Yoho National Park in British Columbia, Canada - map, photos and visitor information

Yoho National Park occupies the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies around Field, British Columbia. Lakes, waterfalls, mountain trails, and protected Burgess Shale fossils give visitors several distinct reasons to stop. Highway 1 makes a short road visit possible, but higher routes and side roads have strong seasonal limits. Autumn plans need to account for snow and services that have already closed.

Highlights of Yoho's lakes and mountain valleys

• Explore the Emerald Lake shoreline when conditions suit your group.
• Plan a future summer visit to Takakkaw Falls through the Yoho Valley.
• Learn about protected Burgess Shale fossils and the landscape's ancient marine life.
• Arrange a carefully planned Lake O'Hara visit for its appropriate season.

Know before visiting Yoho

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Confirm charges on the official fee page. Review the closure notices before choosing a route; posted local wildlife restrictions may also apply.

Treat autumn snow as a change of season

The Emerald Lake area already has early-winter conditions, with snow, slippery sections, fallen trees, and possible route-finding problems. A summer distance or easy rating does not establish an easy autumn outing.

Parks Canada does not recommend hiking snow-covered routes at and above treeline from mid-October to mid-June because of avalanche exposure. Carry appropriate layers, drinking water, food, first-aid supplies, and bear spray. Plan for the least experienced member of the group.

Cell coverage is limited beyond Field. Bring suitable emergency communications for remote travel and learn their operation before setting out. At viewpoints and waterfalls, stay on signed routes and away from exposed edges.

Protect fossils, wildlife, and park waters

Leave fossils, rocks, plants, and cultural objects in place. Walcott Quarry and specified Emerald Basin fossil areas have access restrictions. Odaray Prospect and Odaray Plateau are closed through November 30 to protect wildlife habitat.

Under the water activity restrictions, ordinary visitors cannot launch canoes, kayaks, SUPs, or inflatable boats, or go angling, in park waters. Limited commercial operations may receive authorization under strict invasive-species protocols. Do not assume a rental business is exempt without confirmation.

Keep pets leashed and attended, collect their waste, and follow local exclusions. Pets are prohibited on the Lake O'Hara bus and in its campground. Recreational drones and snowmobiles are prohibited. Secure food and scented items rather than leaving them at an unattended campsite.

Separate camping, shuttle, and hut bookings

Camping requires a valid park pass and camping permit, and is allowed only in designated areas. Frontcountry campgrounds use different reservation and first-come periods. Their seasonal closure means an unoccupied campsite is not available for an autumn overnight stay.

Lake O'Hara shuttle and campground bookings are separate. The 2026 day-use shuttle used a random draw, while campsites required advance reservations with a maximum three-night stay. Do not book a campsite as a substitute for a day-trip bus ticket.

Read the Lake O'Hara planning information before planning another season. The 11 km access road is not open to cycling. Walking the 22 km return journey is a substantial undertaking, especially in snow. Elizabeth Parker Hut has separate Alpine Club of Canada reservations; availability is not implied by the park's year-round status.

Field, Highway 1, and separate valley approaches

Yoho lies in southeastern British Columbia, west of Lake Louise, Alberta. Highway 1 crosses the park, with Field as its main community. The visitor center is at 5764 Trans-Canada Highway.

Emerald Lake Road remains a year-round approach, subject to conditions. Yoho Valley Road does not currently provide vehicle access to Takakkaw Falls. Wapta Falls' closed access road also changes the walking approach; do not use the summer trailhead distance as the total outing.

Download the appropriate material from the official maps and guides directory. Winter routes and avalanche-terrain maps answer different questions from a summer sightseeing map. There is no general public transportation network within the park.

Nearby parks along Highway 1

• Banff National Park: Continue east on Highway 1 toward Lake Louise in Alberta. Specific lake destinations have their own parking, shuttle, and seasonal arrangements.
• Burges James Gadsden Park: A provincial wetland park near Golden, between the Trans-Canada Highway and Columbia River. Check the local approach and bring drinking water.

Choose a lakeshore walk or plan for summer

The Emerald Lakeshore route is a 5.2 km loop with little elevation change. Its eastern side has roots and muddy stretches, and current snow changes the walking conditions. Decide whether a shorter shoreline visit better suits the group.

Takakkaw Falls is a summer road-access destination. Save it for a time when Yoho Valley Road is open. Longer Iceline and valley hikes need their own route assessment; the Whaleback bridge has been removed for winter storage.

The trail and road report helps distinguish current access from permanent route descriptions. Fossil programs also require direct planning with Parks Canada. Protected fossil areas are not independent collecting or exploring sites.

Field services and seasonal campgrounds

Field has accommodation, restaurants, a fuel station with basic conveniences, and EV charging. It does not have a full grocery store. Buy supplies before depending on a small community stop, and confirm individual business hours.

Summer campgrounds provide different services. Kicking Horse has showers during operation; other sites have more basic arrangements. Those amenities are not available simply because the park itself is open in winter.

Some park facilities have wheelchair access. Contact Parks Canada about the exact destination, seasonal toilet access, and current surface conditions.

About Yoho National Park

Indigenous travel routes and railway-era protection

Yoho is within the traditional lands of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc peoples. The Kicking Horse and Amiskwi valleys served as travel corridors long before railway construction.

The park was created in 1886 and received the Yoho name in 1901. Early park policies excluded Indigenous peoples and disrupted cultural connections. Parks Canada now works with Indigenous partners to support renewed relationships and involvement in the park.

Railway development also shaped Field and the Kicking Horse Pass corridor. Its buildings and engineering history provide another layer of context for a visit.

Mountain habitat and wildlife corridors

Elk, wolves, cougars, grizzly bears, and black bears use the park's habitats. Wildlife needs connected areas with limited disturbance. Temporary closures and roadside no-stopping zones can therefore change where visitors may travel or pause.

Give animals space, watch from a safe position, and obey signs placed in the field. A lack of an online notice does not cancel a posted wildlife restriction.

Contact Yoho National Park

Email [email protected] or use the national information line at 1-888-773-8888 outside the visitor center's season. The seasonal center number is 250-343-6783. Call 911 for roadside emergencies or 403-762-4506 for backcountry emergencies. Non-urgent dispatch and wildlife reports use 403-762-1470.