Yoho National Park seems to go under the radar when it comes to planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies. It’s often overshadowed by the nearby Banff National Park and the incredible Icefields Parkway.
However, Yoho National Park is simply spectacular. It was one of my favourite spots on my road trip through the Canadian Rockies (if not my favourite). I almost skipped adding it to our itinerary, but I’m so relieved I didn’t. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.
Yoho National Park was established in 1886 and is named after a Cree work that means “awe and wonder.” After arriving in the park, it didn’t take me long to realise exactly why this name was chosen. The park is part of the Canadian Rockies UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts some absolutely magnificent scenery.
In this guide, I’ve shared exactly how to spend one day in Yoho National Park, including the best things to do and how to build your perfect one-day itinerary.
How long to spend in Yoho National Park?
One day is a great amount of time to spend in Yoho National Park if you just want to see the highlights. It’s the smallest of the four National Parks in the area, and much of the park is protected and inaccessible.
If you opt to just spend one day in Yoho National Park, you can visit as a day trip from nearby Banff, Lake Louise or even Canmore. One day is plenty of time to see the main highlights.
Having said that, you could easily fill two (or more) days in Yoho, especially if you want to complete one of the longer hikes such as the Iceline Trail. There are also options to stay overnight in the park or nearby, something I wish I had done.
Yoho National Park feels much more untouched than other parks in the area. While one day is a good amount of time to spend there, two days will allow you to get more off the beaten path.
How to visit Yoho National Park?
There are two options for visiting Yoho: driving yourself or joining a guided tour from Banff National Park.
If you can drive, I’d highly recommend doing so! Tours can be great, but driving yourself will allow you to do what you want on your own timescale.
Driving yourself
The Yoho National Park Visitor Center is about a twenty-minute drive from Lake Louise and one hour from Banff. The park is situated just off the Trans-Canada Highway.
You can also come the other way from Golden, or even Vancouver. There is a parking lot at most of the main attractions.
Guided tours
The other option is to join a guided tour from the nearby Banff.
This tour picks you up from the centre of Banff and includes stops at the main highlights in Yoho and also a stop at Kootenay National Park.
If you’re based in Banff, this tour also covers Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It’s a great option for those who are short on time.
This highly-rated small group tour picks you up from Canmore.
One day Yoho National Park itinerary
The below itinerary outlines how to spend one day in Yoho National Park. It’s based on having your own transport to drive yourself around. This is exactly how I spent my day in the park.
Note: This itinerary assumes you’ll be coming from Banff. If you’re visiting from Golden, you can adjust accordingly.
Stop one: Begin at Emerald Lake
Start your day as early as possible and head straight to the park’s main attraction, Emerald Lake. Getting to the lake early will allow you to avoid the worst of the crowds and coaches. We were some of the first people there and I couldn’t believe the difference just an hour later.
We visited Emerald Lake on a crisp autumn morning just as the sun was rising. The lake’s edge was frozen, and a layer of fog rose above it. Rugged mountains towered over the lake, creating the most breathtaking views. You’ll quickly realise why it’s called Emerald Lake when you see its colour.
It’s one of my favourite memories from my road trip!
Stop two: Hire a canoe or go for a walk
Be sure to make the most of your time at Emerald Lake by hiring a canoe or going for a walk around the lake (or both).
The Emerald Lake Loop is a 3-mile (4.8km) walking trail that circles the lake. If you have the time you should certainly give this a go. The views as you walk around the lake do not disappoint. It’s relatively flat but parts were very muddy and slippy when we went. It took us just over one hour.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you may also be able to hire a canoe to explore the lake. There is a stand close to the parking area where you can hire the canoes.
Plan to spend at least one hour at Emerald Lake.
Stop three: Natural Bridge
Head back towards the main road on Emerald Lake Road and make a quick stop at Natural Bridge. This natural bridge was created by the Kicking Horse River eroding rock over time.
You can’t walk out onto the bridge itself, but there’s a manmade one for viewing. This spot can get incredibly busy, but it’s still an enjoyable visit.
There is a parking lot right next to the formation so it’s a quick and easy stop.
Stop four: Wapta Falls
This incredible waterfall seems to be a bit of a hidden gem. It’s well worth visiting if you don’t mind a bit of driving and hiking. If you’re looking to keep your day easy and short, you may want to skip this.
Note: If you’re visiting Yoho from the direction of Golden, you can make Wapta Falls your first or last stop of the day.
From Natural Bridge, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Wapta Falls. Make sure you put “Wapta Falls Trailhead Park” into Google Maps to find the correct parking area (we drove up and down quite a few times).
The hike to the base of Wapta Falls is 2.8 miles (4.6km), and it can be very steep and slippery at times. The full hike takes just over an hour, but you can do a shorter walk to the first viewpoint and back.
I really loved this stop! There was no one else around, and it was wildly beautiful!
Stop five: Field
Drive east on the Trans Canada Highway to the small town of Field. There’s not much to do here, but it’s worth a quick stop if you have the time.
This tiny town has a population of less than 200 and is surrounded by magnificent scenery. Several cafes and restaurants are located here, so it’s a good lunch stop if you haven’t brought your own. The Yoho National Park Visitor Center can also be found here.
We grabbed a much-needed coffee from the Sliding Cafe. This quaint spot also served up some delicious-looking food.
Stop six: Takakkaw Falls
Next up on this Yoho National Park itinerary is Takakkaw Falls, although the journey there is worth a stop in itself.
To reach the incredible Takakkaw Falls, you’ll need to drive along Yoho Valley Road. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful drives in the Canadian Rockies! The scenery is breathtaking, and there are several places to safely pull over and admire the views.
After driving for around 40 minutes, you’ll eventually reach the parking lot for Takakkaw Falls. This is one of the most impressive waterfalls I saw on my trip to Canada’s Rocky Mountains. At 254 metres high, this is the second-highest waterfall in Canada.
From the parking lot, it’s an easy fifteen-minute walk to the waterfalls. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of British Colombia.
It’s important to know that Yoho Valley Road has some steep switchbacks. While the road is sealed and in good condition, you’ll need to be a confident driver. The road is only open from late spring into the autumn, depending on the weather, due to the risk of avalanches.
If you skipped Field or have yet to eat your lunch, there are some picnic benches by the river near Takakkaw Falls.
Tip: One of the best stopping points along Yoho Valley Road is the Meeting of the Waters, where the waters from the Yoho River mix with the Kicking Horse River.
Plan to spend one hour at Takakkaw Falls, and allow for stops along the Yoho Valley Road.
Stop seven: Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
Back on the Trans Canada Highway are two spectacular viewpoints where you can witness trains going through the Spiral Tunnels on the famous Kicking Horse Pass.
The viewpoints offer incredible views of the famous Spiral Tunnels. Building a railway through mountain passes is pretty challenging, and this particular spot has a grade of 4.5% making it even harder. To try and overcome this, the Spiral Tunnels were built to reduce the grade.
You can view the railway from both the Lower Spiral Tunnels viewpoint and the Upper Spiral Tunnels viewpoint. The lower viewpoint offers a bit more history about the construction of the railway and is just off of the Trans Canada Highway, making it a convenient stop.
Only around 25 trains pass through the tunnels each day so you’re not guaranteed to see one, but the scenery itself makes a stop here more than worthwhile.
Stop eight: Sherbrooke Lake
The last stop of the day is the wonderful Sherbrooke Lake. Depending on the timings, you might find it too late in the day to fit this into your itinerary, but I’d recommend it if you can.
Sherbrooke Lake is a beautiful Alpine Lake surrounded by mountains. It’s much less visited than the nearby Emerald Lake, I almost had the place to myself.
To reach the Lake, you’ll need to walk a 3.8 mile (6.1 km) round trip. The hike leads you up through a forest, out into meadows, and eventually, you’ll arrive at the lake.
I did this hike by myself as my mum was tired after a long day of exploring the park. I only saw the odd person and was very worried about grizzly bears, so make sure you are carrying bear spray.
Other things to do in Yoho National Park
My one-day Yoho itinerary covers the park’s main highlights, but several other spots are well worth visiting if you have more time in Yoho or want to get off the beaten path.
Here are some of the other best things to do in Yoho.
Laughing Falls
A lesser-known hike in Yoho National Park is Laughing Falls. The trailhead starts in the Takakkaw parking lot and is much quieter than other destinations on this itinerary.
The trail is 5.4 miles long (8.7km) and leads you to an incredible waterfall.
You can continue on to Twin Falls if you’re looking for a longer hike.
Iceline Trail
The Iceline Trail is one of Yoho National Park’s best hikes. The full-day hike rewards hikers with some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
The trail is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long, so it’s certainly not a walk in the park. There are some steep ascents, but the views of glaciers and mountain lakes will soon make it worthwhile.
The hike can also be split over several days, with dedicated campsites along the way.
Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is another incredible lake in Yoho National Park, but visiting requires a bit of planning.
Due to its remote location, you can’t actually drive to Lake O’Hara. Instead, you’ll need to book a shuttle bus to reach the lake. Unfortunately, you do need to plan way ahead for this as the shuttles sell out weeks, if not months, in advance.
I tried to book my shuttle in July (for a September visit), but it had already sold out, meaning I didn’t get to visit.
There is also the option of hiking to Lake O’Hara. This is an 11-mile / 7km walk, but there are opportunities to camp when you arrive.
Burgess Shale Fossils
Discovered in 1909, the site contains fossils from over 100 animals that pre-date the dinosaurs.
To visit the area, you’ll need to organise a guided hike through the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation. There are three different full-day hikes to choose from.
The best time of year to visit Yoho National Park
The best time of year to visit Yoho is during the summer months or early fall season (between June and September).
The park is technically open all year round, but many of the roads become inaccessible during the winter months and close due to extreme weather and the risk of avalanches. However, you may find the likes of Emerald Lake open all year.
The park tends to be less visited than the nearby Banff, so it’s a great place to get off the beaten path and explore the wild beauty it has to offer.
Granted, some spots such as Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls do still draw crowds. If you want to avoid the worst of this, try visiting earlier on in the season or in the autumn (June & September). You can check the road conditions and status on Parks Canada.
If you’re looking to go on long hikes, I suggest avoiding July and August. The days can be very warm, so it might not be ideal.
Accommodation in Yoho National Park
One of my biggest regrets from my trip to Canada is not spending more time in Yoho National Park, including an overnight stay. It’s genuinely one of the most serene and beautiful places I have ever visited!
If you are looking to make the most of Yoho National Park, I highly recommend staying overnight. This will allow you to explore more of the park and get off the beaten path. There are several hotel and camping options available.
One of the best places to stay in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake Lodge. These cabins sit on the shores of Emerald Lake, offering genuinely spectacular views. If I ever return, I will absolutely book a night here. You’ll be able to see the lake at sunrise and sunset and enjoy it without all the crowds.
Another great option is the Cathedral Mountain Lodge located in the Kicking Horse Valley. These cute lodges are surrounded by nature.
There are a couple of options in the nearby town of Field, including the Canadian Rockies Inn, an adults-only hotel.
FAQ for visiting Yoho National Park
Do you need a National Parks Pass?
As with all National Parks in Canada, you’ll need to pay to enter Yoho. You can buy a daily pass or an annual pass. If you’re planning to visit other nearby parks such as Banff and Jasper, it will more than likely make sense to buy the annual pass.
You can check the latest prices on the Parks Canada website.
Can you buy food and drink?
There are not many places to buy food and drink in Yoho, so it’s a good idea to bring everything you will need for the day with you.
The town of Field has several cafes and restaurants. As I mentioned above, the Sliding Cafe is a cute spot to stop. I only had a coffee here, but the food looked great.
Are there toilets?
Many of the popular stops, including Emerald Lake, have toilets, so you don’t need to worry about not being able to go all day. The toilets aren’t always the nicest, but they do the job.
Is it easy to drive around?
Driving around Yoho National Park is generally straightforward. Most of the roads are sealed and in good condition. However, this is a remote area that can be prone to extreme weather. It’s not uncommon for the roads to be icy or covered in snow. There are also some steep passes to cross, especially when driving to Takakkaw Falls.
Final thoughts: Is Yoho National Park worth visiting?
Yes, yes and yes again! Yoho National Park is ABSOLUTELY worth visiting. This park has it all. Emerald lakes, incredible wild nature, towering mountain peaks, incredible waterfalls… I could go on and on.
My favourite thing about Yoho National Park is how untouched it feels. Banff is amazing, but it can be busy and crowded. Yoho really feels off the beaten path and unexplored. Despite being the smallest of the four National Parks in the area, it genuinely has so, so much to offer and is a great place to spend a day.
Yoho National Park is an absolute must on any trip through the Canadian Rockies.
