🇨🇦Lake Louise

Lake Louise in Banff National Park offers families turquoise glacial lakes, world-class hiking, gondola bear-spotting, winter ice skating, and some of Canada's most dramatic mountain scenery.

Your family guide

Lake Louise with kids: turquoise lakes, gondolas and mountain trails

“Turquoise water, snowy peaks and a frozen lake for skating. Lake Louise delivers the kind of scenery that stops children in their tracks.”

— San & Jo

Lake Louise is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the hype. Tucked inside Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, this small mountain hamlet sits at 1,600 metres above sea level and is home to one of the most jaw-dropping lakes on the planet. The water is an almost unreal shade of turquoise, fed by six glaciers, and the Victoria Glacier looms over it all like a postcard come to life.

What makes Lake Louise work so well for families is the sheer variety. In summer, families can paddle a canoe across that brilliant blue water, hike to a historic teahouse, spot grizzly bears from a gondola, or saddle up for a horseback ride through the forest. In winter, the lake freezes over and transforms into a natural ice rink, with sleigh rides and world-class skiing nearby. The region offers activities for every family member, whatever the season.

The village itself is tiny, but the surrounding landscape is enormous. Most families use Lake Louise as a base to explore the wider area, including the famous Moraine Lake just a short drive away. Plan at least a couple of days here and you will barely scratch the surface of what is on offer.

1,600m elevationInside Banff National Park

Best June-Aug & Dec-MarSummer hiking or winter activities

Alberta, CanadaNear Calgary International Airport

Best things to do

Best things to do in Lake Louise

Canoe on the turquoise lake

Renting a canoe and paddling out onto Lake Louise is a memorable experience for families. The colour of the water is extraordinary up close, and the views of the surrounding peaks are even better from the middle of the lake. Canoe rentals are available right at the lakeshore, making this an easy and accessible activity.

Go early morning to beat the crowds and catch the calmest water

1-2 hours

Visit Moraine Lake at sunrise

A short drive from Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is often called Canada's most photographed lake, and once you see it you will understand why. The reflection of the Ten Peaks in the water is absolutely stunning. Arriving at sunrise gives you the most dramatic light and far fewer people. Access can be limited in peak season, so check the Banff National Park website for the latest access information before you go.

Check Parks Canada access updates before visiting in summer

2-3 hours

Hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse

This is one of the most rewarding family hikes in Banff National Park. The trail starts right at Lake Louise and covers around 7km return, climbing past a waterfall and up to a beautiful alpine lake where a historic teahouse has been serving hikers since 1905. The teahouse serves tea, hot chocolate, and homemade baked goods, which makes for a brilliant halfway reward for the kids.

The teahouse is cash only and does not accept cards

3-4 hours

Ride the gondola and spot grizzly bears

The Lake Louise Gondola lifts you above the treeline for sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies. In summer, grizzly bears regularly feed on the dandelion slopes visible from the gondola, making this one of the best places in the entire Rockies to see them safely in the wild. It is a genuinely thrilling experience for kids and adults alike.

Bring binoculars for the best bear-spotting chances

2-3 hours

Ice skate on the frozen lake

In winter, Lake Louise freezes over completely and becomes a spectacular natural ice rink. With the Fairmont Château as a backdrop and the snow-capped peaks all around, it's an impressive setting for skating. Skate rentals are available nearby, so you do not need to bring your own.

Warm up afterwards at the Château with hot chocolate

1-2 hours

Go horseback riding through the forest

Guided horseback rides through the forests and up to viewpoints around Lake Louise are a wonderful way to explore the landscape at a slower pace. Operators like Timberline Tours lead rides up to spots including the Little Beehive and the Lake Agnes Tea House, giving you a completely different perspective on the area.

Book in advance during summer as spots fill up quickly

2-4 hours

Explore by e-bike

E-bike rentals are available in Lake Louise and offer a fantastic way to cover more ground with less effort. You can ride out to Moraine Lake, along the Bow Valley Parkway, and stop at highlights like Johnston Canyon, Morant's Curve, and Castle Mountain along the way. It is a great option for families who want to explore independently at their own pace.

The Bow Valley Parkway is quieter and more scenic than the main highway

Half day to full day

Ski at Lake Louise Ski Resort

With 139 runs and a longest run of 8km, the Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of Canada's best alpine ski destinations. It hosts the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup, Canada's most popular alpine ski race. There are runs for all ability levels, making it a great family ski trip whether your kids are beginners or confident skiers.

The resort gets very busy on weekends so weekday visits are much more enjoyable

Full day

Our verdict

How Lake Louise scores for families

Kids

Lake Louise is genuinely brilliant for children of all ages. The lake itself is awe-inspiring, the gondola bear-spotting is thrilling, and the mix of summer and winter activities keeps everyone busy.

Nature

Arguably one of the most spectacular natural settings in North America. Glaciers, turquoise lakes, grizzly bears, larch forests turning golden in autumn: the nature here is world-class.

Adventure

From beginner lakeshore strolls to multi-hour alpine hikes, dog sledding, skiing, and horseback riding, the adventure options here are exceptional across every season.

Food

The food scene is solid for a small mountain hamlet. Highlights include Alberta bison dishes, a charming bakery, and the historic Station Restaurant. Options are limited in number but good in quality.

Budget

Lake Louise is not cheap. Accommodation, dining, and activities all sit at the premium end. That said, many of the best experiences, including the lakeshore walk and Moraine Lake, are free.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Lake Louise?

3 hours

Quick stop

Walk the lakeshore, take photos, and soak up the view. Perfect if you are passing through Banff National Park.

sweet spot

2 days

Sweet spot

See the lake, visit Moraine Lake, do one hike, ride the gondola, and enjoy a meal at the Station Restaurant. This is the ideal family visit.

4 days

Deep dive

Add the Plain of Six Glaciers hike, a horseback ride or e-bike day, skiing or skating in winter, and really settle into the mountain pace of life.

Did you know?

Things to know about Lake Louise

The water is that colour for a reason

Lake Louise gets its extraordinary turquoise colour from glacial meltwater. Six glaciers feed the lake, and as the ice grinds over rock it creates a fine powder called rock flour. This powder stays suspended in the water and reflects sunlight in a way that produces that almost unreal blue-green colour.

Named after a real princess

The lake was originally called Emerald Lake when a Stoney First Nations person led railway worker Tom Wilson to it in 1882. Two years later it was renamed Lake Louise after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. The province of Alberta is also named after her.

Grizzly bears love dandelions

In summer, grizzly bears gather on the slopes visible from the Lake Louise Gondola to feed on dandelions. It sounds surprising, but dandelions are a high-calorie food that grizzlies rely on heavily before berry season. The gondola is one of the safest and most reliable places in Canada to spot them in the wild.

Taste Lake Louise

Where to eat with your family in Lake Louise

Bison lasagna

Must try

The Station Restaurant

Alberta bison is a true local speciality, and bison lasagna is one of the most popular ways to try it. Rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying after a day in the mountains, it is a dish that feels completely right for the setting.

Dinner in a vintage dining car

Local favourite

The Station Restaurant

The Station Restaurant is set inside a beautifully restored historic railway station, and you can eat in an original old dining car. It is a genuinely unique experience that kids find fascinating, and the Canadian cuisine is excellent. Think Alberta beef, bison ribs, and hearty mountain cooking.

Pastries and sausage rolls

Daily treat

Laggan's Mountain Bakery and Deli

Laggan's Mountain Bakery and Deli is the go-to casual spot in Lake Louise for breakfast or a quick lunch. The pastries are excellent, the sausage rolls are a firm favourite, and the coffee is good. It is affordable by Lake Louise standards and always busy, which tells you everything you need to know.

Mountain fare at the Château

Safe choice

Fairmont Château Lake Louise

The Fairmont Château Lake Louise has seven restaurants serving classic mountain cuisine made with fresh regional ingredients from local farmers and producers. It is a splurge, but having a meal here while looking out over the lake is a genuinely special family experience.

Tea and baked goods at the teahouse

Kids love it

Lake Agnes Teahouse

After hiking up to Lake Agnes, warming up with a cup of tea and a homemade baked good at the 1905 teahouse is one of the great simple pleasures of Lake Louise. The teahouse is cash only, so come prepared. Kids who make the hike absolutely deserve a treat at the top.

More places in Canadian Rockies

6 places

Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park is the most-visited glacier in North America, offering Ice Explorer rides, a glass-floored Skywalk, and guided ice walks for families.