Lake Louise

Travel Guide

Banff National Park showing landscape views, snow and mountains
Banff National Park which includes mountains, tranquil scenes and a sandy beach
Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Lake Louise

This remote hamlet is named after its glacier lake, which is so picturesque and placid that you won’t believe it’s real. 

All of the glacial lakes of Canada’s Rocky Mountains are stunning, but there is something about Lake Louise that makes it look too good to be true. Yet, this hamlet is very real and even though it feels like it’s a world away from Calgary, it’s not hard to reach. Finding a diamond like this deep in the vast wilderness of Banff National Park certainly adds to the lake’s appeal. 

The village of Lake Louise, 5 kilometres (3 miles) downhill from the lake, has shops, gear rental stores, restaurants and a range of accommodation options. The stately hotel Chateau Lake Louise is part of the elevated Lake Louise Mountain Resort at the lake’s edge, providing a scenic place to eat, rest or soak in the spa. 

Lake Louise is a popular tourist destination during both the ski season and summer months and offers plenty of exciting, or relaxing, activities year-round.

In summer, put your feet up in the resort or camp out in the wilderness. If you like hiking or horse riding, join a guided tour to traverse the trails around the lake, until you reach the point where you can overlook Peyto Lake with its beautiful turquoise-colored water. Another trail leads to Mirror Lake. Canoeing is the best way to explore the lakes, because the water is too cold for swimming.

By winter Lake Louise is in full swing again as it shifts to accommodate the flocks of wintersports fanatics. Lake Louise is home to some of Canada’s best powdery slopes. The town’s luxury ski resorts offer gear rental and direct shuttles to the mountains.

Reach Lake Louise, in the province of Alberta, by driving along the Trans-Canada Highway northwest from Banff, a 57-kilometre (35-mile) journey. Buses from Calgary, which has an international airport, take just over two hours to get to Lake Louise, but the best way to see the area is by car. The next town up, Jasper, is more than three hours away along the Icefields Parkway, a very scenic journey.

Lake Louise Inn
Lake Louise Inn
3 out of 5
210 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
The price is S$591 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$591
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy free parking, 3 restaurants, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,906 reviews)
"This property was a great base camp for the many outdoor activities around Lake Louise. We also enjoyed the live music and smores in the gazebo. This property also had a very nice gym and included free mountain bike rentals to explore the area. My only complaint would be that the parking lot wasn't ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

Lake Louise Inn
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
4 out of 5
111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
The price is S$1,480 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
S$1,480
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Mountaineer Lodge
Mountaineer Lodge
2.5 out of 5
101 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
Book a stay at this ski hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a steam room. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,553 reviews)
"Great place"

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 2025

Mountaineer Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hidden Ridge Resort
Hidden Ridge Resort
3.5 out of 5
901 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, AB
Stay at this aparthotel in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,475 reviews)
"Loved the stay. Enjoyed the amenities."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Hidden Ridge Resort
Sundance By Basecamp
Sundance By Basecamp
2.5 out of 5
2 Sundance Rd Hwy 40, Kananaskis, AB
Stay at this campground in Kananaskis. Enjoy free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Bronze Chair Ski Lift and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (228 reviews)
"A unique offering and an experience!"

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Sundance By Basecamp
Basecamp Resorts Canmore
Basecamp Resorts Canmore
3.5 out of 5
1102 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Canmore. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,270 reviews)
"I like to improve more dusting in room specially celing fan"

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Basecamp Resorts Canmore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lake Louise

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
13
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lake Louise is a beautiful area but can be really busy with so many visitors and tours.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lake Louise is in a lovely setting but very busy and parking becomes difficult after 8.30am! There is a shuttle bus if unable to park at Lake. We visited Bow Lake on our second day and it was beautiful and unspoilt so definitely worth a visit if you

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Stunning area and well directed for traffic as it can get busy for parking. We managed to see Moraine Lake which I found even more special than Lake Louise

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful lake - even in the rain!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Make sure you okay with walking as parking is a nightmare. 1st come early, real early, the rest walk.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Go very early to find a parking place in the car park rather than try for the shuttle bus. Queues for the shuttle bus were close to 2 hours. Amazing hike to Six Glacier Teahouse..