Moraine Lake Sunrise Photography

Early morning at Moraine Lake, Banff, AB

A few years ago, I wrote a blog post titled How and When to Photograph Moraine Lake. Most of the content, if not all, remains true. But since some time has passed and I’ve had the chance to visit Moraine Lake a few more times, I thought I would write an update—this time focused specifically on sunrise at Moraine Lake.

Reaching Moraine Lake for Sunrise

To recap from the previous article on visiting Moraine Lake: since personal vehicles are no longer permitted, you now have a few alternatives. The most popular option is the Parks Canada shuttle, which can be booked online. There’s only a narrow 48-hour booking window, and tickets sell out quickly, so you’ll need to be prepared. There’s a small fee for this option, and you’ll also want to carefully check the shuttle times. In the summer months, you’ll want to arrive at Moraine Lake by around 5 AM to set up, scout, and look for compositions.

If you miss sunrise, all is not lost—arriving later in the early morning (around 8 AM) is still worthwhile, as the lake is beautiful at any time of day. But as many ask, when is the best time to visit Moraine Lake? The answer is sunrise. That’s when the lake is most likely at its calmest, creating a perfect glass-like reflection. The mountains light up gradually—first a deep red, then a brilliant orange, and finally a golden yellow glow.

Another option is hiking to Moraine Lake. While it’s free, that’s pretty much the only upside. To arrive by sunrise, you’d be walking in the dark and miss the views along the way. The hikes are several kilometres long, meaning hours of trekking. If you still prefer this option, trails such as Sentinel Pass or Paradise Valley from Lake Louise will get you there. Some also choose to hike or bike up Moraine Lake Road, but again, it’s long and in the dark. And yes—bears are a real possibility. I’ve personally seen black bears along Moraine Lake Road.

You could also stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge. It’s the most convenient option, located right on the lakeshore, but it’s also the most expensive. Last I checked, rates were around $1,000 a night. Still, for some, the experience may be worth trying at least once.

Finally, there are private shuttle services such as Moraine Lake Bus Company and Moraine Sunrise Shuttle. I mention these two specifically because I’ve used both and recommend them. They offer pickup times before sunrise from locations like Samson Mall in Lake Louise. Tickets are usually around $100 per person, but in my experience, availability hasn’t been an issue. Just don’t leave booking until the last minute to avoid disappointment.

Photography at Moraine Lake

While Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed places in the world, your angle, vantage point, and the conditions can still set your photos apart. I don’t think every shot needs to be “unique”—sometimes the beauty is in catching great conditions, whether through planning or luck. And let’s be honest: in landscape photography, luck often plays a big role.

Avoid overcomplicating your compositions—shooting through tree branches, for example, often creates messy frames that block the incredible view. Clear skies with light on the peaks give a clean, minimal look, while clouds illuminated by the rising sun can create dramatic, dynamic images. The key is to have enough open sky behind the peaks so the morning light can reach them.

The most common area to photograph Moraine Lake is from the Rockpile trail, particularly the middle section. This is where most visitors stop. Many shuttles also direct people here. The downside is the large crowds and the trees that partially block the view. While you can still capture good images here—especially with the right sunrise and cloud conditions—photos from this area tend to feel more “touristy.”

For a slightly different perspective, there’s a higher spot to the right when facing the lake. From here, trees are less obstructive, and the higher angle visually balances the peaks—important since the leftmost peak is taller than the rest. However, the lodge will likely appear in your frame, especially with wide focal lengths. I often shoot Moraine Lake at around 14mm, though I sometimes tighten up to 24mm. Even then, the lodge can sneak into the composition, which may be distracting. Another challenge is that the shoreline curves leftward, so shoreline trees and the rightmost peak can block parts of the mountains. Not deal-breakers, but things to plan for.

Personally, I gravitate toward the rocks just below the middle section or by the shoreline. To get there, start at the middle section, but instead of following the crowd to the right, look for a narrow trail to the left. This leads to large rocks where you can set up or continue farther down. Be careful—it’s slippery in wet conditions. At lower angles and wider focal lengths, the left peak becomes more dominant, which can throw off balance unless you counter it with elements like clouds or a tighter focal length.

Once you’ve chosen your spot, take a moment to soak in the view. Photography often comes second. I was so inspired by these peaceful mornings that I composed a music track called Moraine Lake Mornings.

Taking in the sunrise, enjoying the view as light begins to hit the peaks

Tips for Photographing Moraine Lake

Try a Polarizer
Beneath the reflections, large rocks sit just under the water’s surface. A polarizer reveals them clearly, making for strong foreground interest. Consider focus stacking—foreground rocks, mid-ground, and peaks. With a 14mm lens at f/11 or f/13, you often won’t need much stacking, but keep in mind that diffraction can reduce sharpness around f/16 or f/18 and up.

Think About Aspect Ratios
The 3:2 ratio is standard in landscape photography and one I use most often. But other ratios can tell a different story. Lately, I’ve enjoyed using the XPan (65:24), which sits between 2:1 and 3:1 panoramas. From the shoreline with an ultra-wide lens, it captures sky, peaks, and lake reflections beautifully. I also use 5:4 on occasion. Try to compose with your ratio in mind rather than playing around with the crop tool later in Lightroom or Photoshop.

A 5:4 aspect ratio with a polarizer

Arrive for Blue Hour
Arriving well before sunrise gives you time to prepare—and photograph during Blue Hour. This is one of my favorite times to photograph, often with mist or low clouds drifting through.

Moraine Lake before sunrise, at Blue Hour

Stay After Sunrise
Don’t rush off after sunrise time. The light on the mountains lingers, and you can capture beautiful frames well into the morning. One of my favorite Moraine Lake photos was taken at ~7:30 AM—almost two hours after sunrise.

Moraine Lake remains one of the most photographed places in the world—and for good reason. With the right timing and perspective, you could leave with great images (and memories).