Do You Need To Visit Lake Louise (& When Is The Best Time To Visit?)

If you’re visiting Banff National Park, an absolute must stop on your itinerary is Lake Louise, and don’t listen to people who say otherwise. Let’s just say, Lake Louise didn’t become such a popular tourist destination for nothing… I will admit that it’s crowded, but it’s also very much worth it visiting.

Plus, people who tell you not to visit probably just didn’t know the secret for the best time to visit Lake Louise (I mean, without the crowds!). I’m about to let you in on a little secret for when to visit Lake Louise Canada so that you have the lake practically to yourself, or at least with a lot less people!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Why Skip Lake Louise Canada?

Lake Louise has one of the best, and the worst reputations as a tourist destination in Banff National Park and even in Canada. Lately, it seems like Lake Louise has been overhyped and might be worth skipping altogether…

P.S. Planning a trip to Banff Nationals Park? Check out my printable Banff Travel Planner with a checklist for the top things to do around the park, packing list, and tips for you trip.

It”s Not The Easiest To Get To…

Despite Lake Louise being one of the top tourist attractions in the country, it’s surprisingly not that easy to get to. It’s a 2 hour drive from the nearest airport (Calgary). So after a flight and a day in the airport, you’re looking at at least a 2 hour drive (p.s. I recommend staying a night in Calgary depending on when your flight arrives).

From the airport, you can either rent a car, or take a shuttle to Lake Louise (there are a few shuttle companies, but I found the Brewster Express had a lot of pick up and drop off options). Otherwise, you can book this private shuttle from the Calgary airport to Lake Louise.

Lake Louise Is So Overcrowded That It’s No Longer Enjoyable

As one of the prettiest lakes in the country, it’s no surprise that it also draws A LOT of tourists every day. And I mean A LOT!! No seriously, I’ve never seen so many people around a lake before in my life!

During peak hours, you can barely find a good spot to take a picture without anyone blocking you. Luckily, tourists can’t stand in the lake itself (the canoes actually make a beautiful subject!).

But, that many people kind of defeats the purpose of heading out to nature… I mean, usually you want to escape the people. Let’s just say, a visit to Lake Louise is FAR from the relaxing lake vibes you might be looking for.

It’s One Of Many Pretty Lakes In Alberta

Banff National Park is hands down beautiful… Lake Louise just one of MANY pretty coloured lakes in Alberta. For starters, Banff National Park has a few others, like Moraine Lake or Peyto Lake on the Icefields Parkway.

But then the second you leave Banff National Park you’re great right away with Jasper National Park. Jasper is apparently even more beautiful than Banff without all the crowds.

Read more: Is Moraine Lake Worth It? The Ultimate Visitors Guide

Now, Why Do You Need To Visit Lake Louise?

Now that I’ve explained why you might not want to visit Lake Louise, I’ll tell you why you have to, and then how to visit Lake Louise to make the most of your visit (and actually enjoy it!).

It’s THE Spot To Go In Banff & Canada

Let’s just say, Lake Louise became the most popular lake for a reason. If you’re visiting Banff or even Jasper National Park without ever having seen Lake Louise it would be like visiting Rome without seeing the Coliseum. And who does that!?

Recommendations saying to skip Lake Louise is coming from people who have already been there. And of course, once you’ve visited, you don’t have to go back. Might as well spend your vacation exploring another, quieter lake.

But if it’s your first time in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, then this is THE spot to go.

Now I know I said it was hard to get to, but it’s actually the easiest compared to other lakes in the area (like Moraine Lake where you need to reserve a shuttle spot in advance). Like I said, there are shuttles directly from the airport to Lake Louise that you can take. Or you can even book an organized full day tour that will pick up and bring you back to Calgary.

A less popular lake will just be harder to get to if you aren’t driving. Plus, Jasper National Park is even further from the Calgary airport (I’m talking 4 hours!)… but it is closer to Edmonton…

Nothing Else Really Compares To Lake Louise

I can’t speak for Jasper National Park, but I don’t think any other lake really compare to Lake Louise in Banff National Park. If you remove all the crowds (which I’ll tell you how in just a minute!), then it’s really quite the surreal lake.

For starters, it’s quite the unique colour, it’s more emerald than blue (compared to Lake Moraine). That’s because there’s more rock flour comes from the melting glaciers in Lake Louise.

The lake also has the most perfect symmetrical reflection in the water that no other lake has. The lines lead your eyes straight to the middle of the lake, it’s beautiful!

There Are Must-Do Nearby Activities

Another reason why you have to visit Lake Louise is because there are a few must do activities near the Lake. For starters, you have the trailhead for two popular tea house hikes (Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers). Plus, it’s a great starting point for the Icefields Parkway.

For a full list of top things to do in Banff National Park, check out my travel guide.

So, What’s The Best Time To Visit Lake Louise

The best time to visit Lake Louise is in the morning and the evening (before 8:00 A.M. and after 8:00 P.M.). And there are two reasons for this…

The first is that there’s lack of people at the lake during these times. That’s because the tour buses will start arriving starting after 8:00 A.M., bringing the hoards of tourists to crowd the lake. So, you want to get here before they arrive, or wait until after they leave, taking the bulk of the tourists with them.

But there’s another secret benefit to visiting during off peak hours and it has to do with the lake itself. The look of the lake changes drastically throughout the day because of the sun and, mainly, the wind.

Usually when the sun rises, it also brings more wind to the lake which means there’s no reflection in the water. And when the sun sets, the wind calms down once again. The colour of the lake will also change with the sun, becoming greener or bluer.

P.S. There’s also no one canoeing after hours, which also creates ripples in the water, potentially affecting the perfect reflection.

So How Do You Visit Lake Louise Without The Crowds?

There are two main ways you can visit Lake Louise with way less people: either visit during low season, and (or) stay at one of the few hotels on the lake.

Read more: The Truth About Banff In June: Is It The Best Time To Visit?

Visit Lake Louise During Low Season

Low season travel is from September until December and from March until June. The two busiest months to visit Lake Louise is July and August.

Keep in mind, you don’t want to visit too early or late in the season if you want Lake Louise to be at its peak colour (and without any ice!). The lake freezes as early as November and the ice can last all the way until May!

I visited the last week of June, and it already felt like high season – it was that busy! I wonder if this is as bad as it gets or it just gets that much worse in July and August.

Of course, not everyone will be able to travel during low season either, so this brings me to my next option: booking a stay at one of the Lake Louise hotels…

Stay At Hotel Close To The Lake (Not In The Village!)

The best way to be able to enjoy Lake Louise without the crowds is to actually book one of the nearby hotels.

This way, you’re able to visit the lake “after hours”. You don’t have to wake up super early in the morning, you can still wake up at a normal hour. And you’re able to stay a lot later because you don’t have to worry about driving almost an hour back to Banff.

The sun also sets pretty late in the summer (sunset only starts at 10:00 P.M.!) so you don’t have to worry about it being too dark to see the lake.

Obviously, there are no real opening hours for the lake, but there is a time when the tour buses arrive and leave! Typically, any time before 8:00 A.M. and after 8:00 P.M. will see a quarter of the people. Think about it, the only people there will be the people staying at the nearby hotels.

Unfortunately, you only have three real options for hotels… and they aren’t cheap. I stayed at the Deer Lodge and although it had some issues, would recommend it, read my full (honest) review. But continue reading for a quick overview of each hotel.

P.S. During the height of summer 2023 they actually closed access to Lake Louise for vehicles. That means the only people that were able to see it were those staying in the area. So it might be worth paying the extra cost just to be able to see it in case they have to close it again!

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The most well known hotel is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and no surprise, it’s also the most expensive option. When I was looking, rooms ranged from $900 to $1200 – depending on if you wanted a view or not…

But, hey! If you can afford it, it’s worth it! Maybe it’s worth saving up and celebrating a special occasion here. This is the closest hotel you can get to Lake Louise, I mean, you might even be able to see it from your window!

Pro tip: another sneaky benefit to staying at the Chateau Lake Louise is that they offer their guests a shuttle to Moraine Lake (with a sunrise option as well!). This can be a way to visit Moraine Lake if you’ve missed your chance to book Parks Canada Shuttle.

See availability and room rates on their website, or check Booking.com.

The Deer Lodge Lake Louise

I stayed at the Deer Lodge, it’s about a 5 minute walk to the lake. It’s not the best hotel I’ve stayed in, but it’s far from the worst. The trick is to book the newly renovated rooms. It’s still cheaper than the Fairmont, and the location is unbeatable! Read my full review of the hotel or check availability on Booking.com.

Paradise Lodge & Bungalows At Lake Louise Canada

A little bit further walk (but still closer than the village) is the Paradise Bungalows. You’re about a 20 minute (uphill) walk to the lake from here. Check room rates and availability on Booking.com.

Secret Option: Reserve Afternoon Tea At The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

As a last minute resort, you can reserve a spot in advance for afternoon tea at the Fairview restaurant in the Fairmont Lake Louise. It’s on the expensive side, but it’s worth it. The tearoom gives you one of the best views of the lake without having so many people all around you at once. You can easily relax, and enjoy the views of the lake – which is what it’s all about!

For afternoon tea, try to book one of the last time slots (around 2:15). There will still be crowds at the lake, but the tearoom will start to empty out around 3:00 P.M. Staff won’t kick you out (within reason of course!), so you have the tearoom practically to yourself (and the staff!).

This was at the end of June when I visited, so I wasn’t in peak travel season. But that being said, the afternoon tea was full when I sat down.

Pro Tip: If afternoon tea isn’t for you, you can also try to get a seat at the Lakeview restaurant. They also have an impeccable view of Lake Louise, and I actually preferred my experience there, but you can’t make a reservation. If you’re there early enough, get in line for a seat for when it opens at 11:00 A.M. Obviously, ask for a table outside. This is a lot cheaper than afternoon tea (and you can still order their delicious tea to sip!).

Why You Want To Avoid Booking A Hotel In Lake Louise Village

Don’t be tricked by the Lake Louise Village (I almost was). This is not like Banff city centre AT ALL! There’s hardly anything in the village (no walking street) and it’s a 5 minute drive to the lake or a 40 minute walk!! And by the way, that walk is ALL uphill to get there!

If you drive to the lake from the village, you’ll also have to deal with parking once you arrive (which is paid and usually full). So instead, you’ll want to shuttle from the village to the lake. But, that kind of defeats the purpose of staying in Lake Louise.

Pro Tip: If you’re staying for multiple nights in Banff National Park, you can always split your stay between two hotels to save costs. Book one night at one of the hotels near the lake for private after hours access, and the rest of your stay in the village.

What About Visiting Lake Louise in the Winter?

Winter in Banff is also low season, so there are way less people visiting. Does this make it a good time to visit Lake Louise without the crowds? I would say yes, and no.

I visited Lake Louise at the end of January (after the winter holidays) and it was empty compared to even June. So in terms of the crowds, this is an ideal time to visit. You can enjoy the restaurants at the hotel without a wait (and still getting a window seat). And the mountains are still there (looking incredible with snow caps!).

But! You won’t be able to do the same activities and you can’t see the iconic blue lake. You obviously can’t canoe on Lake Louise, but you can skate and even walk on it! You also can’t hike up to Lake Agnes Tea House and if you want to venture up to the Fairview Lookout it’s much harder in the winter snow (they recommend having crampons).

It was a very different feel to the lake in the winter versus the summer. It felt like you were in a secluded winter wonderland in its own bubble. And with the snow on the evergreen trees, it is still really a magical place to visit. But I won’t deny that it’s not the same – I think that if I hadn’t already seen Lake Louise in all it’s glory, I would have been upset not seeing the icy blue waters.

My Banff National Park Amazon Must Haves

There’s no denying that a trip to Banff is outdoor focused. Even if you aren’t planning on doing any intense hikes or outdoor activities, there are a few essentials I pack. For example, these protein bars and a refillable water bottle. You’re visiting more remote locations, that won’t have a place to buy any food or water so it’s important you always have something on hand.

I also like these Columbia Newton hiking boots because they also double as my waterproof shoes during the summer months and they also worked in the winter as a pair of lighter boots.

Read More Related Posts

• Top 5 Things To Do In Lake Louise: A First Timers Guide
• Should You Stay At The Deer Lodge Lake Louise? An Honest Review
• Is Moraine Lake Worth It? The Ultimate Visitors Guide

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