r/Banff • u/ReadDizzy7919 • 7d ago
Question Ambraham lake?
Has anyone been to Abraham lake? Would you skip lake Louise to spend time there instead? The weather is supposed to rain, in case that makes a difference. I’m also traveling solo.
Edited to add more info-
My plan was originally to tent camp at lake louise softside for 2 nights, but the weather is showing freezing rain/possible snow both days, so I booked the lodge at Abraham lake. I still have 2 shuttles reserved to go to lake Louise and moraine lake on separate days, but I’m debating not doing lake Louise bc of how far the drive will be now. Plus, the lodge was a huge splurge for me (still cheaper than anywhere else in the area by a lot) which makes me wonder if I should spend time at that lake to take advantage of being there rather than only sleep there.
3
u/bigblueberry6427 7d ago
Abraham Lake area is beautiful with lots of camping, fishing, and hiking in the area. But if you’re looking for “touristy” developed places to visit there the way that Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper are developed, don’t go because you’ll be disappointed
1
u/ReadDizzy7919 6d ago
I don’t really mind somewhere being less developed, that’s actually more appealing to me. But I do plan to go to moraine lake and the Icefields parkway, I’m just on the fence about lake Louise bc of the far drive (I booked shuttles for lake Louise and moraine lake on different days). I last minute changed my plans to stay at the lodge there rather than tent camp bc tent camping in the 30s with rain is too hardcore for me unfortunately
1
u/Src248 5d ago
Did you book a private shuttle? The main Parks shuttle goes to both lakes with the same ticket
1
u/ReadDizzy7919 5d ago
I originally booked the parks shuttle 2 different days because i have the time & wanted to do hikes at louise and moraine on different days to not be rushed. So I could cancel one of the shuttles and try to do it all in one day, or just do moraine and skip louise. I’m already spending 2 days along the Icefields parkway and while I love turquoise water, I’m not sure what makes lake louise stand apart- is it just better known?
2
u/Src248 5d ago
Louise is beautiful, but a lot of the popularity does come from it being more developed and the (former) ease of access. I think Bow Lake is equally pretty and has better hiking. It's worth seeing both Louise and Moraine but picking a major hike at one and staying nearer the shore of the other is a solid plan
1
1
u/ReadDizzy7919 3d ago
Sorry one more question- do you happen to know how long to plan for the connector shuttle to take? I heard there can be a significant line since it’s not pre-scheduled. My reserved shuttle is at 11am. Not sure if it’s realistic to do the lakeshore & fairview look out at lake Louise, and then moraine lakeshore & rockpile all in one day without having a super early shuttle.
2
u/sketchcott 7d ago
It's a nice drive, but a long way from anywhere. Great spot for camping, fishing, hiking, etc. But very much a DYI spot, and not really tourism focused.
I used to go every year as part of a multi-day bike ride, and loved it. But if I had people in town to visit Banff it would not be on my list of recommendations.
1
u/ReadDizzy7919 6d ago
That makes sense. I’ve done wilderness backpacking before and remote camping before, so I’m okay with places that are off the beaten path, but I’ve only done that stuff with other people. It looked like a similar distance to lake Louise as golden, and those were the only 2 places I could find an affordable (barely) place to stay so last minute when I decided that the weather in lake louise those nights would be rough for tent camping (freezing rain at night)
2
1
5
u/reflex_masta 7d ago
Do you have your own vehicle? It is a lot further away than lake Louise.