Introduction
Yoho National Park sits on the western slope of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia, next to Banff National Park and Kootenay National Park. Parks Canada describes Yoho as a landscape of towering rock walls, waterfalls, lakes, fossils, and mountain passes. The park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For a broader overview of the park's history and geography, see the Yoho National Park Wikipedia page.
The park includes Field, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, Natural Bridge, the Kicking Horse River, Burgess Shale fossil sites, and access to Lake O'Hara by reservation. Visitors should check Parks Canada alerts, trail information, camping details, and road conditions before traveling because snow, wildlife activity, avalanche terrain, and seasonal road closures can affect plans.
Top Hikes
These three hikes are good starting points for planning, with at least one more difficult option. Distances and elevation gain are rounded; check the official park trail page for current closures, permits, weather, and trail conditions.
Emerald Lake Loop (easy) - 3.3 miles (5.3 km); elevation gain 115 feet (35 m). A scenic lake loop with forest, mountain, and wetland views.
Iceline Trail (difficult) - 12.4 miles (20.0 km); elevation gain 2,300 feet (701 m). A high-country route with glacier views above the Yoho Valley.
Lake O'Hara Alpine Circuit (difficult) - 7.0 miles (11.3 km); elevation gain 1,625 feet (495 m). A premier alpine route where access is limited and advance planning matters.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is one of Yoho's signature destinations and the location of the Emerald Lake Lodge webcam. The area has lakeshore views, hiking, paddling in season, and winter scenery. The access road can be busy, so visitors should plan extra time during peak travel periods.
Lake O'Hara
Lake O'Hara is a highly protected alpine area in Yoho National Park. Access is limited, and visitors generally need Parks Canada reservations or approved arrangements for the bus, camping, day use, or lodging. Confirm the current Lake O'Hara access rules before planning around this area.
Camping
The Parks Canada camping page has current Yoho frontcountry camping information, including Kicking Horse, Monarch, Hoodoo Creek, and Takakkaw Falls. Use Parks Canada's camping information for current reservation details and operating dates. Yoho also has backcountry camping options, and Parks Canada lists rules and reservation details for those sites separately.
Scenic Areas
Yoho's best-known scenic stops include Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, the Spiral Tunnels viewpoints, Wapta Falls, the Kicking Horse River corridor, and mountain viewpoints near Field. Seasonal closures are common, especially on roads and trails that reach higher elevations.
Webcam Notes
Feed credit: Emerald Lake Lodge and DriveBC.