Beyond Banff: Best Things to Do in Yoho National Park, Canada

Let’s be honest about vacation time in the Canadian Rockies. No one really wants to set a 4:00 AM alarm just to fight for parking at Lake Louise.

If you want the mountain views and turquoise lakes with less chaos, welcome to Yoho National Park.

Yoho National Park is in British Columbia (BC) – – just a half-hour drive on the Trans-Canada Highway from Lake Louise.  It’s perfect for an unhurried day trip from Banff to Yoho or a peaceful mountain getaway.

From the morning stillness at Emerald Lake BC to the thunderous roar of Takakkaw Falls, you can experience the best of the Canadian Rockies at your own pace.

Here’s your Yoho National Park travel guide to the best things to do in Yoho National Park–without the stress.

Yoho National Park: The Fast Facts

Here’s is a quick look at the story behind this dramatic landscape.

• Where is Yoho National Park? It’s in southeastern British Columbia and shares its eastern border directly with Banff National Park in Alberta.

• What does “Yoho” mean?  Yoho is a Cree expression of awe and wonder. You’ll see why.

• How big is it? Spanning 1,313 square kilometers (about 507 square miles), Yoho is the smallest of the four contiguous Rocky Mountain national parks. More views with less driving.

• A UNESCO Treasure: Established in 1886, Yoho is Canada’s second-oldest national park. It’s recognized globally as part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Essential Yoho National Park Logistics

Getting to Yoho is straightforward. The park sits directly on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). If you’re driving from Lake Louise, you’ll cross the provincial border into British Columbia and arrive in under thirty minutes.

Parks pass:  Because Yoho is a national park, you’ll need a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. If you already purchased one for Banff or Jasper, it works here too.

Tourist info: If you need maps or further information, stop by the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre on the Trans-Canada Highway in the town of Field (open from May to mid-October).

📌 Slow Travel Tip: Avoid spending your vacation time backtracking to a distant hotel. Base yourself in or close to the park for a few days so you can unpack your bags just once.

When is the best time to visit Yoho National Park?

The best time to visit Yoho National Park is late June through September.  This is when most roads will be open and the lakes will be their finest turquoise colour. While the weather in Yoho National Park is always variable, this is the warmest and safest time to visit.

Of course, July and August are also the busiest times to visit.  That’s why my favourite time is in September, just after the Labour Day weekend.

Is Yoho National Park Worth Visiting?

If you’re already visiting Banff or Jasper, you might wonder if it’s worth exploring another park.

The short answer? Absolutely.

While Banff is spectacular, it can feel like a theme park during the peak summer season.

Yoho can get busy too but it’s quieter overall because there aren’t as many tour groups.

For travelers who value space and untouched nature, Yoho is often the highlight of their Canadian Rockies itinerary.

Best Things to Do in Yoho National Park

Emerald Lake BC

Known for its vibrant green colour, Emerald Lake is one of the best places to visit in Canada.  It’s also one of the most popular must-sees in Yoho National Park.

How to get to Emerald Lake:  From the Trans-Canada Highway, turn onto Emerald Lake Road (about 1 km west of Field, BC) and drive 8 km to the lake.  In the summer, I recommend you go before 8 am to snag a parking spot, or after 4 p.m.  Once the parking fills up, people park along the road, which adds some walking time.

What to do at Emerald Lake:

• Take an easy 5.2 kilometre hike on the trail around the lake.
• Rent a canoe to paddle in the stunning, usually calm water.  The canoe rentals open at 10 am and cost $100/hour.  It’s expensive, yes, but not as much as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake.  It might be one of the most memorable Yoho National Park activities.
• Grab a bite at Cilantro Café.  If you’re lucky, you can snag a spot on the patio right on the water (It opens at 11 am).

The Ultimate Yoho Bliss Moment: How to Get Emerald Lake to Yourself

Many visitors to Emerald Lake stop for a photo and move on.

To experience its still beauty, you need to see this lake at 7:30 a.m as the mists lift off the mirrored water.

The best way to do this is to book a room at the Emerald Lake Lodge.  You’ll have serenity at the lake before and after the day trippers stop by.

Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park

On the way back to the highway, be sure to stop at Natural Bridge, B.C..  It’s a striking natural stone bridge sculpted by the fast-flowing Kicking Horse River.

The turnoff is on your right, 6.7 kilometres from Emerald Lake.  It’s an easy stop with well-maintained boardwalks and viewing platforms.  It’s best to stick to those because the rocks around the glacial river can be quite slippery

Takakkaw Falls

At 373 metres (1223 feet) high, Takakkaw falls is one of the Yoho National Park highlights.  It’s the highest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies – – you’ll hear its roar as you approach.

How to get to Takakkaw Falls:  Turn off the Trans-Canada Highway onto Yoho Valley Road and drive 13.4 kilometres to the Takakkaw Falls parking lot.  The road is closed from mid-October to mid-June because of avalanche risk.  There are a couple of very tight switchbacks on the route and no large RVs or trailers are allowed.  It’s an easy, short walk from the parking lot to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park.

Slow Travel Tip:  Find the iconic Parks Canada red chairs. Sit down and feel the cool, glacial spray on your skin. It’s an instant, natural reset button.

Takakkaw Falls Photo Tip:  I visited in September and caught rainbows on the waterfall in the late afternoon light.

The Spiral Tunnels: A Roadside Bonus

If you love a clever bit of engineering, keep your eyes peeled for trains going through the Yoho National Park Spiral Tunnels.

Built in 1909 to solve a steep railway grade through Kicking Horse Pass, these tunnels allow lengthy trains to loop entirely inside the mountains to safely manage the elevation change.

There are two spots to see it:

• A viewpoint with information panels where you’ll see the lower spiral tunnel 7.4 kilometres east of Field on the Trans-Canada Highway.
• A pull-off 2.3 km up the Yoho Valley Road where you’ll see the Upper Spiral Tunnel in Cathedral Mountain.

To be honest, it doesn’t look like much unless you’re lucky enough to catch a train passing through.

Wapta Falls

Wapta Falls is an impressive 150 metres wide across the Kicking Horse River.  It’s definitely worth the 4.6 kilometre (2.8 miles) round-trip hike to see it.

How to get to Wapta Falls: This is a little tricky because there’s no exit from the Trans-Canada Highway going westbound.  You need to drive 31 kilometres west of Field, turn right at the Beaverfoot exit and come back on Highway 1 east.  You’ll see the exit on the right.

The trail to Wapta Falls:  Most of the trail is relatively flat and easy.  When you get close to the falls, you’ll descend 40 metres to a viewpoint over the falls..  To get to the base of the falls, there’s a very steep and sometimes muddy route down.  However, if you walk past that point, you’ll come to a more gradual trail down to the falls (my preference!)

Lake O’Hara: The Exclusive Sanctuary

Lake O’Hara is one of the most beautiful lakes in Yoho National Park.  It’s widely considered the crown jewel of the entire region.  This pristine wilderness absolutely took my breath away.

To protect its fragile alpine environment from overcrowding, Parks Canada strictly limits daily visitors.  It runs an online lottery system to win a coveted seat on the official Parks Canada day-use shuttle bus.

Other ways to get there:  Book a campsite when reservations open in February; outlast the waiting list to stay at the Lake O’Hara Lodge; or hike 11 kilometres each way to get there.

📋 Note: Navigating this bucket-list destination requires a bit of strategy, so I’ll be covering this in more detail in an upcoming Lake O’Hara travel guide. Stay tuned!

Golden, B.C.

The town of Golden, BC is an ideal destination for outdoor adventures.  It also tends to be a more affordable place to stay near Yoho National Park.

Golden is a half-hour drive west of Yoho National Park.  Although staying there adds a little driving time, the top Yoho National Park attractions are easily accessible from there.

Among the best things to do in Golden:

• Take a walk across the Golden Skybridge, Canada’s highest suspension bridge that hangs 426 feet above a canyon. Get your bridge pass here.   You can also go ziplining there or take a swing over the canyon
• Ride the gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for panoramic mountain views
• Meet Boo the Grizzly at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge
• Ride the rapids on the legendary Kicking Horse River.  Book a half-day rafting experience here
• Stroll across the historic Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge–Canada’s longest timber-frame footbridge

The town is also home to great cafés (Double Black) and local restaurants (Whitetooth Bistro) making it a pleasant place to unwind after a day exploring Yoho National Park.

The Perfect 1-Day Yoho National Park Itinerary

With good timing, it’s possible to experience the best of Yoho National Park in a single day, although naturally I recommend taking more time.

This itinerary is designed as a day trip from Banff National Park.  You can beat the crowds by starting early at the most popular spot.

8:00 AM – Morning Reflection at Emerald Lake

Start your day when the water is at its most magical. Arriving early ensures a peaceful parking experience. Take an hour to stroll a portion of the flat lakeshore trail, or simply sit on the dock with a hot coffee and pastry (bring with you) to enjoy the perfect, glass-like mountain reflections.

10:00 AM – The Natural Bridge

As you drive back down Emerald Lake Road, make the quick turnoff for the Natural Bridge. You only need about 20 to 30 minutes here to wander the wooden boardwalks and watch the brilliant turquoise river carve its way through stone.

11 AM – The Forest Stroll to Wapta Falls

Build up your appetite for lunch with the easy 4.6 km forest hike to the massive Wapta Falls.  Spend a half-hour at the base of the falls or climbing up on the mound in front of it.

1 PM– A Slow Picnic or Lunch at Truffle Pigs Bistro

There aren’t a lot of restaurant options in the heart of Yoho National Park.  You may want to bring a picnic lunch with you or head into the village of Field, BC for a tasty lunch at Truffle Pigs Bistro.  I enjoyed their elevated comfort food items, like pasta and a burger during my visit.  The only catch is that they don’t take reservations, so you may be in for a wait during peak season.

3:30 PM – The Thunder of Takakkaw Falls

As you head back toward Banff National Park, turn off on Yoho Valley Road for the scenic drive to Takakkaw Falls.  Enjoy the afternoon sun on the falls and cool off in the glacial mist.

Tours to Yoho National Park

You’ll have more flexibility if you visit the park by car.  But you don’t have to miss out if you’re not driving.

This small group day tour hits all the top spots– Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Wapta Falls and Takakkaw Falls.  This highly-rated tour has pick-up locations in Calgary, Canmore and Banff.

Or you could take this day tour which stops at Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and Takakkaw Falls.  The small group tour allows enough time at Emerald Lake for a hike or to go canoeing (not included in the price).  It also has departures from Calgary, Canmore or Banff.

Where to Stay in or near Yoho National Park

Staying overnight in or near the park allows you to do more hikes and to enjoy a relaxing mountain getaway.

Here are my favourite places to stay in Yoho National Park:

• Emerald Lake Lodge  Located right on the lake, it features cozy rooms with historic stone fireplaces and private balconies.

• Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge in Field, BC. It offers more affordable down-to-earth accommodations paired with an exceptional bistro to end your day.

• Paradise Lodge & Bungalows offers lodge rooms and fully-equipped cabins near Lake Louise.  You’re only a half-hour drive from Yoho National Park.

Camping in Yoho National Park

There are 4 front country campsites in Yoho National Park.  The most popular ones are Kicking Horse and Takakkaw Falls.

Parks Canada opens online reservations in January.  Be sure to check the exact date each year as these campsites book up fast.

Since this is a national park, you may only camp in designated sites.

Weather and What to Pack for the Canadian Rockies

The weather in Yoho National Park is highly variable, even in the summer.

June is the wettest month with highs of around 13° C.  July and August are the warmest months with highs of 20° C.  In September, the weather cools to 14° C with chilly mornings and nights.  Snow is even possible.

As a result, you should always be prepared by dressing in layers.  In the summer, this would include a T-shirt layer, a warm layer and a wind/rain jacket. I always wear a merino wool base layer, which is comfortable in any situation.  Also, waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a good idea.

If you have space, it’s fun to bring a premium travel thermos for hot drinks on cool morning walks and a waterproof picnic blanket.

Note that if you need bear spray for hiking, you can’t take it on a plane.  You can buy it at most sports stores in Calgary, like Canadian Tire.  In Banff, you can get it at any outdoor goods store or rent it at Ultimate Sports or in Lake Louise, at Wilson Mountain Sports.

Ready for True Rockies Bliss?

Having grown up in Calgary, I can’t believe it took me so many years to visit Yoho National Park.

Whether you add it to a Banff trip or make it a destination on its own, I highly recommend that you go.  You still get the jaw-dropping mountain views, but the unhurried pace is entirely different.

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