National park · Canada
Yoho National ParkParc national Yoho
Pay the Parks Canada daily fee (about $11 per adult) and drive in on the Trans-Canada Highway: one full day covers Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge; add a second day only for Lake O'Hara or the Burgess Shale, both of which need a reservation months ahead.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,313 km²507 sq mi
approximate
Established
1886
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1,313 km²507 sq mi
- Smallest of the four contiguous Rocky Mountain national parks; the figure is the park boundary, not the area you can walk.
- Established
- 1886
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Yoho National Park sits on the western slope of the Continental Divide in southeastern British Columbia, the smallest of the four contiguous Rocky Mountain parks and the quieter neighbour of Banff across the provincial line. The Trans-Canada Highway runs through it, so most of the signature sights — Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge and the Spiral Tunnels — are minutes from the road. Takakkaw Falls, at 384 m the second-highest known waterfall in Canada, is reached by a side road that only opens for the summer. Two places set Yoho apart from a simple roadside stop: the Lake O'Hara basin, quota-controlled and reached by a reservation-only bus or an 11 km fire road, and the Burgess Shale fossil beds on Mount Stephen, a World Heritage site within a World Heritage site that can only be visited on a booked guided hike. Field is the only settlement inside the park and the only place with reliable mobile coverage.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1984Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, shared with Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and three BC provincial parks.
Size and age
1,313 km²507 sq mi · national park since 1886
Smallest of the four contiguous Rocky Mountain national parks; the figure is the park boundary, not the area you can walk.
Why go
- Takakkaw Falls drops 384 m, the second-highest known waterfall in Canada, and the road to it opens only in summer.
- Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge sit minutes off the highway, so a half-day is enough to see the park's signature water.
- The Burgess Shale fossil beds are a World Heritage site within a World Heritage site, reached only on a booked guided hike.
- It is quieter than Banff next door: the same limestone peaks and glacier lakes with a fraction of the traffic.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDeep snow; most side roads closed; ice climbing only
- FebColdest stretch; −15 °C and below at nightColdest stretch; 5 °F and below at night
- MarSki touring; highway driving can be icy
- AprMelt and mud; Yoho Valley Road still shut
- MayCampgrounds open; high trails still snowbound
- JunTakakkaw Falls road usually opens late June
- JulAll trails open; busiest weeks
- AugWarmest and driest; book shuttles early
- SepClear, cooler, thinner crowds after Labour Day
- OctLarches turn; campgrounds close mid-month
- NovShoulder season; few services in Field
- DecSnow; Spiral Tunnels viewpoints closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly and black bearsApr–Oct · Most active at dawn and dusk on roadside berries; never stop to photograph from a car. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Elk and mooseMay–Sep · Elk calve in spring and can charge if approached. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mountain goats and hoary marmotsJun–Sep · High country above the treeline. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rufous hummingbirdMay–Jul · Around Emerald Lake and Field gardens. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Calgary
Drive Highway 1 west past Banff and Lake Louise to Field.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Banff
Highway 1 west over Kicking Horse Pass; the park boundary is about 30 min past Lake Louise.
1–1.5 h
From Golden
Highway 1 east; the Field turn-off is the first park exit.
45 min
From Vancouver
Highway 1 east through Revelstoke and Golden; a long driving day.
9–10 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Field and the highway corridor | Visitor centre, the only shops and lodging, and the Spiral Tunnels viewpoints. | Open year-round; viewpoints closed October to April. |
| Yoho Valley | Takakkaw Falls and the trails above it, plus the Whiskey Jack hostel. | Road open late June to October only. |
| Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge | Glacier-fed lake, lodge and the short walk to the water-carved bridge. | Open year-round; road ploughed. |
| Lake O'Hara | Alpine lakes and the Elizabeth Parker Hut, reached by bus or an 11 km fire road.Alpine lakes and the Elizabeth Parker Hut, reached by bus or an 6.8 mi fire road. | Bus reservation required; no private vehicles. |
| Burgess Shale and the backcountry | Fossil beds on Mount Stephen and the Amiskwi, Otterhead, Ice River and Porcupine valleys. | Guided hike or wilderness permit only. |
Sketch map
- 1Field visitor centre · Headquarters≈51.398, -116.492Map ↗
- 2Emerald Lake · Beach≈51.443, -116.531Map ↗
- 3Natural Bridge · Viewpoint≈51.382, -116.530Map ↗
- 4Takakkaw Falls · Viewpoint≈51.500, -116.475Map ↗
- 5Spiral Tunnels viewpoints · Ranger station≈51.431, -116.403Map ↗
- 6Lake O'Hara · Trail≈51.356, -116.331Map ↗
- 7Burgess Shale fossil beds · Cave≈51.441, -116.542Map ↗
- 8Wapta Falls · Trail≈51.187, -116.576Map ↗
- 9Kicking Horse Campground · Sleep≈51.424, -116.432Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks Canada daily admission, adult | CAD 11 | person | 2026 estimate; the Discovery Pass works out cheaper from about seven days of park use. |
| Parks Canada daily admission, youth (under 18) | Free | person | Free for under-18s. |
| Parks Canada daily admission, family or group | CAD 22 | group | 2026 estimate; covers up to seven people in one vehicle. |
| Lake O'Hara shuttle, return | CAD 24 | person | Reservation only; the number is a 2024 figure and may rise (check). |
| Burgess Shale guided hike | CAD 55 | person | Full-day guided hike; the figure is dated and should be confirmed when booking (check). |
| Backcountry overnight permit | CAD 9.8 | person | Per night, valid across Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho; reservation fee extra (check). |
| Kicking Horse Campground | CAD 27.4 | site | Per night, 2026 estimate; hot showers and flush toilets. |
| Hoodoo Creek Campground | CAD 15.7 | site | Per night, 2026 estimate; dry toilets, no fires. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park admission permit or guide
Lake O'Hara day-use bus permit or guide
Burgess Shale hike permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay 100 m from bears
- And at least 30 m from elk and other large animals; carry bear spray where it is legal to do so.
- No drones
- Recreational drone use is banned in all national parks without a permit.
- Fires
- Only in provided fire pits at campgrounds that allow them; Hoodoo Creek bans fires outright.
- Lake O'Hara access
- No private vehicles on the access road; walkers may use the fire road but the bus is the normal route.
- Fossil collecting
- Removing rock or fossils from the Burgess Shale is illegal.
Where to stay
In the park
Field
Small guesthouses, a lodge and a motel on the highway; the only settlement inside the park.
In the park
Emerald Lake Lodge
Timber lodge on the lake shore; the priciest option in the park.
In the park
Kicking Horse Campground
92 sites with showers, 3 km east of Field; fills early in July and August.92 sites with showers, 1.9 mi east of Field; fills early in July and August.
In the park
Lake O'Hara Lodge and Elizabeth Parker Hut
Hike-in or bus-in lodging in the alpine basin; books out far ahead.
Near the park
Lake Louise
The nearest large choice of hotels and hostels, 20–30 min east.
Safety
Bear encounters on trails medium
Changeable mountain weather medium
No mobile signal away from Field high
Highway wildlife and trucks medium
Accessibility
- The Emerald Lake loop, Natural Bridge and Takakkaw Falls viewpoints are reachable on wide, mostly level paths.
- Kicking Horse Campground has wheelchair-accessible facilities; the other campgrounds are primitive.
- Lake O'Hara and the Burgess Shale hike are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take the Lake O'Hara shuttle rather than driving or walking the access road; the quota exists to protect the basin.
- Stay on marked trails in the alpine; trampled tundra takes decades to recover.
- Pack out everything, including food scraps, and store food in lockers or a vehicle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yoho National Park?
About $11 per adult per day, $22 for a family or group in one vehicle, and free for under-18s (2026 estimate). A Discovery Pass is cheaper if you will use several national parks over a week or more. Camping, the Lake O'Hara shuttle and the Burgess Shale hike are charged separately.
What are the best hikes in Yoho National Park?
For most visitors: the 5.2 km Emerald Lake loop and the short walk to Takakkaw Falls, both easy. Wapta Falls is a 9 km return walk. The Lake O'Hara alpine circuit is the standout harder day, and the Burgess Shale guided hike is the serious one. Lake O'Hara and the Burgess Shale both need reservations.
When is the best time to visit Yoho National Park?
Late June to early October. The Takakkaw Falls road usually opens in late June and closes with the first heavy snow, and campgrounds run from May to mid-October. July and August are warmest but busiest; September is quieter with clear, cooler days.
Do I need a reservation for Lake O'Hara?
Yes. The day-use bus is reservation-only and books out quickly when the season opens, roughly three months ahead. A small number of seats are held for booking at the visitor centre the day before. You can walk the 11 km access road without a reservation, but no private vehicles are allowed.
Can I see the Burgess Shale on my own?
No. The fossil beds are protected and reached only on a guided hike booked through the visitor centre. It is a long, steep day out. Collecting rock or fossils is illegal.
Is Yoho quieter than Banff?
Yes, noticeably. Most traffic stays on the Trans-Canada Highway or continues to Lake Louise. The car parks at Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls fill by mid-morning in July and August, so go early.
Do I need a car in Yoho National Park?
Yes. There is no public transport in the park and buses do not stop here. The highway is the only major road, and the Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls is closed by snow outside summer.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go