Lake Louise Canoe Tour & Moraine Lake: Skip-the-Line Access

You paddle Lake Louise without waiting in the public canoe line.

A full-day tour of Lake Louise, Emerald Lake and Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies with a local guide, roundtrip transport from Banff and Canmore, and skip-the-line boathouse access at Lake Louise. The tour visits Emerald Lake in the morning, includes a lunch stop at Lake Louise Village (your cost), offers optional canoe rental on the turquoise water, and ends at Moraine Lake with no shuttle reservation needed. Expect 8 to 9 hours in a small group of up to 14 guests. All park permits, parking and Moraine Lake access are arranged in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Emerald Lake1h
2. Moraine Lake1h 30m

Visit iconic lakes and lunch stop

• Visit Emerald Lake
• Lunch at Lake Louise Village
• See Lake Louise shoreline and optional canoe
• Visit Moraine Lake

The experience

The boathouse at Lake Louise rents canoes to everyone, and the public queue runs an hour or longer on most days. Through a direct arrangement with the boathouse, you skip that line entirely. If you want to paddle the turquoise water beneath Victoria Glacier, you rent the canoe and pay for it on the spot, but you get on the water fast instead of standing in the queue with everyone else. The canoe is optional (many travelers choose to walk the shoreline and photograph the glacier instead), so you decide once you're there.

The day starts at Emerald Lake in the morning with your guide, then moves to Lake Louise Village for a lunch break (you buy your own meal). After Lake Louise, the route passes the Valley of the Ten Peaks on the way to Moraine Lake, where personal vehicles aren't allowed. The operator handles your access completely, so you walk straight in without arranging a shuttle or waiting for one. You travel in a small group of no more than 14 people, with a local guide leading the sightseeing at each stop and a professional driver handling the roundtrip transport from Banff or Canmore. All national park permits and parking are taken care of before you arrive.

The full day runs 8 to 9 hours. Bring water and snacks if you want them during the drive, since food stops are limited to the lunch break at Lake Louise Village. The tour operates year-round, though lake conditions and road access vary by season.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transportation with pickup and drop-off in the Banff and Canmore area.
• professional local guide for the full day.
• all national park access, parking and permits arranged in advance.
• guided sightseeing at Emerald Lake, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
• skip-the-line boathouse access at Lake Louise.
• Moraine Lake access fully arranged with no shuttle reservation needed.
• small group of up to 14 guests.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2h before

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteCA$ 195

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Horizon Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout the day, so you follow the commentary comfortably whether you're new to the Rockies or returning. The fixed schedule keeps all three lakes inside a single afternoon and evening, so you see the full range of the park without multiple separate bookings.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I paddle a canoe at Lake Louise on this tour?

Canoe rental at Lake Louise is optional and not included in the tour price. You rent and pay for it directly at the boathouse, but the skip-the-line arrangement means you get on the water quickly instead of waiting in the public queue.

What's included in the tour price?

Roundtrip transport from Banff and Canmore, a local guide for the full day, all national park access and permits, parking at each lake, and Moraine Lake access are all included. Lunch at Lake Louise Village is your own expense, as is any canoe rental.

How do I get to Moraine Lake if personal vehicles aren't allowed?

Moraine Lake access is fully arranged by the operator with no shuttle reservation needed on your part. You arrive with the group and walk straight in.

What is Emerald Lake like compared to Lake Louise?

Emerald Lake is the first stop of the day and sits in a quieter part of the park. Lake Louise comes later and is known for the turquoise water and Victoria Glacier backdrop, plus the optional canoe rental opportunity.

Is this tour suitable for someone who's never hiked or paddled before?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You're driven between lakes and walk the shorelines at your own pace with your guide. The canoe is optional, so you can enjoy Lake Louise without paddling if you prefer.