Corridor, though never guaranteed. Keep your camera handy just in case.

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

Morning tours are about seeing the lakes.

Sunset tours are about feeling them.

There's no early alarm, no rushing out the door before breakfast, and no wondering if you packed enough coffee. Instead, you ease into your day and arrive when the crowds are beginning to thin, the light turns warm and golden, and the mountains seem to slow down with you.

Because the tour follows the sunset, departure times change throughout the season. We'll confirm your exact pickup time when you book, making sure you arrive during the most beautiful light of the day.

The drive home is an experience in itself. Dusk is when wildlife is at its most active, and we return via part of the Bow Valley Wildlife Corridor at exactly the right time to look for bears, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and, if luck is on your side, even a wolf. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but evening consistently offers some of the best viewing opportunities of the day.

This isn't simply the Morning Tour with a later departure. It's a completely different atmosphere.

The Moraine Lake Sunset Glow Tour is a guided evening shuttle from Canmore and Banff to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Timed to follow the golden evening light, the tour runs 6 to 7 hours, with departure times that shift throughout the season to match the sunset. Guests visit both lakes at one of the quietest and most peaceful times of the day, enjoying approximately 1 hour of free time at each lake before returning through part of the Bow Valley Wildlife Corridor, when wildlife is at its most active. From $165 CAD per adult. Operates daily June 1 through September 30. Proudly operated by Canmore Travel since 2020.

Convenient pickups in Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff. Pickup Locations
Guided transport in a 14-passenger van with high roof, air conditioning, and panoramic windows
Access to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise (~1 hr free time at each lake) Knowledgeable guide/driver to share insights about Banff National Park, its wildlife, history, and landscapes and maybe even a few dad jokes.
Same guide and vehicle for the full 6 to 7 hours. Leave your extra belongings in the van while you explore.
Wildlife spotting along the Wildlife Corridor (not guaranteed; seen on almost all trips)
Complimentary use of umbrellas in case of unexpected weather

Snacks (we kindly request not to eat them inside the vehicle) or you can purchase them at the lakes — please note that the lines in the coffee shops can be long, and the Moraine Lake coffee shop closes early. The Lake Louise coffee shop is open late.
Water (we provide refills; just bring your own bottle).
Warm layers – the weather here has commitment issues! It can switch from sunny to rainy to snowy in a heartbeat.
Comfortable walking shoes (the Rock Pile trail is uneven rock)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Camera or a charged phone – golden hour at Moraine Lake warrants it
Parks Canada pass – required; not included in the tour price

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

Step 1: Pickup

Unlike our Morning Tour, there's no race against the alarm clock.

Your guide picks you up in Canmore or Banff in the afternoon, with departure times changing throughout the season to match the sunset. Every departure is timed so you arrive at the lakes as the evening light begins to work its magic. We'll confirm your exact pickup time when you book. Please be ready at the beginning of your 15-minute pickup window.

Moraine Lake with a squirrel on a rock, canoes on the shore, and tall peaks reflected in calm water

Step 2: Moraine Lake

One hour at the lake, just enough time for the Rock Pile viewpoint and a walk along the lakeshore. In the evening, the lake often goes still and the surface settles into a reflection of the Ten Peaks that the busier midday hours rarely produce.

Lake Louise reflecting forested cliffs and golden sunlit peaks under a clear sky

Step 3: Lake Louise

Your final stop is Lake Louise, where you'll have about one hour to enjoy one of Canada's most famous views. Walk the shoreline, snap your last photos of the day, or simply sit on a bench and convince yourself you'll move here one day. It happens more often than you'd think.

Bull elk with large antlers standing in a green forest.

Step 4: Wildlife Corridor

Evening is when the animals make their red carpet appearance.

As we return through part of the Bow Valley Wildlife Corridor, keep your eyes on the roadside. Around dusk, grizzly bears, black bears, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and wolves are all more active, making this one of the best times of day for wildlife viewing.

There's no reservation system for bears, so sightings can never be guaranteed. But if any of Banff's locals are heading out for the evening, this is when you're most likely to meet them.

Can I combine the Sunset Glow tour with stargazing?
We keep them separate on purpose, and here is the honest reason. We are the only company with real hands-on experience stargazing at Moraine Lake, and after fine-tuning these tours and capturing the aurora here, we know the timing for sunset and for stargazing simply does not line up. Combining them is like a buy-one-get-one deal where you get two experiences but both are watered down. We would rather give you one perfectly timed tour you can fully enjoy than two half versions. For the best night out, trust the pioneers who know Moraine Lake after dark better than anyone.
What time does the Sunset Glow tour leave?
Departure shifts with the season because it is timed to sunset, so a June pickup looks very different from a September one. You will get your exact pickup time when you book. Once there, you get roughly an hour of free time at each lake to enjoy the evening light. Pick up time changes throughout the season. Pick ups in Banff are approximately half an hour after the tour starts in Canmore.
Why go in the evening instead of the morning?
Evenings trade the morning rush for quieter shorelines and that warm golden-hour glow on the peaks. If you love softer light, fewer crowds, and a calmer pace at the lakes, this is your tour.
Will it be cold at the lakes in the evening?
It can be, even in summer. Mornings and evenings cool off quickly in the mountains, so bring a warm layer or two no matter the month. You will be glad you packed the jacket once the sun dips behind the peaks.
Do I need a Parks Canada pass, and will we see wildlife?
Yes, bring your own Parks Canada pass and mention it to your driver at pickup (please skip buying at the gate). Wildlife sightings are possible, especially on the return through the Wildlife Corridor, though never guaranteed. Keep your camera handy just in case.
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 Sunset Glow: Sightseeing and Wildlife

What to Expect on the Sunset Glow Tour