Moraine Lake & Larch Valley- Banff NP, AB

Moraine Lake is impossibly beautiful. It is exactly what you would imagine when picturing an idyllic alpine lake; brilliantly blue-green from glacial rock flower, surrounded on all sides by towering snow capped mountains. It is so impressive, it has been featured twice on the Canadian twenty dollar bill. It is also one of the most photographed locations in all of Canada, which means you will be sharing the experience with a crowd of others. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to escape the crush.

Much like Lake Louise, the parking lot at Moraine Lake fills up early; when it is filled, the road is closed. So, either show up before dawn, or stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge. It’s ridiculously pricey, but absolutely worth every penny. You have guaranteed parking, and access to the lake and trails outside of shuttle operating hours. You also receive complementary canoe rentals for your entire stay- allowing you to slip away from the crazy crowds at the Rockpile, and quietly appreciate your surroundings.

After exploring the lake by water, tackle the challenging Larch Valley trail, which offers views of the lake from above, as well the surrounding mountain peaks. Although only rated moderate, the trail gains over 1755 feet of elevation in just a few miles, and features a series of serious switchbacks. That said, the views of the surrounding Ten Peaks are well worth the burn. There are bears in the area, so travel with a group, and make a lot of noise. There are also marmots, which are far less scary, and very photogenic.

One of the most popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies for a reason, Lake Moraine does not disappoint. Expect crowds at the Rockpile, where selfie slaves line up to take pictures to post. Don’t expect to splash around or swim in the lake- it is glacial meltwater, and never gets warm. I am not even sure the air ever gets warm here; it was bitterly cold when we visited in August. Nevertheless, the scenery more than makes up for it, and the cabins have fireplaces.