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Moraine Lake is, hands-down, one of the most beautiful locations to visit in Banff. With its stunning turquoise water and mountain backdrop, it’s no surprise that this glacially-fed lake attracts thousands of visitors annually. For those lucky enough to be at the lake during sunrise, it’s truly an unforgettable experience.
Sadly, the lake has become a bit too popular in recent years, which has resulted in a parking ban announced in 2023. Ouch.
But despite that, visiting the lake during sunrise is still possible! From our personal experience, these new options actually make the whole process easier. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can get to Moraine Lake to snap those sunrise shots, as well as other fun activities you can enjoy in the area.
Let’s get started!
When can you visit Moraine Lake?
Before you organize your trip to Moraine Lake, it’s important to know that the road there is not open year-round! During the winter, the road is snowed in and the lake is not accessible to any vehicles. For this reason, it’s best to go between June and mid-October, as this is when the access road is open to vehicles again. This visiting restriction isn’t only for the public but also for tour operators, so make sure to plan accordingly!
The best way to see the bright blue watercolor is when the lake is melted. I recommend visiting between late June and early September to guarantee the lake won’t be frozen – especially first thing in the morning.
Outside the summer and early fall months in Banff National Park, the route to the lake is usually covered with snow, with a high avalanche risk. To help keep the public safe, local authorities decided it was best to restrict road access during this time.
As for the best time of day to visit, I think Moraine Lake is most magical at sunrise. I love that quiet stillness of the Rocky Mountains and seeing the golden light hit the lake. But all the regular buses and shuttles don’t arrive until after sunrise and you can no longer drive yourself since the access road is closed to personal vehicles due to the impossible parking situation at the lake.
The ONLY way to get to the lake for sunrise is by joining an early morning tour or taking a privately operated shuttle. Tour operators are allowed on the road to the lake, so you’ll need to plan ahead for this so you’re not disappointed. I’ll go into more detail on the tour later on in this post!
Related Read: If you’re visiting Banff during wintertime, don’t worry! There are still plenty of epic things to do in Banff in winter!
Why is sunrise at Moraine Lake famous?
When you think of a typical sunrise, you’ll probably imagine the sun rising on the horizon – beautiful, but blinding! What makes the sunrise at Moraine Lake so beautiful is that the sun actually rises from behind you, bathing the mountains and the lake in an otherworldly glow. I couldn’t believe how goregous the sunrise was here, it instantly became one of my favorite Moraine Lake experiences. This is also the best time for taking photos, as the lighting is just right.
Besides the incredible views, sunrise means you’ll beat the crowds who come to see this stunning lake. Being here first thing in the morning is an amazing way to start your vacation in Banff and leaves the rest of your day free to explore.
Moraine Lake will always hold a special place in my heart since this is where I proposed to Bailey (luckily she said yes!). Sunrise here is so romantic whether you’re planning a honeymoon in Banff or just a little getaway with your partner. After visiting the lake at different points throughout the day I have to say sunrise is my absolute favorite.
If you’re also lucky enough to see the sunset at Moraine Lake, you’re in for a treat. As the sun makes its lazy descent, it sets right behind the Ten Peaks in the distance. With the last light of the day, it’s also a great time to grab a few photos before making your way home.
Is the road to Moraine Lake open for sunrise?
The short answer, unfortunately, is no. Parks Canada made the change in 2023 to not allow any personal vehicles onto the access road or into the parking lot. Basically, the demand for parking FAR exceeded what was available.
The only exception to this is if you have a disabled parking permit – then you can drive to the lake and park in the lot. Organized tours to Moraine Lake, shuttles, buses, and public transit are allowed but run on limited hours.
While you have plenty of options to get to Moraine Lake, there are only a few ways to arrive for that magical sunrise time:
- Sunrise tour to Moraine Lake – The first option is this new sunrise tour to Moraine Lake. The tour was created to specifically fill that gap created with everyone who wants to see the lake at sunrise, but can’t drive themselves or take one of the other options that don’t arrive until later in the morning. The tour departs from Banff and includes all sorts of extras like a guide and even hot chocolate!
- Moraine Lake Bus Company Shuttle – Alternatively, a brand new company just launched that offers sunrise shuttles from Lake Louise Village to Moraine Lake. They have early morning departures at 4 am and 5 am, which means you will see the sunrise. This option is transport only so it’s ideal if you like to explore on your own. Tickets are $99 CAD per person and you can book the sunrise shuttle online here.
- Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle – From June 1 to October 14, you can jump on the Alpine Start Shuttle at 4 am or 5 am to catch the sunrise. Tickets are much cheaper, at just $8 CAD for adults and $4 CAD for kids for a roundtrip shuttle. This shuttle departs from Lake Louise Lakeshore, so you do have to pay $36.75 per vehicle for parking. You can check all the details and book this new shuttle here!
While the route to the lake is technically open to foot traffic and cyclists, it’s a long trek in the dark (about 12 km/7.5 miles!) and we wouldn’t recommend it.
Why is parking closed at Moraine Lake?
Anyone who’s tried to park at Moraine Lake will tell you that it’s a massive ordeal! As one of the best lakes in Banff, the lake has always been incredibly popular, and the parking infrastructure just hasn’t been able to keep up.
As a result, it wasn’t unusual to see the parking lot completely full 24/7 during peak summer. Yes, you read that right!
We can attest to this as we once wasted hours circling around hoping to get a spot. You used to be able to arrive around 5 am and still get a parking spot, but even that wasn’t working anymore.
To combat this, in 2023 Parks Canada announced a year-round ban on parking, except for those with a disabled parking pass. It also goes hand-in-hand with protecting the wildlife of Banff National Park, which was being disturbed by the high levels of traffic and noise.
Related Read: From grizzly bears to majestic elk, taking a wildlife tour in Banff is one of the best ways to see the incredible animals here.
How can you visit Moraine Lake at sunrise?
We absolutely adore seeing Moraine Lake at sunrise, and we know you will too! Thankfully, there are two reliable ways that you can visit, without having to fight an uphill battle in the darkness on foot:
Early morning guided tour from Banff
Taking this Earlybird Explorer tour to Moraine Lake is currently the only way to reach the lake in time for sunrise. At last, you’ll get to witness the sunrise hitting the beautiful glaciers above the Valley of the Ten Peaks and the stunning turquoise waters of Moraine Lake!
With a maximum of 12 people per trip, the small group size makes this perfect for a quiet and undisturbed viewing of the lake. You’ll be picked up at 4 am (remember this is an early bird tour!) and take a private minibus from just outside the Banff Train Station. To help keep you warm, you’ll also get a complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, or tea included in your ticket.
Since you’ll be arriving in the dark, your tour guides will hand out head torches to wear so you can safely navigate your way to the best spot to watch the sunrise. The friendly tour guides are also happy to give tips on the best spots to take photos and advice on how to take them.
After spending 1.5 hours basking in the first light at Moraine Lake, you’ll stop into the Trailhead Cafe where you can add on a hot breakfast and barista-made drink for about $15 – $20 CAD.
Then it’s off to another amazing spot – Lake Louise! As a bonus, you’ll be at this lake well before the crowds arrive so you get a peaceful visit to this lake too, and don’t have to worry about parking here either. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even take a canoe out onto the neon blue waters!
A ticket for this magical sunset tour costs $287 CAD per person. While this may seem a little pricey, believe us when we say that seeing Moraine Lake during sunrise (without a boatload of tourists around) really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
You can book this tour with FREE cancellation 24 hours beforehand online here.
Early morning shuttle from Lake Louise
A brand new company has just started offering shuttles to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise. Unlike the tours mentioned above, this option is transport only. there’s no tour guide, however, that does make it a lot more affordable than the tours at only $60-70 CAD per adult.
The other thing that we love about this new shuttle is that it offers early morning departures at both 4 am and 5 am, which means you’ll get to enjoy sunrise at Moraine Lake! But even if you aren’t an early riser, this shuttle is super convenient because your spot on the shuttle is booked, meaning no waiting around in long lines like you would with the Parks Canada shuttles.
When you book the shuttle, you can also choose to add on a quick hour-long stop at Lake Louise Lakefront. This is the perfect choice for anybody who also wants to check out Lake Louise for a few photo ops without the stress of trying to get parking.
One thing to note about this shuttle is that it departs from Lake Louise (either Lake Louise Village or the Lake Louise Gondola, depending on the departure time that you book.) So, you will have to get yourself to the meeting point.
This tour is quite popular, so I recommend booking online here to secure your spot!
Alpine Start Shuttle by Parks Canada
Obviously sunrise at Moraine Lake is a popular experience because yet another shuttle has opened up! Parks Canada has released the new Alpine Start Shuttle, which takes you from Lake Louise Lakeshore to Moraine Lake and back.
The shuttles depart at 4 am or 5 am and operate from June 1 to October 14. You will park at Lake Louise Lakeshore, ride the Alpine Start Shuttle to Moraine Lake, and catch the world’s most beautiful sunrise (in my opinion). When you’re ready to go back to your car, you will take the Lake Connector shuttle that departs Moraine Lake starting at 7 am.
This is the least expensive shuttle option with tickets costing just $8 CAD for adults and $4 CAD for kids. Do keep in mind that you will have to pay the $36.75 parking fee to park at Lake Louise Lakeshore. But even with that parking fee, it’s still the cheapest option!
You can check all the details and reserve your spot on the Alpine Start Shuttle here!
Can you use the Parks Canada shuttles to visit Moraine Lake at sunrise?
Yes! As we mentioned above, the Alpine Start Shuttle just opened up and is a great option for getting to Moraine Lake for Sunrise. The shuttles depart at 4 or 5 am, which will definitely get you there in time for sunrise. Plus, it’s the cheapest option – which we love!
We personally haven’t taken this shuttle, but we did use the privately owned Moraine Lake Buse Company shuttle, as we also mentioned earlier. Overall it was a fantastic experience, you can read our full review here! Some of the advantages for us included avoiding HUGE Parks Canada shuttle lines, the friendly staff, and having a guaranteed departure and pick-up time.
Related Read: If you have more time, why not hike one of the spectacular trails that start from Moraine Lake.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Other Things to do While You’re in Banff
There’s no better start to your day than watching the sunrise at Moraine Lake. Once you’re finished up here, there are so many other incredible things to do in Banff! Here are some of my must-do activities:
- Hike Johnston Canyon – As one of the easier hikes to do in Banff, Johnston Canyon is a popular and scenic location with some pretty incredible waterfalls! It’s easy to customize the hike to your needs – you can either do the shorter hike to the Lower Falls or push on to see the amazing Upper Falls. There’s also the handy hop-on hop-off bus that stops here, as well as magical nighttime tours like this evening Icewalk tour.
- Visit Lake Louise – Seeing Lake Louise is a must as this is another one of our favorite lakes to visit in Canada! It can be difficult to find parking at Lake Louise, so we recommend hopping on a tour from Banff to Lake Louise or taking the ROAM transit bus, or the Park and Ride shuttles.
- Ride the Banff Gondola – Enjoy a mesmerizing ascent to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you’ll find shops, a fantastic café, and even a theater! Riding the Banff Gondola is also a great way to spot some of Banff National Park’s famous wildlife. Make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time, as this is a popular attraction that sells out quickly! You can easily book online here.
- Explore Banff town – There are also lots of things to see and do in the town center! Sip a coffee at some of the best cafés in Banff with amazing views, before going shopping down the super cute Bear Street. For those who want something a bit stronger, there are also loads of fantastic breweries and distilleries in Banff!
Where to Stay in Banff
It can be a little overwhelming when searching for the best places to stay in Banff – it is a popular resort town after all! From our own experience, we’ve created a list of the best hotels in Banff town to fit a wide range of budgets. Here are a few of our favorites:
Fairmont Banff Springs – $$$
Live your very own fairytale with a stay at Fairmont Banff Springs designed after a Scottish Baronial castle! Easily the most elegant hotel in Banff, a stay here doesn’t come cheap, but the memories you’ll make here will be priceless.
Enjoy two incredible swimming pools, 27 spa treatment areas, golf, horseback riding and so much more at this all-in-one hotel! With shuttles to many nearby ski resorts, this is also the perfect place to stay if you’re planning a Banff ski holiday or winter vacation. Rooms here start around $610 CAD and you can book your stay online here.
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – $$
Relax in a hot tub or work up a sweat in the fully equipped gym, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort has it all! All of the rooms in this hotel have a kitchenette or full kitchen, which is perfect for making up meals before your adventures.
You’ll find this hotel on Tunnel Mountain, which is about a 5-minute drive from Banff town. Rooms here start at $129 CAD and you can check availability online here.
Samesun Banff Hostel – $
With modern and clean dorm rooms, Samesun Banff Hostel is the ideal hotel for backpackers and those traveling on a budget. As an added bonus, breakfast is included in the rate, and although there are no private rooms available, there are laundry facilities, as well as a fully licensed bar!
Rooms here start from $41 CAD per night, and you can book your stay either on Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.
Thanks for reading!
Although parking may now be banned at Moraine Lake, thanks to shuttle and tour options, it’s still possible to see the sunrise in a calm and intimate setting, away from the buzzing of the crowds. We highly recommend coming first thing in the morning if you can. It’s an unforgettable experience and truly my favorite way to see Moraine Lake!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog and it’s helped you plan your sunrise trip to Moraine Lake. If you’re planning a Rocky Mountain getaway check out our other Banff blogs and these helpful articles below:
Is Moraine Lake Worth it? – Our Review After More Than 5 Visits
The Four Banff Gondolas – Our Comparison After Riding Them All!