Yoho National Park

Tuesday, July 6, 2026

We checked out of the Storm Mountain Lodge (Lake Louise area), where we had been staying for the past 3 nights, and started our drive to Yoho National Park, where we had planned multiple hikes.

Our first stop was at Emerald Lake. As we started our drive at 09:00, we were worried about the limited parking there. 

When we arrived at 09:45, we managed to find one of the last spots in the parking lot, and it was still 0.5 miles from Emerald Lake.

Emerald Lake is the crown jewel of Yoho National Park, located just over the Alberta-British Columbia border and about a 30-minute drive west of Lake Louise. Like its famous neighbor, it features striking, vibrant water, but it offers a distinctly quieter, more serene wilderness atmosphere.

True to its name, the water features a deep, intense green-turquoise hue. Because it sits at a slightly lower elevation than Lake Louise, it thaws earlier in the spring (usually by late May), and its coloration is caused by a mixture of glacial rock flour and fine white calcium carbonate (maritime marl) suspended in the water, which beautifully reflects the intense emerald spectrum.

Key Highlights & Activities

• The Lakeshore Trail: A highly accessible, mostly flat 5.2 km (3.2 miles) loop circles the entire perimeter of the lake. The first half of the trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible, crossing a wooden bridge and wandering through an ancient, humid cedar and hemlock forest, while the back half opens up to dramatic views of avalanche paths and the towering President Range.

• Canoeing: A rustic historic boathouse sits near the entrance, offering canoe rentals for visitors who want to paddle across the glassy water. Because it sees slightly fewer massive tour crowds than Lake Louise, paddling here often feels incredibly peaceful.

• The Emerald Lake Lodge: Perched on a small peninsula reachable by a footbridge, this historic lodge features cozy log cabins, massive stone fireplaces, and an upscale dining room. It blends seamlessly into the forested shoreline, providing a striking focal point for photography.

We really enjoyed the Lakeshore Trail hike around Emerald Lake. It was flat, scenic, and beautiful. Inna also observed a loon diving and took a few photos. After the hike, I returned to our Hyundai Kona, where our packed sandwiches were stored in the portable Igloo cooler, while Alex and Inna sat down at a picnic table.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of pastries and sandwiches, but were repeatedly harassed by multiple butterflies. Nevertheless, we managed to enjoy our lunch with a gorgeous view of the lake.

I was hoping to canoe on the lake, but the rental line at the canoe boathouse was too long (no personal watercraft are allowed on this lake), so we decided to skip it (we already had many other activities planned).

Our second stop was at the nearby Natural Bridge. The parking lot had only a few spaces, but we managed to find a spot. Although there were no hikes for us to do here, the views of the rushing water beneath the natural rock formations were breathtaking, and we took lots of photos.

Natural Bridge is a striking geological formation located just a short drive down Emerald Lake Road in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. It makes for an ideal, quick stop on your way to or from Emerald Lake.

This unique rock formation illustrates the sheer erosive power of rushing water. Over millennia, the roaring, silt-laden waters of the Kicking Horse River carved a path right through a solid wall of ancient limestone. What began as a small crack eventually wore away into a massive, wide opening beneath the rock face, leaving a sturdy stone bridge spanning across the roiling canyon.

Here is a short video clip of the water flow at Natural Bridges:

 

Our third and final stop was at the Takakkaw Falls. We had to wait for about 10 minutes to find an available parking spot. Once we parked, we started the short stroll to the actual waterfalls. The Takakkaw Falls were spectacular, and we took many photos. 

We walked closer to the falls themselves, but the fine mist rising from them grew quite heavy, and we turned around. We did not want to get soaked. We observed a few brave souls scrambling up rocks, trying to get even close to the falls.

Takakkaw Falls is one of the most spectacular sights in Yoho National Park. The name is a Cree expression meaning "it is magnificent," and given its scale and power, the name is well-earned.

The Landscape and Science 

• The Scale: With a total height of 373 meters (1,224 feet), it is widely considered one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls. The main, free-falling drop is 254 meters (833 feet) of sheer plunge.

• The Source: It is fed by the Daly Glacier, which is part of the high-altitude Waputik Icefield. Because it is glacial-fed, the volume of water changes dramatically throughout the day—it is usually at its most thunderous in the afternoons of July and August as the day’s warmth melts the ice above.

• The "Rooster Tail": A distinct feature of the falls is the "rooster tail"—an effect where the water hits a rock shelf partway down the cliff face and gets kicked outward, sometimes shooting dozens of meters away from the rock before continuing its descent.

Visitor Experience 

• Access: A very short, easy, and paved 1.4 km (0.9 mile) round-trip trail leads from the parking lot to the base of the falls. You will get soaked if you walk to the very end of the path during peak flow, so a waterproof jacket is a good idea.

• The Drive: The journey to the trailhead is an adventure in itself. The Yoho Valley Road includes a series of tight, steep switchbacks. Note: Trailers are strictly prohibited, and vehicles over 7 meters (23 feet) in length (like many RVs) must reverse to navigate the turns.

• Seasonality: Because the road crosses high-frequency avalanche terrain, it is closed for the winter. It typically opens in mid-June and closes in mid-October.

Here is a short video clip of the Takakkaw waterfall:

On the way back from the falls, we noticed a Canadian Search-and-Rescue helicopter loitering overhead. We saw the helicopter carry someone to the base of the waterfalls and pick someone up.

After we finished exploring Takakkaw Falls, we returned to our car. We started the long, two-hour drive to our final destination - Kananaskis Village Hotel (where Inna had made reservations to use the Nordic Spa).

Yoho National Park Trip Report

Highlights

• Hiking around the gorgeous Emerald Lake
• Walking around Natural Bridge
• Seeing the magnificent Takakkaw Falls

Lowlights

• Finding parking at Emerald Lake was tough. We barely found a spot at 09:45 (need to come earlier)
• Long lines to rent a canoe on Emerald Lake

Links

• Storm Mountain Lodge