Banff Day Trip from Calgary: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour

Turquoise lakes, mountain reflections, and a full day built around the stops that matter

A guided day trip from Calgary through Banff National Park with front-door pickup and park entry included. You spend two hours at Lake Louise (canoe, walk the shoreline or visit the Chateau), explore Moraine Lake's glacier-fed turquoise water and hike the Rockpile viewpoint, stop in downtown Banff for lunch and shopping, and visit Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, and either Mont Norquay Lookout (winter) or Moraine Lake (summer). The tour runs 10 to 12 hours with a small-group guide, ice cleats provided in winter, and drop-off at your hotel, Calgary Airport, Canmore or Banff.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Banff National Park highlights

• Hotel pick-up in Calgary or Canmore
• Washroom break and stretch stop
• Visit Lake Louise for 1.5-2 hours
• Stop at Moraine Lake and hike Rockpile (summer only)
• Explore downtown Banff and have a meal
• Visit Bow Falls or Surprise Corner viewpoint
• Stop at Two Jack Lake for 10-20 minutes
• Visit Lake Minnewanka and marina area
• Return drop-off at original point or airport

The Experience

The day starts with pickup at your Calgary or Canmore hotel and a drive into Banff National Park. Lake Louise is the first real stop—two full hours to canoe across its turquoise water, walk the shoreline trails, or step inside the Fairmont Chateau. In winter, the lake freezes into a different kind of landscape; you get 90 minutes then, with the option to ice skate, snowshoe or ride a horse sleigh if you want to add something beyond walking and photos.

From there the day moves through the park's signature stops. Moraine Lake (summer only, June through October) sits at the end of a narrow valley and is known for its vivid glacier-fed blue-green water framed by snow-capped peaks. A short 10- to 15-minute hike up the Rockpile gives you the panoramic view that appears in most Banff photography. Downtown Banff gets about an hour and forty-five minutes—time to eat, browse the shops and cafes, and walk the streets that line the base of the mountains. Lake Minnewanka, called the Lake of the Spirits by the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, stretches over 21 kilometers and changes with the season; in summer you can visit the marina or grab a coffee by the water, and in winter you can walk on ice or make snow angels. Two Jack Lake is a shorter stop—10 to 20 minutes depending on the season—where Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain mirror perfectly on the water's surface.

The guide handles all the driving and timing, so the day holds together without anyone building it. Bottled water and ice cleats (winter) are provided. You choose your drop-off at the end: back to your hotel, Calgary Airport, Canmore or Banff. The group stays small enough that the day feels unscripted, and the guide knows the park well enough to point out wildlife and the unexpected moments that make the Rockies worth the drive.

What’s included

• Front-door hotel pickup and drop-off in Calgary or Canmore (or drop-off at Calgary Airport, Canmore or Banff if you prefer).
• park entrance.
• guided transportation in a small group.
• bottled water.
• ice cleats for winter travel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Banff Day Trips

Is this one for you?The 10- to 12-hour day means an early start and a full afternoon of driving, which is what fits all the major lakes and stops into one trip—Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, and downtown Banff all happen because the schedule is built around them, not around your pace.

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Top questions

Can I canoe at Lake Louise, or is that an extra cost?

Lake Louise includes two hours of free time to do what you want—canoe, hike, explore the Chateau or sit by the water. Canoe rentals are not included in the tour price, but you can arrange them on the spot if you want to get on the water.

What's the difference between the winter and summer versions of this tour?

In winter (until May 31st), you get Mont Norquay Lookout instead of Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise time drops to 90 minutes with the option to ice skate or snowshoe. In summer (June through October), Moraine Lake replaces Mont Norquay, and you have the full two hours at Lake Louise plus the chance to hike the Rockpile at Moraine Lake.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

Most stops let you walk as much or as little as you want. The only short hike is the Rockpile at Moraine Lake (10 to 15 minutes). Downtown Banff and the lake shorelines are flat and easy to explore at your own pace. The tour suits all fitness levels.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is not included, but you have time to eat in downtown Banff during the 1 hour 45 minute stop. The guide can suggest favorite restaurants and cafes, and you choose where to go.

What time does the tour start, and when do I get picked up?

The exact pickup time depends on your hotel location and is confirmed one day before the tour. You let the operator know your hotel name and address from their list, and they send you the time. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age 4. In winter, activities like ice skating and horse sleigh rides are optional add-ons if you want to do them at Lake Louise.