Best Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttles For Hiking and Photography 2024

Moraine Lake Bus Company, great for a sunrise, full day or combined with Lake Louise: bit.ly/3WoPGUd
Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttles, a fantastic sunrise option with hotel pick ups: morainelakesunriseshuttle.com
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Moraine Lake road is now closed but there are some great solutions. Join me as I test out some of my favourite options that will get you to Moraine in time for sunrise.
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Intro 00:00
Option 1 00:32
Taking Photos 01:38
Option 2 04:11
Outro 06:45

[@danareeves7597]

This is great info, Simon!! Thanks so much for sharing. Your images are incredible!! We were there this time last year and I wish that I could have explored a little more for better angles. Thanks again for sharing your tips.

[@simoncennals]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@phoenixh29]

Super Helpful!!! Thank you so much for the video :))))

[@simoncennals]

No worries, thank you for watching

[@dawngore2059]

I have just discovered you on KZbin Simon, subscribed and watched a heap of your videos this evening. My husband and I are returning to the Rockies for our 3rd trip from the UK in 2024 and this time, coming for a month! We simply can’t wait. I am a keen amateur landscape photographer and your series of videos from the Rockies has given me such inspiration. Thanks so much for this video in particular. I didn’t think we’d be able to see Moraine Lake again due to the closure of the road to public traffic but having seen your update, I have now sent an email to Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttles in the hope of booking a couple of seats next year.

[@simoncennals]

Great news! Thanks for watching, you'll love Moraine Lake, worth paying for the sunrise shuttle to get that iconic picture in your portfolio!

[@kai64]

This is the shuttle that I took! They are so nice. Early return is possible but hit or miss. Usually it’s a hit as I don’t think they are never full anyways

[@JLP1989]

Just got back from a 3 week holiday to Alberta/BC and man does this make me miss it! Great shots!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks mate, glad you had a great time!

[@GrowingGreenNZ]

Planning our trip from NZ and I love how helpful this video is!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks guys! Hope it helps you out!

[@GrowingGreenNZ]

@@simoncennals very much thank you!

[@cashman5355]

Coming over in August next year from Christchurch for my video project too!

[@simoncennals]

@@cashman5355 be sure to check out Moraine Lake bus company!

[@mikesensier3656]

Thank you for the heads up....Im traveling in September and this be very handy, it's only taken me 30 years to get here...haha. Keep up the interesting videos...much appreciated.

[@simoncennals]

September is a great time to visit the Rockies

[@lightmeetslens]

Nice work Simon, glad to see you taking gorgeous photos :)

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching, probably get back to being a little more photography focused in the future!

[@lightmeetslens]

@@simoncennals great! I will keep watching in envy :)

[@FrankDecker]

Thanks for the tips will go to the area next months really looking forward and hope to get such a beautiful sunrise and a shuttle as well :)

[@simoncennals]

Have an incredible time!

[@FrankDecker]

@@simoncennals thanks man

[@PhotoTrekr]

I don't think I could ever get tired of that view. It's the screen saver on my laptop. Good info about the bus. Let me be the first to say you misspelled Photohraphy. Ha! 😄

[@simoncennals]

Oh no! I'll change it now.

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@simoncennals 👍😀

[@joeyw2630]

Great tips, will be there tomorrow and the whole next week, but really worried about the weather...😅

[@simoncennals]

Can never tell with mountain weather I'm sure you'll get some good shots and views!

[@CalculatingMind]

Awesome video! What ND filter (#of stops) do you recommend? What is the temperature before sunrise?

[@simoncennals]

It would have been a variable ND probably at 9 stops. Temperature at sunrise could be anything from -10°c to 20°c depending on the day

[@sininutube]

Very helpful video thank you! Have a question for you. Does the sun actually rise at the sunrise time or should we get there much earlier than the sunrise time for the best views. Asking because on Aug 21st sunrise time shows 6.40am. I planned to take the 6.20am shuttle from Lake Louise village which is way cheaper than the 5am sunrise shuttle. Thoughts?

[@simoncennals]

The sunrise time is the time the sun comes over the horizon, colour can start 30 minutes before and continue 30 minutes after quite easily. You'll probably see the light start to hit the peaks a little after the sunrise time but hard to say. If it's for photography purposes you may want to go early so you have time beforehand to scope out a spot.

[@sininutube]

@@simoncennals thank you so much. This was helpful. And no..I will not be going for photography. Thanks again!

[@ovrxpsd]

booked a reservation with moraine lake bus company for the end of July. I'm so excited! I'm just confused a bit, are we able to park and leave our car at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and walk to Samson Mall? I don't want to get my rental towed. lol

[@simoncennals]

If you haven't already at some point they'll send you an email with the info. They have a few parking options in and around Samson mall that you can leave your vehicle in. Can always ask the bus driver before you board! I know they were working on securing some land specifically for it too.

[@ovrxpsd]

@@simoncennals awesome, thank you!!

[@khushbupatel5137]

What was the weather like? Going in mid July and want to pack appropriately. I live in the north east of the US so its 80 degrees over here

[@simoncennals]

Could be anything! It had been 28°C for about two months here and then it snowed 30 - 50cm in certain places last week. In the mountains it's often cold in the mornings. Moraine Lake is 1800 metres so could be below freezing first thing. Bring layers!

[@aleexandra1010]

I will be staying in Canmore and I’m trying to figure out where is the best place to go take a shuttle for sunrise in lake Moraine like you did but to also be able to take a shuttle from there to lake Louise. Is that possible? I checked online but they had an option for both (just not for sunrise)

[@simoncennals]

It's a tough one, there are more and more shuttle companies each year. However moraine lake bus company are super useful. Give them an email and they might be able to help you out.

[@kellykrueger178]

May I ask what lens you were using on your R6 while at Moraine? I am headed there in a month! Wish I had watched your video earlier... we are on the Parks shuttle and won't get there for sunrise. Dang! But still beautiful!

[@simoncennals]

You'll get to see Moraine when the water is at its most turquoise so don't worry! I used my EF 16-35mm F4. I'd recommend a wide angle lens for sure, especially if you want to get some foreground in!

[@kellykrueger178]

@@simoncennals Thanks much. I have the RF 15-35 2.8 (heavier than needed - but a great lens). I will have it with me, I just didn't want the mnts to look "far away" so I wasn't sure. I have the full ND filter assortment, assuming I will need the polarizer too.

[@simoncennals]

@@kellykrueger178 you'll be great with that lens. I often actually find it's hard to fit it all in even at 16mm, especially if you want foreground and to shoot portrait! Wide is great for Moraine. Some long exposures will be great later in the day if you have the ND filters for it!

[@zackclassey3580]

I was just curious. I planed on visiting lake louise and agnes after doing the sunrise shuttle from lake Moraine lake bus company. How does the free parking at lake louise work if we are picked up at samson mall? I couldn't find anything on Moraine lake bus companys website about the parking. Can we drive down to lake louise and park for free after we return from Moraine lake?

[@simoncennals]

Hey mate, there's free parking at Lake Louise village. Parking at the lake shorefront is very busy and paid. They do offer a shuttle that stops at Lake Louise too but it only stops for an hour.

[@kimmyg19]

what month of the year is this? trying to figure out when the lakes should be melted

[@simoncennals]

The road won't open to Moraine Lake until June 1st. By that point there will probably still be some ice on the lake but not completely. It entirely depends on the weather could be melted by mid May could be end of June.

[@kennethtam9779]

The rates for these shuttles are so reasonable... or, if someone had asked me if I'd pay that much last time I ran the gauntlet to get parking at Moraine Lake, I'd have done it in a heartbeat!

[@simoncennals]

It really does make for a more pleasant experience if you're there on holiday! Plus if you have a shuttle you know for sure you're getting in!

[@OlehTkachuk]

$400 for a family of four, is that reasonable? Seriously?

[@simoncennals]

@@OlehTkachuk Parks Canada shuttles start at $8 per person. Private shuttles start at around $35 per person, think some options are even cheaper. Going at sunrise at peak season when demand is highest is obviously more expensive.

[@criostoirocuinn]

CAD$95.00 and only June 1st onwards

[@simoncennals]

The Moraine Lake road is shuttle only and opens to everyone June 1st, you can't access it beforehand unless on bike or foot. Day time shuttles are a fair bit cheaper and the lake is more turquoise later in the day anyway!

[@criostoirocuinn]

@simoncennals I know, I spent my entire Sunday afternoon looking at the best options for mid May. I'll hire a bike for $62 and cycle in from Lake Louise town I think.

[@simoncennals]

@@criostoirocuinn riding in Mid May is probably your best bet. The road has never been open to Cars much before end of May/start of June even before the closures. Might end up getting it to yourself though! Keep an eye on the road status and make sure it's properly plowed beforehand, it will make your life a lot easier. It's a fair extra bit of distance riding from Lake Louise village too but not a bad way to spend the day!

[@wesleytornberg]

Did you take the 4 am or the 5 am shuttle?

[@wesleytornberg]

Going on Aug 10 and wondering if I’ll miss too much of the sunrise if I go at 5

[@simoncennals]

I took the 4am but sunrise was earlier at that time of year! I imagine you'd be there by 5:30am so should be good

[@dutchmtbroutes876]

You might have forgotten to mention the prices (and convert them to real money ;) ) though: about 70 and 50 euro.

[@simoncennals]

Prices vary depending on time of day and time of year you visit. You will pay a premium for sunrise shuttles for sure. The parks Canada shuttle is the cheapest but unfortunately doesn't run for sunrise! Think it's about $8 CAD.

[@dutchmtbroutes876]

Sure, I get that prices are volatile, but in all seriousness: for those (like me) who are interested in going there at sunrise an indication of the price is a very important piece of the information. However: Love your Banff-videos. Sadly I couldn't get off next june, so we aim for octobre 2024.

[@ExploreLiveCreateShare]

I tried contacting them through Instagram and calling… NOTHING. In fact, they left me on read 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@simoncennals]

Oh they're normally pretty good, have you emailed?

[@ExploreLiveCreateShare]

@@simoncennals yes. Which is how I called them. A rep name Jesse.

[@simoncennals]

@@ExploreLiveCreateShare well let me know if there's any questions I can answer for you.

[@ExploreLiveCreateShare]

@@simoncennals they responded! And I booked for sept 8th for 4am sunrise! Will be hiking a trail there as well. Thanks man!

[@simoncennals]

@@ExploreLiveCreateShare have an epic time!

[@camilo8cheryl]

Moraine lake bus is outrageously expensive $149 cad and 2 teens at same price roughly around $700 for all 4 🤦🏻‍♂️Will just skip this and book at moraine lodge next year

[@simoncennals]

The shuttles are much cheaper if you don't go at sunrise and the lake is equally as beautiful later in the day. In fact the water is much more turquoise when the sun is higher.

[@cartooninspires]

What time did u get there