Complete Guide to Yoho National Park
Next time you find yourself traveling through Roger’s Pass I highly recommend stopping in Yoho National Park to check out a few of the trails.
Yoho is often overlooked with nearby Banff National Park but there are so many great trails to explore! There is a ton of variety depending on what you’re looking for; from family-friendly walks and road-side lookouts to longer treks to more remote lakes and peaks, plus these trails can be much quieter than those found in the neighboring Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise area.
Trails:
Paget Lookout:
Paget Lookout
The trail to Paget lookout takes you up through a lush forest rising into the subalpine. Once out of the forest you begin to climb a steep, rocky trail to views of the Bow, Cataract Book and Kicking Horse Valleys.
Distance: 7km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 520m
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Parking lot across from Wapta Lake, 11 km east of Field, B.C. or 15 km west of Lake Louise, on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway. (map)
Access: Paved Road - 2WD
Insider Tip: Carry on beyond the lookout to Paget Peak for stunning 360’ views of the valley and Sherbrooke Lake below.
Lake Sherbrooke from Paget Peak
Paget Peak East Lookout
Hamilton Lake Trail
The trail to Hamilton Lake starts from the lakeshore of Emerald Lake. taking you up through the forest (for what seems like an eternity), rising steeply into subalpine and rocky alpine habitats.
Most of the traffic stops at Hamilton Falls, from the falls you continue along the switchbacks for the majority of the trail before finally popping out onto a rocky talus slope, you traverse the slope and arrive on final portion of the trail which leads you to a classic, cliff-encircled turquoise blue alpine tarn.
The trail itself is rather uninteresting with limited views and steep switchbacks but the reward at the end is worth the climb.
Distance: 11km roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 850m
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult Hike
Location: Emerald Lake parking lot, 10 km west of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road. (map)
Access: Paved Road - 2WD
Insider Tip: Carry on beyond Hamilton lake to Emerald Peak, once you gain the ridge you see a beautiful view of Hamilton from above. The lake takes on a heart shape nestled deep in the mountains.
If you continue to the summit of Emerald peak you will be treated to 360 views with Hamilton Lake on one side and Emerald Lake on the other.
Hamilton Lake from Emerald Peak
Once you get back to the trailhead I highly recommend a dip in Emerald Lake. The water is much warmer than up at Hamilton and it’s the perfect end to a long day in the mountains!
Emerald Lake
Bonus: Natural Bridge and Canada’s Second Tallest Waterfall
Natural Bridge:
Natural Bridge is a quick roadside attraction on route to Emerald Lake. Pull over to see the Kicking Horse River as it cascades under a naturally formed stone bridge.
Insider Tip: Natural Bridge is stunning year-round, come back in the winter to see a stunning ice formation that takes you into the cave below the bridge.
Natural Bridge (March 2022)
Takakkaw Falls:
Takakkaw Falls are located in the Yoho Valley, near Field, BC. The falls have a total height of 373m, making them the second tallest waterfall in Canada. The main drop of the waterfall has a height of 254m.
According to Wikipedia "Takakkaw" translates to "magnificent” in Cree.
Enjoy a scenic drive on the Yoho Valley Road. Then, cool off in the mist as you stand at the base of one of the highest waterfalls in Canada.
Where to Stay:
Backcountry Camping:
There are four backcountry campgrounds in the Yoho Valley. Or stay at the Alpine Club of Canada's Stanley Mitchell Hut in the Little Yoho Valley.
Front country Camping:
Monarch Campground - First come, first serve, this campground is easy to access right off the highway. We stayed here for 3 nights in 2020 and found it to be the perfect basecamp for our adventures. Each night the sun lit up the mountains with stunning alpenglow before dipping into the night.
Note: The site can get a little loud with the train traffic in the area, be sure to bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
Monarch Campground at sunset'
Alternatively, spend the night at the Takakkaw Falls front-country campground just 300m from the falls parking lot or stay at the HI-Whiskey Jack Hostel, a short walk from the falls.
Hotels and Lodges:
Emerald Lake Lodge - If you’re looking for more of a luxury experience Emerald Lake Lodge is our favourite spot for a night (or two) of luxury. There are rooms within the lodge itself as well as cabins along the lake shore.
Make sure to get out for a paddle on the lake and take a dip in the extra large stainless steel hot tub after a long day in the mountains.
Gear:
I’ve put together a Day Hiking Checklist with a complete list of gear recommendations.
And as always, here’s a few reminders for recreating responsibly from the Parks Canada team and Leave No Trace Canada:
Rules for exploring our beautiful backyard:
Plan and prepare:
Plan your travel route
Get your Parks Canada pass
Know the terrain and conditions - you can find detailed information about trail conditions, warnings and closures, fire updates and wildlife on the Parks Canada Website
Check the weather
Fill out a trip plan (check out AdventureSmart for more information)
Be considerate of other visitors:
On narrow trails, give way to uphill hikers.
Take breaks on durable surfaces off the trail.
Give freedom for the sounds of nature. Avoid excessive noise.
Pack out what you pack in, and help clean up the trails on your adventures.
And most importantly, have fun!
Parks Website:
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