There are many places (and people and things) that look much better on Instagram than in real life. Moraine Lake is not one of those places. We visited on our fourth day in Banff, at which point we had already seen a lot of beautiful and magical scenery and we almost didn’t bother going. While it had originally been on our list of priorities, Moraine Lake is a bit tricky to get to and takes a bit of strategy (which I will get to in a bit). We didn’t plan ahead for this portion of the trip and we were tired. It was supposed to rain and nobody in our group was excited to make the effort. I was torn between really, really wanting to see Moraine Lake (which would include dragging along my unwilling travel companions because “life is worth the effort”) and letting it go because “you can’t do everything”. In the end, we made the effort, and it’s almost tragic to think that I almost let it go.
Moraine Lake is 100% as amazing as it looks in the pictures. It is even better in person because you can see the beautiful blues and greens change color as the sky changes and the sun moves out from behind clouds, or the time of day changes even ever so slightly. You can glimpse the lake from so many different angels, each capturing just a little bit of a different view.
Visiting is a no-brainer. Moraine Lake does take some effort and planning, particularly in the peak season of July and August. The parking lot, which is actually quite large, fills up very, very early. Like 4 a.m. early. Apparently, sunrise at the lake is not to be missed. Once the lot is full, they close the road in. If you plan to just show up, you just have to drive to the entry point and hope there are enough spots open that you can begin the (8 mile) drive in. You can take your chances and hope to get lucky, or you can take a shuttle. We were able to book a shuttle through the Fairmont Lake Louis but our back up plan was to take the bus via Canada Parks. Both options require advance reservations. If rain is in the forecast, and you have the flexibility, you may even want to consider booking the bus or shuttle for two days. You will definitely want to do anything to increase your chances of seeing the lake in sunlight.
Our plan was to eat a quick picnic lunch, hike the Moraine Lake Trail which is about two miles out/back and then climb up to Table Top to view the lake from above and get the Moraine Lake money shot. We had three hours before our scheduled shuttle back, and it was the perfect amount of time to complete these activities.
When you plan your visit, if you need to set a return time, be sure to schedule enough time at the lake to complete all of your wanted activities. Moraine Lake is an access point to several great hikes (Constellation and Larch Valley), and depending on the time of year, you may not want to miss them. There are also canoes available for rent, a cafe and gift shop in addition to the path along the lake.
I was expecting the lake to feel more remote, especially after the long road with little traffic. It was very busy, with a combination of cars, busses and various smaller shuttles loading and unloading. The edge of the lake is just steps away from the parking lot and loading zones, adding to the chaos. Once we started out on the trail however, the crowds quickly dispersed. We found a spot along the water’s edge to sit on a log and enjoy our sandwiches. At the time, we were still worried about the chance of rain, and hoping to get everything in before it started. Luck was on our side that day at Moraine Lake and the weather just kept getting better!
While the hike is fairly short and flat, we really didn’t even notice we were hiking. There is so much to look at and so many views to take in. The out and back trail takes you about a mile in, to what feels like about half way around the lake.
Walking back on the trail allowed us to revisit our favorite views at a slower pace. Facing the opposite direction of the sun gave us different lighting and a chance to snap some final pictures.
After stopping at the main entrance for a quick bathroom break (they are clean enough, but nothing fancy), we continued up the path to Table Top. Unlike the Moraine Lake Trail, Table Top gets busier as you get closer to the top. The crowds continued to come and go, and it took a little navigating to get the best photos from the best spots, but we didn’t mind waiting. It was seriously the best people-watching and super entertaining just seeing others try to get their money shot.
A little ways down from the top are plenty of spaces to sit down, spread out and glimpse various views from this majestic view point. All in all, it was pure magic! The view was definitely worth the climb – and the bus ride, and the complaining, and the crowds and probably the whole trip to Banff.
All Cedars and Sunsets adventure posts are meant for inspiration only. Always consult a proper map, tell someone where you are going, and check up on current weather and trail conditions. Be aware of potential dangers or wildlife threats and always pack extra water.
Be safe, have fun and keep adventuring!
XOXO – Jennie B.