Tim was a spectacular tour guide! He is extremely knowledgeable about the area and gave us a lot of great recommendations. He also helped us spot a moose!
Moraine Lake Wildlife: A Guide to Its Inhabitants
June 29, 2024
Situated within Banff National Park, Moraine Lake is renown for its stunning blue glacial waters below the towering Valley of the Ten Peaks. Beyond its natural beauty, Moraine Lake is a vital habitat for a diverse species of wildlife, serving as an important area of conservation by Parks Canada.
Pika at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park
Let's explore some of the lake's wild residents that you may encounter on a visit to Moraine Lake with ViaVia Shuttle.
Mammals
- Grizzly and Black Bears – The area surrounding Moraine Lake is home to both grizzly and black bears. While sightings are rare due to their solitary nature, their presence underscores the wild essence of the Rockies. – Be bear aware and carry bear spray when hiking.
- Elk and Deer – Elk and mule deer are often seen grazing in groups within the meadows. As the seasons change the males of each species grow large racks of antlers to attract a mate and fend off other males.
- Pika – Hiding amongst the rock pile's many boulders, Pikas – tiny, rabbit-like animals, call out with a high pitched squeak! See if you can spot them as they quickly move from rock to rock.
Birds
- Bald and Golden Eagles – Majestic eagles can be spied soaring above the lake, often scanning for fish and rodents. Look out for the Bald Eagle's huge wingspan of up to 2.3m stretched in the skies above.
- Common Loons – Also known as 'The Great Northern Diver', Loons are waterfowl commonly seen on Moraine Lake, especially during dawn and dusk. Their calls are distinctive and haunting, providing the perfect soundtrack to your time at Moraine Lake.
- Grey Jays – These small, cheeky birds are often seen trying to steal food from visitors so do be aware! Commonly known as Whiskey Jacks they have become a little accustomed to humans so please don't feed them as to keep them as wild as possible.
Rodents
- Beavers – Canada's national icon and playfully known as 'nature's engineers', Beavers build dams that in turn flood areas to create biodiverse wetlands. Their hard work supports a variety of species around the lake.
- Porcupines – A fascinating sight in the Moraine Lake area, these shy, slow-moving creatures are covered in sharp quills as a defence mechanism against predators. They can often spotted climbing trees or wandering through the forest floor, so keep an eye out.
- Ground Squirrels & Chipmunks – These small creatures are vital for seed dispersal and are high in population. Watch out for their cheeky and playful antics, these small creatures are always on the lookout for an easy snack.
- Marmots – Described by some as 'Land Beavers', these gentle creatures are commonly seen sunning on rocks. Listen out for their high pitched whistle that echoes through the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Recent Google reviews
Mike our driver was great! He answered all our questions about the area and gave us good tips of info! It was nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the view without trying to navigate to these lakes on our own. We even saw a bear!
My whole experience in this trip was so amazing. Bec was so nice and kind. She is very accommodating and she drive so good. She is highly recommended.
It was a truly wonderful tour. The tour information was published well in advance through various channels. Bec picked us up in Banff, and the journey to Lake Mouraine was quick and safe. They provided us with information in a clear and concise manner. Then we continued on to Lake Louise and Lake Emerald. On the way back, we were lucky and saw a black bear and some elk. Bec provided us with tea, coffee, and sweets. Finally, we arrived back in Banff safely and on time. And so a wonderful day came to an end. Many thanks to the ViaVia team.
Kai was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable and helped us with where to go. We were very lucky to see a grizzly bear and black bear cubs.
Pickup at our hotel in Lake Louise was on time for sunrise. Jess was a great guide and made sure we were taken care of. Hot chocolate and blankets were a nice addition, especially when it was 36 degrees F. She checked on us at each location and made sure we had the perfect pictures taken at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. She answered all our questions and we were able to get a picture of a bear on the side of the road.
I’m so glad I chose your company!! Thank you, guys. It was unforgettable! Jessica shared so many interesting facts about the environment — about bears, the names of the mountains, and hiking. She clearly knew what she was talking about, and you could feel it was her passion! I’m very happy that she was our guide and driver (by the way, she drives very smoothly and well!). I’m 100% satisfied with her work and the service of the company. Thank you, guys!
My family and I had an amazing time with Via Via. Alex, our guide picked us up directly from our Airbnb in harvie heights, answered all our questions, made suggestions towards other activities in the area and entertained us throughout the drive. The lakes were amazingly beautiful especially lake moraine during sunrise. During our drive from lake moraine to lake Louise we saw a black bear cub which was amazing to see. And the drive after sunset was stunning.
WHAT AN EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE. This was my first time in BANFF and I was at a lost with how to get around to see all the big lakes. Last minute, I decided to go with Via Via because of how highly recommended they were by locals. This ended up being the best decision of the trip because our driver/guide, Nathan, was phenomenal. Not only was he on-time and professional, but you can tell how passionate he is about his job and Via Via's mission to make tourism more accessible. Nate kept my friend and I laughing and entertained throughout the hour ride to the lakes with stories of life, bears and fun facts about the area. We learned so much from him and he made our experience so much more enjoyable. I would 100% book with him again when I'm in BANFF!