CityBuddy
Lake Louise
Best time to visit
An early morning before 9 a.m. ensures the quietest experience and the best lighting for photography. September is the best month, when crowds thin out and the autumn colors of the leaves are at their peak.
Budget tips
Access to the lake is free, but parking at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise costs about 36 dollars per day. Save money by using Banff's free shuttle bus, which runs from the city center to the lake without a parking fee.
Recommended for
Photographers, Nature travelers, Hikers, Families
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: The lake is named after Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. Its turquoise color is created when fine-grained rock flour from meltwater reflects light through the surface of the water.
Highlights: The color of the lake changes noticeably throughout the day: in the morning sun it is bright turquoise, in the evening deep emerald green. Lake Maligne is known as the world's longest disk-shaped lake, and during the summer months the movement of canoes with countless signage indicators is a spectacle of its own.
Insider tips
- Arrive no later than 8 a.m., otherwise the parking lot fills up and you will have to queue for hours.
- Hike to Fairview Lookout on an easy 1.5 km trail, which offers the best panoramic view of the lake without the crowds.
- Bring your own food; the prices at the lakeside cafe are touristy.
- After mid-September, the number of visitors drops to a fraction, but the weather is still excellent for hiking.
Practical info
Where to Stay in Banff
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