How to get Moraine Lake to Yourself in 2024

Beat the crowds and get Moraine Lake all to yourself.
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[@user-hd1bm6vk2y]

Love this thankyou Simon. So pleased I bought your Moraine Lake photo a few years ago too which is in my hallway ….looks fab ❤

[@phoenixh29]

Thank you for sharing! Can't wait to see it with my own eyes the end of June😍

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching, have an incredible time!

[@rodgerhughes6528]

Thanks

[@joaquimalmeida448]

Lucky you! I was two weeks ago in Banff and since the road was unfortunately not yet ploughed. Therefore, I have unfortunately missed Moraine Lake. But nice of you that you keep us up to date about the access to the lake. With the great views in every direction, you just have to come back.

[@simoncennals]

The road is normally only plowed a couple of days beforehand. This year was an abnormality.

[@arnoldhenning6791]

Honestly, you deserve way more subs than what you've got so far. Great videos man. Thanks so much.

[@simoncennals]

Thanks mate, appreciate that.

[@arnoldhenning6791]

@@simoncennals It's a pleasure man, and I really do mean it. Keep on doing the great work.

[@sprungmass]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your experience. Moraine Lake is one of my favourite places and I am happy drastic measures were taken to reduce congestion. You motived me to try this road ride. It should be pretty fun bombing down the descent without cars. I am also planning to ride the mountain bike Highline Trail to get there. It is a 19km/537m black diamond trail which might be ready to ride later in the season. Really excited for that one.

[@simoncennals]

The way out is 100% more fun than the way in for sure!

[@amygraham3634]

Thank you so much for this! Step 5 was my favourite step 😏 simply gorgeous! You’ll have to let us know what it’s like in a couple of weeks when the road does open. Again, great vid, thanks!

[@simoncennals]

I'm going to try my best to get down there when it opens properly. I'd imagine it will actually be a more pleasant experience going on the bus and a little less crowded

[@PhotoTrekr]

Where there's a will... I don't think I've ever seen a photo of Moraine Lake in the Winter. I'm sure you enjoyed the solitude while you were there. Glad I got to stay there last year. I hate riding buses. Cheers. 📸

[@simoncennals]

Last year was the best year to see it I think. If you check out the link in description I have a picture on my website of it fully frozen!

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@simoncennals Saw where Calgary is already experiencing smoke from forest fires this year. Hope it clears up for you guys.

[@simoncennals]

@@PhotoTrekr much better today!

[@rodgerhughes6528]

Great video. We are headed there in a couple weeks but they are closing road apparently and thinking of doing the same. Any advise?

[@simoncennals]

Wouldn't recommend it in winter. In a couple of weeks there could be quite a large avalanche risk (that's why they close the road over winter) and it may not be cyclable anyway. I'd check weather and speak to some of the locals before considering it!

[@andytanhw]

Absolutely stunning shots & a great video as always. Discovered ur videos recently while researching for Canadian Rockies. Ur videos deserved so much more views compared to some I’ve watched on the Rockies. I’m finally going to Moraine in July. Booked a shuttle bus around 830. Didn’t know there are buses for sunrise! Can share some details?

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching! There's a private bus company think it's maybe Moraine Lake bus company! But it does an early bus but it's a fair amount more than the normal shuttle. And later in the day the lake will be more turquoise when the sun's higher so it's hard to say what time is better to visit!

[@andytanhw]

@@simoncennals ah thanks for the info! Haha ya. Hopefully I can see it in gd weather. Will probably be there for the whole day since we are planning to do the larch valley trail although it’s summer!

[@simoncennals]

@@andytanhw still a lovely home any time of year.

[@shaydlens]

Awesome! Definitely gonna have to bike down there. How long did it take you guys round trip? And is the incline bad or is it steady?

[@simoncennals]

It's steady for sure but more work than I expected if I'm honest. Had to take a break or two and I'm pretty fit! I'd say an hour there but 20 minutes back.

[@shaydlens]

@@simoncennals Ok good to know, thank you. Did you see any wildlife while biking?

[@adnaniftikhar4075]

is it accusable in May. I've booked my trip and planning to be there for May 01st, & 02nd?

[@simoncennals]

Will depend on snow and avalanche risk to whether you can get down the road at that time. The road won't be open to cars or buses.

[@jellysontour]

Hi Simon. Great video, I’ve just arrived In Banff for a couple of days, so I need to find some bikes to hire! Anywhere else you would recommend visiting for a sunrise photo?

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Phil. You'll have a blast! If you're renting for use in Banff is check out Ultimate Ski and Ride. If it's for Moraine Lake I'd probably look at a rental in Lake Louise as it will make your life easier! Maybe Wilson Mountain sports? As for sunrise opportunities they are pretty endless. Check out my other videos on Banff for some suggestions! Policemens creek in Canmore is also great, have a few blog posts about locations on my website too. The link to that is in the video description. Have an amazing time!

[@jellysontour]

@@simoncennals thanks for your tips last week, we ended up getting a bike at Wilson Mountain Sports, however they were incredibly busy and I was lucky to get a cancellation. Moraine Lake was majestic and there were approx 30 people at the lake. So different to the manic crowds I experienced in Sept 21. Looking forward to your next video.

[@aaravshah1012]

Hi which camera and equipment are you using pls reply

[@simoncennals]

I mainly use a canon R6!

[@aaravshah1012]

@@simoncennals thank you so much 😊

[@jedistar4374]

Are you currently in Benff national park? I heard of no personal cars to the lake, but not sure if it is already effective. I’m flying out on coming Thursday for 3 days, so if you don’t mind sharing some helpful tips where to catch sunrise bus, where to get the buss ticket and places best recommend to visit. Apparently it shows rain on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, that really sucks, but I have to make the best out of the weather. I was planning to go to ice fields park as well, but not sure if it is worth it. Thank you for sharing….

[@simoncennals]

Rain is a good thing at the moment. There are wild fires and there has been a lot of smoke. The rain will make every much clearer. The road doesn't open to buses until June 1st. No personal vehicles so the only way to get to Moraine at the moment is the process described in the video!

[@jedistar4374]

@@simoncennals so I contacted the visitors center and a bike rentals place after reading your response . Is pricey for a day, but good thing it is an e-bike, so that will help me along the way with a spare battery pack. Just need to pack a poncho to keep dry and protect my camera. Where you parked your bike for a short hike? Is there a bike parking area? Oh did you encounter the northern light or Milky Way?

[@simoncennals]

@@jedistar4374 there are places you can lock up your bikes. I wasn't at Moraine for night time and the aurora is always unpredictable. You may get lucky!

[@jedistar4374]

@@simoncennals thank you very kindly for your tip and flog. I visited Banff and what a wonderful experience. You can take a hundred pictures, however that doesn’t even justifies the incredible beauty of this place, and I have no words to describe the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. It was an emotional moment as soon as lake Louise came to my view, and that feeling was my 2nd time in life after i visited Mt Everest base camp through Tibet.. thanks to your vlogs I’ve made it here all alone. Despite unable to book my bike as planned, as I fell asleep while booking it after 16 hour of work day. I spent more than half a day hiking and enjoying every bit of it all the way to lake Agnes. I very exhausted after I retuned to my car, so not able to book my bike worked out for me, cause I most probably wouldn’t be able to make it to Moraine Lake. I got me a years pass and I’m returning 2nd week of September after visiting Yosemite the first week. Thanks again.

[@phatcharidaklinphayom8690]

What’s the month in this VDO? Please

[@simoncennals]

As mentioned a couple of times in the video it was shot during mid May.

[@abhishekshah8651]

Hi it is beautiful is there a way to see it on may 9 or may 10th even if from far your reply would help me

[@simoncennals]

Unfortunately not, the road will be snowed in with avalanche risk.

[@abhishekshah8651]

@@simoncennals is June 5-8 ok to go

[@simoncennals]

@@abhishekshah8651 road should be open and buses running by then. Check out my video about the shuttles.

[@abhishekshah8651]

Ok my other question is would it be at least somewhat clear the lakes of the snow. Would it worth it going there.

[@kai64]

man if I had a bike, I would just ride it from Lake Louise myself. Never thought aiming for sunrise is such a hassle.

[@simoncennals]

It's an early start but worth it, tough to get there for sunrise on any bus options at the moment.

[@kai64]

@@simoncennals I found a bus service for sunrise tour in early June but I think it is only for certain months of the year as the sunrise gets earlier as it gets to summer. But I gotta say mid may for moraine lake is as beautiful as mid summer. I like a bit of snow on the mountain and less people is a big plus! Subscribed!

[@Rockyframes]

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your effort making these videos but just out of curiosity… you talking about enjoying serenity and how busy Moraine Lake often is. You beating crowds… great… but don’t you think you actually making these places more popular and crowded? 10 years ago you could drive to the lake in the summer and get parking spot during the day no problem. Last years we all know it’s been mess. But to the point, isn’t a little bit hypocritical being an influencer (in any means) and talking all the time about the crowds?

[@simoncennals]

Is what it is really, there's no stopping it now and we l influence each other in one way or another. If anything with Moraine I encourage use of the shuttles and did before the road closed. It's by far the easiest most stress free way for most people to visit. Going to Moraine Lake like this most years has a window of 2 to 3 days and takes a fair amount of effort, the ride isn't super easy so it won't make a huge difference but I get your point. Realistically Moraine can't get busier than it is now with everything that's been put in place. I've made a point of not mentioning locations in other videos when the location is less known or isn't really safe for the general public to visit without a bit of experience/knowledge. Always hard to know what the best thing to do is!

[@user-hd1bm6vk2y]

Love this thankyou Simon. So pleased I bought your Moraine Lake photo a few years ago too which is in my hallway ….looks fab ❤

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Jayne, great to hear you still have it up!