A glacial lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at 1,884 m, famed for its vivid turquoise colour. Walter Wilcox reached it in 1899; Lillian Gest documented its history in History of Moraine Lake (1970). The lake sits in the shadows of ten distinct peaks (including Mount Fay, Mount Little, Mount Bowlen). The world-famous turquoise comes from glacial flour: fine silt from the Fay Glacier meltwater stays suspended in the water; sunlight reflects blue and green wavelengths, creating a saturation that looks almost artificial. The iconic Rockpile view has appeared on Canadian currency and countless postcards.

Access (2023+). Moraine Lake Road is gated 24/7; personal vehicles prohibited year-round. No dawn-to-dusk exception. Parks Canada Shuttle from Lake Louise Park and Ride (at the ski resort); Jun 1–Oct 13, every 30 min. reservation.pc.gc.ca. Lake Connector links Lake Louise and Moraine. If Parks Canada is full, Moraine Lake Bus Company and Fairview Limousine offer sunrise shuttles (as early as 4:00 AM) at higher cost (approx. $35–75). See Summer logistics for the 2026 booking strategy.

The thaw. Moraine Lake is high-altitude and usually frozen until late May or early June. For vibrant blue water, visit late June through September. Late September is busiest (larch season). For photography: arrive at sunrise for alpenglow on the peaks; by 10:00 AM the lake is in harsh direct light. The final shuttles (5:00–7:00 PM) offer soft light and approx. 70% fewer crowds.

Trails. Rockpile Trail 0.8 km return, 30 m (stone stairs to the “Twenty Dollar View”); Lakeshore 2.9 km return (flat; boardwalks over glacial streams at the far end are the quietest spot); Consolation Lakes 6 km return; Larch Valley 3.5 km one-way, 535 m (branches off lakeshore; continues to Sentinel Pass for Minnesota Wall and Paradise Valley views); Eiffel Lake 11.2 km return; Wenkchemna Pass 19.4 km return (Continental Divide). Group access (4+) required. Bear spray mandatory.

Fauna and gear. Prime grizzly bear habitat; buffaloberries attract bears in late summer. American Pika and Hoary Marmot on the Rockpile (listen for the pika “eeep”). Lake breeze is cold even in July; pack a windbreaker. Sturdy sneakers fine for lakeshore; mid-height waterproof boots if extending to Larch Valley. Canoe rentals (Moraine Lake Lodge): approx. $140/hour; the only way to see the back of the lake.

Photography. Rockpile: wide-angle 16–24 mm to capture lake and Ten Peaks; use lower tiers for foreground interest. Lakeshore: walk approx. 500 m down for better mirror reflections (more sheltered from wind). A circular polarizer (CPL) cuts surface glare and reveals the depth of the turquoise.

See Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Trail Systems for the full trail network.