Beginning Canada Day, Parks Canada will offer a complimentary shuttle service from the Lake Louise overflow camping parking lot to upper Lake Louise in an effort to reduce traffic and parking frustrations.
The shuttles will operate on weekends throughout the summer with plans to end the service after the Labour Day long weekend.
“Lake Louise is one of the most busy locations in all of Banff National Parks and the most visited area of all of Parks Canada,” explained Parks Canada’s Michael St. Denis. “We get about two million visitors a year.”
The overflow camping lot, located just off the TransCanada Highway and 5.5 kilometres east of Lake lOuise, will provide an additional 400 parking stalls to the 500 spots at the upper Lake Louise. Shuttles will operate between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Henry Ward has visited Lake Louise on several occasions and knows competition for a coveted parking spot can be fierce.
“It can be pretty challenging,” said Ward. “Given the fact that it’s such a place of natural beauty, you don’t quite anticipate so many cars.”
Even with the introduction of the shuttle service, local businesses recommend visiting the lake when the crowds are sparse.
“Try to come to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake early in the morning or later in the evening,” said James Fraser of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. “That’s the best time to experience the majesty and beauty out here.”
Once the Lake Louise shuttle service concludes on Monday, September 5, Parks Canada will begin operating a complimentary weekend shuttle service to Moraine Lake during the fall larch season. The Moraine Lake shuttles will operate on weekends between September 10 and September 25.
For more information visit Lake Louise - parking and shuttles
With files from CTV's Kevin Fleming
