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Lake Louise

Jelmer Borst · Unsplash

Lake Louise

12.25 CADMust-see

Milky turquoise water under a glacier, with a castle hotel on the shore.

Duration

2 hrs – 5 hrs

Difficulty

●●○○○

Best time

Before 7am

Open

Every day

Entry price

12.25 CAD

The lake's colour comes from rock flour: the Victoria Glacier at the head of the valley grinds rock into particles so fine that they stay suspended and scatter green and blue light. It is at its most intense in July and August, when melt is at its peak.

The lake is frozen and white from November to June. The château hotel on its shore dates from 1890, built by the railway company to give people a reason to take the train. The Plain of Six Glaciers trail leaves from the shore and climbs in three hours, there and back.

Getting there

An hour's drive from Banff. The car park is paid, reserved, and full before six in summer: the Parks Canada shuttle from Lake Louise Village is the answer.

What the price covers

daily national park admission, adult 18 to 64. Free under 18, $10.75 from 65, $24.50 for a group of up to seven. The Parks Canada shuttle is paid separately.

What to bring

Rules on site

The car park fills long before dawn in summer and must be reserved: without a booking you need the shuttle. The national park pass is required on top of parking.

Checked on 30 August 2026 at Parks Canada — Banff, fees

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