Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park sits on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies in southeastern British Columbia. Part of the UNESCO-listed Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Yoho is renowned for towering waterfalls, emerald lakes, rugged peaks and passes, and globally significant Burgess Shale fossil sites overlooking the Kicking Horse River valley.

At a glance — Yoho National Park

Location	Canadian Rockies, along the Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1) around Field, BC
Province	British Columbia
Established	1886
Area (approx.)	≈ 1,313 km²
Highest peak	Mount Goodsir (≈3,567 m)
Notable features	Takakkaw Falls; Emerald Lake & Natural Bridge; Wapta Falls; Iceline Trail; Kicking Horse Pass & Spiral Tunnels; Burgess Shale guided fossil hikes; Yoho Valley & Yoho Glacier
Nearby communities	Field (in-park); Golden (west); Lake Louise & Banff (east, AB)

Overview

Yoho (“wonder” in Cree) concentrates classic Rockies scenery into a compact valley-and-pass network: glacially carved basins, high waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and larch-studded plateaus beneath serrated peaks. The Kicking Horse corridor is a historic rail and highway route over the Continental Divide, with engineering landmarks at the Spiral Tunnels viewpoints.

Landscapes and ecosystems

Peaks, glaciers & passes: Ice-clad summits and col routes feed the Yoho and Kicking Horse river systems; high plateaus host late-snow meadows and larches.
Waterfalls & lakes: Takakkaw Falls (among Canada’s highest), Wapta Falls on the Kicking Horse, and jewel-tone lakes like Emerald Lake.
Forests & meadows: Montane spruce–pine forests rise to subalpine fir and alpine tundra with short, flower-rich summers.
Fossils & geology: World-famous Middle Cambrian fossils at the Burgess Shale (guided access only) reveal early animal life.

Things to do

Hiking classics: Iceline Trail (glacier views), Emerald Basin, Yoho Lake–Takakkaw loop, Twin Falls, Sherbrooke Lake, Wapta Falls; short walks at Natural Bridge and Spiral Tunnels viewpoints.
Scenic drives: Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls (seasonal opening) and Emerald Lake Road (year-round plowing varies).
Paddling & strolling: Easy shoreline circuit at Emerald Lake; canoe rentals often available seasonally.
Camping & huts: Frontcountry campgrounds (e.g., Kicking Horse; Monarch seasonal); backcountry sites along Yoho classics; ACC/club huts in the surrounding ranges (reserve where required).
Winter: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near Field and Emerald Lake when conditions allow (check avalanche bulletins for backcountry).

Access and visitor services

The Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1) runs through the park; Field is the central service point with a seasonal visitor centre, food/lodging options, and trail access.
Seasonal roads: Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls typically closes for winter/spring avalanche hazard; opening dates vary.
Passes & reservations: Parks Canada entry pass required; reserve popular campsites, guided Burgess Shale hikes, and backcountry where applicable.

Safety and low-impact travel

Mountain weather & cold water: Conditions change rapidly; lakes and rivers are cold—dress for immersion if paddling.
Avalanche & winter hazards: Many winter/spring routes enter avalanche terrain—check bulletins and carry proper gear/training.
Wildlife: Carry bear spray where recommended; keep 100 m from bears/wolves and 30 m from elk/deer; never feed wildlife.
Road & viewpoint safety: Use signed pullouts at Spiral Tunnels and Natural Bridge; traffic is heavy on Hwy 1.
Follow fire bans, area closures, and Leave No Trace to protect fragile alpine/meadow soils.

External links (official)

Parks Canada — Yoho National Park: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho
Parks Canada — Visit (Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnels): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/visit
Parks Canada — Reservations (camping/backcountry/guided fossil hikes): https://reservation.pc.gc.ca
Parks Canada — Important bulletins (closures, wildlife, avalanche): https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/imp