How To Canoe On Lake Louise In 2024
Canoeing on Lake Louise is a once-in-a-lifetime activity for any visitor to Banff National Park and must feature on any Lake Louise summer itinerary.
Canoeing on one of the iconic red canoes has become a staple for any Lake Louise summer venture and for good reason - there are very few opportunities around the globe where you are able to paddle across such serene water, with imposing mountain faces flanking you on either side.
If you’re planning on canoeing on Lake Louise, then this guide is designed for you. We are going to highlight the most frequently asked questions in regards to the Lake Louise Canoe Rental, so you will be as prepared as possible for your summer trip.
Lake Louise Canoeing Overview
Time it takes: 1 hour in total - 30 minutes to the back of the lake and 30 minutes back again
Rough Cost: 1 hour = CAD$145; 30-minutes = CAD$135
Max no. of people per canoe: 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 small children (both children combined under 55lbs)
Great accommodation option in Lake Louise: Lake Louise Inn
Best Hostel to stay in: Banff International Hostel
How to get to Lake Louise: rent a car with Rentalcars.com
How to Canoe on Lake Louise
There are hundreds of guides on how to canoe on Lake Louise. They’re not usually up-to-date and don’t always go through everything you need to know. So why read this one?
Well, we did work at the Lake Louise Boathouse so we should know what we’re talking about.
Remember that Lake Louise freezes over from October-May so you won’t be able to canoe during these months. If this is when you’re visiting, perhaps you should check out our guide to the best winter activities to do in Lake Louise instead.
We have compiled a list of all the possible questions people could have when trying to rent a canoe at Lake Louise to provide you with a complete guide to canoeing on Lake Louise in 2024.
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
| Tip
The easiest way to visit Lake Louise is to jump on the Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus in Banff. The bus takes you to Johnston Canyon, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Gondola and Lake Louise, giving you time to explore each place before moving on to the next!
Can you bring your own canoe?
Yes you can. There is no public dock to launch from so you would have to park in the government parking lot, and carry your canoe/kayak from there. It’s roughly 100m from the parking lot to the lakeshore.
Best place to launch your own canoe - as you approach Lake Louise from the parking lot, you will see a small footbridge facing the hotel. Head across this footbridge, take a left and 20m in front of you, on the left hand side, you will see a number of big slate steps, this is a perfect place to launch your own canoe.
How much does it cost to canoe on Lake Louise?
In the height of summer, (July and August) expect to be paying around CAD$145 (plus tax) for 1 hour/CAD$135 (plus tax) for 1/2 hour canoe rental. This price is for the canoe, not per person.
Canoeing in one of the iconic red canoes on Lake Louise is a bucket-list travel dream from travellers all around the world, as a result, the price can be pretty expensive. It is to be expected when Lake Louise is not only one of the best lakes in Banff National Park, but also one of the most iconic lakes in the world.
Can I reserve a canoe?
No, unfortunately you are unable to reserve a canoe at Lake Louise. Canoes are explicitly rented on a first come first serve basis.
How long can I expect to be in line for a canoe at Lake Louise?
Canoeing on Lake Louise is one of the most popular tourist activities in the whole of Banff National Park, so in the height of summer (July and August), non-Fairmont hotel guests should factor in a wait of up to 3 hours for a canoe. The long wait is one of those important things to know before your summer trip to Lake Louise.
Again, in the quieter periods of the season (Early June and September) this can be reduced but it will rarely be less than an hour wait.
How many people can go in one canoe?
Up to 3 adults are able to paddle in a canoe at Lake Louise. Exceptions are made for families, whereby 2 children (BOTH weighing under 55lbs) and 2 adults can paddle together. Any person weighing 55lbs or more is considered an ‘adult’ for canoe rental purposes.
Are life jackets provided? Do I have to wear a life jacket while canoeing?
Life jackets of all sizes are provided by the Lake Louise Boathouse. Life jackets must be worn at all times while canoeing on Lake Louise.
If a life jacket is removed for any reason, the Lake Louise Boathouse staff are permitted to close down the boathouse operation and pay the offender a visit on their emergency boat. It can be quite embarrassing and is certainly not recommended.
You may also bring your own life jacket to use while canoeing on Lake Louise. The boathouse staff will just have to check it over to make sure it is suitable to use.
Can I bring babies onto the canoe? Can I bring a dog on the canoe?
Babies of any age are welcome to canoe on Lake Louise and baby life jackets are provided. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult while canoeing on Lake Louise.
Dogs are also welcome to canoe on Lake Louise, though it is worth reminding people not to tie their dog’s lead to any part of the canoe. If an accident were to occur, you want to ensure that the dog will be safe and be able to swim freely.
What is the best time to canoe on Lake Louise?
We have always maintained that sunrise at Lake Louise is more impressive that the sunset. The sun rises at the right angle to illuminate Victoria Glacier behind the lake and it looks magical. For this reason, we would suggest the best time to canoe on Lake Louise is around 7am - this also happens to be when there are no crowds.
Note that the boathouse isn’t open all summer for sunrise canoe, so we would recommend an ‘earlier the better’ policy for canoeing on Lake Louise.
Do I have to be staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to be able to rent a canoe?
Anybody visiting Lake Louise is welcome to canoe on the lake, you don’t have to be staying at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. With that being said, Fairmont hotel guests have a separate line, thus are given priority over day-visitors.
Can I purchase food and drink from the Lake Louise Boathouse?
Unfortunately food and drink is unavailable to purchase from the boathouse itself. There is deli style food and drink for sale at the Guide’s Pantry, located inside the Fairmont hotel. Alternatively, there is a small convenience store in the Samson Mall, in Lake Louise Village.
What is the Voyageur canoe experience at Lake Louise?
The Voyageur canoe is a special 26 foot, cedar strip canoe that can hold up to 8 people. On the voyageur canoe you will be accompanied by a guide, who will instruct you on how to paddle such a long canoe, as well as talking you through the history and stories of Lake Louise.
It is a perfect family friendly option as you only need a minimum of 4 people to be able paddle.
Prices for the voyageur canoe typically start at around $65 (adult) and $45 (children) each for a 90-minute guided tour.
The Voyageur Canoe Experience is certainly an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime activity in Lake Louise.
Is it safe to canoe on Lake Louise?
Absolutely. A number of procedures are put in place by the Lake Louise Boathouse staff to ensure your safety.
Safety whistles and life jackets are provided to all canoers. The boathouse staff use a telescope to constantly watchover all of the canoes out on the lake. As well as having a safety boat, which can get out to people in case of emergency.
Lake Louise Boathouse staff also provide full canoeing instruction for those that are new to the discipline, or in need of a gentle reminder.
Want a luxury stay in Lake Louise? For the best hotel in Lake Louise look no further than the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We worked at the hotel for a year and it represents the height of luxury in the Canadian Rockies. Discover rates and prices here.
Is it better to canoe on Lake Louise or Moraine Lake?
If you’re visiting Moraine Lake during your visit to Lake Louise, you may be wondering which of the lakes is better to canoe on?
The answer is purely personal preference - both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the best places to visit in the Canadian Rockies and as a result, canoeing on either lake is special. The prices are very comparable too (≈$125 per hour at Lake Louise and $115 per hour at Moraine Lake).
Can I hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board at Lake Louise?
No, unfortunately you cannot hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board at Lake Louise. The boathouse at Lake Louise only rents Canoes.
If you are looking to hire a kayak and/or stand-up paddle board for use on Lake Louise, then there are options in Banff as well as Wilsons Mountain Sports, located in Lake Louise’s Samson Mall.
Why is canoeing on Lake Louise so expensive?
You can answer this question in 3 pretty simple points:
The Fairmont are the only canoe rental company allowed to operate on Lake Louise so they can pretty much charge what they want
The demand is HIGH - let’s face it, everybody wants to canoe on Lake Louise in the summer.
The canoe season only runs from mid-June through to the end of September, so you can expect any business to try to gain as much profit as possible given that they are only open for the best part of 3 and a half months of the year.
General tips for canoeing on Lake Louise
Avoid the front of the lake (There is a river that takes you down towards Lake Louise Village)
It takes roughly 30 minutes to canoe to the back of the lake and 30 minutes back to the boathouse again
The strongest paddler should be at the back of the boat to help with steering and control
Stay at least 10m away from the shore at all times so you don’t accidentally beach yourself
Be VERY careful with your phones/cameras - the lake is 70m deep in the centre so if you drop anything in the water there is no retrieving it
The best views are to be found on the left-hand side of the lake (when facing the glacier) as you are furthest from the walking trails and other people
We hope we have provided a few answers to some of the questions you may have had regarding the Lake Louise canoe rental process for the summer of 2024.
Be sure to check out our other destination guides if you’re looking for more Lake Louise travel inspiration or information on the best summer activities to do in Lake Louise.
