Canoe Lake Louise and skip the long rental line through our boathouse arrangement, then sightsee Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake. Canoe optional, paid at the boathouse.
About this activity
Highlighted reviews from other travelers
Incredible day. The canoe paddle on the hidden alpine lake was the highlight — no crowds, no rental lines, just us and the mountains. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept a great pace for the group. Highly recommend.
Best thing we did in Banff! Skipping the parking and rental lines at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake was such a relief. Moraine Lake at the Rockpile is unbelievable in person. Our guide stopped us at all the right spots. Read more
What you'll do
Highlights
- Skip the Lake Louise canoe line via our boathouse arrangement (canoe optional)
- See three iconic lakes: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake
- Moraine Lake access handled for you, no shuttle reservation to chase
- Paddle turquoise Lake Louise below Victoria Glacier (optional, paid on site)
- Relax with seamless, comfortable roundtrip transport from Banff or Canmore.
Full description
At Lake Louise, our guests skip the line that everyone else waits in. Renting a canoe at the boathouse can mean an hour or more in the public queue at the busiest times, but through a special arrangement we’ve made with the boathouse, you don’t wait in it. If you’d like to paddle that famous turquoise water beneath the Victoria Glacier, the canoe is an optional add-on you rent and pay for at the boathouse, and we make sure you get out on the water quickly. That is the highlight of a full, unhurried day across three of the Canadian Rockies’ most iconic lakes, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake, with a local guide handling every logistic so you can simply take it in.
Your day starts with a morning pickup in the Banff and Canmore area and a scenic drive to Emerald Lake in Yoho, a quieter, deep-green gem most day-trippers never make time for. From there you head to Lake Louise Village for a lunch stop (the meal is at your own expense, so you can choose what you like), then continue up to the shore of Lake Louise for time on that famous turquoise shoreline beneath the Victoria Glacier, and the optional canoe if you’d like it. In the afternoon you travel on past the Valley of the Ten Peaks to Moraine Lake, where the Rockpile viewpoint delivers one of the most recognizable scenes in Canada.
Getting to Moraine has become the single biggest headache of a Rockies trip. Personal vehicles are no longer allowed on Moraine Lake Road, which means sold-out shuttle reservations, pre-dawn alarms, and full parking lots for anyone trying to do it alone. We take care of Moraine Lake access for you, with no separate shuttle booking and no reservation scramble. It is arranged as part of your tour.
About the canoe, so there are no surprises: Canoeing is an optional add-on available at Lake Louise only, and the canoe rental is paid separately at the boathouse’s standard rate, so it is not included in your tour price. What Horizon Tours provides is the line-skip: through our arrangement with the boathouse, you skip the long public rental line. Canoeing is entirely optional, and plenty of guests are perfectly happy simply taking in the lakes from shore.
Plan for a full day, roughly 9 to 10 hours door to door, in a small group of no more than 14, with comfortable roundtrip transport, all national park permits and parking handled, and that all-important Moraine Lake access. Bring layers, water, and a camera, and we’ll take care of the rest. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start. Perfect for couples, photographers, families, and first-time visitors who want the icons of Banff National Park without figuring it all out themselves.
What's included
Meeting point
Two pickup options are available: The Rundlestone Lodge or Impark – 2801 Bow Valley Trail Lot 575. You will receive a confirmation message with your exact pickup time and location ahead of the tour. Please be ready 5 minutes before the scheduled time, as the bus departs promptly. Drop-off is at the same two locations on the way back.
Open in Google MapsImportant information
- Layers and a light jacket — mountain weather can change quickly
- Comfortable walking shoes for uneven paths and lakeshore areas
- Water and snacks for the day
- Small daypack for personal items (large bags or luggage are not recommended due to limited vehicle storage)
- The canoe is optional and paid separately. The Lake Louise canoe rental is not included in the tour price. You pay the boathouse directly at their standard rate if you choose to paddle. What is included is your skip-the-line access through our arrangement with the boathouse. Canoeing is available at Lake Louise only and is subject to boathouse availability and weather on the day.
- A lunch stop at Lake Louise Village is included in the schedule, but the meal itself is at your own expense.
- Mountain weather changes quickly, so dress in layers and bring a light jacket.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for uneven paths and lakeshore areas.
- Restrooms are available at the lakes, but availability may vary by season.
- This tour operates rain or shine, as conditions often improve throughout the day.
- Arrival and return times are approximate and depend on traffic and weather conditions.
- Large bags or luggage are not recommended due to limited vehicle storage space.
Cancellation policy
Frequently asked questions
Customer reviews
Perfect day trip. Our guide knew the best spots for photos and the small group size meant we could actually take our time. The hidden alpine lake canoe paddle was a highlight!
Incredible day. The canoe on the hidden alpine lake was the highlight — no crowds, no rental lines, just us and the mountains. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept a great pace for the group. Highly recommend.
Great tour overall. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake were stunning and the canoe paddle was a treat. Only reason for 4 stars is the weather, but the guide handled it well.
We did this as a family and it was one of the best things we did in Banff. The pickup was right on time, the guide was fantastic, and the canoe on the alpine lake was such a unique experience. Can't recommend enough.
