Yoho National Park

SHERBOOKE LAKE

Yoho National Park Itineraries

These Yoho National Park itineraries describe the best way to spend one or two days in Yoho National Park.

One Day in Yoho National Park

Canoeing on Emerald Lake.

Canoeing on Emerald Lake.

You will not see all of Yoho National Park in one day, but it is possible to hit the highlights. If you are driving from Lake Louise or Banff, allow 20 minutes and one hour respectively, to reach the park.

 

It’s best to make your first stop EMERALD LAKE, as the parking lot fills early. Allow 1.5 hours to walk around the lakeshore trail, then rent a canoe and paddle out into the middle of this turquoise gem. Plan on an early lunch at the lakeside café, or drive back out to the highway, stopping at NATURAL BRIDGE, and dine at TRUFFLE PIGS CAFÉ. The streets of Field are lined by historic homes, which makes an interesting stroll after lunch. Your afternoon is spent in the Yoho Valley, a short but steep drive from Field. Stop at the viewpoints along the way, and take a short stroll to the base of Takakkaw Falls.

Two Days in Yoho National Park

If you have two days to explore Yoho National Park, you can include all of the One Day recommendations with two hikes. The best way to do this is to head into the YOHO VALLEY on Day One and hike the ICELINE TRAIL, making a loop so you can hit LAUGHING FALLS on the return trip. In the afternoon, head west ALONG Highway 1 and hike the short trail to WAPTA FALLS, which is best seen in the afternoon light.

Spend the night at TRUFFLE PIGS LODGE, dining at the in-house restaurant. Start Day Two at EMERALD LAKE, with a hike around the lake and a canoe trip out onto the lake. After lunch at the lakefront CILANTRO ON THE LAKE plan on the SHERBROOKE LAKE/PAGET LOOKOUT combo hike.

Paget Lookout

Paget Lookout


Wapta Falls

Wapta Falls