Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Samantha
Yoho National Park is a beautiful park located in British Columbia. It is an easy day trip from Banff or Canmore and is worth the visit. Yoho National Park is one of the smallest nation parks in the Rocky Mountains. What it lacks in size it certainly makes up in beauty.
Like the other national parks, you do need to pay to enter Yoho. If you have already paid the park fees in Banff, you won’t have to pay again to enter Yoho. You will have very limited service in this area so make sure you download your maps before you lose service.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is the most popular stop in Yoho National Park. The glacier-fed waters are truly breathtaking and will leave you speechless. During the summer months, you can rent a canoe to take out on the lake or walk the perimeter of the lake. The trail around the lake is accessible for strollers and differently-abled. The lake is enclosed by mountains – President Range, Mount Burgess and Wapta. If you are visiting during the winter, this is a great spot to do some cross-country skiing.
There is a spot to eat at if you are here in the summer. Parking near the lake is very limited but you are able to park along the side of the road. Depending on how busy it is, you may have the walk a while to get to the lake.
Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw Falls are some of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. It is a short 10–15 minute walk from the parking lot to the base of the falls. Once to reach the base of the falls, you can enjoy the powerful roar of the cascading water. The closer you get to falls, the more wet you will get.
There is quite a bit of parking here so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a spot. Make sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife as you head towards the falls.
Wapta Falls
Wapta Falls is the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River. To access the falls, you must enter from the ‘Wapta Falls Trailhead’. The hike to the falls is not difficult but you should still plan for about 2 hours roundtrip. The turnoff is not well marked so make sure to use your GPS.
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge is a beautiful phenomenon of natural rock formation that looks like a bridge. Kicking Horse River flows through the bridge from Field Valley.
This scenic lookout is easily accessible and does not require any strenuous hiking. There is a decent amount of parking but it can get busy.
Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is a stunning mountain lake located between the peaks of the Continental Divide. Access to the lake is restricted so you will need to book a seat on the shuttle in advance or embark on the 11km hike (one way) to the access road. If you do decide to hike, you will want to make sure you’ve set aside the full day for this park.
