Sunset at Moraine Lake & Stargazing Tour from Canmore

Watch the lake turn from blue to black while the sky fills with constellations.

An 8-hour evening tour from Canmore and Banff to Moraine Lake combines a guided sunset walk along the lakeshore with stargazing from the rockpile using telescopes and binoculars. The tour travels the Bow Valley Parkway—a wildlife corridor—and stops at Morant's Curve before arriving at the lake in late afternoon. Groups stay under 13 people, and the guide shares stories about the region while you spend 3 hours watching the landscape shift from day to night. Tea, hot chocolate, blankets and headlamps are provided; the van remains in the parking lot so your belongings stay close.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset and stargazing at Moraine Lake

• Drive along Bow Valley Parkway
• Stop at Morant’s Curve for photos
• Arrive at Moraine Lake
• Guided walk along lakeshore trail
• Watch sunset from the rockpile
• Stargaze using telescopes and binoculars

The Experience

The drive from Canmore takes you along the Bow Valley Parkway, where elk and deer move through the cooler evening hours. You'll stop at Morant's Curve, an iconic spot where the railway curves against the peaks—the golden light before sunset makes it worth the camera. Then the road opens to Moraine Lake, and you arrive with time to settle in before the sun reaches the horizon.

A short guided walk along the lakeshore lets you move through the space as the crowds thin out. Most visitors leave by afternoon; you're there when the lake quiets down. The group heads up to the rockpile, the highest vantage point, where you can watch the Valley of the Ten Peaks glow in warm colors as the sun drops. Comfortable chairs and blankets wait there. A guide brings hot drinks—tea, hot chocolate, refills of water—and you sit with the view while the light changes. The lake shifts from vibrant blue to deep twilight hues.

Once night falls, the focus turns to the sky. Moraine Lake sits in one of the best stargazing zones in Banff National Park, with minimal light pollution. You'll use telescopes and binoculars to see planets, constellations, and—if conditions allow—the northern lights. A headlamp guides you to the best viewpoints. Even if clouds roll in or rain arrives, the tour continues; you'll spend more time simply at the lake and less on the sky, but the evening holds. The guide carries ponchos and umbrellas for weather, and the van stays parked nearby so you're never far from shelter or your things.

What’s included

• Knowledgeable guide sharing insights about the region.
• telescopes and binoculars for close-up views of constellations and planets.
• 3 hours at Moraine Lake including a guided lakeshore walk, sunset viewing from the rockpile, and stargazing.
• comfortable chairs and cozy blankets for the evening.
• complimentary tea, hot chocolate and water refills.
• headlamps to light your way to viewpoints.
• ponchos and umbrellas in case of rain.
• pickup from Canmore (with a second pickup in Banff about 30 minutes later).
• the van stays in the parking lot throughout so your belongings remain close by.
• one tree planted in Canada for every booking through the Blue Green Planet Project.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Into The Wild Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Moraine Lake the way most visitors never do—quiet, lit by sunset, and full of stars. The fixed evening schedule and guide handling all the stops means you're not building the day yourself; the 3 hours at the lake let you move slowly through the space as it changes from afternoon to night, rather than rushing through the daytime crowds.

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Top questions

What's the drive like from Canmore to Moraine Lake on this tour?

The Bow Valley Parkway is the route, a scenic wildlife corridor where elk and deer often appear in the evening hours. You'll stop at Morant's Curve, an iconic photography spot where the railway meets the peaks, before arriving at Moraine Lake in late afternoon.

How much time do you actually spend at Moraine Lake itself?

You have 3 hours at Moraine Lake, split between a guided walk along the lakeshore during sunset and stargazing from the rockpile once night falls. The rockpile is the highest vantage point and offers the best panoramic views as the sky transitions from day to night.

What happens if the weather turns cloudy or rainy during the stargazing part?

The stargazing portion adjusts based on conditions—if cloud cover or rain blocks the sky, the tour spends more time simply enjoying Moraine Lake and less on the telescope work. The tour continues regardless of weather; ponchos and umbrellas are provided, and the van stays in the parking lot so you can retreat if needed.

What equipment and drinks are included for the evening?

Telescopes and binoculars are provided for viewing constellations and planets. Complimentary tea, hot chocolate and water refills come throughout the evening, along with comfortable chairs, cozy blankets, and headlamps to light your way to the best viewpoints.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 6 and up. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign a waiver before the tour begins.

How many people travel together on this tour?

Groups stay under 13 people, which keeps the experience more personalized. The tour requires a minimum of 6 guests to proceed; if that number isn't reached, you'll be offered a reschedule or full refund.