Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake sits at 1,884 metres in the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park, Alberta, and its glacially fed turquoise water backed by ten peaks above 3,000 metres has made it one of the most photographed locations in Canada — a scene that once appeared on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill. The lake's colour is produced by glacial rock flour suspended in the meltwater, which scatters short-wavelength blue and green light; the colour is most intense in July and August when glacial melt is at its peak. The Rockpile Trail, a 300-metre path climbing the moraine at the lake's western end, reaches the classic elevated viewpoint in about 10 minutes and provides an unobstructed view across the full length of the lake to the peaks behind. The Lakeshore Trail runs 3.3 kilometres along the north shore to the far end, offering a changing perspective as the peak formations shift alignment. Canoe rentals from the historic Moraine Lake Lodge allow visitors to paddle directly below the peaks. Access to the lake by private vehicle is controlled and restricted in summer; Parks Canada operates reservation-based shuttles from the Parks Canada shuttle hub near Lake Louise village, and the road to the lake itself closes when the parking area reaches capacity, often before 6 AM. The lake is typically accessible from late May through mid-October, after which the road closes for winter.