Lake Louise Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Banff National Park featuring landscape views, snow and mountains
Banff National Park which includes a lake or waterhole, tranquil scenes and kayaking or canoeing
Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Lake Louise
This remote hamlet is named after its glacier lake, which is so picturesque and placid that you won’t believe it’s real. 

All of the glacial lakes of Canada’s Rocky Mountains are stunning, but there is something about Lake Louise that makes it look too good to be true. Yet, this hamlet is very real and even though it feels like it’s a world away from Calgary, it’s not hard to reach. Finding a diamond like this deep in the vast wilderness of Banff National Park certainly adds to the lake’s appeal. 

The village of Lake Louise, 5 kilometres (3 miles) downhill from the lake, has shops, gear rental stores, restaurants and a range of accommodation options. The stately hotel Chateau Lake Louise is part of the elevated Lake Louise Mountain Resort at the lake’s edge, providing a scenic place to eat, rest or soak in the spa. 

Lake Louise is a popular tourist destination during both the ski season and summer months and offers plenty of exciting, or relaxing, activities year-round.

In summer, put your feet up in the resort or camp out in the wilderness. If you like hiking or horse riding, join a guided tour to traverse the trails around the lake, until you reach the point where you can overlook Peyto Lake with its beautiful turquoise-colored water. Another trail leads to Mirror Lake. Canoeing is the best way to explore the lakes, because the water is too cold for swimming.

By winter Lake Louise is in full swing again as it shifts to accommodate the flocks of wintersports fanatics. Lake Louise is home to some of Canada’s best powdery slopes. The town’s luxury ski resorts offer gear rental and direct shuttles to the mountains.

Reach Lake Louise, in the province of Alberta, by driving along the Trans-Canada Highway northwest from Banff, a 57-kilometre (35-mile) journey. Buses from Calgary, which has an international airport, take just over two hours to get to Lake Louise, but the best way to see the area is by car. The next town up, Jasper, is more than three hours away along the Icefields Parkway, a very scenic journey.

Lake Louise Inn
Lake Louise Inn
3 out of 5
210 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
The price is AU$218 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
AU$218
includes taxes & fees
18 Mar - 19 Mar
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy free parking, 3 restaurants, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,733 reviews)
"All good at Lake Louise Inn"

Reviewed on 6 Mar. 2025

Lake Louise Inn
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
4 out of 5
111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$637 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
AU$637
includes taxes & fees
14 Mar - 15 Mar
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
Will come again
"Wonderful stay, convenient location, great amenities, beautiful staff."

Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2025

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Mountaineer Lodge
Mountaineer Lodge
2.5 out of 5
101 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
The price is AU$270 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
AU$270
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Book a stay at this ski hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,523 reviews)
"Our room (King with Sofa) was spacious and well equipped, we were in the back of the building (where breakfast is offered) and close to the train, which was a bit disruptive but nothing earplugs couldn’t fix. Breakfast was good, lots of options. Great proximity to the mountain. The kids liked the ..."

Reviewed on 6 Mar. 2025

Mountaineer Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Family Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Family Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Lake Louise
Stay at this cabin in Lake Louise. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Samson Mall are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Nice cabin with nice grounds."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2024

Family Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
210 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
Stay at this apartment in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort ...
Nice small room.
"Room was as expected from listing. Could do with more storage for ski clothes for 4 people but was very nice. The pool and spa area is amazing and the restaurants onsite were great. A simple 10 minute bus straight upto the hill made it an easy stay."

Reviewed on 24 Feb. 2025

Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
Baker Creek | Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Baker Creek | Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Lake Louise
Stay at this cabin in Lake Louise. Enjoy patios, an in-room coffeemaker, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Samson Mall ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Awesome place to bring families"

Reviewed on 9 Sep. 2024

Baker Creek | Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Lake Louise

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
16
5 - Excellent 70%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 22%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful surroundings, stunning scenery, well worth a visit!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Not enough time there

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place, wish I'd stayed an extra day.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Awesome place try get up before the tour buses

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A great place to see. Moraine lake was spectacular even if parking was hard. The view from the chair lift at the ski fields was panoramic. Can only imagine how beautiful it would be covered in snow as this was a summer time bisit

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Incredibly busy place. We arrived at 7am to get the last park.. we also went late at night (around 10pm) and found this good. Beautiful lake - far too many people

Cities near Lake Louise