Moraine Lake & Banff Day Tour: Small Groups, Hidden Gems

See the lakes and waterfalls without the crowds

A guided day tour from Canmore (or Calgary or Banff) through Banff National Park visiting Lake Louise, Moraine Lake or Johnston Canyon depending on season, plus Bow Falls and Surprise Corner, with a live English-speaking guide, park admission and an air-conditioned vehicle. Small group size and stops at lesser-known viewpoints set this apart from the standard route. The tour runs 8 to 10 hours and includes coffee or tea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Moraine Lake1h
2. Johnston Canyon1h · entry included
3. Bow Falls10m

Explore Lakes and Banff Town

• Visit Lake Louise
• Visit Moraine Lake or Johnston Canyon
• Free time in Banff town
• Photo stop at Surprise Corner
• Visit Bow Falls

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from Canmore, Calgary or Banff. You choose which town works for your itinerary. From there, the route moves through Banff National Park to Lake Louise first, where turquoise water sits against snow-covered peaks. The lake opens for hiking and canoeing in summer. In winter it becomes an ice-skating rink. The guide handles the timing and the route, so you move through the park without building the day yourself.

Next comes the lake that defines the tour: Moraine Lake runs from June through mid-October, and when it's open you hike the Rockpile for the view most people come here to photograph, or simply sit by the water. From mid-October through May, Johnston Canyon replaces it: a walk along suspended catwalks past waterfalls that freeze into ice formations in winter. The difference matters: small groups and a guide who knows both routes mean you get the right stop for the season and the time to stand in front of it instead of rushing through.

Free time in the town of Banff lets you grab lunch or wander the shops. Then the tour moves to Surprise Corner for the postcard view of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel framed by mountains, and closes at Bow Falls, where the water rushes down through the landscape. Park entry, the vehicle and coffee are included. The guide is live and speaks English.

What’s included

• Park admission to Banff National Park.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full 8 to 10 hours.
• coffee and tea.
• a live English-speaking guide leading the entire route.

Options for this experience

3 options

Calgary Pick UpGuide in English · 08:00Pickup at The Westley Calgary Downtown at 8:00 am. Please be ready 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Our driver will assist you. Starting point: The Westley Calgary Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 630 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0J9, Canada

Canmore Pick UpGuide in English · 09:15Pickup at Northwinds Hotel Canmore at 9:15 am. Please be ready 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Our driver will assist you.

Banff Pick UpGuide in English · 09:45Pickup at Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel at 9:45 am. Please be ready 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Our driver will assist you. Starting point: Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel & Conference Centre, 201 Lynx St, Banff, AB T1L 1K5, Canada

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:15 and 09:45

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Grizzly Banff Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the famous lakes and waterfalls without renting a car or building the day yourself. The guide handles the route, the timing and the stops, so you move through the park without the logistics. Small groups also mean you actually stop at the viewpoints instead of passing through them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

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.

When does Moraine Lake open, and what do I see if I go in winter?

Moraine Lake is open from June 1st through October 13th. From mid-October to June 1st, the tour visits Johnston Canyon instead, where suspended catwalks let you walk past waterfalls that transform into frozen cascades and ice formations in the cold months.

How long is this tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours. Included are park admission, transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and coffee or tea. Lunch is on your own in Banff.

Where can I be picked up?

You choose pickup from Canmore, Calgary or Banff at checkout, and the tour returns you to the same location.

What makes this different from the big tour buses?

Small group size means the tour stops at photo spots and viewpoints beyond the main sights, and the pace lets you spend time at each lake and waterfall instead of moving quickly through them.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not an experienced hiker?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. At Moraine Lake, you can hike the Rockpile for the famous view or simply relax by the water. At Johnston Canyon, the catwalks are the main walk and do not require hiking experience.