Yoho National Park: Trip It or Skip It?

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park — Emerald Lake in Yoho

Yoho National Park located in southeastern British Columbia is one of four national parks clustered together in the Canadian Rockies. You’ve likely heard of Yoho’s more famous next-door neighbor— Banff National Park, home to two iconic lakes (Lake Louise and Moraine Lake) plus a host of other stunning lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and more. Yoho is less traveled, seeing roughly 700,000 visitors annually compared to Banff’s 4 million.

Does this mean you should skip Yoho National Park? Or is the park just flying under the radar?

What if you’re short on time? Is it necessary to fit in a visit to Yoho?

We’ve been to three of the Canadian Rockies’ national parks: Banff, Yoho, and Jasper. We want to help you decide if Yoho is worth your time. Read on to see whether you should… Trip it or Skip it!

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Does Yoho live up to its name?

The word Yoho comes from the Cree language meaning “awe and wonder.” Sounds impressive, but I was curious if the scenery would live up to its name – especially after having just experienced all the natural beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Would we still be impressed with the lakes, waterfalls, and landscape of Yoho since we had just hiked Lake Louise, caught a Moraine Lake sunrise, drove the majestic Icefields Parkway, and viewed the powerful Athabasca Falls?

We weren’t sure we were even going to fit Yoho into our itinerary until we met a couple in Banff who had been exploring the Canadian Rockies for two weeks. They said their favorite part of their entire trip was Emerald Lake in Yoho. We knew we had to check it out.

Yoho National Park Things To Do

Yoho is smaller in size compared to Banff and Jasper and offers its own unique set of natural wonders and outdoor activities. Here are some of the top things to do in Yoho National Park.

Emerald Lake

Situated among towering mountains and surrounded by dense forests, Emerald Lake is the largest lake in Yoho. As you approach the lake, the lake’s captivating emerald-green color comes into view.

Like its neighbors in Banff – Lake Louise and Moraine Lake – the extraordinary color of the water is what draws you in. But Emerald Lake exudes a different feel than Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. It’s easier to get away from the crowds and enjoy a more intimate and peaceful experience. The area around Emerald Lake is welcoming and charming. In fact, it gets even more charming as you walk around it.

Cute, rustic cabins of Emerald Lake Lodge nestle among the trees along a winding, well-maintained path called Lakeshore Trail. As you stroll along the trail, you’ll catch glimpses of Emerald Lake through the trees as well as areas offering wide-open panoramas across the lake.

The entire Lakeshore Trail is a flat and easy 3.2-mile loop that begins paved and turns into a dirt pathway with exposed roots part way around. As you circle the lake, you get different perspectives of the scenery – all equally stunning.

(Read about 10 Breathtaking Canadian Rockies hikes here.)

Takakkaw Falls

The majestic cascade of Canada’s 2^nd tallest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, is tucked away among mountains and forests only 30 minutes from Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Also aptly named, Takakkaw in Cree means “wonderful.”

As you walk the easy and flat path to the waterfall from the parking lot you can see the falls from far away and hear its distant rumble. Seeing the plunging falls up close and feeling the mist kiss your face is even more impressive. If you’re lucky you may even see mountain climbers scaling the cliff face next to the falls.

There are lots of fun rocks to climb on and areas to view the waterfall from different vantage points. Framed by towering cliffs and snow-capped peaks, Takakkaw Falls consists of three separate drops. The total height of the falls is 1,223 feet, with the main drop plunging 833 feet.

The sheer height of the water plummeting with the imposing mountain backdrop is a quite a sight – especially from these red Adirondack chairs strategically placed along the path to the falls. What a fun surprise – with a view!

two people sitting in red chairs outside — Chairs strategically placed along trail to Takakkaw Falls

tall waterfall in Canada — View from red Adirondack chairs

Wapta Falls

While the water from Takakkaw Falls tumbles long and steep, Wapta Falls stands at only 98 feet high but has sheer power. In fact, it’s one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the Canadian Rockies. At its peak flow rate, it averages 3,400 cubic feet per second.

It’s a fairly easy walk from the trailhead to a lookout viewing the falls from above. You’ll hike through Yoho’s less-traveled wilderness on your journey. After taking in the view from above, keep walking to see it from the bottom where you’ll witness its mesmerizing display of raw power. You’ll even get wet if you get close enough!

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is an easily accessible and remarkable geological formation. It’s a naturally formed rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River.

Over time, the forceful water carved out this natural arch, making it a unique picturesque destination. The surrounding mountain landscape, lush forest, and pristine river add to the captivating scene creating quite the photo opportunity.

Lake O’Hara

Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park is a pristine alpine lake surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. The crystal-clear turquoise water reflects the surrounding snow-capped peaks and dense alpine forests.

Beautiful hikes in the area cater to various skill levels. From easy strolls along the lakeshore to more challenging alpine hikes, trails lead to impressive viewpoints, waterfalls, and high alpine meadows.

The area around Lake O’Hara is considered one of the most beautiful and ecologically sensitive areas in the Canadian Rockies. To preserve the delicate ecosystem and maintain the pristine nature of Lake O’Hara, Parks Canada restricts access to the area. You must use the Lake O’Hara Shuttle Bus system to visit. See the Parks Canada website to make a reservation.