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 ₩237,287 per night from Oct 14 to Oct 15
₩237,287
₩276,974 total
Oct 14 - Oct 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! (2,048 reviews)
Excellent hotel
"This hotel was everything we were looking for. Let’s start with an amazing location for visiting moraine and lake Louise. Absolutely perfect. The hotel provides an excellent shuttle service which is on time and very convenient. Room was well appointed and had everything we need. One small gripe was ..."

Reviewed on Sep 9, 2025

Lake Louise Inn
Mountaineer Lodge

Mountaineer Lodge

2.5 out of 5
101 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₩234,659 per night from Oct 14 to Oct 15
₩234,659
₩260,893 total
Oct 14 - Oct 15
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,602 reviews)
"Good location in the village of Lake Louise"

Reviewed on Sep 8, 2025

Mountaineer Lodge
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

4 out of 5
111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
The price is ₩1,106,351 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
₩1,106,351
₩1,280,418 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Spectacular Heavenly Magical Fairmont CLL
"Fairmont CLL is as good or better than any Ritz Carlton! We love it here & will be back! So many activities"

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2025

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
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! (4,583 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay!"

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2025

Hidden Ridge Resort
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! (1,314 reviews)
"Micro suite perfect for two people to stay. Super cute and clean. Easy to access with convient parking. Excellent customer service. The soap provided was a local natural company that was incredible. Unscented linens much appreciated. The bicycles out front are apparently only for Basecamp lodge customers ..."

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2025

Basecamp Resorts Canmore
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (316 reviews)
"Cool experience"

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2025

Sundance By Basecamp
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