Yoho National park
Yoho National Park is a hidden gem in the Canadian Rockies, where waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and dramatic peaks create a truly stunning setting. From hiking to iconic spots like Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls to exploring quieter trails and backcountry corners, there’s always a new view around every bend. Yoho is often paired with Banff, Jasper, or both, making it part of a full Rockies adventure that mixes iconic sights with off-the-beaten-path experiences. With thoughtful planning and local insight, we help you explore Yoho beyond the main viewpoints—finding peaceful spots, memorable hikes, and experiences that feel personal and unforgettable. It’s a park we love designing trips for at Highline Horizons, and it’s easy to see why travelers keep coming back to the Rockies.
Park History
Yoho National Park’s history is closely tied to the dramatic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and the people who have moved through them for thousands of years. Long before the park was established in 1886, Indigenous peoples, including the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc Nations, traveled through these valleys and mountain passes for trade, hunting, and seasonal movement. The name “Yoho” comes from a Cree expression of awe, a reaction that still feels fitting when standing beneath towering waterfalls or looking up at sheer rock walls.
In the late 1800s, the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought new access to the region and played a major role in Yoho’s preservation. Rail travel helped introduce travelers to the park’s dramatic scenery while also highlighting the need to protect it. Fossil discoveries, historic rail tunnels, and early park infrastructure all add layers to Yoho’s story. Today, the park reflects a blend of natural wonder and human history, where rail lines, trails, and wild landscapes come together in a way that still feels timeless.
While every Highline Horizons trip is fully customized to your travel style, the sample itinerary below offers a glimpse of what this experience could look like.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Emerald Lake
Arrive in Yoho National Park and settle into the village. Start with a walk around Emerald Lake, admiring the vibrant turquoise water surrounded by towering peaks. If time allows, rent a canoe or paddle along the calm lake to see the reflections of the mountains and forests up close. Keep your eyes open for deer or smaller wildlife along the shoreline.
Day 2: Natural Bridge & Takakkaw Falls
Spend the day exploring Natural Bridge, where the Kicking Horse River has carved the rock over thousands of years. Then head to Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls, for a short hike to the base and a closer look at the thundering water. Along the way, take smaller trails to hidden viewpoints, spotting wildflowers and listening to the river rush through the valley.
Day 3: Spiral Tunnels & Yoho Valley
Start the day at the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint to see the incredible engineering feat that allows trains to navigate steep mountain grades. From there, hike some of the Yoho Valley trails, exploring alpine meadows, creeks, and viewpoints with wide-open vistas of the Rockies. This area is perfect for spotting marmots, mountain goats, and birds of prey soaring above.
Day 4: Day Trip to Banff National Park
Take a day trip into Banff, just a short drive away. Ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views, explore the town of Banff, and take a Minnewanka Lake boat tour in the afternoon. If time allows, do a short hike to one of the mountain tea houses or lakeside trails for a quieter perspective before heading back to Yoho.
Day 5: Lake O’Hara Exploration
Today is all about Lake O’Hara, one of Yoho’s most pristine and iconic spots. Take a guided shuttle or hike into the area, then explore trails that loop past alpine lakes, waterfalls, and wildflower-filled meadows. Keep an eye out for moose, elk, and bears in the distance, and enjoy the sense of seclusion this area offers compared to more crowded spots.
Day 6: Day Trip to Jasper National Park
Venture north for a day trip to Jasper, crossing the Icefields Parkway with its sweeping glaciers and dramatic peaks. Stop at Athabasca Falls, hike a short trail to Sunwapta Falls, and take in the massive Columbia Icefield. If time allows, walk along one of the glacier-fed lakes for a closer look at the turquoise water and surrounding peaks before returning to Yoho in the evening.
Day 7: Last Morning & Departure
Spend your final morning enjoying a quiet walk along Emerald Lake or a smaller trail near Field, watching for wildlife and soaking in the mountain scenery one last time. Grab a coffee in the village before heading home, reflecting on a week of lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows, and two iconic day trips to Banff and Jasper—a week that gives a full sense of the beauty and diversity of the Canadian Rockies.