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Highlights of a Trip to Yoho National Park
Have you ever driven the Trans-Canada Highway between Golden, British Columbia and Lake Louise, Alberta? If you have then you’ve driven through Yoho National Park, a park that’s been around since 1886. The park sits entirely in British Columbia, with a visitor center located just outside the pretty town of Field.
Yoho National Park is famous for its high impact scenery. Stunning hiking trails – 400 kilometers of them, can keep you busy for weeks. Throw in 28 peaks over 3000 meters and one of the highest waterfalls in Canada – Takakkaw Falls and you can see why it’s worth a visit. And if you’re into mountain goats you’ll find them here.
Takakkaw Falls
Include theses highlights if you make it to Yoho National Park.
- Take a two hour hike on the trail around Emerald Lake. Better yet, stay at the Emerald Lake Lodge and enjoy the mountain scenery for a few days.
Emerald Lake, British Columbia
- Take the short hike to Takakkaw Falls. Who doesn’t like watching water cascade 254 meters (833 feet)?
- Do one of the outstanding full day hikes? You can’t miss with the Iceline Trail (8 miles to 13.1 miles round trip), Sherbrooke Lake/Niles Meadow (12.2 miles round trip to the meadow) or any of the hikes that make up the Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit – and there’s a week’s worth of hiking in this area alone. The only problem with the Lake O’Hara hikes is that everyone else wants to do them too. In theory you could book the bus up and go for a day hike. A better option is to get on the phone at 8 am SHARP, 60 days to the day that you want to go in and book a campsite - for a maximum of four nights. Put your phone on redial and pray that you get lucky. I didn’t and have decided I need to go up on a weekday as it’s nearly impossible to get a weekend. You have two other options – and you’re going to need Lady Luck on your side. Book a few nights at the Elizabeth Parker Hut or try and get a cancellation at Lake O’Hara Lodge. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to score a room there in the summer. Still it’s worth a try.
Lake O'Hara view from Yukness Ledge
- Another hike worth doing – and it’s a long one – is to the Burgess Shale Beds – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’re only able to visit with a guided group so you must reserve beforehand. The Wolcott Quarry overlooks Emerald Lake and is located above treeline. It’s a 22 kilometer, 10 hour round trip hike that costs $70 per adult. A shorter version to the Mt. Stephan Fossil Bed is $55 and takes 7 hours to complete. If you live in Canada you can phone 1-800-759-2429 to reserve.
- Check out the Wapta Falls, located 22 kilometers west of Field via a 90 minute round trip hike.
If you need somewhere to stay or something to eat you’ll find a few places in Field. I love this little town full of quaint houses with good mountain views. There are loads of B&B’s - which you can’t miss as you drive in on the main street. Plus there’s a small hotel – the Kicking Horse Lodge. Adjacent to it is the Truffle Pigs Bistro where you’ll find a friendly atmosphere, very good food and BC beer.
And another lodge worth a visit is the Cathedral Mountain Lodge; it sits on the Kicking Horse River and is just minutes from the town of Field and Lake Louise.
Have you visited Yoho National Park? Do you have any suggestions you’d like to make to enhance the experience?
Leigh McAdam
Photo credit: Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, Lake O’Hara
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About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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15 Responses to Highlights of a Trip to Yoho National Park
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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leighmcadamtravels at gmail dot com
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Really admire your photography, Leigh. Makes me want to visit Canada.
Italian Notes recently posted..Signals from heaven
Leigh, your pictures are so go, it makes me want to go visit wherever you’ve been.
How about some pictures of a steakhouse?
Steve recently posted..June Calendar Shot
@Steve I’ll have to take some just for you Steve- or maybe Calgary’s food carts.
I’m sure it’s not how it’s pronounced but I read the title and the song, “yo ho yo ho a pirate’s life for me” popped to mind… It looks like a beautiful place…having nothing to do with pirates!
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What a stunning scenery! I definitely have to come and visit Canada, and its beautiful mountains and lakes.
Hopefully next year!
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@Simon Come from mid July on if you’re heading for the Rockies. That way the snow will have melted.
I’ve never heard of Yoho National Park. It is stunningly beautiful!
I’d definitely jump on a plane and go there now. Your photos make it just come alive.
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@Marcia @Laurel We have several trips planned to Yoho between now and September. Looking forward to extensive hiking in there.
Love Yoho National Park! The Burgess Shale hike is definitely on my list. We hiked the Iceline Trail, which I loved -great views and face-face with glaciers.
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Once I finish my tour of the American National Parks, I think I’m going to start on Canada’s. First stop: the parks of the Canadian Rockies.
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Erik – That’s a brilliant idea. You won’t be disappointed.
Great photos! It is interesting to compare them to 33-year-old Kodachromes I just scanned for a coincidental post post I wrote last week on a climbing trip to Lake O’Hara and surrounding peaks.
It remains my favourite place in the Rockies.
Raymond Parker recently posted..Go for a bicycle ride with your parents, for crying out loud!
@Raymond Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am very much looking forward to a scene of wildflower meadows and glaciated peaks on the weekend.
Superb pictures! Especially the one with the lodge, I can easily imagine myself staying there couple of weeks and just reading and sipping wine maybe
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@Marysia I stayed at Cathedral Mountain Lodge in September and it was really lovely – as is Lake O’Hara Lodge. The whole park is fantastic and one of my favourites in Canada.