The 10 Best Hikes in Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is a stunning national park in the Canadian Rockies. Although it is a lesser-known national park, it does not lack beauty and things to do! The beautiful 507 square miles of the park have bright blue lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and mountains.

One of the best ways to explore everything Yoho National Park offers is hiking! We fell in love with hiking in Yoho National Park when we visited. It quickly became one of our favorite areas in the Canadian Rockies!

And the best part? There are trails in Yoho National Park for all levels! This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes in Yoho National Park that need to be on your bucket list.

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Tips for Hiking in Yoho National Park

Buy a park pass for the total number of days you will be there. Buying a park pass ahead of time allows you to quickly go in and out of the park without spending time waiting in line to buy passes each day. If you want to visit Yoho National Park or the surrounding parks a couple of times a year, you can buy the Discovery Pass, too!
Buy your food and water before you enter the park. Yoho National Park does not have many food or accommodation options, so I recommend packing food for your trip before you enter the park and staying in Banff.
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and gear. The mountain weather in Yoho National Park is unpredictable, so I recommend packing layers just in case the weather changes. I also recommend packing the appropriate hiking gear, depending on the time of year you visit.
Be careful of bears. Yoho National Park has many grizzly bears, so it’s crucial to keep an eye out for them. I recommend packing bear spray, making noise when you hike, and hiking in groups. If you have questions or concerns, I recommend speaking with a local park ranger!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

What to Pack for Hiking in Yoho National Park

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best Hikes in Yoho National Park

Wapta Falls

Trail: Wapta Falls Trail

Length: 3 miles

Elevation: 410 feet

Difficulty: Easy

In the western part of Yoho National Park lies Wapta Falls. Although it is not the tallest waterfall in the park, coming in at 59 feet tall and 330 feet wide, Wapta Falls will impress you with its power. In terms of water volume, it is the largest waterfall in Yoho National Park.

And the best part? An easy 3-mile roundtrip hike lets you get up close and personal with Wapta Falls. The trail is well-maintained and brings you to two viewpoints. The first is an upper viewpoint where you can get close to the falls and feel the power. The second is a lower viewpoint where you can see how massive the falls are. Wapta Falls is one of the best hikes in Yoho National Park!

Takakkaw Falls

Trail: Takakkaw Falls Trail

Length: 0.8 miles

Elevation: 120 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Yoho National Park is home to the second-tallest waterfall in Canada! Takakkaw Falls is over 1,200 feet tall and absolutely breathtaking! It was one of our favorite spots in the park.

Although you can see the falls from the parking lot, you can hike to the bottom. And it only requires a short walk from the parking lot to get an up close and personal experience with the falls. The hike is easy, and the up-close views of Takakkaw Falls are stunning!

The views across from the waterfall are stunning of the surrounding mountains. The area is incredibly scenic and the perfect hike in Yoho National Park for everyone!

Iceline Summit

Trail: Iceline Trail

Length: 9.3 miles

Elevation: 2,900 feet

Difficulty: Strenuous

Iceline Summit is one of the best hikes in Yoho National Park near Takakkaw Falls, and it is one of my favorite hikes. If you are looking for a more strenuous hike after you hike to Takakkaw Falls, the 9.3-mile roundtrip hike to Iceline Summit is perfect for you!

The trail steadily ascends through a forest to the ridgeline near Iceline Summit without many breaks. There are a few switchbacks to help with the elevation gain, but the trail is still steep and will make you break a sweat. Once you reach the ridgeline and see the breathtaking views, you realize your efforts have paid off.

The trail and summit offer beautiful views of Takakkaw Falls, glaciers, and Yoho Valley. Iceline Summit is one of the best hikes in Yoho National Park if you are looking for an epic day hike!

Yoho Lake

Trail: Iceline Trail > Highline Trail

Length: 6.6 miles

Elevation: 1,980 feet

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Another beautiful hike in Yoho National Park near Takakkaw Falls is Yoho Lake. You can easily add Yoho Lake to the Iceline Summit hike or hike it separately. The 6.6-mile roundtrip trail brings you to Takakkaw Falls before ascending to the beautiful Yoho Lake.

The trail travels along the Iceline Summit Trail before looping along the Highline Trail, bringing you to hidden alpine lakes and Yoho Lake. Once you are above the tree line, the views along the trail are stunning of lakes, glaciers, Takakkaw Falls, and the surrounding mountains. Yoho Lake is the perfect half-day hike in Yoho National Park!

Sherbrooke Lake

Trail: Sherbrooke Lake Trail

Length: 3.7 miles

Elevation: 840

Difficulty: Moderate

Sherbrooke Lake is one of the most underrated lakes in Yoho National Park. The lake is a beautiful turquoise color surrounded by stunning mountains.

The 3.7-mile roundtrip hike to Sherbrooke Lake begins at the Wapta Lake Picnic Area and ascends gradually to the bright-colored lake. Once at the lake, the views of Mount Ogden are stunning! You can either stop when you arrive at the lake or follow the trail to the other end of the lake. You will quickly fall in love with this hike in Yoho National Park!

Paget Peak

Trail: Paget North Ridge Route

Length: 5.9 miles

Elevation: 3,160 feet

Difficulty: Strenuous

If you are looking for another one of the best hikes in Yoho National Park near Sherbrooke Lake, Paget Peak is for you! Paget Peak is a beautiful 8,300-foot mountain in the Canadian Rockies and requires a 5.9-mile roundtrip strenuous hike that will make you work for the views, but I promise it is worth it!

The trail has an overlook about halfway with a beautiful view of Paget Peak. Once at Paget Peak, you have stunning views of Sherbrooke Lake, Mount Ogden, and the surrounding mountains. The views are breathtaking and will quickly become some of your favorites! If you are up for a strenuous hike, you will fall in love with this hike in Yoho National Park!

Emerald Lake

Trail: Emerald Lake Trail

Length: 3.2 miles

Elevation: 700 feet

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Emerald Lake is the iconic blue-green lake in Yoho National Park and the largest lake in the park. It is one of the most visited areas in the park for good reasons! The lake offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is easily accessible.

You can either take in the views along the shores near the parking lot or enjoy a 3.2-mile loop around Emerald Lake. I recommend hiking the trail because it is a great way to see wildlife, and you will also see Burgess Shale. The Burgess Shale is one of the only locations in the world with both fossilized soft tissues and hard body parts. It is pretty cool!

There are many trails along this one if you are looking for more of a challenge, too. Emerald Lake is easily one of my favorite hikes in Yoho National Park, so I now you will love it!

Lake O’Hara Shoreline

Trail: Lake O’Hara Shoreline Trail

Length: 1.8 miles

Elevation: 180 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Lake O’Hara is the hidden gem of Yoho National Park. It is the most breathtaking area in the park, with beautiful lakes surrounded by mountains. You have to make a reservation to visit Lake O’Hara, so make sure to do that ahead of time! The more in advance you can book your bus spot, the better. You can book up to three months in advance. Tickets sell out as soon as they go on sale for the season.

If you are among the lucky ones to get tickets, there are many trails to enjoy. The easiest hike is a 1.8-mile roundtrip trail that loops around Lake O’Hara while providing stunning views of the area. You will quickly fall in love with Lake O’Hara and realize why it has some of the best hikes in Yoho National Park!

Lake Oesa

Trail: Lake Oesa Trail

Length: 3.6 miles

Elevation: 990 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

If you are looking for a slightly more strenuous hike near Lake O’Hara, the Lake Oesa Trail is perfect for you! The 3.6-mile roundtrip hike travels along the northern shores of Lake O’Hara before ascending to Lake Oesa. There are a few steep sections along the trail, but I promise it’s worth it to experience Lake Osea.

This trail is the best hike in Yoho National Park for those looking for beautiful mountain and lake views! You will not be disappointed when hiking the Lake Oesa Trail.

Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit

Trail: Multiple trails

Length: 6.9 miles

Elevation: 2,900 feet

Difficulty: Strenuous

Are you looking for an epic day hike near Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park? The Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit is one of the most beautiful hikes in Yoho National Park and worth every amount of effort for the views.

The 6.9-mile loop travels to Lake O’Hara, Wixey Gap, Lake Oesa, and along a beautiful ridgeline while providing breathtaking views of Lefroy Lake, Victoria Lake, Glacier Peak, Ringrose Peak, Yukness Mountain, and Mount Biddle. The trail has a few steep sections, but they are worth it for the views!

If you visit Yoho National Park, you should add these beautiful hikes to your itinerary! This guide has everything you need to know about the best hikes in Yoho National Park with breathtaking views.