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    Lake Louise
    Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Canada

    Lake Louise

    CityMountainsNature

    Lake Louise is both a small village in Banff National Park and the turquoise lake about 3 km (2 miles) above it.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Canada
    7. Banff National Park
    9. Lake Louise
    Lake Louise is both a small village in Banff National Park and the turquoise lake about 3 km (2 miles) above it. The lake sits at 1,750 m (5,740 ft), is about 2 km (1.2 miles) long and gets its color from fine rock flour in the glacial meltwater. On the east shore stands the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, one of Canada's grand railway hotels.The village is the jumping-off point for the hikes to the teahouses at Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers, for the shuttle to Moraine Lake and for the Icefields Parkway, which starts just north of town. Banff is 58 km (36 miles) southeast, about 40 minutes on the Trans-Canada Highway.Know Before You GoMoraine Lake: Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles year-round. Get there on the Parks Canada shuttle (June 1 to October 12 in 2026), with a licensed tour operator or as a guest of Moraine Lake Lodge.Booking the shuttle: 40% of seats go on sale online in mid-April; the remaining 60% are released at 8 a.m. two days before each departure. Shuttles leave from the park-and-ride at Lake Louise Ski Resort, where parking is free with a reservation. The national park entry fee is extra.Parking at the lake: The lakeshore lot charges a fee from May to October, often fills before sunrise and is closed to RVs.

    Sights in Lake Louise

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Lake Agnes Tea House
    Restaurant

    1Lake Agnes Tea House

    The teahouse was built in 1901 as a shelter for hikers and is located at approx. 2,100 m on Lake Agnes. From the Chateau's lakeshore, it's 3.7 km one way with a good 400 m elevation gain, passing Mirror Lake. It serves tea and pastries, is very busy in summer, and usually closes after Canadian Thanksgiving in early October.
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    Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
    Cafe

    2Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse

    The Canadian Pacific Railway built this teahouse in the 1920s at the suggestion of Swiss mountain guide Edward Feuz, and the same family has run it since 1959. It sits about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) from the lakeshore, has no electricity and serves soups, light lunches, baked goods and tea in summer. Bring cash.
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    Lake Louise Summer Gondola
    Attraction

    3Lake Louise Summer Gondola

    The summer gondola at Lake Louise Ski Resort runs from June through September. From the top you look across to Lake Louise, its glaciers and the peaks of the Great Divide, and the Wildlife Interpretive Centre at the upper station covers grizzlies and the other animals often spotted on these slopes. The parking lot at the base is also the park-and-ride for the lake shuttles.
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    Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
    Point of Interest

    4Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

    The Canadian Pacific Railway hotel on the lake's east shore was built in the early decades of the 20th century and is one of Canada's grand railway hotels, today operated by Fairmont. Even without an overnight stay, you can visit the Lakeview Lounge for views of the Victoria Glacier. From the hotel, the flat lakeside path and the trails to the teahouses begin.
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    Restaurants in Lake Louise

    1

    Lake Louise Railway Station Restaurant

    Restaurant in the historic 1910 train station on Sentinel Road, offering Canadian cuisine like bison lasagna and bison ribs, served in several rooms of the old station building. In summer, a historic dining car also opens.
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    2

    Walliser Stube

    Swiss restaurant inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, open for dinner only. The wine pairings get good reviews; reservations are recommended.
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    3

    Laggan's

    Cafe and deli with a counter in the Samson Mall in town, popular for a quick snack before long day tours. Next door is the small Trailhead Cafe with grab-and-go sandwiches.
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    History and Culture

    Lake of Little FishesThe Stoney Nakoda call the lake Ho-run-num-nay, “Lake of Little Fishes.” In 1882 Stoney guide Edwin Hunter led Tom Wilson to its shore, making Wilson the first non-Indigenous visitor. Wilson called it Emerald Lake; it was later renamed for Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.Railway and Mountain GuidesThe village was once called Holt City and then Laggan. The Canadian Pacific Railway built the Chateau on the lake's east shore and, in 1910, a new station that has been a designated heritage railway station since 1991. The teahouse at the Plain of Six Glaciers, from the 1920s, goes back to an idea by Edward Feuz, one of the railway's Swiss mountain guides.TeahousesThe Lake Agnes teahouse began in 1901 as a shelter for hikers. Both teahouses serve tea, baked goods and light snacks in summer. The one at the Plain of Six Glaciers runs without electricity and has been operated by the same family since 1959.

    Getting There and Getting Around

    Lake Louise is about 180 km (110 miles) from Calgary. From Banff it's 58 km (36 miles) on the Trans-Canada Highway, about 40 minutes, or slower on the winding Bow Valley Parkway (51 km/32 miles), which passes Johnston Canyon.Roam Transit: Route 8X runs year-round from Banff to the lakeshore in about 48 minutes; in summer, reserve ahead. The slower Route 8S stops at Johnston Canyon.Parks Canada shuttle: In 2026 shuttles ran May 15 to October 12 from the park-and-ride at the ski resort to the lakeshore, and from June 1 also to Moraine Lake, plus the Lake Connector between the two lakes.Icefields Parkway: Highway 93 starts just north of the village and runs 232 km (144 miles) to Jasper, about 3.5 hours of pure driving time. The only gas station along the way, at Saskatchewan River Crossing, is open in summer only, so fill up before you go.

    Accommodations in Lake Louise

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    Campgrounds in Lake Louise

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to Lake Louise

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      • 1Lake Agnes Tea House3 days
      • 2Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse4 days
      • 3Lake Louise Summer Gondola5 days
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    Nearby

    Banff National Park

    Banff National Park

    Founded in 1885, Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rocky Mountain Parks. Covering approximately 6,600 km², it encompasses the town of Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the southern section of the Icefields Parkway.
    The Canadian Rockies

    The Canadian Rockies

    The Canadian Rockies are a majestic mountain range known for their breathtaking alpine scenery, turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, they offer unforgettable experiences for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, from spectacular hikes to picturesque scenic drives.
    Yoho National Park

    Yoho National Park

    An impressive national park, located directly west of Banff, known for its majestic waterfalls like Takakkaw Falls, the emerald-green Emerald Lake, and unique natural bridges.
    Banff

    Banff

    A vibrant mountain town in the heart of Banff National Park, serving as a central hub for outdoor adventures, shopping, and relaxation.
    Kootenay National Park

    Kootenay National Park

    This diverse national park, east of the main chain of the Rockies, features dramatic canyons, colorful mineral springs and alpine meadows and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI