Lake Louise

The lake, a major tourist attraction, can be crowded during the day as coach tour groups arrive, and parking fills up early in the summer. Before 8AM, you can see the lake with few people around; at dawn, the light shines onto the back wall of the glacier lake. Just before dusk is also reasonably quiet.

• 🌍 Lake Louise Visitor Centre, 201 Village Road (near Sampson Mall), ☏ +1 403-522-3833, fax: +1 403-522-1212, mailto:ll.info@pc.gc.ca. Jan 1-Apr 29: 9AM-4PM; Apr 30-Jun 21: 9AM-5PM; Jun 22-Sep 8: 9AM-8PM; Sep 9-15: 9AM-7PM; Sep 16-22: 9AM-5PM; Sep 23-Apr 30: 9AM-4PM; closed Christmas. 

Once in Lake Louise, you have access to some of the most beautiful drives in North America.

• North: The Icefields Parkway, connects Lake Louise to Jasper. It is 230 km (142 mi) taking you along the most beautiful drive in North America. Along the Icefields Parkway you can stop and take a tour on the Columbia Icefield which is a glacier that covers an amazing 325 square km of land. An information centre there includes an interpretive section and a café.
• West The Great Divide denotes the highest ridge-line in the Canadian Rockies and creates a natural border with British Columbia and Yoho National Park 10 km west of town.
• East Banff is 60 km (36 miles) south-east of Lake Louise on either Hwy 1 (Trans Canada Highway) or the 1A (Bow Valley Parkway). Hwy 1 is quicker, but if you have some time to explore and enjoy the scenery the 1A is the way to go. There tends to be more animals sighted on the 1A and the scenery is breathtaking (not that you're going to get a bad view from any road in Banff National Park). Leave some time for a walk at Johnston Canyon, it's an easy walk anyone can do to the lower falls (1.1 km) or you can continue on further to the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots.

National Car Rental is located in the village of Lake Louise and there is a Hertz location in the Fairmont Lake Louise hotel. Otherwise the tour buses are an option.

The surest way to get to the lakeshore, other than staying at a nearby hotel, is to take the Parks Canada Shuttle: Lake Louise Lakeshore bus. Book tickets in advance, then park at the Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and take a bus to Lake Louise (every 20 minutes). You can also take the bus (Parks Canada: Lake Connector) to Moraine Lake (no additional fee), so best is to start in the morning and see both lakes.

The main attractions at Lake Louise are the vibrantly coloured glacial lakes and Victoria Glacier at the head of Lake Louise. Other lakes to stop and explore in the area (all within Banff National Park) are Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.

• 🌍 Lake Louise. Spectacular example of a glacial lake. Best seen first thing in the morning before the hordes of other tourists arrive, or in the early evening, after they've gone. Parking at the site costs $12.25 (May 2022), and can fill up quickly in the summer. The Parks Canada shuttle fills up quickly in the summer, so make sure you reserve your spot in advance. 
• 🌍 Moraine Lake. Scenic mountain location with the lake an incredible blue colour due to the glacial rock flour. A short paved trail from the car park (The Rock Pile, 0.8 km return, 30 meter elevation gain) provides a spectacular view of the lake, known as the "Twenty Dollar View", as it was featured on the reverse side of the Canadian $20 banknote (1969 and 1979 issue). By 8:30AM the coach groups start to arrive. Private vehicles are forbidden from driving up to the lake, so you must reserve a shuttle in advance. 

As a ski-resort and wilderness area, tourist activity varies according to the season. The primary form of spring and summer recreation in the area is walking around the lake on the lakeside path, hiking on mountain trails leading from the lake, and admiring the scenery. During the summer, canoes can be rented and fishing is a popular activity. The ski resort turns into an interpretive centre in the summer months and gives visitors a beautiful view of Lake Louise from the top of the Gondola.

There isn't a lot of shopping in Lake Louise. There are some stores at The Fairmont Château Lake Louise as well as in the hamlet at Samson Mall.

There are two gas stations in the village providing fuel and basic supplies.

• 🌍 Wilson Mountain Sports, Building A - 101 Lake Louise Dr, ☏ +1 403-522-3636, toll-free: +1-866-929-3636. You can rent sporting equipment here. 

Most of the restaurants are located within the hotels in the hamlet of Lake Louise. The Lakeview Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has fabulous views of the lake, and a patio that is open in summer; there are no reservations for lunch, and often a long wait. Dining at the Post Hotel is simply amazing. Additionally, ask at your hotel or camp-ground where they would recommend.

There are a couple of restaurants located at Samson Mall, also the Station Restaurant which was converted from the heritage-listed train station and another at a gas station. There are also a few restaurants located just outside of Lake Louise at the various other hotels just off the beaten path. Bill Peyto's Cafe in the hostel serves good basic food.

• 🌍 Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant, 200 Sentinel Road, ☏ +1 403-522-2600. Interesting building and a few exhibits for rail enthusiasts. Reasonable food but the number of tables exceeds the kitchen capacity, so expect a long wait at peak times. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Bill Peyto's Cafe, 203 Village Road (In the hostel, not easy to see from the road.). Excellent food (burgers, chili, salads) at a reasonable price. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Whitehorn Bistro (A short walk down hill from the top of the chairlift). Very good food, if a little pricey, with a patio at 2042 metres providing probably one of the best views from a restaurant you will ever see. Be aware can be cold outside even in June. (updated Jun 2015)

Most hotels in the hamlet of Lake Louise have a bar or pub.

The lake is approximately an hour's drive from Banff, where a much wider variety of accommodations are available.

• 🌍 Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 111 Lake Louise Dr, ☏ +1 403-522-3511. One of Canada's grand old hotels, the Château is the only option if you want to stay right at the lake. the château is luxurious, but extremely expensive. If you have the money, it is worth it for the beautiful surroundings and the clear crisp mountain air. CAD300 in winter, CAD900 in summer per room; CAD 50 per day for parking. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Deer Lodge, 109 Lake Louise Drive, toll-free: +1-866-332-3590. Good selection of room sizes and a reasonable restaurant. A short walk from the lake. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Paradise Lodge, 105 Lake Louise Drive, ☏ +1 403-522-3595. Very good quality, well furnished chalet rooms and cabins. A short walk from the lake. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Mountaineer Lodge, 101 Village Road, ☏ +1 403-522-3844. Clean, comfortable, with breakfast buffet included, but it is an hour's walk from the lake, uphill along a busy road. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Lake Louise Inn, 210 Village Road, ☏ +1 403-522-3791. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre, 203 Village Rd, ☏ +1 403-522-2201, toll-free: +1-866-762-4122, fax: +1 403 522-2253. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A large hostel in the town. There is a café at the hostel. In winter, dorm beds from $27 (non-member $31), private rooms from $78 (non-member $86). In summer, dorms from $34 (non-member $38), private rooms from $99 (non-member $112). Ski packages are available. Pets not allowed. 
• 🌍 Post Hotel & Spa, 200 Pipestone Road, ☏ +1 403-522-3989, toll-free: +1-800-661-1586. High-end hotel, with fancy dining, wine, and spa. (updated Mar 2023)
• 🌍 Lake Louise Tent Campground. (updated Mar 2023)

• 🌍 Lake Louise Medical Clinic, 200 Hector Rd, ☏ +1 403-522-2184. (updated Mar 2023)

Escape the crowds of tourists at Lake Louise and travel up the Icefields Parkway Highway 93 North - Banff to Jasper Highway, one of the most scenic drives in North America with sites such as: Bow Lake, Bow Glacier, Crowfoot Glacier, Mistaya Canyon, Waterfowl Lake, Parkers Ridge, Wilcox Pass, into Jasper National Park, Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Falls,and eventually Jasper.

Along the Icefields Parkway there are numerous opportunities to camp or stay in a rustic wilderness hostel.

For the adventurous you can get to Banff from Lake Louise on foot via the Saddleback Trail. It is an easy to moderately difficult 4-5 day hike complete with empty camp-sites. The trail is passable from July through to October. Check with the Park Canada Information office in town for up to date trail conditions, the disposition of any local Grizzlies and advice.