Lake Louise

Travel Guide

Banff National Park which includes snow, landscape views and tranquil scenes
Banff National Park featuring tranquil scenes, mountains and a sandy beach
Lake Louise which includes mist or fog, mountains and boating
Lake Louise showing a lake or waterhole, mist or fog and boating
Lake Louise showing a lake or waterhole, boating and mist or fog

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, 3 miles (5 kilometers ) 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 35-mile (57-kilometer) 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$11,866 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
NT$11,866
NT$13,461 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,910 reviews)
"The room was great. A lot of the planted trees on the property block the views if you have a balcony but the room was clean and quiet. No pool table on the property which was really disappointing for us since they advertise that as an available activity for the property. The staff was amazing and ..."

Reviewed on 2025/7/10

Lake Louise Inn
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
4 out of 5
111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
The price is NT$29,530 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
NT$29,530
NT$33,882 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 2025/7/7

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
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! (1,552 reviews)
"A great place to base yourself to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Easy access to the hiking trail up to Lake Louise and super close to the shuttle bus pick up for Moraine Lake at Samson Mall."

Reviewed on 2025/7/8

Mountaineer Lodge
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.
Hidden Ridge Resort
Hidden Ridge Resort
3.5 out of 5
901 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, AB
Stay at this aparthotel in Banff. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,478 reviews)
"We had a wonderful stay. If you’re staying in a simple queen sized suite, you may want to make sure you’re okay with the possibility of kids being in the suite above yours because you can hear people running around a lot. Otherwise, the location of this resort was very convenient for Banff downtown ..."

Reviewed on 2025/7/10

Hidden Ridge Resort
Sundance By Basecamp
Sundance By Basecamp
2.5 out of 5
2 Sundance Rd Hwy 40, Kananaskis, AB
Stay at this campground in Kananaskis. Enjoy free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Bronze Chair Ski Lift and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (228 reviews)
"A unique offering and an experience!"

Reviewed on 2025/7/7

Sundance By Basecamp
Basecamp Resorts Canmore
Basecamp Resorts Canmore
3.5 out of 5
1102 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Canmore. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,270 reviews)
"I like to improve more dusting in room specially celing fan"

Reviewed on 2025/7/5

Basecamp Resorts Canmore
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

Reviews of Lake Louise

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
157
5 - Excellent 72%
4 - Good
49
4 - Good 23%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Best place I've traveled to!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I loved it, the horse drawn carriages and the ice bar right outside the hotel made me feel like I was in a hallmark movie. I have highly recommended this place to friends and family.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lots of snow right now.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very clean quiet place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Ice magic Festival was fun during the week. Weekend was madhouse.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Winter wonderland

Cities near Lake Louise