Full Day · 12 hrs · departs morning
Banff & Beyond: Emerald Lake & Canyons
A full Banff day plus Yoho — Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon across the Continental Divide.
- 12 hrs
- Pickup: Calgary · Canmore · Banff
- Free 24-hr cancellation
- Park fees included
Most Banff day tours stop at the park boundary. This one crosses it.
The “Beyond” is Yoho National Park — the next park west, across the BC border, where Emerald Lake sits in a forest bowl beneath the President Range. While the crowds pile up at Lake Louise and Moraine, Yoho sees a fraction of the traffic, and the reaction at Emerald Lake is still one of the best parts of our day.
We hit the iconic Banff stops early — Lake Louise before the buses arrive, the Rockpile at Moraine while the valley light is still clean — then cross the Continental Divide into Yoho. Emerald Lake isn’t turquoise; it’s jade, a distinctly different colour produced by different glacial flour in the water.
A short drive on, the Natural Bridge is a geological stop worth its 15 minutes. Over thousands of years the Kicking Horse River found a weakness in the limestone, eroded the softer rock beneath a harder band, and eventually rerouted itself through the gap. What’s left is a natural arch with the full force of a glacial river punching through it — it photographs well from every angle and explains itself immediately.
From there, back into Banff for Johnston Canyon. The trail follows catwalks bolted into limestone cliffs above the rushing creek; the Lower Falls is 1.2 km from the trailhead — easy, mostly flat — ending at a platform reached through a cave cut into the canyon wall. In winter the waterfall freezes solid and the canyon becomes one of the most quietly spectacular ice walks in the Rockies.
Twelve hours is a long day, but the pacing is honest — every stop earns its time. Water and snacks are covered; lunch is in Lake Louise village around midday.
Price is per person — please set the quantity to your total group size.
Your day, stop by stop
- 7:15 AMPickup in Calgary
- 8:40 AMPickup in Canmore
- 9:00 AMPickup in Banff
- 9:45 AMLake Louise50 min
- 11:05 AMMoraine Lake50 min
- 12:20 PMLunch, Lake Louise Village60 min
- 1:50 PMEmerald Lake30 min
- 2:30 PMNatural Bridge15 min
- 3:30 PMJohnston Canyon60 min
- 5:05 PMBanff drop-off
- 5:25 PMCanmore drop-off
- 6:50 PMCalgary drop-off
Times shift with season and traffic. Moraine Lake Road is open June 1 to mid-October; off-season departures visit Lake Minnewanka instead of Moraine Lake.
What's included
Included
- Local expert guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Banff National Park entry fees
- Moraine Lake access (seasonal)
- Bottled water and snacks
- All scenic photo stops
- Free 24-hour cancellation
Not included
- Lunch
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Gratuities
Pickup & meeting points
- CalgaryBus stop at 206-178 4 Ave SE (across from Delta Hotel Downtown)
- CanmoreVisitor Information Centre, 2801 Bow Valley Trl
- BanffCaribou Lodge & Spa, 521 Banff Ave
Free up to 24 hours before departure. Within 24 hours, non-refundable.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from Banff in a Day?
Both tours cover the classic Banff lakes — Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon — but Banff & Beyond crosses the Continental Divide into Yoho National Park to add Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge. It's a longer day (about 12 hours) for guests who want to go past the park boundary most tours stop at. Banff in a Day ($149) keeps the focus on the Banff highlights and adds townsite time instead.
Is Emerald Lake worth the extra drive?
We think so — Yoho sees a fraction of the traffic at Lake Louise and Moraine, and Emerald Lake's distinct jade colour (a different glacial flour than the turquoise Banff lakes) is one of the best reactions of our day. The Natural Bridge, where the Kicking Horse River punches through limestone, is a worthwhile stop on the way. It's the quieter side of a busy region.
What is Emerald Lake like in winter?
In winter Emerald Lake freezes and takes on a quieter, snow-covered character, distinct from its summer jade. Our winter routing can change with mountain conditions — off-season departures visit Lake Minnewanka in place of Moraine Lake — and we confirm exactly what's included when you book. Message us on WhatsApp if you'd like the current winter itinerary before you reserve.
What is the Natural Bridge?
The Natural Bridge is a rock arch on the Kicking Horse River in Yoho, a short drive from Emerald Lake. Over thousands of years the river found a weakness in the limestone, eroded the softer rock beneath a harder band, and eventually rerouted itself through the gap — leaving a natural arch with a glacial river punching through it. It's a 15-minute stop that photographs well from every angle.
Is Moraine Lake open year-round?
Moraine Lake is accessible from June 1 to mid-October, depending on snow. Outside that window the access road closes (avalanche risk) and the lake freezes. Because private vehicles have been banned from Moraine Lake Road since 2023, most visitors need the Parks Canada shuttle — which sells out weeks ahead. On our tours, **we handle Moraine Lake access directly**, so there's no shuttle to book. In the closed months (mid-October–May), our winter tours visit Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon (optional ice walk), Marble Canyon and other year-round stops instead.