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
$370 nightly
The price is $403 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$403 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,921 reviews)
Not fancy but great stay
"Not fancy but clean and comfortable. The restaurant on site was very good. Staff helpful. Great place to stay when visiting local attractions."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Lake Louise Inn
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
4 out of 5
111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$1,059 nightly
The price is $1,154 total per night from Aug 14 to Aug 15
$1,154 total
Aug 14 - Aug 15
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,005 reviews)
"Wonderful."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Mountaineer Lodge
Mountaineer Lodge
2.5 out of 5
101 Village Road, Lake Louise, AB
$400 nightly
The price is $436 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$436 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,558 reviews)
"Overqll experience"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

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.
Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
Lake Louise
Stay at this apartment in Lake Louise. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and ...
8/10 Very Good! (2 reviews)
"For a small room it had excellent storage, staff helped, good food, nice view!"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Alpine Bliss | Premier Winter Getaway
Baker Creek | Two Bedroom Cabin
Baker Creek | Two Bedroom Cabin
Lake Louise
Stay at this cabin in Lake Louise. Enjoy patios, an in-room coffeemaker, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Lake Louise ...
"Great"

Reviewed on May 20, 2025

Baker Creek | Two Bedroom Cabin
Family Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Family Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
Lake Louise
Stay at this cabin in Lake Louise. Popular attractions Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Lake Louise are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
A Cute Cozy Cabin.
"Our Kids Loved the ice rink and outside fires to roast marshmallows and keep warm. The little kitchen was perfect and we enjoyed the TV break while we played games by the fire. Our hosts were fantastic and helpful.Thank you!"

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2025

Family Superior Two Bedroom Cabin
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

Things to do

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