Lake Louise, Moraine need new approach to tourism, says Parks Canada. What that looks like is still unclear

Lake Louise, Moraine need new approach to tourism, says Parks Canada. What that looks like is still unclear

As Parks Canada completes its public engagement, it's weighing potential solutions

Parking reservations and reduced vehicle access could be coming to Lake Louise.

Parks Canada’s final round of public engagement to manage exploding visitation for the popular destination, which draws millions of visitors each year, examined strategies and actions to help prevent the region from continuing to be overwhelmed.

“There was broad recognition the situation in Lake Louise area is very different than what it was 20 years ago,” said Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit superintendent François Masse. “There is no going back. This is hugely popular now … and people are expecting Parks Canada to do something about it.”

Banff National Park hit an all-time high of 4.5 million visitors in 2025. Vehicle traffic has soared and peaked at 2.1 million in 2019.

Parks Canada disallowed personal vehicles at Moraine Lake in 2023 after 85 per cent of vehicles attempting to visit were turned away because of capacity issues.

Jesse Kitteridge, owner of Moraine Lake Bus Company and Lake Louise Shuttle Company, said ideally Parks Canada would have a higher budget to explore more options.

“Restrictions are the tool Parks has, because it’s the tool they’ve given themselves. … I think restrictions are cheapest to implement, and right now Parks needs more budget,” he said.

‘Very important for wildlife’

Masse said protecting wildlife and the environment had “the highest level of support” from respondents.

Paradise Valley, located between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, is a popular hiking area, but Masse noted it’s also “very important for wildlife in that very busy region.”

“When people come to Lake Louise, they might see a bear, maybe not see a bear, but at least know this is a place where bears live,” he said. “This is a place where we still have fish in the water, a healthy ecosystem, thriving wildlife and vegetation.”

Masse added that any restrictions to that area, such as closures at certain times of year, would be for ensuring minimal habitat disturbance. He said it's critical it doesn't become too busy "that we're pushing wildlife out of the valley."

Dogs can increase risk of conflict between people and bears: study

Bus transit takes place of personal vehicles

Buses are now the most popular way of getting to Lake Louise.

Masse said that lets people book a ticket at a guaranteed time rather than risk being turned around in a personal vehicle.

Limiting commercial shuttles is an option, but would need to be discussed with bus companies since “we know there are businesses built on this,” said Masse. Some sell tickets 18 months in advance.

Kitteridge said it would likely be difficult for Parks Canada to create an “equitable solution” if a cap is implemented, and it could create unintended consequences.

“My business intuition says it’ll drive the price up if fewer people can go then, just as we have a limit on hotel rooms in Banff and that’s made prices in Banff climb dramatically,” he said.

Non-Canadians fees not in the cards

Anyone expecting a non-Canadian fee can think again.

U.S. national parks have a $100 non-American fee. A similar decision in Canada would need to be made at the highest levels of Parks Canada or Parliament, Masse said.

The idea was frequently raised during public engagement. It was often suggested alongside a visitor cap and preferential access for locals.

Kitteridge said he was open to discussing lower prices and guaranteed access for Canadians, but it always seemed “off the table.”

CBC News reached out to Banff and Lake Louise Tourism for comment, but was referred to the Association of Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment, which didn’t respond before publishing.

Though some changes may be unpopular, maintaining the status quo isn’t in the cards, Masse said.

“We want to be clear. We want to be predictable so people can plan for that,” said Masse.

Greg Colgan is a journalist for CBC in the Bow Valley. He was previously the editor of the Rocky Mountain Outlook in Banff and Canmore. He has also worked for media outlets in Ontario and has experience covering topics such as sports, politics, housing and development, courts and arts and entertainment. He joined CBC in 2025. He can be reached at greg.colgan@cbc.ca.