Banff National Park Tour: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Views
Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon in one day, without driving yourself
A full-day guided tour of Banff National Park departing from Calgary, Canmore or Banff, with stops at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (June–October) or Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge (October–May), Johnston Canyon, and either Banff Avenue or Bow Falls. The tour includes an air-conditioned van, a local guide who drives, and flexible pickup and drop-off at any of the three starting points. Lunch is at your own expense. The itinerary may shift due to weather or attraction closures.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Banff National Park highlights
- Depart from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff
- Pass by iconic Banff mountain
- Visit Lake Louise and take photos
- Lunch at Lake Louise Village or Ski Resort
- Visit Moraine Lake or Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge
- Hike Johnston Canyon trail
- Visit Vermilion Lakes (June 1 - Oct 12)
- Explore Banff Avenue shops or visit Bow Falls
- Return to Banff, Canmore, or Calgary for drop-off
- Lake Louise Entry included 1h
- Moraine Lake Entry included 1h
- Emerald Lake Entry included 30m
- Johnston Canyon Entry included 1h 30m
- Bow Falls Entry included 15m
What’s included
- Air-conditioned tour van.
- local guide as driver.
- admission to Moraine Lake and Vermilion Lakes (June 1–October 12) or Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge (October 13–May 31).
- your choice of Banff Avenue or Bow Falls at the final stop.
- crampons in winter.
- pickup and drop-off at Calgary, Canmore or Banff.
Times
- Every day 07:30 08:45 09:10
Before you book
Operated by Banff ToDo
Prices and times updated yesterday
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The experience
The drive from Calgary to Banff National Park takes roughly 90 minutes, so the tour begins with a transfer that gets you there without navigating the route yourself. Once inside the park, you stop at Lake Louise first: the turquoise glacial lake backed by Victoria Glacier and Mount Victoria, with the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Resort framing the view. This is the postcard stop, and the guide knows the angles.
After lunch at Lake Louise Village or the ski resort (on your own), the route splits by season. From June through October, you visit Moraine Lake, famous for its vivid blue water and the Valley of the Ten Peaks rising behind it. From mid-October through May, Moraine Lake closes and the tour swaps in Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park (a 30-minute stop with emerald-green water and a wooden bridge for photos) plus a 15-minute detour to Natural Bridge, a limestone arch carved by the Kicking Horse River. Either way, you're standing in front of water and mountains without having to choose the route or time the light yourself.
Johnston Canyon comes next, and this is where you walk. The trail follows Johnston Creek past dramatic waterfalls and misty cliffs. The guide leads and points out wildlife: waterfowl, the occasional moose or elk along the wetlands. In winter, crampons are provided. The final stop is your choice: Banff Avenue for shops, galleries and local food, or Bow Falls, a powerful waterfall near the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Then the van returns you to your starting point (Calgary, Canmore or Banff) with the return drive taking about 90 minutes from Banff to Calgary.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon in a single day without renting a car or planning the route. The guide handles the driving and timing, and you choose where to start and end. If you prefer a self-guided pace or want to spend more time at one lake, a rental car or a shorter point-to-point transfer might suit you better.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).
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.
What is the difference between Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake on this tour?
Moraine Lake operates June 1 through October 12 and is known for its vivid blue water and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. From October 13 through May 31, Moraine Lake closes and the tour visits Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park instead, which has emerald-green water and a wooden bridge for photos, plus a short stop at Natural Bridge, a limestone arch in the same park.
Do I have to pay extra for lunch, or is it included?
Lunch is not included in the tour price. You stop at Lake Louise Village or Lake Louise Ski Resort and choose and pay for your own meal there.
Where can I be picked up and dropped off?
You can choose pickup and drop-off at any of three locations: Calgary, Canmore, or Banff. The drive from Calgary to Banff is roughly 90 minutes, and the return drive from Banff to Calgary is about 90 minutes.
Is Johnston Canyon a hike, or do you just look at it from the road?
Johnston Canyon involves walking. You follow a scenic pathway alongside Johnston Creek to see the waterfalls and cliffs. The guide leads the way and points out wildlife along the route.
What happens if the weather is bad or an attraction is closed?
The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, attraction closures or traffic. The guide will adjust the stops to keep the day running, so you may visit different lakes or sites depending on what is open and safe on the day of your tour.
Is there a guide on the van, or do I just get driven there?
A local guide drives the van and shares personal stories, insider tips and the best photo spots throughout the day. The guide speaks English and handles all the navigation and timing.
Banff National Park Tour: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Views
8h–11h · EN
from CA$ 88 per person
≈ US$ 64 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.