This year, in 2022, Moraine Lake Road is set to open on June 1 to vehicle traffic. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The trailhead starts at the bathrooms at the Moraine Lake parking lot. For example, if you want to do a hike at Lake Moraine and a hike at Lake Louise, you'll need to do them of different days. There are many hikes around this magical place, ranging from accessible routes to more challenging trails. When it first thaws the water level is very low. It doesn't usually thaw until June so if you want to see the blue waters then August - September is probably the best time to visit. The reason is that with your reservation youll getfree access to the Lake Louise Connector Shuttle. These are the warmest months of the year, the lakes are thawed and looking their most magnificent, and outdoor activity opportunities are plentiful (think . As I mentioned in my previous post about the hike to Larch Valley, the trail is easy to find. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Of course, this depends on what you want to do at each place. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. As the sunrises, it lights up the mountains and lake and makes for the brilliant scene youre probably hoping to see. It is always busier on the weekends! Time needed: 5 - 6 hours. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Keep in mind that Moraine Lake is an area with high grizzly bear concentration, so don't forget to carry a bear spray, travel in a group, and make noise to warn the bears. By this time of day, most people have gone back to their hotel for the day and you should be able to get a parking spot with ease. Best Time to Visit When the roads are open in May, one wouldn't be able to witness the turquoise water of the Lake if they are visiting for the first time. Winter weather begins to set in from mid to late October. Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal! This next hike isnt actually a hike at all. Buff: I love my buff! Moraine Lake Lodge is the only hotel at Moraine Lake and although from the outside the rooms look a little outdated, on the inside youll find freshly renovated modern rooms with all the luxuries you could want. Your experienced local guide will tell you all about the history of the area as well as take you to a secret viewpoint of Moraine Lake. Sometimes, it freezes a bit overnight and then melts again in the sunshine. You may be surprised if you visit in May and find that the lake is still frozen over. Moraine Lake can be accessed by one of the highest roads in Alberta and the countryMoraine Lake Road. Regardless, Lake Moraine is a classic Banff spot that every visitor needs to see. It comes in pink! There are many hikes around this magical place, ranging from accessible routes to more challenging trails. Despite Canada's size, weather patterns are largely the same across the country, with defined seasons similar to those in Europe. The best time to visit Moraine Lake is anytime between June 1 when the road opens back up and before it closes (typically after Canadian Thanksgiving - Oct 10 in 2022). You must buy the ROAM Superpass, this pass is $25 CAD and includes your roundtrip transport from Canmore or Banff to Lake Louise Lakefront. This trail is signposted so you dont need to worry about getting lost. August, hands down, is the best time to visit Moraine Lake, and temperatures will be the best they will be all year. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This year, 2022, Moraine Lake Road was set to open on June 1, however that has since been delayed due to weather/road conditions. Scent-proof bag (for bears): Most people think you only need to keep the smell of food away from you when youre overnight camping. One of my personal favorite times of year to visit Moraine Lake is in the Fall when all of the Larch trees turn bright orange and yellow. In some parts, you can even peer down at Moraine Lake and see her shine bright blue especially on a sunny day! Take in the stunning views at Lake Morainejust be sure to get there early. The weather in july in Moraine Lake is wet (with 4.1in of precipitation over 7 days). It will close again in October, the exact date is dependent on weather conditions. Before you decide to head off and explore the gorgeous mountains, lakes, towns, and cities around Canada its important to have the right equipment. I understand it is best to go to Lake Moraine earlier in the morning to get a carpark space but I prefer having a "better" view so possibly I will take a shuttle at a right time). Aug 9, 2021 - The best time to visit Moraine Lake depends on your intent, however, visiting in September/early October in the morning is a good choice. Regardless, a dry bag gives me peace of mind! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". You can grab food here for your picnic as well! Lake Louise and Moraine Lake usually melt by late May. In fact, wildflowers blossom in the valley during this time, and to some, its their favorite time to hike the trail. The boathouse is open from mid-June to mid-September, Canoe prices start at $115 CAD plus tax for a 1-hour rental, Canoes are on a First Come, First Serve basis, Super early morning or late evening to avoid the crowds and for the best lighting, July and August for the best weather and conditions, Mid-September or early October for yellow larches. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You can rent bikes fromWilson Mountain Sportsat 101 Lake Louise Drive, a mountain bike costs from $49 CAD for the whole day, and an electric bike costs from $79 for the entire day. When Is The Best Time To Visit Moraine Lake? Follow along for adventure travel, trip planning tips and inspiration! Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. These spaces open exactly two days before at 6 am. Another thing to note is that even if you want to only visit Moraine Lake, book the shuttle to Lake Louise if thats all that is available. You can get to it by driving Moraine Lake Road when it is open during the summer months (typically from the end of May until mid-October), or you can hike or cycle there too. Don't miss those great mountain panoramas, scenic glacier views, wild rivers and nice cows. The Discovery Pass is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. To get the most out of your time in Banff, mid-June though mid-September is the best time to visit. You may wish to explore outside Moraine Lake and venture into the beauty of the Park. Here's some information to help you in your decision: On average, the warmest months are July and August The coldest months are February and December The rainiest months are May and June Annual weather in Moraine Lake For example, if you want to visit Moraine Lake on Thursday, beonline on the reservation systemat 6 am on the Tuesday before. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. As with many other Moraine Lake hiking trails, fall is the best time to hike to Eiffel Lake. Bear bells: These are a must, and for the price, you shouldnt hike without them. May 20, 2022 - When is Best Time to Visit Moraine Lake? The Snowshoe Cafe is located in Moraine Lake Lodge and besides coffee, also sells plenty of food items that are perfect to-go. Nov 16, 2019 - Which is the best time to visit Moraine Lake - sunrise or sunset? Destinationless Travelis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. My names Kat. As the sunlight hits the mountains and lake, the lighting is perfect for photos! I highly suggest reading it before you go, otherwise, you simply wont be prepared and may miss out on seeing Moraine Lake entirely! Due to the lakes high elevation it can remain frozen until late May or into early June depending on the temperatures. If you missed out on the shuttle bookings, trythis hop-on-hop-off bus from Banff. The trail leads to the top of the natural dama vista known as the Twenty Dollar View because Canadian 20 dollar bills that have been issued between 1969 and 1979 have this scene on their back side. Chances are, youve seen photos of this iconic place plastered across Instagram or even postcards. To visit destinations along Bear Lake Road, like Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and Moraine Park. Lake Louise-9C 57mm-3C 39mm-1C 36mm: 4C 43mm: 10C 60mm: 14C 78mm: 19C 65mm: 17C . This reflection with the glacier water creates the blue color that we see its beautiful! The best weather to view the lake is between late June and August. Explore. Since we dont have much time, will be trying to get some good snaps of lake louise from the chateau early morning and decided to get a cab out to moraine lake late evening. The Connector Shuttle leaves every 20 minutes, so its very easy to use. The sun rises behind you as you enjoy the view of Moraine Lake. The road should be open by mid-June but watch for updates before you go just to be sure. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. We break down the best months to visit Canada's most beautiful lake! It will take around an hour and 15 minutes to get there and about 30 minutes to return (because you will be cycling downhill on your return!). If you are planning to visit Moraine Lake from June to October, the best way is to reserve a Parks Canada shuttle or a seat on Roam Transit ahead of time. Moraine Lake is busy all through the season that the road is open (from May to October) but later in the season is definitely the better time to go as this is when the lake is the most full. From Moraine Lake, its a 12-kilometer/7.5-mile out and back hike to Eiffel Lake that takes around 4 hours to complete. Peak water levels and the vivid color can be seen in late June until early October, so you won't see turquoise water when the road first opens in late May. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! May I know if I want the best scenery (the "blue" lake water) for photography (i.e. with the good sunlight rather than poor light), what is the best time in a. Consolation Lakes Trail 4. However, this pile of rocks has been turned into the ultimate viewing platform of Moraine Lake and EVERY visitor should walk to the top of the Rockpile to enjoy the view. The brilliant blue-green color of Moraine Lake is the result of light refracting off the fine particles of rock in the glacier tunnel that flows into the lake. I can, with confidence, tell you there are more things to do at Moraine Lake than first meets the eye. You can find all the info on theBanff Lake Louise websiteor theParks Canada website. Here's some information to help you in your decision: For full information about the climate and weather in Moraine Lake a specific month, click on the corresponding line below: In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of Moraine Lake: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, and relative humidity for each month of the year. When is the best time to go to Moraine Lake? The Eiffel Lake Trail then continues on in the Valley of the Ten Peaks with stunning scenery everywhere you look. You will come across a stone staircase and peel off to your right. The best time to visit the park in the fall is in September when it is still warm and has limited snow and ice. Your email address will not be published. The best time of year to visit Moraine Lake is when the lake is melted because when it is frozen and covered in snow, you wont get to see the bright blue water color! The shuttle will pick you up from the Park and Ride parking lot, which is about 6km east of Lake Louise Village. Eiffel Lake is a remote alpine lake situated not far from the Larch Valley. To reach the Rockpile, take the trail next to the bathrooms in the parking lot. Parking at Moraine Lake is a nightmare. Do not forget to take with you warm clothes! The water of the lake is a brilliant blue color, and with the iconic Ten Peaks as its background, this lake is nothing short of breathtaking. The best weather to view the lake is between late June and August. Parking is extremely hard to find, and overall, the lake is quite crowded. Banff National Park Another great option is Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail. Basically, you put your food in the bag and the bear cannot smell it while youre hiking. The asphalted road winds through the Valley of the Ten Peaks, one of the most photographed spots in Canada. So, during these months it is not possible to drive to Moraine Lake. Nobodycan deny that Moraine Lake is beautiful. With that said, there is a big risk of avalanche so you should have the proper equipment and training. Planning ahead is key. In fact, you will gain over 160 meters in elevation, so, its recommended to have a good level of fitness. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. I'm based in Alberta, Canada, but exploring internationally any chance I get. The Columbia waterproof jacket is a lightweight windproof jacket that will seriously save you in many situations. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. You must try canoeing. the weather in Moraine Lake in august is wet (with 3.7in of rainfall over 6 days). bike to Moraine Lake and beat the crowds! The best time to visit Moraine Lake is early in the morning, before sunrise, from late June to late September. From personal experience, the best time of year to visit Banff National Park for fall colors is from late September (think the last week of September) to early October. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Ive personally never been able to stomach the cost so I havent stayed myself, but if I ever win the lottery, I might just move there! If you want to visit for . It will get you away from the crowds, no elevation gain, 1.8 miles, super easy. Explore. The chill sticks around much longer in Banff, and most lakes won't thaw until early to mid . This climb gains roughly 450 meters (1,476 feet) in elevation and takes around 1.5 hours. So, if youve ever wanted to canoe in a Canadian lake, I dont think theres a more perfect place to do it than at Moraine Lake! Tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus cost from $70 CAD. Besides staying so close to the amazing view, staying at the lodge means you dont need to battle for parking to take the shuttle/bus to see Moraine Lake. Elevated at a height of 1,885 m, the lake can remain frozen until late May or even into June depending on temperatures. 8 Top Things to do at Moraine Lake 1. This option is not available in the spring or summer. Visit Banff Town 8. Cost of shuttle, bus, or tour, if youre taking one, or gas to drive your car. Not only is it stunning, but there are so many amazing things to do at Moraine Lake! But besides enjoying the view of theturquoiselake and the Ten Peaks in the background, what else is there to do at Moraine Lake?! I understand it is best to go to Lake Moraine earlier in the morning to get a carpark space but I prefer having a "better" view so possibly I will take a shuttle at a right time). What is the best time of year to visit . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Rentals include life jackets and because of the stability of Canadian canoes, even those with no or limited experience can give it a try. Theme by 17th Avenue. Given the short season and the activity's popularity, you'll want . Due to heavy snowfalls and blizzards, the road is closed from early October to late May, but dates may vary from year to year. . Show your Superpass to the driver and you will get a free ride to Moraine Lake! You can rent all your cross country ski gear (ski, boots, poles, and skins) for $69 per day from Wilson Mountain Sports at 101 Lake Louise Drive. Pinterest. It can be a camera, book, binoculars, or even my keys. The hotel isnt in the village, instead, it sits on the shore of Lake Louise. Moraine Lake sits at an altitude of 1883 meters above sea level, and it means one thing. ROAM Transit is the public bus system. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If youre still thinking about where you want to stay when you visit Banff National Park, consider spending a night or two at Moraine Lake Lodge. Visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. When the auto-complete results are available, use the up and down arrows to review and Enter to select. I don't understand people heading in afternoon to the mountains except they will sleep there. Related read: Moraine Lake is one of the best stops on the Icefields Parkway (or on a road trip from Jasper to Banff!) From October, Parks Canada closes some roads to important places such as Moraine Lake or Spiral Tunnel parking lot (outside Banff National Park) and also many campgrounds. Hiking to the pass not only gives you great views of the Larch Valley but also Paradise Valley on the other side. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! Personally, I love staying in Lake Louise when exploring the area, although Banff is close, its still a 45 minutes drive each way! In fact, it can be so hard to get a parking spot that I actually wrote an entire guide to getting a parking spot at Moraine Lake. What are the best things to do at Moraine Lake? I was thinking Moraine Lake late evening 7pm until sunset And Lake Louise early morning - 6am Once you reach the top the views of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks are out of this world! What we like about this tour is that its a small group tour, which means youll be getting a more personalized experience. The winter here can be really long, and on top of that, every year, the weather conditions are different. Boat Trip around Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce, and Livingston, Swim with Stingless Jellyfish in Kakaban Lake, More experiences in Banff & Jasper National Parks. Its great because it means that for $25 you can visit Lake Louise AND Moraine Lake in one day how great is that?! A truly bucket list item, Moraine Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. In fact, Ive used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. The scramble to the top of the Tower of Babel is iconic. It is truly spectacular! During fall in Banff National Park, the Larch Valley Trail is one of the most spectacular hikes you can do. There are still so many plac, Floe Lake Hike: 1-3 of 3 replies. Its clean, comfortable and the staff are really friendly! It is more expensive but youll also visit a few other iconic attractions such as Johnston Canyon! The trail is relatively flat and rated as easy so its perfect for the whole family. Today. This is better than the previous month since in june it receives an average of 7.2in of precipitation over 10 days. Learn more about shuttle and transit options to Moraine Lake. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. My best advice is to grab a coffee and a bite to eat and go for a walk. In total it takes around an hour to walk the trail and admire the views. Take advantage of the long hours of daylight, it can be light until 10 pm. Touch device users can explore by touch or with swipe gestures. There is nothing better than sitting lakeside and absorbing the pure mountain air while taking in all these fantastic sights. They have breakfast foods such as quiches and croissants, or if you want, sandwiches for lunch too. By October, the lake starts getting frozen sections typically as well. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. WhereAndWhen.net provides a tool to help you decide on your next holiday destination. http://banffandbeyond.com/the-lake-with-the-twenty-dollar-view-moraine-lake/. It takes around 4 hours to finish the 8.6-kilometer/5.3-mile, out and back hike. This is one item most people never have (I never hike without it) but it could save you and the bear. FarSightXR-20 1 yr. ago When is the best time to visit Moraine Lake? The high seasonal norm is 38F. Type of Trail: Out and back. Alpine hiking season begins in late June. Hey! Find a nice quiet spot along the Lakeshore Trail and enjoy a picnic! 3. The best part is, I use a set that only costs $25 CAD and they serve my basic needs without any issues! Parks Canada doesnt advise going all the way to the lake during the winter months. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Parking is extremely limited. The most beautiful time of day to visit Moraine Lake is without a doubt at sunrise. From mid-June to early autumn, the Sunshine Meadows are open for hiking and provide visitors spectacular alpine views of the surrounding peaks, including Mount Assiniboine. The Consolation Lakes hike is a step up from the Lakeshore Trail. Rockpile Trail 3. Its those panoramic views of the mountains that have made the trail so famous and a must for any beginner scrambler. One insider tip:50% of the spaces on the shuttle are saved for last minute bookings. Thanks so much for reading! Pinterest. Moraine Lake never technically closes, but the road to get there does close to vehicle traffic. One of the easiest and hassle-free ways to guarantee that you get to see Moraine Lake is by going on an organized tour. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The beginning of the trail to Eiffel is actually the Larch Valley Trail, however, after you conquer the ten switchbacks you hit a fork in the road with one path heading to Eiffel Lake. Sorted by. The entire valley erupts into a sea of yellow Larch trees with an epic backdrop of the famous Ten Peaks.