Things To Do In Lake Louise In 3 Days

 

Lake Louise is the perfect place to visit for stunning views of the mountains and gorgeous turquoise blue lakes. Being an outdoor adventurist’s paradise no matter what season you visit, you will find many cool things to do in Lake Louise in 3 days.

With this Lake Louise itinerary, you will find out what to do in the area in three days. You will only scratch the surface, but it gives you enough time to see many of the popular sights and will definitely leave you wanting more.

If you only have a weekend in Lake Louise, then it’s important to have a good plan together for your trip. Having an itinerary will help ensure you don’t miss any of the main Lake Louise highlights and the surrounding national parks.

This Lake Louise 3-day itinerary lets you see the beauty of one of the top Canadian bucket list destinations.

Things To Do In Lake Louise: Itinerary For 3 Days

Lake Louise Itinerary: Day 1

The first of your 3 days in Lake Louise is all about Banff National Park. Get started early as there is a lot to see and lots of ground to cover! Lake Louise town is situated right inside Banff so it’s very easy to get to and get around as long as you have a car.

Icefields Parkway

Start out by driving the Icefields Parkway which is the scenic drive between Lake Louise and Jasper National Park. To drive the entire road it will take you about three hours, but you don’t have to drive all the way to Jasper to get the full effect.

If you want to experience a bit of the Parkway, then drive out to Peyto Lake and take the short Bow Summit hiking trail. You can get some iconic photos at the Peyto Lake Viewpoint. Depending on when you visit, be sure to check the Parks Canada site for winter weather closures. They do not maintain the road during winter, so the road may or may not be open.

Lunch & Johnston Canyon

Head back into town and have lunch at Bill Peyto’s Cafe. The exposed wooden beams and wooden furniture makes it feel warm and cozy no matter the season. You’ll enjoy great food at a reasonable price plus friendly service. A win-win-win no matter who you ask.

After you fuel up at the cafe, head south to Johnston Canyon, another one of the many Lake Louise attractions. This is a popular hike in the summer where you’re rewarded with a cascading waterfall at the end of your hike.

If visiting during the winter then you can still hike this trail and the good part is it will be much less crowded. You can do the hike on your own or join a guided tour which gives you much more insight into the history of the area.

The best part about hiking this trail during winter is that the waterfall is frozen! Who doesn’t love a frozen waterfall? The walk through the tall canyon walls is truly beautiful any time of year.

This is a fun hike, but there are so many other great hikes in Banff that you could do as well! Do some research and pick the one that most interests you.

Castle Mountain

Continuing your Lake Louise itinerary, if it’s still light out, then stop by the Castle Mountain viewpoint on your way back to town. This is a popular spot for photographers but the beauty of the mountain can be appreciated by anyone.

Enjoy the view for a bit and then head back into town for a bite to eat. If you want a nice meal in a unique setting then visit the Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant.

This is a nice restaurant in an old train station. Its rustic interior and delicious food make it the perfect place to relax after a long day outdoors.

After dinner, just relax and recharge your batteries, because there are some cool things to do in Lake Louise the next day.

3-Day Lake Louise Itinerary: Day 2

Now you can explore the town and the immediate surrounding area. While Lake Louise has a small downtown area, there is plenty to do between the surrounding lakes and the mountain resort.

Option 1: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

These are the two most iconic lakes closest to Lake Louise town. The turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make for the most stunning scenery.

There are plenty of hiking trails along these lakes, but the water stays so cold that you really wouldn’t want to swim here.

In the summer there is a canoe rental station on the banks of Lake Louise and in the winter there is an ice skate rental station. Skating on the frozen lake is one most fun things to do in Lake Louise in winter, so you won’t soon forget!

Spend the morning exploring these two lakes and taking in the gorgeous views. When you’ve had your fill return to downtown for some afternoon fun.

Option 2: Lake Louise Ski Resort

This resort is a year-round destination so don’t let the name fool you. Yes, you can experience world-class skiing and snowboarding in the winter and if you love these sports then I highly recommend you do that.

Skiing at Lake Louise is really a can’t miss activity when visiting Banff in winter!

However, this is a great resort to experience in the summer too. They have many great hiking trails, the scenic Lake Louise gondola, plus a wildlife interpretive center.

If you love having a meal with a view then this is definitely the place for you. There are four different options for on-mountain dining and each one offers unique views of the surrounding Canadian Rockies.

Downtown Lake Louise

Lake Louise town is more like a village. It’s small, quaint, and incredibly picturesque. The photos truly do not do it justice. As you take a walk through the streets downtown, it may feel like you’re in a European village instead of one in Canada.

Take the afternoon to explore the little shops that line the streets and maybe pick up some souvenirs to take home.

While you’ll find the most shops in the town of Banff, Lake Louise town offers many ski & snowboarding shops, plus a few places to find gifts to take home. You can also find more shopping options at the Fairmont Chateau and at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

After you are done shopping, try the Lakeview Lounge if you can splurge on dinner. This is located in the Fairmont Chateau and has incredible views of Lake Louise. This is a great way to get ready for day 3 of your Lake Louise itinerary.

3 Days In Lake Louise: Last Day

The last of your 3 days in Lake Louise is all about exploring another of Canada’s beautiful National Parks. Because you really can’t get enough of these stunning mountain views.

Yoho National Park

The lakes and waterfalls are the highlights of this National Park, as well. Start your day at the beautiful Emerald Lake and enjoy the short walk around it if you have time.

The walk should only take about 1.5 hours. This one can quickly get crowded, so come early and then head over to Takakkaw Falls.

This stunning waterfall is one of the tallest in Canada and the World Waterfall Database has it cataloged at 302 meters. You don’t want to miss this impressive sight. The walk to the falls is short and easily accessible, so it won’t take long.

Go ahead and keep chasing waterfalls by heading out to Wapta Falls. This one is not nearly as tall, but it spans the width of the river which makes it another sight to behold.

If you want to fit all three of these spots in one day, you will definitely have to get started at first light. No lounging around on this trip!

How To Get To Lake Louise

The town of Lake Louise is easily accessible from Highway 1 from the east or west. The best way to get around is by your own personal vehicle since many of the sights are over half an hour from town.

The closest airport is Calgary International Airport, where you can easily rent a car. The drive into Lake Louise takes about two hours from there.

Where to Stay In Lake Louise

There are many great options for places to stay in Lake Louise at multiple different price points. So when it comes to where to stay in Lake Louise, you’re spoilt for choice.

If you are visiting Lake Louise on a budget then check out the HI Lake Louise Alpine Center. It is a bit far from town but if you have your own car that isn’t an issue. They have a large communal room and kitchen that you can use during your stay.

On the other hand, if you are looking to splurge on lodging then you can check out the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Rooms facing the lake cost a bit extra, but definitely worth it.

Another luxury option is the Post Hotel and Spa. This hotel is beautiful and has a bar & restaurant on-site plus a large pool.

What Is The Best Time To Go To Lake Louise?

The best time to visit Lake Louise is completely dependent on what activities you are interested in. No matter in what season you choose to visit, there are great options for outdoor adventure.

In the summer you can enjoy hiking, canoeing, and you’ll have the chance for some wildlife encounters. Spring and fall are great seasons for hiking as well though the weather will be much colder.

Be warned though – it is cold in Lake Louise year-round!

Visit in winter for skiing/snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and all kinds of other winter activities. There really isn’t a bad time to visit this quaint and unique little town!

So, when deciding what’s the best time to visit Lake Louise, it really depends on your personal preference, since it’s a year-round destination.

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About The Author: Mikaela at Voyageur Tripper has been canoeing, hiking, and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.