Things to do in Lake Louise

Lake Louise sits 58 km (45 minutes) from Banff at roughly 1,750 m, its turquoise water backed by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. That colour is glacial rock flour in suspension, and it only shows up once the ice clears: the lake is fully or partly frozen until around mid-June, so a photo of turquoise water in May does not exist.

Lakeside parking is paid, limited and fills before 7am in July and August; Parks Canada shuttles and Roam Transit run from Banff and the overflow lot at the ski resort through summer, and booking ahead is worth doing. A Parks Canada pass is required for the day, even for a two-hour stop, at roughly 11 CAD per adult or 22 CAD per vehicle.

Once you're at the shore, options are simple: rent a canoe by the boathouse or walk the lakefront path.