LAKE LOUISE

You have seen photos of the lake but they haven’t prepared you for how it feels to experience it yourself. Rounding the corner, the sight of the emerald green water and rugged peaks and glaciers hits… we’ve never seen anything so dramatically beautiful.

On the shore you’re surrounded by tourist and photographers. In a canoe in the middle of the lake you’re completely alone. Surrounded by complete beauty and silence. It was breathtaking. I’m so glad we spent the $70 and rented the canoe. It was worth every penny. Start saving that $70 now and don’t spend it on anything else. (Unless you have your own!) It looked like we were paddling in a lake filled of aqua kool-aid.

WHEN TO GO:

It is best to go and be there before 10am, beacuse the parking lot feels up extremely fast. If you arrive after 10am you might have to park down the side of the road. They eventually have to shut the road down and only let people in as others leave.

We barley made it before they closed the road off. If there is one down side of this place is that it is very crowded and parking really is INSANE. We had to park aaall the way down the road and it was TIGHT, right on a cliff.

COST

FREE – Just park and walk

Canoe Rentals: $70/ hour

There is only one boat rental on the lake and it’s operated by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel. Standing at the hotel looking out at the lake it is located on the left hand side accessed by a pathway. Canoes are available on a first come, first serve basis. They can’t be reserved.

THINGS TO DO:

HIKING
SKIING
TRAIL RIDING
SIGHT SEEING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
SNOW TUBING AND SNOW SHOEING
CANOEING
- Can I Bring My Own Canoe Or Kayak To Use At Lake Louise?
  - Yes, you can use your own canoe or kayak at Lake Louise or any of the lakes or rivers within Banff National Park. There’s no public boat launch at Lake Louise. You will have to carry your canoe from the government parking lot area and launch it from shore of the lake. Parks Canada offers more information on paddling in the parks.