Complete Guide to Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is within Yoho National Park but I’ve separated it out for the purposes of this blog due to the level of planning required. Lake O’Hara is one of Canada’s most pristine and beautiful alpine lakes, drawing hikers and nature lovers from across the globe.
Here’s everything you need to know—from how to secure your spot, to where to stay, and the best hikes to tackle while you’re there.
Opabin Lake
Access and Where to Stay
There are four ways to visit Lake O’Hara:
Visit for the day. From June 21 - October 6, 2024, the Lake O’Hara shuttle takes visitors 11 km up to Lake O’Hara. Advanced reservations are required.
UPDATE: In 2024, reservations for the Lake O'Hara day-use shuttle will once again be available by way of random draw. Applications for the random draw will be accepted from 8:00 am March 11 until 11:59 pm March 31 MDT, on Parks Canada’s Reservation Service website. For detailed information on the application and selection process, as well as random draw policies, please visit our Random Draw Policies Random Draw Policies page.
Camp for up to three nights. For those who wish to stay overnight, the popular Lake O'Hara Campground is open June 21 to October 5, 2024. The campground has only 30 sites and is reserved for overnight guests only.
All campsites must be booked in advance. The campground is open from June 21 to October 5, 2024. All overnight camping reservations at Lake O’Hara will be offered on Thursday, January 25 2024 at 8:00 am MT online on the Parks Canada Reservation Service. or by telephone 1-877-737-3783.
Maximum of 3 consecutive nights for camping. Maximum of 2 reservations per transaction. Maximum 4 people per tent pad. Children from 1-16 years old must be included within the reservation. Maximum 1 small 4-person tent per site.
Stay at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, book with the Alpine Club of Canada.
Stay at Lake O’Hara Lodge, book with Lake O'Hara Lodge.
I recommend setting up a Parks Canada account in advance (if you don’t already have one) and being logged in ready to go on opening morning as reservations book up within minutes.
If you are unable to secure a reservation through all of the above four options the last alternative is to hike the access road out and back as a day trip. If you plan to hike the road, be prepared for a 30+km day if you plan to hike to the lookout above Lake O’Hara.
Note: Bicycles are not permitted on the Lake O’Hara access road.
Trails
Opabin Lake
Opabin Plateau Circuit
Opabin Plateau
Opabin Plateau is a beautiful hanging valley atop a rocky headband cliff above Lake O'Hara. West Opabin Trail and East Opabin Trail climb to the head of the valley from both sides of the cliff. By starting up either of these arms of the circuit and returning via the other, a tour of the valley can be made.
Opabin Lake
We chose to ascend the East Opabin trail, head out to Opabin Lake and rejoin the circuit descending down the West Opabin trail.
Via West Opabin: A sign on the southwest end of Lake O'Hara marks the beginning of the west arm of Opabin Plateau Circuit. The trails climbs quickly to Mary Lake, follows the shore and then climbs steeply up an open talus slope for approximately 120 vertical metres until it mounts a grassy cleft onto the rolling terrain of Opabin Plateau.
Lake O’Hara Lookout from West Opabin climb trail
The Opabin Plateau Circuit continues into the little valley of Opabin Creek. It crosses a bridge over the creek and travels upstream, passing southwest of Hungabee Lake. Climbing over a knoll through more talus, the circuit arrives at Opabin Lake.
Opabin Plateau Highline connects East Opabin and West Opabin trails on the plateau.
Lake O’Hara West Lookout
The return arm of the circuit begins on the east shore of Opabin Lake. The trail descends back along the plateau past Hungabee Lake and follows the foot of the slope of Yukness Mountain, where the Yukness Ledge Alpine Route to Lake Oesa begins. Continue through grassy meadows back to the brink of the valley and a 0.8 km series of switchbacks that drop to the shores of Lake O'Hara.
Distance: 5.9km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 250m
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Insider Tip: There are a number of different spots from the Plateau to get a view of Lake O’Hara below, spend some time checking out the various look outs for different perspectives.
Lake O’Hara East Lookout
Gear
I’ve put together a Day Hiking Checklist with a complete list of gear recommendations.
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