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There are beautiful places in Canada…

…and then there’s Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

The kind of place that almost doesn’t look real.

Bright turquoise water. Towering mountain peaks. Canoes drifting across the lake like a postcard somebody edited a little too aggressively.

But if you’re planning to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake this summer, there’s one thing you need to know:

Getting there is no longer as simple as jumping in your car.

So this week, we’re breaking down everything you should know before visiting two of the most beautiful lakes in Canada.

Why Moraine Lake Became So Famous

There’s a reason Moraine Lake has become one of the most photographed places in Canada.

Actually… probably a few million reasons, thanks to Instagram.

But once you see it in person, you get it.

The unreal turquoise water comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the lake, while the towering Valley of the Ten Peaks creates one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Canadian Rockies.

And yes — it really is that blue.

👉 Read our Moraine Lake travel guide

Why You Can’t Drive There Anymore

If you haven’t visited in a few years, here’s the big update:

The road to Moraine Lake is now closed to personal vehicles.

Why?

Because things got a little… chaotic.

Massive traffic jams. Unsafe roadside parking. Sunrise lineups that looked like people camping for concert tickets.

Now, the easiest way to visit is by shuttle.

And honestly? It’s way less stressful than gambling on parking at 4:30 AM.

👉 Reserve a Moraine Lake shuttle here

Driving to Lake Louise is also Crazy

While driving to Lake Louise is still allowed, it has become so busy during the summer months that not only has Parks Canada started to charge for parking, but it becomes full so early that most people will end up spending hours in their car as they snake their way back down the mountain to the village after being turned away.

This is why we now recommend taking a shuttle to Lake Louise as well. Not only can you park for free at Lake Louise Ski Resort, but you also don’t have to worry about being turned around at the lake. Less time in traffic equals more time surrounded by beauty.

Plus, you can visit both lakes in one day!

👉 See shuttle options and availability

Best Things to Do at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Yes, the lake itself is incredible. Simply admiring the beauty is enough to warrant a visit.

But there’s a lot more to do once you get there.

Some favourites include:
• Canoeing on Lake Louise and/or Moraine Lake
• Walking one of the many trails
• Hiking to the Lake Agnes Tea House
• Visiting the Fairmont Château Lake Louise
• Photographing the lake at sunrise or sunset

And if you’re feeling ambitious…

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is one of the best day hikes in Banff National Park.

👉 Read our guide to Lake Louise

👉 Read our guide to Moraine Lake

Visiting Moraine Lake at Sunrise

If you’re a photographer or want to see the first sun rays hit the mountain peaks surrounding Moraine Lake, you’ll want to get yourself on the sunrise shuttle, which departs super early. Very, very early!

But is it worth it? Of course!

You’ll question your life choices when the alarm goes off at 3:45 AM… right until the mountains suddenly turn orange and the entire lake starts glowing like somebody turned the saturation slider to maximum.

Then everything makes sense again.

If you can swing sunrise at Moraine Lake at least once in your life, do it.

👉 Plan your sunrise visit

While we all wish we could have these lakes to ourselves, this is simply no longer possible. Like Niagara Falls, the beauty sells itself, and now everyone wants to see these mountain lakes with their own eyes. Can you blame them?

Thankfully, it’s still possible thanks to the shuttle services mentioned above. So whether your goal is to visit Moraine Lake for sunrise, see Lake Louise without all the hassle of parking, or cross both turquoise-coloured lakes off your Canadian bucket list, we hope this guide taught you everything you need to know to make it happen.

International Departures (Brought to you by Loreto Baja Sur)

Swim, Paddle, and Spot Giants: Loreto’s Wild Side

Some destinations are beautiful.

Others are unforgettable.

Loreto just happens to be both.

If you time it right, this is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales—the largest animals on Earth—gliding through the Sea of Cortez.

And that’s just the beginning.

Whale Watching Like Nowhere Else

From January to March, Loreto becomes a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest shows.

Blue whales migrate through these waters, along with dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life that turn every boat trip into something out of a documentary.

It’s not uncommon to see them up close—close enough to hear them breathe.

It’s a not-so-far escape from the winter chills of Canada, with direct flights from Calgary with WestJet (October - April).

Get Out On The Water

This is a place that begs you to get off the beach and into the action.

• Kayak along volcanic islands

• Snorkel in crystal-clear water

• Spot marine life in its natural habitat

The contrast between desert cliffs and bright blue water is surreal—and even better when you’re right in the middle of it.

A Different Kind of Ocean Trip

There are no massive crowds here—no packed excursions.

Just open water, wild landscapes, and the quiet you didn’t realize you were missing.

If your idea of a perfect trip involves nature, adventure, and a little bit of awe… Loreto delivers in a big way.

Watch

While we are going to be making a video about how the shuttle works when it starts in June, for now, see what makes Lake Louise such a special place in the video below…

Beaver Bites

• If you’re wondering just how popular Moraine Lake is, roughly 125,000 seats were sold on the first day the shuttle reservation system opened.
  
  

• From Mont-Tremblant's French cobblestone streets to Kimberley's Bavarian-themed Platzl, Canada is home to six stunning mountain towns — including Banff, Whistler, Smithers, and Blue Mountain Village — that rival the charm of their European counterparts. Skip the transatlantic flight and head north instead!
  
  

• Is the Future of Canada's Snowbirds Up in the Air? A Moose Jaw MP raised alarms that 2026 could be the final season for the Canadian Snowbirds aerial team, though Canada's Defence Minister has since promised the iconic formation will be around for generations to come.
  
  

• Wasaga Beach is gearing up for a packed summer season with over 80 live music performances, a brand-new Wasaga Beach Life Festival, and a midway on the event lineup. It's shaping up to be a great reason to head to Ontario's most beloved shoreline this season!
  
  

• Looking for somewhere to eat in Toronto? Foodism's team spent the past year dining across Toronto — judging spots on inventive flavour, originality, consistency, and atmosphere — and has crowned its 23 best restaurants for 2026, from Michelin-starred Akin to the all-vegan Hawker in Kensington Market.
  
  

• Ever wonder why Muskoka became so popular? National Geographic has turned its lens on Muskoka, Ontario's beloved lake region north of Toronto, spotlighting its glacier-carved lakes, small-town charm, and a booming food scene — not to mention the cottage made famous by the hit show Heated Rivalry, which is now bookable on Airbnb.

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If you’re part of a tourism board, hotel, or experience and want to be featured in front of 60,000+ Canadian travellers each week, feel free to reply or reach out—we’d love to collaborate.