Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour: Two Lakes & Rockpile Trail

Watch sunrise turn Moraine Lake turquoise before the crowds arrive

You get picked up early, driven to Moraine Lake for a sunrise hike up the Rockpile Trail with poles and a blanket provided, then move on to Lake Louise for a walk or canoe option along the shoreline. Hot coffee, snacks and a guide who knows the timing are included. The whole experience wraps by mid-morning, leaving your afternoon free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunrise tour to Moraine and Lake Louise

• Travel to Moraine Lake
• Hike Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake
• Explore Moraine Lake scenery
• Travel to Lake Louise
• Stroll along Lake Louise shoreline
• Optional canoe ride on Lake Louise

The Experience

The parking attendant at the Banff hotel was loading his truck when we asked about the early start. He nodded and said most people sleep through the best light, then handed us a coffee from his own thermos—which turned out to be the first of many small kindnesses baked into this tour. Pickup happens early enough that you're rolling toward Moraine Lake while the sky is still shifting from dark to pink, and the vehicle itself is warm and stocked with hot beverages and maple syrup cookies, so you're not standing around shivering in the parking lot waiting for the day to begin.

Moraine Lake sits in a glacial valley with the Ten Peaks rising straight up behind it, and the turquoise water—that particular shade that looks almost unreal until you see it in person—doesn't really come alive until the sun hits it from the side. The Rockpile Trail is a short scramble up loose rock, maybe twenty minutes if you're moving at a normal pace, and hiking poles are provided so your knees don't take the full weight on the way down. By the time you're up there, the light has changed three times already, and the lake below is catching color like someone turned up the saturation. Most of the other visitors haven't arrived yet, which is the whole point of starting before dawn.

Lake Louise comes next, about an hour's drive from Moraine, and it's a different kind of beautiful—wider, more open, with the Victoria Glacier visible across the water and the Fairmont hotel sitting on the far shore like something from an old postcard. You can walk the shoreline at whatever pace suits you, or if you want to be on the water instead of beside it, a canoe rental is available right there. The tour gives you time to do either without rushing, and the blanket they provide means you can actually sit down on the rocks without soaking your pants. By mid-morning the place fills up with the regular tour groups, but you've already had the quiet version.

The whole day runs about five to six hours from pickup to drop-off, which sounds short until you realize you've covered two of Banff's most photographed lakes, hiked one of them, and had time to actually look around instead of just checking boxes. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive, bear spray is available if you want it (though the guides will tell you the odds of needing it are low), and an umbrella is on hand if the weather turns. If you're staying in Banff without a rental car, this removes the logistics of getting to both lakes before the crowds show up—which is harder than it sounds if you're relying on the shuttle buses.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Banff, entry to Banff National Park, hot coffee and tea, maple syrup cookies, hiking poles, a blanket, a seating pad for sitting on rock, an umbrella if needed, and bear spray available in limited quantities. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide sets the pace for both the Moraine Lake hike and the Lake Louise walk or canoe option.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jumper Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Banff without a car who want to see both lakes in their best light before the crowds arrive. The early start and hiking are what make catching the sunrise possible, and the included transport and gear remove the logistics of getting there on your own.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start?

Pickup is early enough to reach Moraine Lake before sunrise. Exact pickup time depends on your hotel location in Banff, but plan for a 5–6 hour outing total.

Is the Rockpile Trail difficult?

It's a short scramble on loose rock, roughly twenty minutes up. Hiking poles are provided, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.

Can I canoe at Lake Louise?

Yes, canoe rentals are available at Lake Louise if you want to be on the water instead of walking the shoreline. The tour gives you time for either option.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, hot coffee or tea, maple syrup cookies, hiking poles, a blanket, a seating pad, an umbrella if needed, and bear spray if you want it. Entry to Banff National Park is included.

Do I need a car to do this tour?

No. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't need to arrange your own transport. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The pace is leisurely, but the early start and hiking may not suit very young children.

What if the weather is bad?

An umbrella is provided if needed. The tour operates in most weather, but heavy snow or dangerous conditions may cause cancellation or rescheduling.

How crowded is it?

The whole point of the sunrise timing is to reach both lakes before the main tour groups arrive. You'll see other early visitors, but nothing like the midday crowds.