Small but spectacular park east of British Columbia featuring Takakkaw Falls (Canada's second-highest waterfall), Emerald Lake, and the natural rock bridge spanning Kicking Horse River. Fossil beds contain 500-million-year-old marine creatures.
Yoho National Park occupies 1,313 square kilometres of British Columbia's Rockies immediately west of Banff National Park, accessed from the Trans-Canada Highway through the town of Field. Despite its relatively small size, Yoho contains several of the most dramatic individual natural features in the Canadian Rockies. Takakkaw Falls, at 373 metres, is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada; it is reached by a narrow switchback road open from late June through September, with the final 2-kilometre approach on foot through a Yoho River canyon. Emerald Lake, 10 kilometres north of Field, occupies a glacier-carved basin and reflects its surrounding peaks in water of a distinctive green-blue colour produced by glacial rock flour; canoe rentals, a hiking trail around the lake's perimeter, and the Emerald Lake Lodge make it the park's most developed day-use destination. The Natural Bridge, a short detour from the Emerald Lake road, is a rock arch carved by the Kicking Horse River through a limestone outcrop. The Burgess Shale fossil beds on the slopes of Mount Field contain the world's best-preserved record of 508-million-year-old Cambrian marine life; access to the actual fossil sites requires a guided hike (8–20 km return depending on the site) that must be booked through the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation months in advance. A permanent display of Burgess Shale specimens is housed at the Field visitor centre.
Good to know
- Hours
- 24/7, visitor center 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Best for
- hikers, photographers, nature lovers
Location
Field, BC V0A 1G0
51.4545, -116.4863 View on map
Highlights
- Takakkaw Falls — 373 m plunge, one of Canada's tallest waterfalls, reachable by road and short trail
- Emerald Lake — glacially carved basin with distinctive green water, canoe rentals, and lodge
- Burgess Shale guided hikes — access to 508-million-year-old Cambrian fossil beds, bookable in advance
- Natural Bridge — river-carved limestone arch on the Kicking Horse River, accessible roadside
- Icefields Parkway connection — Yoho borders Banff's most scenic corridor at the Kicking Horse Pass
Tips for visiting
- Road to Takakkaw Falls closed in winter
- Book Burgess Shale fossil hikes in advance
- Emerald Lake canoe rentals available
When to visit
Late June through September when Takakkaw Falls road is open and the park is fully accessible. Emerald Lake is beautiful in October with autumn larch colour in surrounding sub-alpine meadows. Snow typically closes the falls road by late October.
Accessibility
Emerald Lake's main lakeshore path is partially accessible, though the full perimeter trail has uneven sections. The Natural Bridge viewpoint is accessed via a flat gravel path and is accessible. Takakkaw Falls involves a 2 km walk on a gravel trail that is manageable but not paved. Burgess Shale guided hikes are strenuous and not accessible for mobility-impaired visitors.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors access the Burgess Shale fossil sites?
The fossil sites are on restricted Parks Canada land accessible only on licensed guided hikes operated by the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation. Hikes range from 8 to 20 km return and must be booked months in advance through the Foundation's website; summer dates sell out quickly.
Is Takakkaw Falls road open in winter?
The access road to Takakkaw Falls closes after the first significant snowfall, typically in October, and reopens in late June when snow has cleared the switchbacks. The falls themselves run year-round but are only safely accessible in the summer season.
How long does it take to see Yoho's main highlights in one day?
A focused day trip from Banff or Lake Louise can cover Takakkaw Falls, the Natural Bridge, and Emerald Lake with 2 hours at each site. Combining with a Burgess Shale hike requires a separate full-day commitment.