Lake Louise and Banff National Park.

The Canadian Rockies

Banff National Park, Canada's first and most beloved park, is the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies: a wilderness of soaring snow-capped peaks, glaciers and impossibly turquoise glacier-fed lakes. It is the kind of scenery you have to see in person to believe, and once you have, it stays with you for good.

The most famous of all is Lake Louise, its milky-blue water mirroring the Victoria Glacier beneath the grand chateau on the shore. Nearby, Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks rivals it for sheer beauty, a bowl of jewel-bright water ringed by ten rugged summits that many travelers find even more breathtaking.

Beyond the lakes are the alpine town of Banff, the Icefields Parkway up to the Columbia Icefield (one of the world's great drives), hot springs, gondolas and wildlife from elk to grizzly bears. It is a place of staggering, postcard-perfect grandeur in every season, and we love building the time in to savor it slowly.

Where: Alberta, the Canadian Rockies
Best time: Summer (Jun–Sep) for lakes & hiking; winter for skiing
Good for: Mountains & lakes
Pair it with: Vancouver or Jasper

Where it is

On the map.

Banff National Park lies in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are near the town of Lake Louise, with Banff town to the south.

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What you'll see

On the route.

Stop 01

Lake Louise & the Victoria Glacier

The lake's milky-blue water mirrors the Victoria Glacier beneath the grand lakeside chateau; rent a canoe or simply walk the shore.

Stop 02

Moraine Lake & the Valley of the Ten Peaks

A bowl of jewel-bright water ringed by ten rugged summits, and for many the most beautiful view in all the Rockies.

Stop 03

The Icefields Parkway

One of the world's great drives, winding past glaciers, waterfalls and turquoise rivers up to the Columbia Icefield.

Stop 04

Rocky Mountain wildlife

Watch for elk, bighorn sheep, moose and bears, often spotted from the road or on a guided drive through the park.

Know before you go

The practical details.

Good to know

When to go

Summer (June to September) brings the famous turquoise lakes at their bluest, wildflowers and the best hiking, though it is busy; fall is crisp and golden; winter turns Banff into a world-class ski destination with Lake Louise frozen and snowy. The lakes thaw to their full color only by June.

Good to know

The lakes

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake draw crowds, so go early or late in the day; private vehicle access to Moraine Lake is now restricted, so use the park shuttle or a guided tour. Canoe rentals, lakeshore walks and longer hikes like the Plain of Six Glaciers all reward an early start.

Good to know

Getting around & staying

Fly into Calgary, about 90 minutes away, and drive or transfer in; stay in Banff town, Lake Louise or Canmore. Allow several days to combine the lakes, the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, the gondolas and the hot springs, and watch for wildlife on the roads.

From the journal

Reading on Lake Louise and Banff National Park.

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Lake Louise and Banff National Park.

On the map.