How to Visit Moraine Lake at Sunrise – All You Need to Know

In the midst of planning your trip, I bet you have heard countless times that Moraine Lake needs to be added to your Banff itinerary!

Despite the increased difficulties to get to Moraine Lake due to the road now being closed to personal vehicles, I still agree that a trip to Moraine Lake is worth the extra effort during your vacation.

Since shuttles are your only way to get to Moraine Lake (unless you want to bike), it is important to plan ahead and book your shuttle reservations ahead of time, especially if you’re wanting to see the beautiful Moraine Lake at sunrise.

Without further ado, let’s dig into all of the must-know information to get you to Moraine Lake as stress-free as possible!

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The Ultimate Guide on Moraine Lake at Sunrise

Is Moraine Lake Accessible Year-Round?

Short answer: No, Moraine Lake is not open year-round, and personal vehicles are no longer allowed to drive there.

Since Moraine Lake is located at a higher elevation, the road to Moraine Lake is closed during the winter months, typically from mid-October to early June. 

The road is closed due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risks, making the road unsafe for travel. 

The road to Moraine Lake reopens in late spring, usually around June 1st, once conditions are safe and the snow has been cleared. It stays open until around mid October.

You can check the opening and closing dates on the Parks Canada Website.

When the road is closed, no tour operators are allowed to drive up to Moraine Lake either.

Sometimes people will bike to Moraine Lake when the road is closed, but I only recommend doing this a few days before or after the road closure when the conditions are still manageable.

I don’t recommend biking further out from the date of the road closure, since it is closed for a reason due to being in avalanche territory.

We biked there on May 31st, the day before the road opened to shuttle buses. The road was in great condition since it had already been cleared of snow in preparation for its reopening.

However, the lake was partially frozen – but still jaw droppingly beautiful! 

If you’re wanting to wait to visit Moraine Lake until it is completely thawed, I recommend waiting to visit until at least late June.

Can Personal Vehicles Drive to Moraine Lake?

As of 2023, Parks Canada made the decision to close the road to Moraine Lake to personal vehicles due to the small size of the parking lot and the high volume of visitors.

Therefore, you are no longer allowed to drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake. The only way to get there is either by a shuttle bus or renting bikes and biking up the 13 km road (26 km round trip).

While biking to Moraine Lake is an option, I wouldn’t recommend biking there for sunrise since it is quite a long bike ride in the dark. 

If you do decide to bike to Moraine Lake, be sure to bring bear spray and a headlamp.

The only way you can drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake is if you have a disability parking tag. 

This will allow you to park at one of the accessible parking spots at Moraine Lake from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.

This wouldn’t really be a viable option to see the sunrise unless you are visiting in October when the sun doesn’t rise until closer to 7:30 am. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Moraine Lake?

The best time to visit Moraine Lake is from late June to early October.

During this time period, the road is open to shuttles, and the lake is at its most beautiful, with vibrant blue waters and hiking trails free of snow and ice. 

We biked to Moraine Lake on May 31st, and the lake was partially frozen but still so beautiful!

The longer hikes from Moraine Lake, such as Consolation Lakes and Larch Valley, were still completely snowbound in late May, but we were able to do the short Rockpile trail when we were there.

If you’re wanting to do the longer hikes, I would wait to visit until July once the hiking trails are free of snow and ice hopefully.

How to Get to Moraine Lake for Sunrise

In order to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise, you will have to take a shuttle there.

Due to the demand for getting to Moraine Lake at sunrise, more companies have started offering shuttles at sunrise!

I highly recommend booking these in advance to secure your spot.

Keep in mind they require a crazy early start time, especially during the summer when the sun rises around 5:30 am. 

Here are some Moraine Lake sunrise shuttles I recommend checking out:

Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle

Moraine Lake Bus Company

Via Via Moraine Lake Shuttle

Fairview Limousine

Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle

Radventures

What Time is the Sunrise at Moraine Lake?

The sunrise times at Moraine Lake vary throughout the year. 

Here are the approximate sunrise times for each month the road to Moraine Lake is open:

• June: Around 5:30 AM
• July: Around 5:45 AM
• August: Around 6:15 AM
• September: Around 6:45 AM
• October: Around 7:30 AM

These are just approximate sunrise times for each month so they can vary slightly depending on the specific date you’re going. 

Therefore, it’s a good idea to check a local sunrise calendar for the exact sunrise times during your visit. Here is a good one to use.

P.S. If you’re traveling internationally, I highly recommend purchasing the Airalo eSIM. It’s a great way to avoid those excessive roaming charges and eliminates the need for plastic eSIMs!

What Time Should I Go to Moraine Lake for Sunrise?

I recommend arriving at least one hour before the scheduled sunrise time. 

Whichever Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle tour you book with should get you there with plenty of time!

This will give you enough time to walk to your photo spot and set up your equipment. 

I would check the weather app for the sunrise time for your specific date and plan accordingly. 

Usually pre-dawn light starts about 30 minutes before sunrise.

The Best Moraine Lake Sunrise Photo Spots 

For the best Moraine Lake sunrise photos, I recommend hiking the short Rockpile trail that brings you to a beautiful panoramic view of the lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. 

Some of the most iconic sunrise photos of Moraine Lake are taken from the Rockpile trail. This spot offers one of the best views of the lake and is easily accessible with just a 10 to 15 minute walk from the parking lot.

The Rockpile trail starts from the parking lot to the left of the lake. You will see a wooden sign pointing to the Rockpile trail.

It is a short hike, only 1/2 mile round trip, along rocky steps. The trail isn’t too steep and is relatively easy.

If you’re wanting to get the best photo possible, I would recommend bringing a tripod with you and a wide angle camera lens so you have the best chance of getting that awesome sunrise shot.

But, if you’re like me and not a big photographer, your phone camera should do the trick just fine!

Especially if you have one of the newer iPhone models, you can’t even tell anymore if a photo was taken on a phone since they have such great camera quality!

If you want to hike around Moraine Lake at sunrise, I recommend doing the Larch Valley trail. 

It’s moderate in difficulty and takes about 4 hours round trip, offering great views of the lake and mountain peaks. 

For a shorter hike, the Consolation Lakes trail is the perfect choice for a peaceful morning hike with great photo spots.

If you choose to do the Larch Valley or Consolation Lakes hike, these both had a sign at the start of the trailhead that stated you must hike in at least groups of 4.

This is due to the hikes being in bear territory. This is mandatory, and if you’re caught in a group of less than four people, you could be fined.

Please make sure to carry bear spray with you as well!

If the Rockpile trail is too busy for your liking, you could consider these alternative viewing spots for sunrise:

• Shoreline: You could explore different spots along the shoreline, easily accessible from the parking lot, for unique views.
• Canoe Docks: You could stand near the canoe docks for a less crowded view of the sunrise.

Should You Go to Moraine Lake for Sunrise or Sunset?

In my opinion, sunrise at Moraine Lake is generally better due to fewer crowds, spectacular lighting, and more calm waters making for better photos.

Since the sun rises behind you, it illuminates the mountain peaks and creates a golden glow on the lake.

Sunset can also be very beautiful, and it tends to be less crowded. Not to mention you don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn on vacation lol!

Also, it might be easier and potentially cheaper to book shuttle reservations for sunset versus sunrise, as there are typically more shuttle options available. 

However, don’t worry too much if you can’t make it for sunrise—Moraine Lake is stunning any time of day! We biked there on May 31st and arrived around 9:30 am, and it was stunning.

Can You Stay at Moraine Lake?

Yes, you can stay at Moraine Lake Lodge which is located right next to Moraine Lake!

This would be the ultimate way to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, since you could wake up just before sunrise and walk a few steps outside to enjoy the stunning views.

Due to its amazing location, Moraine Lake Lodge does come with a price tag, but if you can swing it, it would be worth a night stay during your trip to Banff.

I wouldn’t recommend staying there for the entire length of your trip though as it is pretty remote and far away from the rest of the sights in Banff.

What to Do After Sunrise at Moraine Lake

After enjoying Moraine Lake at sunrise, there are several activities around the lake worth doing depending on when your shuttle back departs.

You can explore the hiking trails, such as the Larch Valley or Consolation Lakes trails, which offer stunning views. 

You can also canoe on the lake, but that normally does not start until 9:30 am – so it will depend on your departure time if you can fit this in or not.

It does cost $140 CAD per hour to canoe which I honestly think is way too expensive. But, it could be worth it depending on what you want to do!

You could also consider stopping at Moraine Lake Lodge for a bite to eat or to grab a coffee. The cafe does not open until 9:00 am though – so make sure to pack some snacks with you if you’re coming for sunrise.

What to Wear for Sunrise at Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake can be pretty chilly in the mornings, even during the summer months, since it is at a higher elevation.

I recommend wearing layers to stay warm such as a thermal base layer, a fleece or down jacket, and a waterproof outer layer in case of rain. 

Remember to also bring a hat and gloves to protect against the cold, my hands are always the first to get cold!

I recommend comfortable and sturdy hiking boots as well as nice wool socks to keep your feet nice and warm, especially if you plan to walk around or hike.

Here are some of my favorite essentials if you’re interested:

• Hiking Boots – These are my all-time favorite hiking boots! They are relatively affordable (they go on sale frequently), required no break-in time for me, and have kept my feet blister-free.
• Wool Socks – These were a must-have to keep my feet warm during the cold mornings in Banff! They left my feet feeling warm but not overly hot.
• Collapsible Backpack – This was the perfect backpack to bring on our day hikes. It fit all of our snacks, waters, jackets, gloves, and more. It also folds up into a small pouch, making it easy to fit in your luggage.
• Portable Charger – This is always a necessity while traveling. My phone dies so quickly when traveling due to constantly using it for directions, navigating hikes on the All trails app, and taking photos.
• Go-To Hiking Snacks – The Bobo’s PB & J Oat Bites, That’s It Fruit Bars, and EPIC bars are my favorite snacks to keep my energy high so I don’t get hangry! I also love adding LMNT electrolytes to keep me hydrated.
• Water Bottle – I love the Owala water bottles! They are durable and great quality.

Also, don’t forget to bring your bear spray, especially if you’re going on any longer hikes.

There have been bears sightings near the Rockpile trail too – so always better to have it just in case.

We rented our bear spray from Snowtips Bactrax in downtown Banff. It cost $39 CAD for a six day rental, which is cheaper than buying a can.

Conclusion: Is Visiting Moraine Lake at Sunrise Worth It?

In my opinion, Moraine Lake is worth visiting at sunrise if you’re looking for an extra sense of adventure on your trip and the best opportunities for photos.

But, if the early morning wake up call does not seem fun to you on your vacation, I think visiting Moraine Lake at any other time of day is just as beautiful, and you can still get stunning photos.

Check out my other Banff blog posts to help plan your trip!

• 18 of the Best Lakes in Banff You Need to See On Your Trip
• The Ultimate 7 Day Banff Itinerary for a Bucket List Trip
• Must-Know Guide About Johnston Canyon: One of Banff’s Most Popular Hikes
• 20 of the Best Hikes in Banff National Park You Need to Experience

Helpful Tips For Planning Your Trip to Banff

• Recommended Activities: I highly recommend checking out the Banff Gondola, Via Ferrata, White Water Rafting, and Lake Minnewanka Cruise.
• Best Hikes in Banff: Plain of Six Glaciers, Little Beehive & Big Beehive, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Tunnel Mountain – read more on my best hikes in Banff blog post!
• Where to Stay in Banff: I loved our stay at the Banff Inn and would 100% recommend! The Canalta Lodge and Moose Hotel & Suites are great options too.
• Rental Car: If you’re wanting to get a rental car in Banff, I recommend using Expedia or Rentalcars.com for the best deals!
• Flights: Look for the best flight deals using Aviasales.
• Airport Transfer: Use the Banff Airporter to get you from the Calgary Airport to your hotel in Banff if you don’t have a rental car.
• No Rental Car: If you don’t have a rental car, consider using the Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus or joining a guided tour of the most popular sights.