Anna Lake Moraine is a stunning glacial lake in Banff National Park. It’s surrounded by the famous Ten Peaks, and is truly one of the most picturesque destinations you’ll ever encounter. This iconic lake even earned a place on the back of Canada’s $20 bill, a testament to its unrivaled beauty and status as a national treasure. A visit to this unforgettable spot is a top priority for anyone exploring Banff, but its popularity means a bit of planning is essential. To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve gathered some valuable tips and suggested activities to ensure your visit to Lake Moraine is as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Getting there
Be sure to book your shuttle
The access road to Lake Moraine is closed to public vehicles, so you’ll need to book a shuttle to visit this popular destination. It is well worth it. Tickets for the shuttles sell out quickly, so I highly recommend booking in advance. The good news is that there are several private bus operators offering services to the lake. Many of the shuttle companies depart from the Lake Louise Ski Resort, which thankfully has ample parking. This is still about 45 minutes north of the Town of Banff. You can head into the lodge for coffee, snacks and nice restrooms. I opted for the Lake Moraine Bus Company, a relatively new operator, and we couldn’t have been happier with the experience. Their team was fun, accommodating, and generous with helpful info to make our day at the lake even more enjoyable. Lake Moraine is higher in elevation so it will be slightly cooler than nearby spots.
Why is Lake Moraine so blue?
Glacier fed lakes often have gorgeous vivid turquoise water. This is because as the glacier moves, it grinds the underlying rock into a very fine powder, known as rock flour. Melting glacier water carries the sediments and rock flour downstream where it forms the lake. Heavier sediments sink, but rock flour is so fine that it stays suspended in the water. The sunlight refracts and reflects the iconic light blue color. The blueness is often more dramatic when seen from above, like the well-earned view after a hike to a towering mountain peak.
What to do around Lake Moraine
Sunrise photo session and other photography
If you’re lucky enough to make it to Lake Moraine early enough, you will be gifted a view of the 10 peaks bathed in soft pink light from the rising sun. This is an incredible photo op, and if you’re interested in booking a photo session, this would be an amazing backdrop and legendary souvenir.
Go canoeing
Head out to the middle of the lake for the most peaceful and serene views of the mountains and see the blue water up close. It costs 160 Canadian dollars (CAD) for 1 hour, but only slightly less for 30 minutes, so a 1 hour canoe ride is the best deal. I recommend going early because long lines form at peak season.
Hike The Lake Shore Trail
Take a leisurely stroll along the shores of Lake Moraine and enjoy being fully immersed in its perfect, post card-esque scenery. The lakeshore trail winds gracefully around the lake’s perimeter, offering ever-changing views of the the 10 snowcapped peaks and close-ups of that ethereal turquoise water. Have a seat on one of the many fallen tree trunks and enjoy a quiet moment or picnic lunch while admiring the view. The path is a hard-packed dirt trail but watch for exposed roots and be cautious if the ground is wet, as it can get a bit messy. The hike is otherwise easy and flat, and is accessible for most visitors. As you reach the far end of the lake, you’ll discover a magical spot where glacial runoff creates small, rushing rapids that feed into the lake.
Check out the famous “$20 view”
A short hike up the Rockpile trail brings you to an iconic, jaw-dropping view of of Lake Moraine, immortalized on Canada’s $20 bill. The trail leads to a literal pile of rocks—formed by an ancient rockslide—that created the lake itself by blocking glacial runoff. This natural dam, called a moraine, gives the lake its name. The Rockpile Trail is an easy, family-friendly path located right off the parking lot—so accessible, even toddlers were waddling up during our visit.
The most beautiful hike at Lake Moraine
Hike the Larch Valley Trail
Larch Valley trail has it all! It is easily one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. It follows the 10 peaks back through Larch Valley, and if you’re lucky enough to be here in the fall when the Larches are turning yellow, the whole valley will be ablaze in their golden glow. It is unreal. The trail starts out with vigorous switchbacks, but tapers off in elevation gain and ends in an easy walk along the summit to Lake Minnestimma.
See Lake Minnestimma
Accent Sentinel Pass
The end of the trail continues up the Sentinel pass, a short but steep trek (600ft, approx. 1 mile) up to a ridge with astounding views down the valley. The trail is mostly hard-packed dirt but follows a scree (hillside of loose rock fragments) so expect some loose stones along the way. There are few rigorous, steep parts along the path. Fortunately for me, I found the roughest sections short-lived and the rest of the trail is a steady incline. The effort is so worth the incredible view. We rested at the top of the ridge to eat lunch and watch the clouds stream by the 10 peaks. You can also enjoy views into Paradise Valley from the ridge line of Sentinel Pass.
There is an option to continue on along the Paradise Valley trail, but it’s about another 10 miles and ends at another site. It looks incredible, but because we were using the shuttle system, we wouldn’t have made it back in time for our return reservation. However, if you’re interested in the long hike through Paradise Valley you may want to arrange for a ride at the other end of the trial.
Take your time descending back down to the lake. The scenery is stunning and the trees are gorgeous all year round- especially in the later half of Sept, when they’re changing colors. This trail can get busy, but you may to run into some wildlife. This is bear country, so be careful, bring bear spray, and try to hike in groups of at least 4.
Can you stay at Lake Moraine?
Lake Moraine is home to a high-end mountain lodge with rustic cabins directly on the shore. Booking here grants several amenities including access to the canoes. It is a super luxurious splurge, but will make for an unforgettable adventure. More information can be found here.
