Best time to go
The tea house typically operates June to early October, weather permitting, generally 9 AM–5 PM. It’s closed outside this period.
Overview
About Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
Perched above Lake Louise at the end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, this rustic, off-grid tea house serves simple, homemade food with a front-row seat to active glaciers and towering cliffs. Built in 1927 by Swiss guides for early railway guests, it still feels authentically backcountry: supplies are hauled in by foot or helicopter and staff live onsite for the season.
Why stop
- Historic 1927 backcountry tea house with sweeping glacier views
- Fresh-baked scones, soups and tea after a rewarding hike
Heads up
- Cash-only; card payments are intermittent at best
- Prices run high and waits can be long at midday
Compared to the busier lakeshore, the tea house feels remote and peaceful, with glacier views you just can’t get from the road. Many hikers say it’s quieter than the Lake Agnes Tea House, and the sense of “earning” your tea makes the experience.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy It’s SpecialMap
Where it is
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Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
Bring cash; connectivity is unreliable and card payments may not work.
Start from Lake Louise early to avoid parking hassles and lunch lines.
Check the Parks Canada trail report for avalanche and wildlife advisories.
Carry layers and rain gear—weather flips quickly in this alpine valley.
Bring bear spray and hike with others; this is prime grizzly habitat.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to go
Food, Vibe and Facilities
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureLake Louise area trails and access areas closed for wildlifeMentions Lake Louise, referenced in this guideThe Bow River Trail, Louise Creek Trail, lower Tramline Trail, and Great Divide Trail parking area are closed because the closure prevents wildlife from being displaced from an essential travel…Official details
- ClosureRed Deer River valley bottom closed for ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison harvest taking place through November.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
More stories near here in the app
- The Fairmont Chateau and Lake Louise Shoreline
- Teahouses in the Sky: Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers
- Deer Lodge: A Historic Lodge Near the Lake
- Great Divide Trail: An Easy Walk on an Old Highway
- 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Guide
More about Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
The Hike InFrom the Lake Louise lakeshore, you’ll follow a flat 2 km warm-up along the water before…
From the Lake Louise lakeshore, you’ll follow a flat 2 km warm-up along the water before climbing the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. It’s about 5.5 km (each way) with moderate gain. The payoff is huge—panoramas of the Victoria Glacier, waterfall-laced cliffs, and the wide alpine valley that gives the trail its name.
Wildlife and SafetyYou’re in prime grizzly country, with common sightings of marmots and pikas in the rocks and…
You’re in prime grizzly country, with common sightings of marmots and pikas in the rocks and occasional mountain goats higher up. Carry bear spray, hike in groups when possible, and keep food secure. Seasonal avalanche hazards exist outside summer—check the Banff National Park trail report before you go.
Best Time to VisitGo on weekday mornings during summer and early fall to beat crowds and snag a seat.
- Go on weekday mornings during summer and early fall to beat crowds and snag a seat.
- Start early so you’re up before the midday rush and safely back before afternoon weather shifts.
- Parking at Lake Louise is notoriously tight—plan ahead so you’re not arriving late and hungry.
What to BringCash (CAD/USB noted), layers for fast-changing mountain weather, water, and bear spray.
Cash (CAD/USB noted), layers for fast-changing mountain weather, water, and bear spray. Expect no cell service and very limited card connectivity if any.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
122 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
