The impressive Moraine Lake is located in Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Not only is Moraine Lake a picture-perfect getaway — its crystal blue waters are framed by the stunning Valley of the Ten Peaks, while evergreen trees line its shore — but there are also some fantastic activities at the lake that allows you to truly immerse yourself in nature.
You might be wondering why you need to travel to Alberta in Canada to see a lake — you probably have some lakes closer to home! Moraine Lake is innately special, though. Take it from this writer who visited in 2018 and is still writing about it to this date.
If you’re planning a trip in the near future, or you’re still making plans, we strongly recommend a visit to Banff National Park — and in particular, Moraine Lake. Read on to learn about everything you can do once you get there!
The sunrise at Moraine Lake is spectacular; seeing the sun's glow as it cascades down the mountains will be a memory that will stay with you forever, even if you’re a seasoned traveler. It’s the best time of day to take photos, too. The area is at its quietest, and the water is at its stillest — giving you mirror-like reflections — and the soft sunshine means there's minimal glare from the surface.
One very important thing to note is that the road to Moraine Lake is closed to public vehicles; to get there, you need to catch a commercial bus. Fortunately, shuttles like those provided by Moraine Lake Bus Company can get you there on time to see the sunrise. This company also allows you to reserve your bus to and from the lake — not all services do — so you’ll know exactly when you’re coming and when you’re going!
Whether you come in time for the sunrise, later in the morning or early afternoon, you should definitely factor in time for a hike. Moraine Lake is a special location in that it has hikes for all ages and hiking abilities. One walk is as short as 20 minutes, while others will span an entire day.
The terrain here is truly picturesque! Clearly blazed trails wind along the shores of the lake, through alpine meadows to scree slopes at the base of mountains, and to trails that wind upwards to smaller mountain lakes nestled between peaks.
Credit: Matthew Fournier Via: Unsplash
You can’t visit Canada and not take advantage of a quintessentially Canadian activity like canoeing!
At Moraine Lake, visitors can rent colorful canoes at the lake dock. Paddling across the water, making sure to travel the full breadth and width of the lake, is a wonderful way to see the area and its mountainsides and forests from different perspectives and angles.
Canoeing at Moraine Lake is a peaceful, restorative activity that lets you pause and take a moment to truly enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
If you’re an experienced rock climber, Moraine Lake has you covered. There is a load of multi-pitched climbing routes that stem from the lake. Many seasoned climbers consider the area to have some of the best alpine limestone climbs in all of North America — what a statement!
Your visit to Moraine Lake doesn’t need to be go, go, go. If you prize meditation or simply sitting and relaxing, this is hands down one of the most beautiful locations in the world to simply sit, regroup, and absorb the beautiful natural surroundings. It’s a fantastic way to spend an hour or two during a jam-packed vacation to feel at peace.
It’s honestly hard to tell you everything that you can do at Moraine Lake — the list would be voluminous! There are multiple hiking trails and climbing routes, there’s a café where you can dine al fresco on fresh-from-the-oven snacks and warm up with a brewed coffee, and we didn’t even touch on the amazing wildlife-watching opportunities.
All this is to say: it’s best to go and see for yourself! If you’re still planning your summer or early fall vacation this year, or you’re planning ahead for next year’s, keep Moraine Lake in mind. It’s a decision you won’t regret.
