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Moraine Lake

Lakes ·Lake Louise
4.86.1K
#1Lakes in CanadaTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Moraine Lake is a snow- and glacier-fed alpine lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, 14 km from Lake Louise, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

More photos 11

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Moraine Lake — Bright turquoise water reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks Ronny Von Arx · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
Moraine Lake — Bright turquoise water reflecting the surrounding mountain peaksMoraine Lake — Lake and mountain range viewed from a rocky shorelineMoraine Lake — Clouds gather over the lake and forested mountain slopesMoraine Lake — Evergreen trees frame the turquoise lake and rugged peaksMoraine Lake — Snowy mountains reflected in still water beside a rocky shoreMoraine Lake — Deltaform Mountain rises above the lake and forestMoraine Lake — Tall evergreens frame a narrow view across the lakeMoraine Lake — Logs and rocks along the water beneath steep mountainsMoraine Lake — Moraine Lake seen from Mount Temple above the mountain rangeMoraine Lake — Sunset colors the mountain peaks reflected in the lakeMoraine Lake — Rocky peaks and evergreen forest rise above the lake

Why go

  • When full, Moraine Lake turns azure blue as sunlight refracts off glacial sediment.
  • The Rockpile Trail viewpoint looks over the lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks, a scene among Canada’s most photographed.
  • Ten summits of the Wenkchemna Range surround the lake.

Season and conditions

  • Open to the public from June through October.
  • Snowmelt and glacial melt usually bring the lake to its fullest level in mid to late June.

Safety

  • Filter and boil lake water before drinking; it contains silt and bacteria.
  • The route beyond the lower Consolation Lakes to the upper lake is unmarked and rocky, and may require scrambling over large rocks.
  • Trails around the lake may be restricted at times.
  • The Neil Colgan Hut is reached by an 8–12-hour climb via the Perren Route.

Photo spots

  • Rockpile Trail viewpointPhotograph Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks from the viewpoint. Follow the roughly 300-metre trail along the moraine; it gains 24 metres.At the top of the Rockpile Trail

Shorts

History

The lake takes its name from moraines deposited by the Wenkchemna Glacier. Its barrier was formed by a massive rockslide rather than a terminal moraine.

  1. 1969 and 1979Moraine Lake appeared on the reverse of Canadian twenty-dollar bills, giving the mountain backdrop its nickname, the “Twenty Dollar View.”

How to get there

  • BusSince 2023, personal vehicles have been barred from the access road. Reach the lake by park shuttle, transit or a commercial operator.
  • BikeCycle the 10 km access road to the lake.
  • On footWalking the access road is possible, but the round trip from authorized parking is 28 km and is not recommended.

Sources: Moraine Lake - Wikipedia · Moraine Lake - Wikipedia · Lac Moraine - Wikipedia · checked 29 Sep 2026

Where
Moraine Lake Rd Off Great Divide Hwy, Lake Louise

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

Can you drive to Moraine Lake?

Personal vehicles have been barred from the access road since 2023. Visitors with a disability permit are exempt from the restriction.

How do you get to Moraine Lake?

Use a park shuttle, transit or a commercial operator. You can also cycle the 10 km access road.

How far is the walk to Moraine Lake?

The round trip from authorized parking is 28 km, and walking is not recommended.

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