Lake Louise is one of the most photographed places in all of Canada and the moment you lay eyes on its surreal turquoise waters surrounded by peaks and glaciers, you’ll understand why. Lake Louise is best known for its bright blue color, which comes from rock flour carried down by melting glaciers. The lake sits beneath the backdrop of Victoria Glacier, giving it a postcard-perfect alpine setting that doesn’t feel real until you’re standing in front of it. If you want to see the true turquoise colors of the lake, you will need to get a higher vantage point - this can be done by doing any of the trails that take you up.

Because it is so picture perfect and accessible, it gets super crowded as the day goes on and we recommend doing some hiking or canoeing to get away from the vast number of people.

You can stroll the easy Lakeshore Trail, paddle a canoe in summer, rent snowshoes or go ice skating in winter, or just find a quiet spot along the shoreline. If you're up for some trails, Lake Louise is the starting point for some of the area’s best hikes, including Lake Agnes, Plain of Six Glaciers, Fairmount Lookout, and the Beehive trails. We highly recommend doing the Little Beehive trail to get the best views and experience the true color of the lake.

The historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits right at the edge of the lake, offering luxury accommodations, restaurants, and a great place to grab a coffee with a view.

Parking is one of the biggest challenges here, especially during the peak summer months (June to early October). The main lot at Lake Louise usually fills by 7:00–7:30 AM, and there is a daily fee (~$36 CAD) during the shuttle season (May - October). If you’re not planning to arrive that early, your best bet is to take the Parks Canada shuttle from the Park and Ride at Lake Louise Ski Resort or use Roam Transit from Banff.

Canoe rentals are available at the lake in summer but come with a high price tag (around $145 CAD/hour). Still — it's a bucket-list experience for many.

There's no swimming allowed here — the water is glacially cold, even in the hottest months.