Nestled in the heart of Banff National Park lies a place so mesmerizing it feels like a scene straight out of a dream – we’re talking about Lake Louise of course! There’s a reason this lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the entire world, its shimmering turquoise water seems to perfectly mirror the surrounding mountain peaks and forests making it a truly breathtaking sight!
It’s a haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike. And the best part is that there is no bad time to visit! During the summer months, the lakeshore comes alive with eager hikers and tourists, while in the winter the lake becomes a skating rink with picturesque snow-capped mountains as the backdrop.
But because it’s such a sought-after destination, it can get pretty busy, and visiting can have its challenges. This is why we decided to make our various Lake Louise guides below to help you plan your trip in advance to avoid any hiccups!
Bailey is Canadian and when I first came to Canada to visit her family, we visited Banff National Park. I ended up loving it so much that we actually moved to the Canadian Rockies for a while! We are lucky to have visited Lake Louise and the surrounding area countless times, and we are so excited to share all of our insider tips and tricks with you so that you can have the best trip possible.
We are certain that you’ll love Lake Louise as much as we do – Happy Planning!
Planning Essentials
Things to do in Lake Louise
Finding the best activities to do while in Lake Louise is one of the most important parts of planning your trip. Luckily there is no shortage of things to do for any type of traveler. Have a look at the articles below to see what you’re going to add to your itinerary!
Best Tours to Lake Louise
Sometimes planning everything on your own is just too overwhelming. Especially when it comes to busy places like Lake Louise, it is often easier to just take a tour and not have to worry about the stress of transportation, navigation, and parking. Tours are also nice because not only do you get a local guide, but you also get to visit other great areas in Banff National Park!
Shuttles to Lake Louise
Leave the driving to someone else for your epic trip to the Rockies by taking a shuttle or bus!
Lake Louise Road Trips
There’s nothing quite like a road trip through the Canadian Rockies! Driving through this area is one of our favorite things because it is so scenic and there are so many great places to stop along the way. Have a look at the well-thought-out road-trip itineraries below – they can be used in reverse as well!
Where to Next?
Lake Louise is right in the middle of the Banff National Park, meaning it is super close to many other towns, attractions, and natural wonders. We highly recommend venturing outside of Lake Louise to explore more of this stunning area of Canada. We’ve outlined some of our favorite nearby things to do and places to visit below!
Top Nearby Attractions
Moraine Lake
If there was ever a lake to rival Lake Louise for the top spot of Banff’s best lakes, it would be Moraine Lake. Lake Louise is actually the launching point to visit Moraine Lake, and lots of people see both in one day. Getting to Moraine Lake can be quite difficult, as you can’t drive there yourself. So make sure to read our top guides below for everything you need to know about visiting!
Banff Town
The most popular area for people to visit and stay in Banff National Park is Banff Town itself. It’s only a 40-minute drive from Lake Louise and it is full of great shopping, restaurants, and scenery. These top blog posts are certain to help you start planning your time there!
Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is a scenic stretch of highway that connects Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. Known as one of the most scenic roads in the world, this 227 km (141 miles) route has some seriously unbelievable stops along the way. It’s best experienced on a road trip or a tour!
Other Nearby Places
Did you know that Banff is surrounded by multiple National and Provincial Parks? There is so much to see in this area of Canada that we highly encourage you to go beyond Banff to check out some of these other awesome places!
