Frequently asked questions

Reservations must be made through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, or by phoning 1-877-737-3783. An account is required to use the Parks Canada Reservation Service. If you don’t already have an account, Parks Canada recommends creating your account well in advance of purchasing your ticket to ensure a smooth checkout process when booking! Social sign ins are now available (Google, Facebook) which has streamlined the process for login.

After logging into your account, visitors will be asked to choose their initial destination (either Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake). It is important to note that when taking your first shuttle from the Park and Ride, this is the lake that you must travel to first.

Reservations for the shuttles are available beginning at 8 am MT April 15, 2026. Forty per cent of the seats for the entire shuttle operation season will be available for reservation at this time. The remaining sixty per cent will be released on a rolling window at 8 am MT, two days (48 hours) before the day of departure, throughout the entire season. For example, the second release of tickets for Wednesday, June 3 will be available at 8 am MT on Monday, June 1.

Visitors must have a reservation to access Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake by Parks Canada shuttle. All shuttles, except for the Alpine Start Shuttle, originate at the Lake Louise Park and Ride located in the parking lot of the Lake Louise Ski Resort at 1 Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise, AB. You will not be able to board a shuttle until you have checked in at the Park and Ride first with your reservation to receive your official shuttle ticket.

Reservations for the regular daytime shuttle service can be made up to 1 hour before the scheduled bus departure time, however, shuttle reservations typically sell out quickly after being made available in the 2-day rolling window.

Reservations for the Alpine Start Shuttle must be made by 3 pm the day before departure.

Tips for visitors ahead of launch day:

• Mark your calendar. Launch days are extremely busy. Be ready at the exact date and time reservations open – April 15 at 8 am MT or 8 am MT 2 days prior to the day you hope to travel.
• Create an account. If you have never reserved with Parks Canada, or if you haven’t made a reservation since before March 3, 2023, you’ll need to create a new account.
  • You can browse the site without an account, but you must sign in to make a reservation.Log in using GCKey or a third‑party sign‑in option.
  • Log in using GCKey or a third‑party sign‑in option.
  • Important: Verification will not work in Internet Explorer or older versions of Microsoft Edge—please use a modern browser.
• Sign in early and practice. Explore the system ahead of time so you’re comfortable using it. Try searching for reservations in both list view and calendar view to see what works best for you.
• Have a back up plan. High demand means you may need alternative dates or options if your preferred reservation is unavailable.

Your Parks Canada shuttle reservation includes all required transportation within the Lake Louise area. This covers:

• Your initial departure from the Lake Louise Park and Ride to either Lake Louise or Moraine Lake (must match the lake selected on your reservation)
• Unlimited use of the Lake Connector Shuttle to travel between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
• Your return trip from either lake back to the Park and Ride
• Free parking at the Park and Ride

Your ticket is valid only for the date shown on your reservation.

Personal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road. Visitors must use a shuttle, transit or a commercial tour operator.

The connector shuttle may be accessed and boarded at both the Lake Louise lakeshore and the Moraine Lake parking lots, adjacent to the Parks Canada tents marked “Connector Shuttle to Lake Louise” or “Connector Shuttle to Moraine Lake.” Please note that passengers will not be permitted to board the connector shuttle without a valid shuttle ticket obtained at the Park and Ride following check-in, or a valid Roam Transit Super pass.

Pending availability, reservations can be made up to 1 hour before the scheduled bus departure time. However, shuttle reservations consistently sell out in advance of the day of travel and “walk-ups” are not recommended.

Alpine Start shuttle tickets are not available on a walk-up basis and must be reserved no later than 3 pm MT the day before your intended departure.

Visitors with a Parks Canada shuttle reservation must travel within their designated time slot, even if another departure appears to have open seats. Shuttle capacity is carefully managed each hour for both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to prevent congestion and ensure smooth operations.

Adhering to your assigned time slots helps maintain parking availability at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, reduce wait times, and supports a better experience for visitors. These measures also help manage facility capacities, accommodate valid Roam Transit Super Pass visitors, and support the conservation efforts in Banff National Park.

The Alpine Start Shuttle departs from the upper parking lot at the Lake Louise lakeshore. Parking at this location is subject to a daily fee, which must be paid before boarding.

To check in, show your shuttle reservation and proof of paid parking to the driver. You will then receive your official bus ticket, which serves as both your boarding pass and your return ticket from Moraine Lake back to the Lake Louise lakeshore.

All regular Parks Canada shuttles (departing 6:30 am to 5 pm) leave from the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (1 Whitehorn Road). The Alpine Start Shuttle is the only shuttle that does not depart from this location, which departs from the upper parking lot at the Lake Louise lakeshore.

Passengers must check in at the Park and Ride with a valid reservation to receive their official shuttle ticket. Boarding is not permitted without completing the check‑in. Check‑ins are allowed only within your one‑hour check‑in window.

The Reservable Super Pass is available for purchase exclusively through the Roam Public Transit website. Valid reservable Super Pass holders may present their reservation at Lake Louise lakeshore to access the connector shuttle to Moraine Lake between 7 a.m. and 5:30 pm MT. To ensure adequate time to visit Moraine Lake and return to Lake Louise lakeshore, boarding for Reservable Super Pass holders traveling to Moraine Lake will not be permitted after 5:30 pm

Please talk to the concierge at your hotel for information on how to board the Parks Canada shuttle.

As visitation to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake increases, so do the public safety risks. Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada. The shuttle reservation system helps to better manage traffic congestion, allows visitors to plan their trip in advance by guaranteeing access to the lakes, and maintains emergency services access.

Shuttle reservations help to spread visitation out throughout the day and manages congestion. This improves the overall visitor experience, while also enhancing the protection and preservation of the surrounding area.

Certified service animals are permitted on board at no charge. Proof of valid certification must be shown before boarding, and no carrier is required for service animals.

Pets that are not service animals must be secured in a small, clean carrier designed for transporting animals and small enough to be held on the owner’s lap. Pets must remain inside the carrier for the entire trip. Passengers are responsible for holding the carrier at all times and ensuring the safety of their pet.

Banff National Park now has designated water zones that permit different types of water use. You can bring your own watercraft to Lake Louise, but Moraine Lake has been designated a Water Preservation Zone to protect sensitive aquatic ecosystems, which means personal watercraft are not allowed. The only watercraft permitted on Moraine Lake are the canoes that do not leave the lake, which are available for rent on-site.

If you plan to bring a watercraft to Lake Louise, the Parks Canada shuttles can accommodate many types of non‑motorized watercraft—including inflatable paddleboards, pack rafts, inflatable kayaks, and small hard‑sided kayaks—depending on available space. If you're unsure whether your watercraft can be transported, please speak with Parks Canada staff at the Park and Ride. Canoe rentals are also available at Lake Louise if the shuttle cannot accommodate your equipment.

Remember to always Clean, Drain, and Dry your watercraft and water-related gear before entering any river, lake, or stream. Anyone launching non‑motorized watercraft in permitted zones (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, inflatables, etc.) must complete a self‑certification permit each time they enter a new body of water within Banff National Park. Permits are available at popular lakefronts and Visitor Centres throughout the park

Yes. The Parks Canada shuttles can accommodate strollers and other equipment, such as large backpacks and climbing gear.

Parks Canada takes great care to ensure that visitors are not left stranded at Moraine Lake. However, if visitors return later than planned and miss the final shuttle, they are responsible for arranging their own transportation back to the Park and Ride lot. Please note that the Moraine Lake day-use area does not have cellular service or Wi-Fi access. In the event that visitors miss the last bus, a list of after-hours transportation providers is available beside the free community phone located in front of Moraine Lake Lodge.

Visitors returning later than the last shuttle to the Park and Ride lot should note that access to Whitehorn Drive is restricted using a permanent gate between 8 pm and 6 amfrom May to October. Vehicles cannot be retrieved after 8 pm and will not be accessible until 6 a.m. the following morning.

Visitors planning trips that may not be completed during shuttle operational hours can pre-arrange transportation to and from the lake via licenced commercial vehicle operators. Access to the lake will be allowed 24 hours a day. Visitors should prepare to be self-sufficient and not rely on the Moraine Lake Lodge for phone use, or shelter.

This is not a regular shuttle stop, but you may request to be dropped off there. Please ask your bus driver to drop you off at the "Village South" bus stop on your way back to the Lake Louise Park and Ride lot. Please note that the shuttles will not stop to pick up passengers at the Village bus stops.

The best way to experience Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is by reserving a seat on a Parks Canada shuttle or taking Roam Public Transit. If you aren’t able to secure a reservation, you can also explore CarFreeBanff.ca for a full list of Licenced Commercial tours and operators.

Paid parking is in effect during the shuttle operational season, from 3 am to 7 pm In 2026, the season runs from May 15 to October 12.

Paid parking is required at the Lake Louise lakeshore and the Fairview parking area. Visit our fees page for pricing.

Parking is free within the community of Lake Louise, and at the Lake Louise Park and Ride (with a shuttle reservation).

All public vehicles must pay for parking when parked at the Lake Louise lakeshore or the Fairview day‑use area.

Commercial vehicle operators (CVOs) with a valid Parks Canada business licence are exempt from parking fees and must use the designated commercial parking area.

Business licence holders who are not licensed CVOs must park in the public parking lot and pay the applicable parking fees.

Parking permits can only be purchased on-site at the Lake Louise lakeshore or the Fairview day‑use area. Pay machines are available in both the upper and lower lots at Lake Louise lakeshore, as well as at the Fairview day‑use area.

Parking cannot be purchased in advance, and permits are valid only on the day of purchase. Each pay station also offers the option to buy a national park entry pass at the same time.

Important reminders:

• Both parking areas use a pay‑by‑plate system, so be sure to remember your licence plate number. You do not need to return to your vehicle to display your parking permit. However, if you purchase a national park entry pass, you must return to your vehicle to display it.
• A parking permit purchased at the Fairview day‑use area does not provide access to the Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot.
• Parking permits are sold at a fixed day‑rate; hourly rates are not available, and a paid permit is required regardless of how long you stay.

Parks Canada understands that not every visitor’s desired length of visiting times will be met by a day rate and acknowledges the disappointment that may cause. Parks Canada examined the possibility of offering hourly parking and determined this option was not feasible for several reasons:

• The average length of visitation is 3 hours with many user groups staying much longer. Most visitors would spend more on hourly parking than a day rate.
• Due to internet connectivity and system limitations, visitors would be unable to add additional hours from the trails resulting in visitors who have over-stayed their pre-purchased time.
• Hourly rates would require additional staffing and monitoring to ensure compliance which would increase the cost of traffic management in the Lake Louise area, requiring additional cost recovery methods.
• Hourly rates would not have the desired effect of limiting congestion along the roadway which will increase visitor safety and reduce wildlife interactions along an important wildlife corridor.

Oversized private vehicles—including RVs—are not permitted to park in any public lots at the Lake Louise lakeshore. A vehicle is considered oversized if it exceeds:

• 17 feet (5.2 metres) in length
• 79 inches (2.0 metres) in width, including mirrors and running boards
• 70 inches (1.78 metres) in height

Limited oversized parking may be available at the Fairview Day Use Area, located approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles) from the lake. Paid parking in effect during shuttle season.

Visitors travelling in RVs or other oversized vehicles are strongly encouraged to book a Parks Canada shuttle, which includes free, guaranteed parking at the Park and Ride.

Drop offs and/or pick ups will only be permitted in the designated drop off/pick up zone, when traffic volumes permit. Changes to traffic volumes occur quickly and pick-up access cannot be guaranteed even if a drop off earlier in the day was permitted.

If you are unable to park at the Lake Louise lakeshore and are being redirected at the Fairview day-use area due to traffic diversion, this is the result of heavy traffic congestion and safety thresholds being exceeded. At this time, there is no access to the Lake Louise lakeshore, and no estimated timeline for when access will be restored.

No. Overnight parking is not permitted.

Yes, all visitors must pay for parking at Lake Louise Lakeshore and Fairview day use area. The cost is not included in your national park admission or Discovery Pass. Fees collected from paid parking stay in Banff National Park and go directly to offsetting the cost of traffic management and transit service in the Lake Louise area.

Yes—during June 19 to September 7, 2026, the Canada Strong Pass will be in effect again. During this period, the Government of Canada is offering:

• Free admission to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada.
• A 25% discount on camping fees.

Please note that parking fees are separate from this offer. A Lake Louise Lakeshore parking permit is still required, even when admission to the national park is free.

All revenue collected from parking fees at Lake Louise lakeshore, Fairview day-use area, and from the Lake Louise shuttles remain within Banff National Park and are used to offset the cost of traffic management in the Lake Louise area.

Parks Canada is committed to developing and implementing long term, sustainable transit solutions for Banff National Park, and the revenue collected through parking fees at the Lake Louise lakeshore will help offset the cost of providing visitor transportation services within the Lake Louise area and Banff National Park as a whole. Visitor fees never exceed the costs of delivering the service to visitors, they only ever recover costs, keeping visitor experiences affordable.

Visitors with a valid government‑issued accessible parking placard, hang tag, license, or vehicle plate may drive to the Lake Louise lakeshore, when space permits. Accessible parking at Lake Louise is first come, first served and cannot be guaranteed. Please ensure your placard is clearly visible for traffic control staff. The rate for accessible parking is $12.75. Visitors with mobility restrictions who wish to visit Moraine Lake can take the new Parks Canada accessible shuttle. There is no accessible parking at Moraine Lake.

Accessible vehicles will be dispatched as needed, and no advance registration is required. Visitors simply need to present their shuttle ticket and identify themselves as having mobility needs. If an accessible vehicle is not already on site, staff will radio for one, and it will arrive to transport the individual and their travel companions (space permitting).

Accessible shuttle availability for 2026 is as follows:

• May: Accessible shuttle service to Lake Louise, 8 am to 7:30 pm
• June 1 onward (full season): Accessible shuttle service to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, 6:30 am to 7:30 pm

A valid accessible placard, hang tag, license, or plate is required for access to Lake Louise.

No. Access to Paradise Valley will be via the Parks Canada shuttle only.

To return to the Park and Ride after their time at Paradise Valley, visitors can hike through to Moraine Lake and catch the shuttle from the lakeshore or return the way they came, and catch the next available shuttle to the Park and Ride from the Paradise Valley Trailhead. Two seats on every return shuttle are reserved for Paradise Valley users.

• Camping at the Paradise Valley Backcountry Campground? Simply show your camping permit at the Lake Louise Park and Ride kiosk to obtain and pay for your ticket and then board the next available shuttle. All reservations for this campground must be made 24 hours in advance through the Banff or Lake Louise visitor centres. This campground is closed when group access restrictions are in effect due to bear activity.
• Day hiking in the Paradise Valley? All passes for Paradise valley access (either multi day or day-use) must be obtained from the Parks Canada kiosk at the Lake Louise Park and Ride. 50 day-use passes will be available each day on a first come, first served, basis. Visit the Lake Louise Park and Ride kiosk to obtain and pay for your ticket and then board the next available shuttle.

No, personal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road.

No. Climbers and mountaineers are unable to drive private vehicles to Moraine Lake and will need to take the Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial operator that allows for after-hour access.

Multi-day tickets for back country permit holders or ACC groups departing from the Lake Louise Park and Ride are always guaranteed to be available. With either of these groups, no advance reservation is required. Simply show up at the Lake Louise Park and Ride kiosk on the day of your trip to obtain and pay for your shuttle ticket and then board the next available shuttle.

If you require an earlier start, you will need to book the Alpine Start Shuttle departures in advance and will be required to pay for parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot. Climbers who need access outside of the hours when Parks Canada shuttles are running will need to arrange private transportation.

Parking at the Park and Ride at the Lake Louise Ski Area located on Whitehorn Drive is free for shuttle passengers.

Visitors taking the Alpine Start Shuttle and parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore are required to pay the daily parking fee. Visit our fees page for pricing.