Everything you lot demand to know nearly Yoho National Park inwards Canada – the best hiking trails, where to remain together with tips from an expert!
Yoho National Park: Banff’s Less Famous Neighbour
“Have you lot heard of Banff National Park?”
“Yes, of course! I loved it/am desperate to instruct there”
“Well, accept you lot heard of its neighbour, Yoho National Park?”
“Ummm….??”
The conversation pretty much ever goes the same way. Eeeeverybody has heard of Banff National Park inwards the Canadian Rocky Mountains, but it yet surprises me that non to a greater extent than people accept heard of the commons straight adjacent door, Yoho National Park.
Many Canadians I accept asked nearly it accept never heard of it together with fifty-fifty people that accept been to Banff National Park accept never heard of it!
It completely baffles me why ane commons is so famous piece the other is virtually unknown.
Emerald Lake inwards Yoho National Park rivals the beauty of Banff’s Lake Louise. Just similar Banff, Yoho boasts stunning mount scenery, a moving painting perfect alpine village, raging rivers, loads of wildlife, together with vivid bluish lakes.
Additionally, Yoho National Park is dwelling to the mo highest waterfall inwards Canada – Takakkaw Falls, a reason renowned fossil site – the Burgess Shale, together with the Lake O’Hara Alpine area, which a lot of people say is the most beautiful spot inwards the Rocky Mountains.
So why? Why aren’t people flocking to Yoho similar they are to Banff?
I honestly don’t know the response to this question. It is ane of life’s bully mysteries.
I mean, Banff is famous for a argue – it is jaw-droppingly beautiful, but I squall back that Yoho offers but equally much to the visitor equally Banff together with you lot instruct the added bonus of non having to create out through crowds to savor it.
And for someone similar me that doesn’t similar crowds, this is a win-win.
Where Is Yoho National Park In Canada?
Located on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Yoho National Park encapsulates the whole Rocky Mountain experience inside its almost 319,000 acres of land.
Located only inwards the say of British Columbia, the commons borders Banff National Park together with the say of Alberta along the continental divide.
In the middle of the commons is the minor town of Field, dwelling to a vibrant together with close-knit community of 200.
This is the only settlement inwards Yoho National Park together with although at that spot are a twain of places to eat, a postal service component together with a gas station, at that spot isn’t much else.
The Yoho National Park Visitors Centre is located but off the highway equally you lot plough off for Field.
I was lucky plenty to alive inwards Field for half dozen weeks during belatedly summer/early autumn 2015 together with ever since leaving, I accept been plotting my return.
Not that you lot could blame me. Yoho is a Cree aspect of awe, together with that says it all really.
Things To Do In Yoho National Park
There are so many things to produce inwards Yoho National Park!
Takakkaw Falls
This mighty waterfall is argue plenty to see Yoho National Park. It is the mo highest waterfall inwards Canada dropping a whopping 384 metres to the valley flooring below.
Takakkaw Falls is named for a Cree give-and-take pregnant ‘the magnificent’ together with it for certain is.
The 8km drive out to the Takakkaw Falls inwards Yoho National Park from the highway is pretty awe-inspiring inwards itself, especially when the trees plough a lovely shade of golden inwards the fall.
Emerald Lake
Just equally beautiful equally Lake Louise but but lacking the world-wide fame, Emerald Lake is non actually emerald at all, but rather an electrical aquamarine that has to endure seen to endure believed.
It is the largest of 61 lakes inwards Yoho National Park together with is dwelling to the high-end Emerald Lake Lodge, which is located on a minor peninsula that juts out into the lake.
A lot of hikes originate from hither together with it is the perfect spot to paddle out inwards a canoe or to but sit down past times the H2O amongst an ice-cold beer.
Burgess Shale Fossil Beds
For all you lot fossil enthusiasts out there, I am guessing you lot accept in all likelihood heard of the Burgess Shale Fossil Beds inwards Yoho National Park.
It is a reason renowned fossil site amongst some of the best examples of soft trunk preservation of prehistoric marine organisms inwards the world.
To see the fossil beds you lot tin bring together a guided tour which tin endure booked through The Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation.
Lake O’Hara Wilderness Area
Lake O’Hara is a pristine wilderness of glacial lakes, waterfalls, together with sub-alpine forest, located inside the already stunning Yoho National Park.
It tin only endure reached past times a limited shuttle service or past times walking along an 11km gravel route to confine visitor numbers.
It has been said that Lake O’Hara together with the surrounds is the most beautiful component of the Rocky Mountains together with ane time you lot visit, you lot tin definitely consider why.
Spaces on the shuttles sell out almost similar a shot together with instruct on sale inwards Apr each twelvemonth for the coming summer. You tin detect out to a greater extent than details nearly reserving the shuttle on the Parks Canada website.
The luxury Lake O’Hara Lodge also operates their ain charabanc service which you lot tin grab if you lot are staying amongst them.
Natural Bridge
A picturesque spot on the Kicking Horse River, where the rigid forcefulness of the H2O has carved a span into the ancient rock, creating a waterfall underneath. It’s an slow halt off the route to Emerald Lake.
Field
Field is a quintessential alpine hamlet that is almost also picture-perfect for words.
Located inwards the pump of Yoho National Park inwards a valley surrounded past times mountains, Field is dwelling to 200 lucky locals together with is the only settlement inwards the park.
It started life equally a railway town a fiddling over 100 years agone together with yet has rigid links to the railroad today, amongst the Canadian Pacific Railroad Bunkhouses existence located here.
With loads of accommodation options, delicious eateries, access to hiking trails, a historic cemetery together with fifty-fifty a pond to swim inwards during the hot summertime months, Field is definitely worth a visit.
Twin Falls Tea House
The rustic Twin Falls Tea House was designated a National Historic Site inwards 1992, commemorating the early on National Park architecture along amongst its purpose inwards early on tourism inwards Yoho National Park.
The Tea House is laid inwards the Little Yoho Valley together with tin only endure reached past times an 8.5km hike each agency from the Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot.
The Tea House inwards its electrical flow shape was built inwards the 1920s together with has no electricity or running water. Tea together with lite nutrient options are served to hikers from noon to 3pm inwards summer, but only if they accept supplies.
You tin also remain at the Tea House inwards ane of the 4 accommodation rooms available.
Hiking In Yoho National Park
Despite living inwards Yoho National Park for half dozen weeks together with hiking whenever I had costless time, I yet only managed to produce less than one-half of the hikes on offer, but the ones I did consummate were pretty awesome.
Here are some of the best Yoho National Park hiking trails:
Yoho Pass
- Distance: 12.8km
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Trailhead: Behind Whiskey Jack Hostel nigh Takakkaw Falls or from Emerald Lake Parking Lot
- Best for: Gorgeous views of Emerald Lake together with waterfalls
Coming from Takakkaw Falls, the hike begins amongst steep switchbacks through thick wood earlier levelling out together with passing the tranquil Yoho Lake.
The trail together with so descends past times gushing waterfalls to an alluvial fan together with and so along the shores of otherworldly Emerald Lake.
Sherbrooke Lake
- Distance: 6.2km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Parking Lot across from Wapta Lake, 11km due east of Field
- Best for: An slow hike to a beautiful lake
The hike to Sherbrooke Lake is an slow ane through alpine forest, finishing at a glacial lake amongst a glorious shade of blue. I did this belatedly inwards the flavor so it snowed lightly on the agency upward which only added to the experience.
Field Stone – Section of Mount Burgess Trail
- Distance: 3.5km
- Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
- Trailhead: Parking Lot on contrary side of the highway from Field, nearly 1km east.
- Best for: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 quick hike from Field amongst bully views of town
One of the few hikes you lot tin produce from Field together with bully if you lot are staying at that spot together with don’t accept a car. The trail is steep together with travels through dense wood to a large stone known equally ‘Field Stone’ that overlooks town.
This trail continues on to Burgess Pass together with the summit of Mount Burgess.
Laughing Falls
- Distance: 8.8km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot
- Best for: An slow hike through the wood to a waterfall
Relatively apartment together with next the river the whole way, the Laughing Falls trail is a forested hike amongst mossy groundcover that leads to a waterfall at the confluence of the Yoho together with Little Yoho rivers.
I similar this ane inwards autumn for the vivid crimson leaves together with crimson berries that grow on depression bushes along the path.
Emerald Lake loop
- Distance: 5.2km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Emerald Lake Parking Lot
- Best for: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pleasant stroll to a greater extent than or less Yoho’s most magnificent lake
It may endure slow but it is a stunner. With lake views the entire agency to a greater extent than or less together with through lush forest, the Emerald Lake loop is definitely worth doing.
Iceline via Celeste Lake
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- Distance: 17.5km
- Difficulty: Intermediate/Difficult
- Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot. Begins behind Whiskey Jack Hostel together with ends at Parking Lot.
- Best for: Enjoying the best of what Yoho National Park has to offer.
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Waterfalls, glaciers, spectacular views, alpine meadows, rocky terrain together with thick wood – this hike has it all. The Iceline trail was absolutely my favourite hike that I did inwards Yoho National Park.
You tin add together some other 3km on to this past times continuing on to Little Yoho Valley instead of descending at Celeste Lake. It started snowing so I decided against this but I accept heard that the alternative is wonderful.
Hoodoos
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- Distance: 5.2km
- Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
- Trailhead: Hoodoo Creek Campground, 23km westward of Field
- Best for: Crazy looking stone formations
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Short but steep, this trail is dry out together with exposed. It leads to hoodoos, which are capped pillars of glacial debris that await an awful lot similar …, well, what produce you lot squall back they await like?
Abbott Pass inwards Lake O’Hara (overnight hike)
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- Distance: 24km
- Difficulty: Very Difficult
- Trailhead: Lake O’Hara. See details on reaching Lake O’Hara nether principal attractions above
- Best for: The adventure of a lifetime together with the adventure to remain inwards the mo highest permanent construction inwards Canada
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This hike is definitely non for the unfit or faint of heart! I actually didn’t know what I was letting myself inwards for but I accept no regrets: it was ane of the most epic adventures I accept ever experienced.
This insane hike starts at the incredible Lake O’Hara together with ascends past times smaller alpine lakes to a historic hut on the continental divide. The final department is a real steep scramble upward unloose rocks together with boulders.
Helmets together with walking poles are highly recommended.
Other Yoho National Park Hiking Trails
I didn’t instruct a adventure to produce whatever of these hikes myself but they accept been recommended to me past times friends. Next fourth dimension for sure.
Emerald Basin
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- Distance: 9.2km
- Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
- Trailhead: Emerald Lake Parking Lot
- Best for: Getting a gustation of the wilderness
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My friend Paulina lived at Emerald Lake for iii years together with has done this hike a few times amongst her dog. It is a bully hike through dense wood to a natural amphitheatre.
This trail does non consider a large give away of hikers so it is probable you lot won’t consider some other soul.
Watch out for bears here.
Hamilton Lake
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- Distance: 11km
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Trailhead: Emerald Lake Parking Lot
- Best for: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 stunning glacial lake surrounded past times cliffs
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My friend Katja recommended this hike to me. It is a steep slog to instruct upward to the lake but it is a beauty together with totally worth it ane time you lot instruct to it.
Encircled past times cliffs together with a brilliant shade of blue, a lot of people don’t brand the hike upward hither so you lot tin savor the peace together with repose the solitude affords.
Twin Falls
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- Distance: 16.4km
- Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
- Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot
- Best for: Beautiful waterfalls together with tea at a historic teahouse
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Another hike recommended past times Paulina, it travels along the river passing Laughing Falls to the fifty-fifty to a greater extent than impressive double cascade of Twin Falls.
The historic teahouse has a rustic charm together with is a bully spot for refreshments (if they are open) earlier turning back.
Lake O’Hara Hiking
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- Distance: Various
- Difficulty: Various
- Trailhead: Lake O’Hara
- Best for: Discovering the Lake O’Hara wilderness, ane of the jewels of the Rocky Mountains
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I only got the adventure to produce the furnish hike to Abbot Pass but I accept heard from many people nearly the beauty of the other trails inwards the area.
The hike to Abbot Pass incorporates the 6.4km furnish hike to Lake Oesa together with I highly recommend that if you lot only accept a twenty-four hr menses inwards the area.
How To Get To Yoho National Park
With the closest major aerodrome to Yoho National Park existence inwards Calgary, 200km/125 miles drive away, the best agency to instruct to Yoho National Park is past times renting a auto from the aerodrome or downtown together with driving there.
If you lot don’t drive together with so it is possible to grab the Greyhound charabanc from Calgary to the nearby towns of Golden together with Lake Louise. From at that spot you lot would demand to grab a taxi or hitch-hike.
Unfortunately the charabanc no longer stops inwards the park. You tin also grab an overnight charabanc from Vancouver to Golden or Lake Louise.
Accommodation
There are accommodation options for every locomote manner together with budget inwards Yoho National Park from primitive camping ground through to luxury Lodges.
Camping
There are 4 established campgrounds inwards the park: Monarch, Kicking Horse, Takakkaw Falls, together with Hoodoo Creek. All of the campgrounds except Kicking Horse are basic amongst pit toilets together with no other facilities.
If you lot desire something a combat to a greater extent than luxurious, the Kicking Horse Campground offers level toilets together with showers. All front-country campsites operate on a commencement come, commencement served basis.
There is also numerous back-country camping ground available throughout the park. These must endure reserved upward to iii months ahead of fourth dimension amongst the Yoho Visitor Centre or the Lake Louise Visitor Centre.
You also must buy a Wilderness Pass which tin endure purchased from whatever Parks Canada Visitor Centres.
Guesthouses
Pretty much every mo identify is either a Guesthouse or a Bed & Breakfast inwards the town of Field, smack bang inwards the middle of the park.
You could also base of operations yourself nearby inwards the towns of Golden or inwards Lake Louise. Here are a twain of well-run guesthouse recommendations, both owned past times friends of mine:
Mount Stephen Guesthouse
I volunteered at the Mount Stephen Guesthouse inwards summertime 2015 so I tin say first-hand how bully the 2 one-bedroom suites are because I cleaned them!
They are fully self-contained, repose together with centrally located inwards the fiddling hamlet of Field.
Hummingbird Suite
Right adjacent door to the Mount Stephen Guesthouse is the lovely Hummingbird Suite, a fully self-contained ane sleeping room suite owned past times my goodness friend Paulina together with her married adult man Darren.
They both also operate at the Emerald Lake Lodge so they know their materials when it comes to working inwards hospitality. They lately opened the Hummingbird Suite together with the photos I accept seen await fantastic.
Lodges
For the highest grade of luxury inwards the park, your best bet would endure to remain at ane of the Lodges. There are a few lodges to select from inwards the park:
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- Truffle Pigs Lodge is centrally located inwards the town of Field together with is dwelling to a fantastic bistro of the same mention that serves upward some of the best nutrient inwards the Rockies, along amongst their signature cocktail, the shaft.
- Emerald Lake Lodge is located on the stunning Emerald Lake together with offers an elegant dining room, numerous hiking trails at your doorstep together with a hot tub to relax your weary bones after a especially strenuous hike.
- Cathedral Mountain Lodge is located on the route upward to Takakkaw Falls together with offers accommodation inwards luxury log cabins, nestled inwards the mountains.
- Lake O’Hara Lodge is a backcountry lodge located inwards the pristine wilderness that surrounds Lake O’Hara. With goose-down comforters together with hook human foot tubs, a remain at the Lodge is an ideal agency to experience the wilderness without forgoing luxury.
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Hostels
There are 2 hostels inside Yoho National Park. If you lot are travelling past times yourself, staying at ane of the hostels is in all likelihood your best bet for coming together other travelers.
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- Fireweed Hostel is a small, boutique hostel located inwards the town of Field. I volunteered hither together with I tin attest to it existence ane of the best hostels I accept ever seen. It feels to a greater extent than similar a Ski Lodge than a hostel amongst a fully-equipped kitchen, a cosy lounge amongst fireplace together with a wraparound deck amongst a BBQ together with mount views. There are dorms, individual rooms together with a 2 sleeping room suite inwards the basement.
- Whiskey Jack Hostel is an HI Hostel together with is located upward past times Takakkaw Falls. This is a wilderness hostel amongst much to a greater extent than basic facilities than the Fireweed Hostel (no electricity together with no Wi-Fi). Dorm rooms are available.
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Backcountry Huts
The Alpine Club of Canada operates a handful of huts inwards Yoho National Park inwards Little Yoho Valley, Daly Glacier together with inwards the Lake O’Hara wilderness. You tin only mass them inwards mortal or past times phone. See their website for to a greater extent than details.
Getting Around
The best agency to instruct to a greater extent than or less inwards Yoho National Park is past times auto equally at that spot is no populace carry service.
If you lot don’t accept a auto together with you lot are staying at Emerald Lake Lodge, Whiskey Jack Hostel past times Takakkaw Falls, or inwards the town of Field, at that spot are a few hikes that originate from these destinations.
Otherwise you lot volition demand to walk, hitch-hike or befriend someone else at your accommodation that has a car.
If you lot accept a bike, this would also endure a bully agency to instruct betwixt destinations inwards the park.
Where To Eat And Drink
There aren’t a lot of options inwards Yoho National Park for dining so I would definitely recommend bringing your ain nutrient to create for most meals.
In maxim that, the nutrient options that are available are pretty damn amazing so brand sure you lot attempt these spots out piece you lot are visiting the park.
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- Truffle Pigs Bistro, located inwards Truffle Pigs Lodge inwards the pump of Field is pretty much unbeatable, offering some of the best meals together with cocktails around. It was a 2 infinitesimal walk to my identify so I frequented it a lot, either for dinner or a few (too many) drinks. You definitely accept to attempt their famous bulgogi nachos which are total of tender pork belly together with a delicious sweetness & sour BBQ sauce. The mussels together with the flatbread pizza are also real good. Wash it downward amongst their signature cocktail the shaft, a dangerously goodness java concoction, or attempt their ginger beer which mixes ane of the local beers on tap amongst a house-made ginger pulp. Sit at the bar to consider locals together with other visitors – it’s a friendly place.
- The Siding is Field’s only other selection for nutrient together with is a bully spot for breakfast or dejeuner (it isn’t opened upward for dinner). The burgers hither are especially awesome.
- Cilantro at Emerald Lake Lodge has perchance the most beautiful setting of whatever eating seat inwards the mountains – it sits correct past times stunning Emerald Lake together with is surrounded past times lofty peaks. It is ane of the best spots to sit down on a sunny day, sipping a local love beer together with grazing on the staff of life handbasket amongst olive tapenade or ane of their delicious pizzas.
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Things To Know
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- You tin grab petrol inwards the town of Field, at Lake Louise or inwards Golden.
- There are no grocery stores inwards the park. The nearest large grocery store is inwards the town of Golden, 60km drive away from Field. There is a minor supermarket inwards Lake Louise, 26km away, but it is real expensive. You tin pick upward basic nutrient items from the store connected to the petrol station inwards Field.
- Visit inwards autumn for spectacular colours amongst a lot of trees turning a brilliant golden hue. The drive to Takakkaw Falls is especially spectacular at this fourth dimension of year.
- There are a large give away of bears inwards Yoho National Park so it’s a goodness thought to accept comport spray, although this isn’t required. I had it together with it made me experience infinitely safer.
- There is no liquor store inwards Yoho National Park but you lot tin grab some beers together with wines from The Siding inwards Field.
- There are ATMs located inwards The Siding Café together with Truffle Pigs Lodge inwards Field
- If you lot are catching a Greyhound bus, brand sure to mass at to the lowest degree a twain of weeks inwards advance to instruct a bully deal
- There are coin-operated laundry facilities downstairs at Truffle Pigs Lodge
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Have I convinced you lot to visit? Let me know inwards the comments below!
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