Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail (2.6 km, Easy) – Banff National Park

Overview

About Moraine Lake Lakeshore

Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail is an easy out-and-back stroll along the western shore of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. The stored line follows the path once in the outbound direction, from just beyond Moraine Lake Lodge to the back of the lake; the visitor distance is about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round trip. Allow about 45 minutes, or longer if you stop often for the water and mountain views. The route has minimal elevation change and is suitable for most visitors who can manage a natural trail surface.

Why go

Easy access to changing turquoise-lake and Ten Peaks views
Short, gentle outing with a small waterfall and inlet destination
Quieter shoreline perspectives after leaving the Rockpile area

Heads up

Moraine Lake Road access requires a shuttle, transit, or approved commercial transport
The route can be crowded near the lodge and Rockpile viewpoints
Natural roots, gravel, and wet surfaces can be uneven or slippery

Map & elevation

The route

Loading the Banff map

Full map

Elevation1,866–1,911 m

TrailheadMoraine Lake Lodge51.32814, -116.18155

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Personal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road. Reserve Parks Canada shuttle or Roam transit access, or use a licensed commercial service, then begin just beyond Moraine Lake Lodge. Toilets and day-use facilities are near the arrival area; there are no services along the shoreline trail.

Best time to go

Moraine Lake is in bear country, so carry bear spray where permitted and follow current Parks Canada wildlife guidance. Keep dogs under physical control and give wildlife space. Bring layers and rain protection because conditions can change quickly around the lake, and use care on roots, gravel, and wet boardwalk or waterfall-area surfaces.

Safety

Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles, so plan shuttle, transit, or approved commercial access in advance. Stay on the established trail to protect fragile lakeshore habitat. The path includes roots, gravel, and potentially wet or slippery surfaces. This is bear country: follow Parks Canada wildlife guidance, keep dogs on leash and under physical control, and carry bear spray where permitted.

8 active Banff alerts

ClosureRed Deer River valley closed during ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison hunt taking place through November, for public safety during the harvest.Official details
ClosureJohnston Canyon closed for constructionJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area, including the washrooms and P1 parking lot, are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, for construction work to ensure public and worker…Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Banff Tour Guide

Your drive to Moraine Lake Lakeshore, 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.

Recorded for this trailhead

The Famous 'Twenty-Dollar View' at Moraine Lake

Listen

“You're getting close to Moraine Lake, and the first thing you'll want to find is the Rockpile Trail.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

Hiking Moraine Lake Lakeshore

The route and sceneryBegin just beyond Moraine Lake Lodge and follow the shoreline path away from the busiest…

Begin just beyond Moraine Lake Lodge and follow the shoreline path away from the busiest Rockpile viewpoints. The trail stays close to the turquoise water, with changing views across Moraine Lake toward Mount Fay and the Fay Glacier. Continue to the back of the lake, where the path reaches a small waterfall and inlet area, then return the same way. The line is stored from the lodge-side start to that destination rather than duplicating the return walk.

Trail characterThis is a mostly gentle lakeside path with packed dirt, gravel, roots, and occasional uneven…

This is a mostly gentle lakeside path with packed dirt, gravel, roots, and occasional uneven sections. It is a scenic stroll rather than a workout, but the surface is not a paved promenade and can be slippery when wet. Stay on the established trail, especially along the fragile lakeshore.

Access and practicalitiesMoraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.

Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles. Reach the lake by Parks Canada shuttle, Roam transit, licensed commercial transportation, or another permitted service, and plan reservations ahead of time. Begin just beyond Moraine Lake Lodge. Toilets and other day-use facilities are near the arrival area; there are no services along the shoreline route. Dogs are permitted on leash, subject to transport-provider rules.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Banff

All Banff wildlife maps

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 map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Moraine Lake Lakeshore