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
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,115 reviews)
"They upgraded us to a two-floor room; we did not ask. We arrived very late, and the room was nice. The front desk girl was very attentive and polite. Thanks."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Lake Louise Inn
Mountaineer Lodge

Mountaineer Lodge

2.5 out of 5
101 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
Book a stay at this ski hotel in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a steam room. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,645 reviews)
"A quality place."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Mountaineer Lodge
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

4 out of 5
111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
The price is AU$777 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
AU$777
per night
18 Oct - 19 Oct
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Beautiful. Everything you would expect."

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
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.
Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway

Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway

Lake Louise
Stay at this apartment in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
"Great stay for us this is the lake Louise inn. Prices will likely vary based on the season, but you can’t go wrong with the renovated rooms in the back, I believe it’s building five. Also, the lobby is well done and has two full functioning restaurants that are probably the best places to eat in ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
Cozy Room in the Mountains | On-Site Ski Lockers!

Cozy Room in the Mountains | On-Site Ski Lockers!

Lake Louise
Stay at this apartment in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Great stay!
"Everything was wonderful!"

Reviewed on 21 June 2025

Cozy Room in the Mountains | On-Site Ski Lockers!
Lake Louise 2-Bedroom Suite | Deck & Views

Lake Louise 2-Bedroom Suite | Deck & Views

Lake Louise
Stay at this cabin in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Moraine Lake are located ...
Lake Louise 2-Bedroom Suite | Deck & Views
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

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