Quick answer
Yoho National Park is in BC, just west of Lake Louise. The village of Field is about 30 km away. Top sights are Emerald Lake (road open year-round), Takakkaw Falls (373 m; road open mid-June to mid-October), and the Natural Bridge. Lake O’Hara access is by a reserved Parks Canada bus or an 11 km walk.
Getting there
Yoho is reached by the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Field, BC, the park’s village, is about 30 km from Lake Louise (Parks Canada). You need a park pass; fees match Banff (Yoho fees). In winter, BC requires winter tires or chains on most highways from October 1 to April 30.
Top sights
Emerald Lake
A vivid green lake with a flat lakeshore walk. Emerald Lake Road is open year-round (Parks Canada hours).
Takakkaw Falls
At 373 m, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls (Parks Canada). The Yoho Valley Road to the falls is open only from about mid-June to mid-October.
Natural Bridge
A rock formation over the Kicking Horse River on the way to Emerald Lake, an easy roadside stop.
Lake O’Hara
Access is limited to protect the area. Seats on the Parks Canada day-use bus are given by random draw. In 2026 the application window was March 2 to 23, and the bus ran June 19 to October 4. You can walk the 11 km access road, but cycling is not allowed (Parks Canada).
Burgess Shale
A world-famous fossil site, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Walcott Quarry and Mount Stephen fossil beds can be visited only on guided hikes (Parks Canada).
Visitor centre
The Field visitor centre is closed October 13 to April 30 (Parks Canada hours).
Sample day from Lake Louise
- Morning: drive to Field (about 30 km), then on to the Natural Bridge.
- Late morning: walk the Emerald Lake shoreline.
- Afternoon (mid-June to mid-October): drive the Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls.
More Canadian Rockies guides
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