Yoho National Park

If you look at the map you can see that Yoho National Park is next to the famous Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. But it is a lot quieter here and just as rugged. With numerous lakes in the park with striking blue colours. This is due to the many minerals in the water. And the lakes are therefore not inferior to the well-known, but also busy lakes in the other parks. And Yoho is a nature reserve full of wildlife. This nature reserve is ideal for hiking; a few hours, a day or several days. Along rivers, waterfalls, and more. These are Yoho National Park’s best attractions. The attractions of Yoho National Park:

Yoho National park is a relatively unknown nature reserve in the Rocky Mountains. You can find this national park in the western part of Canada.

If you look at the map you can see that Yoho National Park is next to the famous Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. But it is a lot quieter here and just as rugged.

With numerous lakes in the park with striking blue colours. This is due to the many minerals in the water. And the lakes are therefore not inferior to the well-known, but also busy lakes in the other parks. And Yoho is a nature reserve full of wildlife. This nature reserve is ideal for hiking; a few hours, a day or several days. Along rivers, waterfalls, and more. These are Yoho National Park’s best attractions. These are the best attractions of Yoho National Park.

Visitor Center

The Yoho National Park Visitor Center is the perfect starting point for your visit. Here you will get the most up-to-date information about the numerous hiking routes in the park. And about the wild animals, for example where you have the best chance of seeing them. But you can also hear all about excursions with rangers. These hikes are great fun and very informative I noticed during my visit.

Kicking Horse Pass

The lovely Kicking Horse Pass in Yoho National Park.

Kicking Horse Pass is a nice road to discover. This mountain pass can be reached from Banff National Park. And you are driving on the Trans-Canada Highway. The Kicking Horse Pass is located at an altitude of 1,627 meters. You can make various stops along the way.

Wapta Falls

The awesome Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park.

The name Wapta means running water in Cree, the language of the Cree Indians. While the river at Wapta waterfall is aptly called Kicking Horse. This waterfall is no less than 150 meters wide. It is almost 30 meters high and very impressive. You can reach the Wapta Falls via a hiking trail of 2.5 kilometers. It’s definitely worth it.

Takakkaw Falls

The water drop of Takakaw Falls in Yoho National Park.

Takakkaw means beautiful in Cree. And that is a good description of this waterfall. The Takakkaw waterfall is no less than 254 meters high. This makes it the second-highest waterfall in Canada. It is easily accessible via a wonderful road. This meanders through the landscape. There are rules for RVs, so pay close attention to the signs along the way.

Lake O’Hara

Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park.

The special Lake O’Hara is according to many people one of the most beautiful lakes in the Rockies. The water is an unprecedented blue, with the steep mountains of Yoho behind it. But there are many smaller lakes here that are also beautiful to visit.

There are several hiking routes around the lake. Such as the Lake O’Hara Shoreline trail (2.8 km), Opabin Plateau Circuit (5.9 km), Linda Lake Circuit and Morning Glory Lakes (3.5 km) and Lake Oesa trail (3.2 km). Take your time in this area. Here you also have a good chance of encountering wildlife such as bears, deer, and countless other animals.

But Lake O’Hara is not easy to get to. You can hike to it; it is 11 kilometers one way. There is also a shuttle bus, which you must book in advance. This can be done on-site, but also online. This is most useful if you want to hike at Lake O’Hara. Make sure you hit the road early. And then book one of the last buses back.

Seven Veils Falls

Hiking to Seven Veils Falls.

The Seven Veils Falls is a waterfall at Lake O’Hara. You can reach this mighty waterfall via the Shoreline Trail, which runs mostly along the lake. In various places, you can see the water dropping over the rocks, like a kind of veil. Hence the name.

Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint

The Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint is unique because here you can see how trains disappear into the mountains. The trains are so long that the locomotive is already coming out, while the last wagon is still visible. You can also see the Yoho Glacier.

Mount Goodsir

Chances are you’ve never heard of Mount Goodsir. Mount Goodsir is the highest point in Yoho National Park at 3,567 meters. And you will see it emerge automatically.

Natural Bridge

Visiting the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park.

Natural Bridge is literally a natural bridge in the raging Kicking Horse River. The water falls between the rocks, only to reappear.

Burgess Shale

Burgess Shale in Yoho National Park is a special place. Numerous fossils from the Cambrian period have been found here, which is about 500 million years ago. The fossils are special for several reasons. Scientists have found countless unknown animal species here.

Many of the discovered animals have also the soft parts of the body fossilized. Which doesn’t happen often. The fossils were probably created by the collapse of a sandy seabed wall (or several) and swallowed up all the animals.

Those who want to visit the particularly well-preserved fossils of the strange sea creatures should take a brisk walk. To protect them, you are only allowed to go there with a guide. Fortunately, he provides a lot of information about fossils.

In addition, he also gives the views of various scientists about why the animals are here. The tour is only offered in small groups in the summer months (July, August and September), so book in advance.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.

The imposing Emerald Lake has unprecedented clear water. That is strikingly blue in colour. When you arrive here you will probably see people kayaking and canoeing on the lake. You can also go out on the lake yourself.

You can also hike around the lake. Note, it can get a bit crowded. To avoid this, you can hit the road very early. Then you have the best chance to see some wildlife. The lake is located at Burgess Shale

    Wildlife of Yoho National Park

    A mountain goat in Yoho.

    Yoho is famous for its rich wildlife. Such as the brown bear, American black bear, wolf, coyote, cougar, lynx, bobcat, moose and various types of deer. Keep your eyes peeled for special animals such as the bighorn sheep and snow goat. At the visitor center you can get more information and tips on the wildlife of Yoho.

    Visiting Yoho National Park

    Yoho is easily accessible by (rental) car. And therefore easy to combine with a visit to Banff and Jasper National Park via the Trans-Canada Highway. You drive from Lake Louise into Yoho National Park.

    What is the best time for Yoho National Park?

    You can visit the area all year round. But in winter several roads can be closed due to snow. While various attractions are not accessible. 

    It is best to go in the spring. Flowers bloom here from May, adding something extra to the already impressive landscape. And then many animals are also on the road, which increases the chance of an encounter.

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