Moraine Lake Canoe Rental: Everything You NEED to Know

A quintessential experience in the Rockies is to enjoy a Moraine Lake canoe. Paddling across Moraine Lake is an experience that we can not recommend enough. Only a few are fortunate enough to make it to this lake in the Canadian Rockies, and even fewer dip a paddle in its waters.

The turquoise waters of Moraine Lake are framed by the magnificent Ten Peaks, creating a splendid scene. It’s an iconic view of Canada, and at one point, it was on the back of the Canadian $20 bill. There is likely no lake in the world more beautiful to canoe than Moraine Lake.

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Moraine Lake Canoe Guide

Moraine Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park and draws a crowd in the summer months. The main photo spot, the Rockpile Trail, is a busy spot where thousands of people grab their photos of the spectacular scenery. It is a magnificent setting, but it can be a little difficult to escape the crowds.

One of the best ways to escape the crowds is to take to the water with a canoe. Or you can get out for a hike, but the Sentinel Valley and surrounding peaks can be intimidating for many along with the added threat of high levels of bear activity (always carry bear spray in this area).

So, if you’re looking for more to do than take photos and stand in awe, renting a canor at Moraine Lake is a great option. Visitors can rent canoes on the lake at the canoe dock run by the Moraine Lake Lodge.

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Good to Know Before Renting a Canoe at Moraine Lake

There are a few downsides to canoe rentals at Moraine Lake.

At $160 the price tag can be a little eye-watering. In the summer, there is high competition to get a canoe, and there is only one rental operator.

Parking at Moraine Lake is limited by a small lot, and the shuttle bus system, although improving, still makes it difficult to reach the lake. Access to the lake is at the end of a long road, and Parks Canada limits access to the road in the summer. Most visitors will take advantage of the Parks Canada shuttles to get to the lake. As of 2023, personal vehicles are no longer allowed at Moraine Lake, which means it’s pretty much impossible to get your own canoe to the lake. To learn more about the updates to parking here, read our main guide to Moraine Lake and our guide to parking at Moraine Lake, and our guide to the Moraine Lake shuttle.

The canoe rentals at Moraine Lake operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, so if you arrive late in the day, you may be out of luck as it’s a popular activity. That being said, outside of early morning or late evening, there may be a wait for a canoe rental at Moraine Lake. If you want to get out on the water at sunrise, you will need your own watercraft, as the boathouse doesn’t open until around 8:30am-9:00 am.

It’s not nearly as busy as renting canoes at Lake Louise, due to the difficulty in reaching Moraine Lake. Once you’re out canoeing on Moraine Lake, you won’t have the lake to yourself, but it’s easy enough to keep your distance from other canoes on the lake.

Getting solitude at Moraine Lake is particularly easy if you aim to paddle the whole lake, as most people tend to stick close to the dock and the middle of Moraine Lake. The lake is not as large as canoeing on Lake Louise so an hour-long canoe rental should suffice.

It should give you enough time to paddle around the lake and grab a number of photos to save your memory. Don’t worry, it’s nearly impossible to get a bad photo at Moraine Lake.

Of course, you’re welcome to bring your own canoe or watercraft to Moraine Lake. The only problem is getting to Moraine Lake with a big canoe or kayak, as the only way to bring your own watercraft in is on the Moraine Lake Shuttle or on a private tour/shuttle like with this operator. The Parks Canada shuttles and private operators allow for inflatable kayaks or stand-up paddleboards but not canoes.

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Moraine Lake Canoe Season and Rental Hours

Every season at Moraine Lake Lodge is different as it’s entirely dependent on seasonal weather. Generally, the lake unthaws around early-June and the canoe rentals run from mid June until mid-September when the lake water levels drop due to less glacial melt in colder weather.

The daily hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 5:20 p.m., weather permitting as they will close with severe inclement weather. *Times are subject to change*.

A paddle, life jackets, and basic instructions are provided. The Moraine Lake canoe rentals can accommodate up to three adults, or two adults and two children. Pets are not allowed.

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Moraine Lake Canoe Rental Rates

There are no half hour rentals and no cash payments.

Canoe Rental For Public

$160 per hour (+tax)

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Why Are Canoe Rentals Expensive at Moraine Lake?

While slightly cheaper than canoes at Lake Louise, I’m sure by now you realize canoe rentals at Moraine Lake are pretty expensive. There are a number of reasons for the prices of canoe rentals. The first is the short season so the operator has to recoup their investment in the few months that Moraine Lake is unfrozen.

You also have zero competition so the Moraine Lake Lodge can set whatever price they see fit, which follows just behind the prices set by the Fairmont at Lake Louise.

Canoeing on Moraine Lake is a popular activity with plenty of demand – supply and demand. On top of all that the liability insurance for operating in the park and renting canoes is very expensive. For a more affordable canoe experience, consider canoeing on Emerald Lake nearby.

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Tips For Canoeing on Moraine Lake

• Temperatures are very cool in the shoulder months of June and September. When you go out on the water, be sure to pack in layers so you can remain warm.
• Weather on the lakes, particularly the large bodies of water can change rapidly. Keep an eye on the horizon if it’s looking like a storm or the wind starts to pick up, it may be time to get off the water. The canoe rental house does not issue refunds due to weather.
• Take sun protection seriously on warm days as the water reflection is very strong. We suggest making sure you have a hat, long sleeve shirt, and sunglasses.
• Bring a water bottle in case you start heating up in the peak summer.
• Remain calm and don’t rock the boat when out on the water. The glacial-fed Moraine Lake is frigid all year round and you’re not going to be a happy camper if you end up in the water and require rescue.
• All canoe rental operators provide life jackets so make sure to take advantage. A fall into this water will surely shock you and you may not be able to swim as well as you are used to under such extreme temperatures.

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Can You Bring Your Own Canoe Or Kayak to Moraine Lake?

Yes, you can bring your own canoe or kayak to Moraine Lake or any body of water within Banff National Park. Keep in mind there is no public boat launch at Moraine Lake, which means you’ll have to carry your watercraft from the public parking lot, and that’s after working out the logistics to get it on a shuttle to Moraine Lake.

You cannot use the private canoe dock to launch your watercraft. There aren’t any great spots along the lakeshore to launch a canoe yourself, but where there is a will, there is a way. We’ve done it many times. You just might have to get your feet a bit wet!

We love to go for a SUP on the lake by arriving early in the morning for a Moraine Lake hike and then relax on the water in the afternoon. However, in the past, we’ve been able to get a parking spot and get our own canoe in the water occasionally too, typically in the late evening in the summer. All the photos from this post are with our personal canoe before the restriction on personal vehicles! Since the vehicle restriction, we have only paddleboarded on Moraine Lake.

Since vehicles can no longer park at Moraine Lake, it’s more difficult to get your canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards out on Moraine Lake. The Parks Canada shuttle allows inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on the shuttle, but not canoes, for obvious reasons. So, in reality, there is no easy way to paddle your own canoe around Moraine Lake. If you want to bring your own watercraft, we recommend an inflatable stand up paddleboard or kayak that can be taken on the Parks Canada shuttles and private shuttles.

To prevent the spread of Aquatic invasive species, visitors must now fill out a Self Certification Permit with Parks Canada for any nonmotorized watercraft entering the water. This includes personal kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The Self Certification Permits can be found online.

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Should You Canoe on Moraine Lake or Lake Louise?

Of course, canoeing on both lakes is ideal! Though we know that not everyone has the time or budget to canoe on both lakes. We have canoed on both Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and Moraine Lake and have no preference over the other.

They are all fantastic places to take in from the water. Because of parking restrictions at Moraine Lake, I would say that canoeing on Moraine Lake sees far fewer people and is a more special experience.

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Other Places to Rent a Canoe in Banff

If you’re not keen on waiting in line or paying the high prices for a canoe rental at Moraine Lake, there are other locations that you can head to in Banff National Park. For more information, you can check out our post on canoe rentals in Banff.

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Where to Stay at Moraine Lake?

The only place to stay on Moraine Lake is the iconic Moraine Lake Lodge. It’s not cheap, but if you can splurge, it’s a place you won’t forget. As they run the canoe dock, they also offer guests of the lodge a complimentary canoe rental.

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