Moraine Lake Canoeing:
Four nights is not enough time for Banff! Well, not if you’re driving 12 hours each way anyway.
We camped at Johnston Canyon Campground and saw as much as we could with two friends (another couple).
Lake Louise (pictured below) would have been amazing to kayak/canoe but it was really crowded and expensive.
So instead we rented canoes (they don’t have kayaks) at the nearby Lake Moraine, which was slightly cheaper and much less crowded.
Photo credit above to intro paddler and Kayak Barbie expert Val.
Our campground was great, except for the train that ran near it, blasting it’s horn at all hours.
We did a few other things, like hiking
on a mountain and on a glacier
And of course we were always on the lookout for wildlife
Paddling Without a Clue 
Lovely photographs! You made a good choice – Moraine is a better bet than Louise in the summer – especially if you get there early. The sunrise can be spectacular!
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Thanks! I’m sure it’s amazing on the lakes during sun rise and sun set!! There’s spectacular views all day too 🙂
Do you have any campground recommendations for being close to hikes and paddling or at least being further from the train?
Waking up so frequently during the night was a little rough.
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It’s the geography! Many campgrounds are near roads, and they share the same valley floors with the rivers and railways. With that in mind, Jasper, a few hours north from Lake Louise is another great place to hike. It is on the railway, but I don’t remember hearing trains from the campgrounds just outside town (but maybe we’ve gotten used to it!) The drive up to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway is stunning, with lots of hikes if you choose to stop.
From Jasper, it’s a short drive to Maligne Lake, and there you’ll find wonderful hiking, and the lake is huge compared to Louise or Moraine – fun to paddle. Like most of these places, best to arrive early for parking, and if you stroll more than ten minutes, you’ll find peace and quiet.
Enjoy your weekend!
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Fantastic post! Canoeing, hiking, wildlife. How could anyone have a better trip?
The area looks amazing. All of our lakes are impoundments, and I’d love to see other types of lakes. I love the turquoise juxtaposed against the mountainsides. Absolutely beautiful!
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