Moraine Lake Bus Company
- June 28, 2023
Moraine Lake is an adventurer’s paradise and a photographer’s dream. The lake’s reflective waters rest at the base of impressive, snow-capped peaks, and evergreen trees line the shores.
If you’re planning a trip to the Rockies this year, you won’t regret adding this stop to your agenda. However, if you’re uncertain about the best times to visit and how to get there, don’t worry — we’re got you covered. We are the only shuttle service in the area that leaves early enough for you to see the sunrise. Getting guests there and back on time is what we do best!
Beyond being a Moraine Lake shuttle service, we are also your source for education on all things related to the sunrise at Moraine Lake.
About Moraine Lake
Situated in Banff National Park (one of four national parks in the Canadian Rockies and the oldest national park in Canada), Moraine Lake is one of the most iconic landmarks in the entire parks system. You’re sure to have unknowingly seen it on posters, postcards, television, and in films.
Visitors to Moraine Lake can sit and enjoy the scenery or choose more adventurous activities. You can hike one of the phenomenal trails that begin by the lake or rent canoes to explore the area by water.
There’s an abundance of activities for both adventure and more leisurely vacations. So, what time of day should you go? Well, Moraine Lake is spectacular at any time of day, but there’s something innately special about seeing the sunrise at Moraine Lake.
About the Lake Moraine Sunrise
For us, sunrise at Moraine Lake is the best time to visit. This is the ideal time to find a quiet place to take photos and enjoy the experience with you and yours alone. Like most popular tourist spots and viewpoints, the site gets much busier later in the day.
At sunrise, Moraine Lake is utterly breathtaking. The pink and orange glow inching down the mountains will delight even the most seasoned sightseer. Dawn means minimal glare from rays bouncing from the lake — ideal for photos. And the water is at its stillest in the early morning — offering clear, mirror-like reflections. It’s sure to be a memory that will stay with you forever.
The Rockpile is the go-to spot for viewing the beautiful sunrise Lake Moraine is famous for. It’s easy to access by following a park trail to the left of the lakeshore. There are some steps upward, but these are well-crafted and simple to navigate. Of course, as the sunrise time changes throughout the year, we advise monitoring real-time hourly updates so you’re sure to be there on time.
Have we convinced you of the grandeur of Lake Moraine at sunrise and why it’s an absolute must-see during your vacation in the Canadian Rockies? If so, here’s how we can help you get there and some pointers on transit in the area.
Transport to Moraine Lake
Parks Canada — the federal agency that oversees the management of national parks in the country — imposed a ban on private vehicles on the road that leads to Moraine Lake at the end of 2022. With that, shuttle services are your best option for getting to the lake and, arguably, the most convenient and relaxing way to travel.
Arriving by shuttle means you can avoid the hassle of navigating parking. You can even take a quick nap on the way there — which might be handy if you wish to rise early and experience that picture-perfect sunrise Moraine Lake offers. Returning by shuttle means you can take in the surroundings and enjoy a more leisurely return.
Our Services to Moraine Lake
Now that we’ve given you some information on the Moraine Lake sunrise and why arranging transit is necessary, here’s how we can help get you there. After all, as you may have guessed based on our name, trips to Moraine Lake are our specialty! We’ve included details on our schedule and rates below.
Our Schedule for Guests on the Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle
First, our sunrise and other services run between early June and Thanksgiving weekend each year.
What time is the Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle? We provide four shuttles that arrive before the sun comes up. Two shuttles depart at 4 a.m., and two shuttles depart at 5 a.m. Please note that in late June and early July, the 5 a.m. shuttle gets you there only a couple of minutes before sunrise.
We ask that our guests arrive at the pick up zones at least 10 minutes before their departure time. Why? We’re proud to say that we offer an on-time service that leaves when it should. We understand that your time in the Rockies is precious, so we don’t give you a broad window of time to meet, and we won’t waste a minute of your vacation. Instead, we give you a set time to depart and arrive — allowing you to plan and squeeze as much as possible into your day. Our buses leave on time, every time.
Where Will We Meet You?
Our Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle picks up from the taxi stand at Samson Mall, outside Wilson Mountain Sports, in the Lake Louise Village.
Only for our Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle, you can leave your car in the Samson Mall parking lot. If you’re staying at a hotel in the Lake Louise Village (Mountaineer Lodge, Lake Louise Inn, Post Hotel, or HI Lake Louise), you can walk to the pick-up location in the morning. We promise the spot is straightforward to find — you can’t miss us!
When Do We Come Back?
Once the sun has risen and you’ve taken as many photos as possible, our buses return to Samson Mall at 7:15 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. If you’re staying at a hotel in the Lake Louise Village and want to stay later in the day, just send us an email and let us know — we can move your return time to later in the day.
Once back in the Lake Louise Village, we recommend stopping for a well-deserved cup of coffee and breakfast at local favourites Trailhead Café and Laggan’s Bakery.
The Takeaway
If you’re heading to Banff this year, you won’t be alone: annual visitation continues to increase every year, and last year over 4 million people visited Banff National Park. When you get here, we highly recommend a visit to Moraine Lake. As you may have guessed, we’re passionate about this part of the world, and especially the sunrise at Moraine Lake! To help you experience this wonder, we’ve crafted an exceptionally user-friendly website, so there’s no need to create an account or scan your retinas to book your early morning tickets — simply pick your date and time, and voila, you’re ready to go.
If you have any remaining questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our small but mighty team is always happy to help you book your tickets to see the Moraine Lake sunrise or to take a visit later in the day. Whatever hour you go, we’re confident you won’t regret the trip.
