Banff: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Full-Day Tour

Three Lakes, One Day: Why the Icefields Parkway Steals the Show

You spend eight hours moving through Banff's most photographed lakes and the Icefields Parkway, with a local guide handling the driving and timing. The tour includes Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and four smaller stops, plus pickup and drop-off. Road closures in winter and spring may shift the exact itinerary, so confirm dates when you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lake Minnewanka20m
2. Lake Louise1h
3. Moraine Lake1h
4. Icefields Parkwaypass by
5. Bow Lake1h
6. Crowfoot Glacier5m
7. Peyto Lake1h

Explore Banff lakes and Icefields Parkway

• Visit Lake Minnewanka and learn history
• Explore Chateau Lake Louise and take photos
• Drive along Icefields Parkway scenic route
• Stop at Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint
• Visit Bow Lake and enjoy views
• View Peyto Lake from viewpoint

The experience

What if the most famous lake in Canada wasn't actually the best part of the day? Lake Louise opens the tour (the Chateau sits there like a postcard, and yes, the water is that blue), but then you keep driving. The Icefields Parkway unfolds for hours, and that's where the scale hits you. Glaciers hang off the mountainsides. Peyto Lake appears from a new viewpoint, electric and almost unreal. Crowfoot Glacier sits roadside like something you'd have to hike for days to reach anywhere else. The tour hits seven stops across eight hours, and the pacing means you're not rushing through any of them.

Moraine Lake is the third major stop, and it's the one that used to be on Canada's $20 bill: the Rockpile hike up from the shore takes maybe 45 minutes if you want it, or you can stay at water level and let the ten peaks behind the lake do the work. The guide is from a family-run company, so they know which stops matter and which ones are just photo ops. Lake Minnewanka comes early, quieter than the others, with a strange history: a village used to sit where the water is now. Two Jack Lake rounds out the smaller stops. You're moving through Banff National Park in a way that feels complete without feeling rushed, which is harder than it sounds when you're trying to fit this much into a single day.

Winter and spring matter here. The road to Moraine Lake closes seasonally and doesn't reopen until late May, so if you're going before then, the itinerary shifts. The guide will adjust on the day depending on what's actually passable. Groups stay under 22 people, which means the van doesn't feel packed. Pickup and drop-off happen from a designated meeting point, so you're not arranging your own transport to the trailhead. The tour runs in English, and kids as young as nine can come along.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or meeting point pickup and drop-off, a driver and tour guide, and transport by private vehicle to all seven stops: Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and Two Jack Lake. The eight-hour tour covers the Icefields Parkway and runs in English.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Beyond Banff

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Banff's major lakes and glaciers in one day without renting a car or navigating the Icefields Parkway yourself: the small group size and local guide mean you stop where it matters and skip the tourist traps.

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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 24h before the start.

Is Moraine Lake always included on this tour?

Moraine Lake is included in the itinerary, but the road closes seasonally and doesn't reopen until late May. If you're traveling before then, the guide will adjust the route based on what's open.

How long is the tour?

The full day tour is 8 hours, including all stops and driving time on the Icefields Parkway.

What's the group size?

Groups are kept to a maximum of 22 people per tour. Private tours are available on request.

Does the tour include the Skywalk or Ice Explorer?

No, the tour does not include the Skywalk or Ice Explorer. It covers the scenic drive and lake stops only.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included in the tour price.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes, the minimum age is 9 years old. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

What happens if roads are closed due to weather?

Winter and spring conditions can affect access to some destinations. The guide may change the itinerary on the day to accommodate road closures or hazardous conditions.

Is this tour available year-round?

The tour operates year-round, but winter conditions in the Canadian Rockies can make travel difficult and may limit access to some stops. Spring closures affect Moraine Lake until late May.