Day 2: Banff National Park – Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
120km/75mi – 1h20min
On the second day of this itinerary, it is time to go explore the two most iconic lakes in Banff National Park: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
Explore:
- Start the day by walking along the magically blue Moraine Lake.
- Spend the afternoon exploring Lake Louise, and its surroundings, including the Fairmont Chateau Hotel.
- If time and weather permits, rent a canoe at either of the two lakes.
Eat:
- For lunch, we bought a picnic at IGA supermarket in Banff village.
- We enjoyed a tasty dinner with a view at Primrose in the Rimrock hotel.
Stay:
- Same as Day 1 (in Banff Village)
Tips:
- Unless you arrive at Moraine Lake or Lake Louise very early in the day (5:30am according to park personnel), onsite parking will not be available. You will need to park at the overflow parking about 5km away, and take the Moraine Lake shuttle ($15pp), and/or the Lake Louise shuttle (free). Expect long lines (outdoors) to catch the shuttles.
- If your budget permits, and you absolutely want to avoid shuttle buses, there is a hotel at Moraine Lake (Moraine Lake Lodge) and one at Lake Louise (Fairmont Lake Louise).
- Consider buying a picnic in Banff village, as there is barely any food for sale and no indoor spaces to eat at Moraine Lake.
Moraine Lake Moraine Lake Canoes Lake Louise
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