Parks Canada shuttle reservations for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake open April 15

If Lake Louise or Moraine Lake is on your summer list, the date to care about is Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 8 am MDT. That is when Parks Canada opens reservations for its shuttles to Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake.

This matters most for Moraine Lake, because Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. You cannot just drive up early and hope for the best. If you want a straightforward, lower stress plan, this booking window is the one to hit.

One useful detail: a Parks Canada shuttle booking covers more than one stop. Your ticket includes your ride from the Lake Louise Park and Ride at the ski resort, access to the Lake Connector between the two lakes, and your return trip. So if your day is built right, you can see both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on one reservation.

If you miss the main release, it is not automatically over. Parks Canada releases additional seats at 8 am MDT two days before departure, so there is still a second shot if your first choice date is gone. That said, these do not sit around for long on prime summer days.

One thing worth noting is that Parks Canada has already posted the 2026 reservation launch date, but parts of the shuttle page still show last season’s operating calendar. So the booking date is confirmed, while some of the full season service details are still catching up on their site.

A few practical reminders, because these trip people up every year:

• Your shuttle ticket and your Banff park pass are separate. You need both.
• The main daytime shuttle checks in at the Lake Louise Park and Ride at the ski resort.
• If you miss your last ride back from Moraine Lake, you can create a very bad day for yourself very quickly. There is no casual backup plan late in the evening.

Additional notes

A few additional notes from Parks Canada:

• Lake Louise Trailer Campground is currently restricted to hard-sided units only because of seasonal bear activity.
• A closure related to avalanche debris near the Hector slide path is still posted for a section of the Icefields Parkway.

Short version: if Lake Louise or Moraine Lake is part of your summer plan, set a reminder for April 15 at 8 am MDT and go in with your date choices ready.