Although Yoho National Park is the smallest park in the Canadian Rockies, there’s still plenty to do there. If you want to experience everything that Yoho has to offer, then we’d recommend spending at least three days there. If you’re visiting during the winter, when some areas are closed for safety reasons, then two days should be enough to experience the park. Here’s an outline you can use to plan your own itinerary:
Day 1
We recommend spending your first day in Yoho National Park hitting some of the most iconic spots. Takkakaw Falls is a great place to start and is only a five-minute walk from the parking lot. When you’ve had your fill of the second-tallest waterfall in Canada, head over to Emerald Lake to see the park’s most famous attraction. Make sure you take the Emerald Lake Loop Trail to see every angle of the iconic lake or follow the Emerald Basin Loop for a more intensive hiking experience. On your way back, stop by the Natural Bridge on the Kicking Horse River.
Day 2
For your second day in the park, we recommend experiencing some of the best hiking trails Yoho has to offer. The Paget Lookout Trail is fairly steep and requires a little physical fitness, but you’ll be rewarded with some gorgeous views of the mountains. Just past Paget Lookout, pick up the Sherbrooke Lake Trail to see a beautiful turquoise lake.
Day 3
If you have the energy, the Iceline Trail is a great way to end your Yoho National Park experience. This is one of the longer hikes in the park, but it takes you through a little bit of everything Yoho has to offer. Over the course of this 13-mile loop, you’ll see waterfalls, lakes, snowy peaks, and even glaciers.
To make the most of your trip, check out our Yoho National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ to gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.
