Banff: Lake Louise Canoe Tour & Moraine Lake | Skip-the-Line
Before you book
- Pickup and drop-off at The Rundlestone Lodge in Banff or the Impark lot at 2801 Bow Valley Trail in Canmore. Plan on 9 to 10 hours door to door in a group of no more than 14; the listing says national park access, parking and permits are handled.
- What the price buys is the line-skip, not the canoe: through what the listing calls its arrangement with the boathouse you skip the public rental queue, then rent the canoe at the boathouse's rate ($180 a canoe in the listing; the Fairmont's Boathouse lists CA$180 plus GST for an hour for visitors who are not hotel guests). The Boathouse's page gives no 2026 closing date, so late in the season a canoe may not be available.
- Not included: lunch in Lake Louise village and other food and drinks, the guide's tip (the listing recommends $15 a person), travel insurance and photography. Not suitable for children under 4 or people over 95.
- Moraine Lake Road is closed to private cars all year, and Parks Canada let shuttles and licensed tour vehicles use it from 1 June to 12 October in 2026. The listing gives no plan for dates after that. Cancellation, as listed: “Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.”
About This Experience
A small-group day for up to 14, with pickup in Banff or Canmore: Emerald Lake, lunch in Lake Louise village, two hours at Lake Louise with a canoe you can rent without the queue, then Moraine Lake.
Highlights
- Skip the Lake Louise canoe line via a boathouse arrangement (canoe optional)
- See three iconic lakes: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake
- Moraine Lake access handled for you, no shuttle reservation to chase
- Paddle turquoise Lake Louise below Victoria Glacier (optional, paid on site)
- Relax with seamless, comfortable roundtrip transport from Banff or Canmore.
What's Included
- ✓ Skip-the-line boathouse access at Lake Louise. Through an arrangement with the boathouse, you skip the long public canoe-rental line (this is line access only; the canoe rental itself is optional and paid separately, see Exclusions)
- ✓ Roundtrip transportation with pickup and drop off in Banff and Canmore
- ✓ Professional local guide for the full tour
- ✓ Small-group experience, maximum 14 guests
- ✓ Guided sightseeing at Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake
- ✓ Moraine Lake access fully arranged. Personal vehicles aren't permitted, so the tour handles it, with no separate shuttle reservation needed
- ✓ All national park access, parking, and permits handled in advance
Not Included
- Canoe rental at Lake Louise is NOT included. Your tour price covers the skip-the-line access (the queue), not the canoe itself. If you choose to paddle, you rent the canoe and pay for it separately at the boathouse's standard rate ($180/canoe).
- Lunch at Lake Louise Village. A stop is built into the day, but the meal is at your own expense.
- Food and beverages (bringing water and snacks for the day is highly recommended)
- Gratuities for your guide (Recommended $15/per passenger)
- Travel insurance or personal coverage
- Professional photography services
Good to Know
- The canoe is optional and paid separately. The Lake Louise canoe rental is not included in the tour price. You pay the boathouse directly at their standard rate if you choose to paddle. What is included is your skip-the-line access through Horizon Touring's arrangement with the boathouse. Canoeing is available at Lake Louise only and is subject to boathouse availability and weather on the day.
- A lunch stop at Lake Louise Village is included in the schedule, but the meal itself is at your own expense.
- Mountain weather changes quickly, so dress in layers and bring a light jacket.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for uneven paths and lakeshore areas.
- Restrooms are available at the lakes, but availability may vary by season.
- This tour operates rain or shine, as conditions often improve throughout the day.
- Arrival and return times are approximate and depend on traffic and weather conditions.
- Large bags or luggage are not recommended due to limited vehicle storage space.
