Lake Louise and Moraine Lake usually melt by late May. Alpine hiking season begins in late June. Ski season begins in mid-November. Locals know that Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are only the beginning!
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Yes, you can visit Lake Louise in September, and it's a magical time to visit. Lake Louise herself is unfrozen and blue as can be. The summer tourism is starting to dwindle, and you may not need to be there at the crack of dawn to get a parking spot.
It can also be seen in September, but usually, by this time, the silt is settling to where there is no more reflection of the light and the lake begins to lose its color. The next change the lake takes is in mid-November when it starts to freeze up again and it repeats the cycle.
In a nutshell you are going to want to time your visit between late June and early to mid-September. Lake Louise doesn't usually thaw until early June, the canoe rentals start once it's clear of ice. Moraine Lake is a bit later around mid-June.
The average Banff temperature in September is around 16°C (61°F) during the day.At night you can expect the average minimum temperature is around 3°C (37°F). As for rainfall, September typically gets around 38 mm (1.5 in) spread over 13 days.
Between mid-June to October, parking at Lake Louise is a struggle. You'll want to arrive before 8:00 a.m. to secure a parking spot at Lake Louise, which means an early rise unless you stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We've never had a problem parking at Lake Louise during the shoulder season or winter.
Lake Louise is a famous Banff destination for a reason—its bright turquoise colouring and stunning backdrop. Well, the backdrop will still be there in a month, but October is the last time to see the lake before it freezes for the winter. So make sure to add the iconic Lake Louise to your October Banff to-do list.
Moraine Lake is only half the size of its nearby neighbour Lake Louise, but perhaps even more scenic. It's situated at an elevation of 1883 meters in the beautiful Valley Of The Ten Peaks in Banff National Park. This glacier-fed lake becomes the most intense and vivid shade of turquoise blue.
Lake Louise has always been renowned as one of the best hiking and mountaineering areas in Canada – offering a plethora of excellent summer trails for beginners and experts alike.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Banff in September? You can spot the Northern Lights in Banff in September, but again, you better your chances at the dark sky preserve.
Banff has two peak seasons: the summer tourist rush from July through August and the winter ski season from December through January (particularly around Christmas break). As with most travel destinations, the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are best for avoiding crowds.
Lake Louise itself is 61 km from the Town of Banff. The drive takes about 45 minutes along the TransCanada or an hour if you drive the scenic Bow Valley Parkway.