Banff, Canada's oldest national park, holds some of the most photographed lakes on the continent, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, both an almost unbelievable turquoise caused by glacial rock flour suspended in the meltwater, set against the jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
The Lakes
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are both best visited at sunrise, not only for the light, but because both now require a shuttle, tour, or extremely early arrival (before 6am in peak summer) as parking lots fill and close by mid-morning.
Canoeing on Lake Louise, with the Victoria Glacier as backdrop, is touristy but genuinely worthwhile, book slightly ahead in peak season, as the small fleet of canoes rents out quickly.
Wildlife and Hiking
Banff's wildlife includes elk, bighorn sheep, and both black and grizzly bears, maintain safe viewing distances always, carry bear spray on trails, and check current trail closures, which happen regularly due to bear activity.
The Plain of Six Glaciers trail from Lake Louise, or the Johnston Canyon walk to its waterfalls, offer excellent hiking at a range of difficulty levels without requiring backcountry permits.
Recommended Stay · Banff · Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
A grand railway-era hotel directly on the shore of Lake Louise, the only property with immediate lakefront access before the day-trip shuttle crowds arrive each morning.
