How to Get to Moraine Lake for Sunrise
With its turquoise water framed by the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake is one of the most popular sights in Banff National Park. Watching the sunrise slowly light the mountain peaks is an unforgettable experience. With Moraine Lake Road now closed to personal vehicles, we’re going to tell you how to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise.
Pictures of Moraine Lake are what initially sparked my interest in visiting Banff National Park one day. I thought the photos had been edited to make the water really pop until I saw it for myself this summer. The water really is that blue. If you’ve looked into a trip to Banff National Park, you probably know about the road closure. Due to crowds of people visiting Moraine Lake each day, the parking lots were full almost 24/7. Parks Canada made the decision to close the road at the beginning of the year to better control the number of visitors each day.
Banff National Park now has Parks Canada shuttles that go to and from Moraine Lake each day. Reservations must be made in advance and can be found on the Parks Canada website. The shuttle is $8 per person. Park entry must still be paid at the gate. The shuttle begins running at 6:30 am with the last shuttle returning at 7:30 pm. It’s a great option, and making the reservation was easy, but we’re trying to watch the sunrise. Sunrise in the summer months is well before 6:30 am. So how do you get to Moraine Lake for sunrise?
How to Get to Moraine Lake for Sunrise
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Hike or Bike
One way to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise is to hike or bike to the lake. Keep in mind that it’s about 7 miles one way, and the way there is uphill. You have full control over how early you get to the lake, but it’ll be dark. A more favorable option would be renting an E-Bike from one of the many rental services in the area. Check out Banff Cycle & Sport, Bike Banff, or Banff Adventures.
Stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge
This luxurious lodge overlooks Moraine Lake and guests have unlimited access to Moraine Lake. You can easily watch the sunrise from your own balcony each morning! If you want to stay here, be sure to book well in advance. Moraine Lake Lodge is a seasonal property only available from June 1st to September 30th each year. A stay here will also cost you close to $1,000 or more per night.
Book a Private Sunrise Shuttle
This option is our favorite and what we chose to do on our trip. There are a few third party companies that have access to Moraine Lake. We booked a sunrise shuttle with Moraine Lake Bus Company. We met our shuttle at Samson Mall inside the park, checked in with our driver, and left for the lake by 4 am. We made it to the lake by 4:35 am, well before sunrise. We had plenty of time to make it to our viewing spot at the top of the Rockpile Trail, and there were only two other people up there! We had been to Moraine Lake the day before and left quickly because it was so crowded. Our sunrise experience was the complete opposite. The shuttle returns at 7:15 am or 7:40 am, depending on the choice you make during the booking process. We chose 7:40 am, but they had room for us at 7:15 am, so we left early. We loved our experience and felt that we had plenty of time to take photos, watch the sunrise, and explore the lakeshore a bit.
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While visiting Moraine Lake for sunrise now requires additional planning, it is nice to enjoy the sunrise without the crowds. We hope you’re able to witness the sun rising over Moraine Lake on your trip to Banff National Park!
