Is Catching Sunrise at Moraine Lake Worth It?
Catching sunrise at the famous Moraine Lake is on many visitors’ bucket lists. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world! If there’s one thing I know from working on Instagram for over a decade, it’s that people want to catch the sun’s first rays of the day somewhere exceptionally beautiful.
However, there are some things to consider when planning a sunrise at Moraine Lake. Number one is that Moraine Lake is only accessible in the summer, and a summer sunrise in Banff is incredibly early. That means you can pretty much bank on finding yourself very short on sleep while on vacation. The second thing to note is that getting to Moraine Lake is not exactly simple. You cannot drive there, so you must plan your visit accordingly, and there are costs and planning involved. We’ll discuss options below.
Is Sunrise at Moraine Lake Worth It?
We’ve been to Moraine Lake many times, at various points in the day. We’ve caught sunset and sunrise there multiple times, and seen it shimmering blue in the middle of a sunny day. We’ve biked to Moraine Lake and hiked above it! If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that any time spent around this beautiful area will take your breath away and is more than worth it.
If you’re going to do one early morning on your vacation in Banff, then you won’t be disappointed by the sunrise here. You only live once, and if you’re already contemplating sunrise at Moraine Lake, we say to go for it. It’s 100% worth the effort and cost!
What I love most about catching sunrise at Moraine Lake is the in-between time—the time after the sun comes up but before the crowds arrive before 9 a.m. It’s the quietest time in the area, and when we feel the most at peace. This usually happens between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Most people who catch sunrise at Moraine Lake bust their butts to wake up and catch a shuttle to the lake, all before 6am. Then, once the sun’s first rays hit the Ten Peaks, BAM – they leave and move on to the next sight by 7am. We recommend staying longer to enjoy the quiet time. Bring a paddleboard with you, hike the Moraine Lake Lakeshore, venture back to Consolation Lakes, or go big and scramble up the Tower of Babel.
There are a ton of things to do around the Moraine Lake area, but most people put the effort in to catch sunrise on top of the famous Rockpile Trail and then immediately leave. Stay a little longer and enjoy a slow morning in one of the most beautiful places on earth!
When is Sunrise at Moraine Lake?
The sunrise time at Moraine Lake changes every month, but it’s very early in the summer.
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake in mid-June: 5:26 am
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake in mid-July: 5:44 am
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake in mid-August: 6:28 am
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake in mid-September: 7:15 am
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake in mid-October: 8:05 am
These times mean you’ll be up extremely early if you are coming from Banff or Canmore, particularly if you are visiting in June and July. Sunrise shuttles start departing around 4 a.m., which means at least a 2:30 a.m. wake-up call, depending on where you are traveling from. That means you can pretty much guarantee on no sleep the night before and probably a mid-day nap after you visit Moraine Lake.
Considerations
When considering whether to visit Moraine Lake at sunrise and whether it’s worth it, three main aspects might affect your decision.
The Time: Addressed above, you’ll need to determine if losing a lot of sleep on your vacation is worth it. The good news is that starting early gives you a head start on your day and allows you to fulfill many activities on your Banff itinerary. The bad news is that sleep is good for you, and you’ll be losing that sleep.
The Logistics: Personal vehicles can no longer drive to Moraine Lake. That means you’ll have to research your options for getting to Moraine Lake at sunrise. The Alpine Start shuttle is run by Parks Canada. It is the cheapest option for getting to the lake by sunrise. However, there are only 2 bus departures a day, and they sell out well in advance. These shuttles depart from the Lake Louise Lakeshore, where you’ll have to pay $37 a day to park.
Your next option is to look into a private operator. Our top recommendation is Moraine Lake Bus Company, which runs multiple sunrise shuttles to Moraine Lake. Fairview Limo also runs sunrise shuttles from the Lake Louise Inn. Via Via Bus runs shuttles directly from Canmore and Banff. Alternatively, you can join a tour, like the Radventures Earlybird Explorer Tour, which has visitors going to sunrise at Moraine Lake, followed by Lake Louise.
The Cost: Unless you plan to hike or bike up Moraine Lake Road at 5 a.m., catching sunrise at Moraine Lake will cost money. The most affordable option is the Alpine Start shuttle. The private operators are the next best option, and their ticket prices range from $70 a person to $250 per person for a full tour.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- We now have an interactive map! With over 300 stops around the Canadian Rockies, our personal map is your one stop shop to an epic trip here.
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! Want to get up close and personal with a glacier? We cannot recommend this Icewalks tour enough!
- Planning your visit to Moraine Lake and don’t want to deal with the Parks shuttles? We recommend using Moraine Lake Bus Company or booking this Radventures tour!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- We can help you plan your 2025 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll PERSONALLY go over your itinerary, hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, or create a bespoke itinerary just for you! See our services here.
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