Lake O’Hara Information

Visiting Lake O’Hara requires advance planning. The best place to start is the Yoho National Park section of the Parks Canada website.

By the time you arrive in the Canadian Rockies, you should have reservations, but it’s still worth stopping at the FIELD VISITOR CENTRE at the turn-off to Field (250/343-6783), where you’ll find helpful staff, information boards, interpretive panels, and a Friends of Yoho bookstore.

After the 20-minute bus trip to the lake, day hikers are dropped off at LE RELAIS DAY SHELTER, a homely log shelter where books and maps are sold, including the recommended Lake O’Hara Gem Trek map. Hot drinks and light snacks are served—something to look forward to at the end of the day, as this is also the afternoon meeting place for the return bus trip.

Le Relais Day Shelter

Yoho National Park Pass

Lake O’Hara is within Yoho National Park. A permit is required for all vehicles stopping within the park, including vehicles left at the Lake O’Hara parking area. A DAY PASS is adult $10.50, senior $9, to a maximum of $21 per vehicle. It is interchangeable between national parks and is valid until 4 pm the day following its purchase.

An annual DISCOVERY PASS, good for entry into national parks and national historic sites across Canada, is adult $73, senior $62, to a maximum of $146 per vehicle.

Passes can be bought at the Yoho Visitor Centre, at campground kiosks, and online at the Parks Canada website.