Full-Day Banff National Park Tour: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon

Banff•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

8–10 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; you’ll do short walks (up to 1–2 km) and stand for photos.

Overview

See Banff National Park’s headline sights in a single day: Moraine Lake’s turquoise bowl, Lake Louise’s lakeshore, the catwalks of Johnston Canyon and quick stops in Banff. This guided coach tour packs geology, history and photography tips into an accessible day trip from Calgary, Canmore or Banff.

Full-Day Banff National Park Tour: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon

Other

Bus Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The bus eases up a ribbon of asphalt and the first real mountains of the day push into view — vertical faces, snow ribs and the low-pitched green of alpine forest. On a full-day tour from Calgary or Canmore, travelers move through that shift in scale: city hum to carved limestone gorges, turquoise basins and a town whose storefronts still read like an outdoor catalog. Cameras come up, jackets get zipped, and guides narrate the geography that made these places famous.

Adventure Photos

Full-Day Banff National Park Tour: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon photo 1

Adventure Tips

Reserve early for Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake access is limited in summer; confirm the tour reminder the day before and book early to secure a spot when it’s on the itinerary.

Layer for mountain weather

Temperatures can swing quickly; wear moisture-wicking base layers and a windproof shell for canyon breezes and alpine exposure.

Bring a refillable bottle

There are limited services at trailheads—carry water and refill in Banff or at visitor centers to stay hydrated all day.

Respect wildlife and stay in the vehicle

Wildlife is often visible from the bus or road shoulders—never approach animals and follow your guide’s safety instructions.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Elk
Bighorn sheep (and occasional black bear sightings)

History

Banff National Park was established in 1885 as Canada’s first national park after hot springs and railway access brought tourists and settlers to the Bow Valley.

Conservation

Visitor caps, shuttle systems and seasonal closures at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise aim to protect shorelines and wildlife corridors; follow leave-no-trace practices and respect closed areas.