Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful destinations in Banff National Park. It’s known for its ethereal turquoise waters, towering mountain peaks and the massive Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise is a must-see destination in Banff. As you may imagine, in a place this incredible, there are many amazing things to do at Lake Louise.
This guide of things to do in Lake Louise is for the snow-free months, which is typically between late May through the golden larch season of September and October. It also covers the activities over the entire Lake Louise area, which includes the areas around the lake, but also the activities at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, just a few minutes away on the other side of the valley. If you are visiting in winter, check out our list of things to do in Lake Louise in winter.
This beautiful mountain lake is one of Banff’s most popular attractions, not only because of its beauty, but for the wide variety of activities available. From a simple walk along the shoreline, to an epic hike through a valley of glaciers, you’ll have no shortage of activities at Lake Louise.
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How to Get to Lake Louise
While the beauty of the Lake Louise area is undeniable, visitors must prepare for the reality of its extreme popularity. The small paid parking lot near the lakeshore frequently fills to capacity early each morning, so most visitors to Lake Louise need to arrive by shuttle buses or guided tours.
There is so much to know about this important topic, that we created an in-depth post of How to Get to Lake Louise. If you are hoping to visit Lake Louise on your trip to Banff National Park, this is required reading.
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The Best Things to do at Lake Louise
1. Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
Everyone knows the iconic photo of Lake Louise, where the majestic Victoria Glacier stands proudly behind a brilliant, clear turquoise lake. This photo is typically taken at the very first spot where visitors first reach the lakeshore. The Lake Louise viewpoint is often overcrowded, and in our opinion, is not one of the best things to do at Lake Louise.
Even if you are not a hiker, the best thing to do at Lake Louise is to walk right past the hordes of people at the initial viewpoint and make your way towards the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail. You’ll be surprised how quickly it feels quiet again once you start walking.
One of the best easy walks in Banff, the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail follows the northern shoreline of Lake Louise. It begins in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and continues all the way to the end of the lake.
It’s a wide, mostly flat gravel walking path that follows the shore of Lake Louise with virtually no elevation gain. The Lakeshore Trail at Lake Louise is ideal for anyone looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a low-impact activity in one of the most beautiful destinations in Banff.
The Lakeshore Trail ends where the glacial meltwater from the Plain of Six Glaciers enters Lake Louise. Take a close look at the water as you can often see different shades of glacial water blending into the turquoise Lake Louise is famous for.
The full round-trip length of the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail is 4.7 km (2.9 miles), but you can always customize the length by turning back at any point. No matter your physical capabilities, the Lakeshore Trail is the best thing to do at Lake Louise.
You can download the trail map onto your phone with the AllTrails app. It’s a recent app of the year winner, and one of our top apps for visiting Banff.
2. Canoeing on Lake Louise
One of the most sought-after experiences at Lake Louise is to take a canoe on the glacial waters of this beautiful turquoise lake. There’s something so special about experiencing the beauty of this destination from the water. It’s not a cheap experience, but if it’s within your budget, canoeing on Lake Louise is a special experience you won’t soon forget.
To enjoy this quintessential Canadian experience, you’ll need to go to the boathouse on the western shore of the lake. Canoe rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We recently enjoyed canoeing on Lake Louise during a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. If you’d like to try this too, check out our full post on Canoeing at Lake Louise.
Local Tip
Go early for the calmest water and the most symmetrical reflections of the Victoria Glacier on the lake surface.
3. Hiking at Lake Louise
My personal favourite thing to do at Lake Louise is to go hiking. In fact, my favourite hike in all of Banff National Park is found at Lake Louise.
Lake Louise is famous for its brilliant turquoise colour, but here’s a secret that you may not know. As beautiful as the water colour is from the shoreline, the brilliance of the Lake Louise water colour intensifies the higher up you go, especially on a sunny day! You don’t need to go far to enjoy this effect, so if you have the ability, try to enjoy some hiking around Lake Louise.
Lake Louise is one of the best hiking destinations in Banff National Park. With so many incredible hikes, we’ve written a complete guide to the Best Hikes at Lake Louise. To give you a taste of what hiking is like at Lake Louise, here are just a few of our favourites:
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is my all-time favourite hike in Banff National Park. It begins along the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail, then ascends into an incredible mountain amphitheatre. Along the way you can visit one of the famous tea houses, before reaching a viewpoint that brings you up close to the Victoria Glacier.
Read More: Plain of Six Glaciers Hike
Lake Agnes Tea House Hike
One of the most popular hikes in Lake Louise, the Lake Agnes hike is a classic Banff experience. It’s a reasonably short, but steep climb up a well-maintained trail to an alpine lake in a high mountain cirque.
Along the way, you’ll pass Mirror Lake, which sits at the bottom of the sheer rock face of the Big Beehive. From here, you’ll pass a waterfall on your way to Lake Agnes, where you can grab a treat from the famous Lake Agnes Tea House and enjoy the epic Rocky Mountain lake scenery around you.
The Lake Agnes Tea House hike is an excellent choice if you want to see the Lake Louise water colour from above.
Read More: Lake Agnes Trail
Big Beehive Hike
The Big Beehive hike is an extension of the Lake Agnes Trail. If you make your way to the far end of the lake, you’ll then climb a series of switchbacks that take you to the summit of the Big Beehive. At the top, you’ll find a historic viewing platform which provides an unforgettable panoramic view of the entire length of Lake Louise.
Read More: Big Beehive Trail
If these hikes look interesting to you, don’t miss our Best Lake Louise Hikes post. We give all the information you need on the three Lake Louise hikes above, plus Fairview Lookout Trail, the Little Beehive Trail, Saddleback Mountain, and many more!
4. Lake Louise Summer Gondola
The Lake Louise Summer Gondola is located across the valley at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Here you can enjoy a thrilling 14-minute open-air chairlift ride or enclosed gondola ride to an elevation of 2,088 m.
If you are coming to Banff in hopes of seeing some wildlife, the Lake Louise Summer Gondola is regarded as one of the best places to see grizzly bears in Banff National Park. Although we have not yet seen a grizzly from the chairlift, we have seen a lynx, which is also pretty amazing!
Up top, you’ll enjoy amazing views of Lake Louise and her surrounding mountains from the large viewing platform. There’s also an impressive Wildlife Interpretive Centre featuring a collection of stuffed specimens including grizzlies, lynx, and cougars.
Read More: Lake Louise Summer Gondola
5. Lake Louise Photo Shoot
Renowned as one of the most beautiful locations in Banff National Park, Lake Louise is the ideal location for a professional photo shoot. To me, there’s no better souvenir from a location as beautiful as Banff as some amazing pictures to enjoy forever.
Although we have not yet had a family photo shoot at Lake Louise, we have had several throughout Banff and area, including at Lake Minnewanka and Gap Lake in Kananaskis. Our 60-minute photo shoots through Flytographer have produced some of our favourite families photos of all time.
You are coming to Banff for the scenery. If you want a souvenir you’ll actually use, a short photo shoot is hard to beat.
Lake Louise Photoshoot
A Lake Louise photoshoot is an excellent way to preserve memories from your trip! Get $25 off your first Flytographer photo shoot.
6. BASIN Glacial Waters Spa at Chateau Lake Louise
If you are a guest of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the BASIN Glacial Waters is a unique and memorable way to enjoy your time at Lake Louise. This is the Fairmont’s new thermal wellness experience, designed around contrast therapy and mountain recovery. At BASIN Glacial Waters you’ll enjoy warm soaks, refreshing cold plunges, and quiet spaces to reset.
BASIN is not a typical spa treatment menu. It is a dedicated facility focused on moving between hot and cold, then resting, which is perfect after a day of enjoying the many things to do around Lake Louise. It is also a great option for anyone who wants a memorable Lake Louise experience that does not involve physical activity.
Note: BASIN Glacial Waters is available to registered hotel guests only. If you are considering a stay, don’t miss our full review of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
7. Stand-up Paddleboard Lake Louise
You can stand-up paddleboard at Lake Louise, but to be honest, there are better lakes for stand-up paddle boarding in Banff than Lake Louise. If you choose to paddle board at Lake Louise, you’ll need to compete for space with the many people out canoeing on Lake Louise. Also, being a large mountain lake, winds can pick up fast and the lake can get choppy.
Local Tips: The Lake Louise boathouse only rents canoes, so if you want to SUP at Lake Louise, you’ll need to bring your own.
If you bring your own SUP (or any non-motorized watercraft/gear), you must complete an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention self-certification permit when entering a new waterbody Banff National Park. You can get all the details in our post on stand-up paddle boarding in Banff.
8. BONUS: Moraine Lake
If it’s even possible, Moraine Lake is even more famous than Lake Louise. I mention it on this list of things to do in Lake Louise, as it is located within the Lake Louise area.
There are so many things to do at Moraine Lake, but it’s also challenging to visit. If you wish to visit Moraine Lake as well, make sure you read our post on How to Get to Moraine Lake.
Final Thoughts on Things to do at Lake Louise
Even if you simply come for the scenery, a visit to Lake Louise is a highlight of any trip to Banff National Park. But, if you are looking for some fun recreational ideas, there are no shortage of amazing things to do at Lake Louise. From the easy, accessible strolls along the water to the famous tea house hikes, Lake Louise offers a wide range of experiences to enhance your visit.
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Dan Brewer, a life-long Alberta resident, calls Canmore home along with his wife and two kids. He is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada, where he gets to share his passion for the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Dan, along with his family, love being outdoors doing one of the many activities they enjoy in the mountains: hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
When he's not in Canmore enjoying one of his favourite local hikes, you can find him hopping on a plane to explore a new country with his family or working on one of their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.