Yoho National Park Highlights Tour
Visit Emerald Lake — its extraordinary turquoise-green colour must be seen to be believed
See the Natural Bridge, where the Kicking Horse River has carved an arch through solid limestone
Marvel at Takakkaw Falls — Canada's second-tallest waterfall at 373 metres (seasonal)
Discover the famous Spiral Tunnels — a historic railway engineering masterpiece
Optional canoe rental at Emerald Lake
Far fewer crowds than Banff or Lake Louise
Banff gets the fame. Yoho gets the wonder. Just over the British Columbia border from Lake Louise, Yoho National Park is one of the most visually dramatic and geologically extraordinary places in Canada — and because the majority of Rockies visitors never make it here, you'll experience it with a genuine sense of discovery that the more famous parks simply can't offer.
Emerald Lake
~45–60 minutes
Your first stop in Yoho makes an immediate and lasting impression. Emerald Lake takes its name from the extraordinary turquoise-green colour of its water — a colour produced by glacial rock flour suspended in the glacial meltwater that feeds the lake. The result is a hue that seems almost artificial in its intensity, set against a backdrop of forested peaks and reflected sky. Optional canoe rentals are available for those who want to experience the lake from the water.
Natural Bridge
~20–30 minutes
The Kicking Horse River has spent centuries carving its way through solid limestone bedrock to create one of Yoho's most fascinating geological features: a natural arch of rock through which the river flows with remarkable force. The Natural Bridge is easily accessible and endlessly photogenic — a powerful reminder of what water, time, and persistence can accomplish.
Takakkaw Falls (Seasonal)
~45–60 minutes
At 373 metres, Takakkaw Falls is one of the tallest and most powerful waterfalls in Canada — and one of the most genuinely awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the entire Rocky Mountains. Fed by meltwater from the Daly Glacier high above, the falls thunder into the valley below with extraordinary force, filling the air with mist and sound that you feel as much as hear. Seasonal access: late June to October.
Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
~15–20 minutes
One of the most remarkable feats of railway engineering in Canadian history, the Spiral Tunnels were completed in 1909 to solve the challenge of descending the steep Big Hill on the Canadian Pacific Railway. The tunnels loop inside Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain in a figure-eight pattern, allowing trains to descend safely. If timing allows, your guide may position you to watch a freight train emerge from one tunnel and enter another — a sight that never fails to delight.
Field, BC (Optional)
Flexible
The charming mountain village of Field offers a delightful optional lunch stop at the end of the day. Small, quiet, and full of character, Field is home to a handful of excellent cafés and restaurants that serve as a perfect counterpoint to the grandeur of the day's natural highlights.
Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from any Calgary location
Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from any Calgary location
Comfortable, layered clothing
Waterproof jacket (Takakkaw Falls produces significant mist)
Camera and charged smartphone
Sturdy walking shoes
Refillable water bottle
Cash or card for lunch in Field
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Professional driver-guide throughout
Bottled water
Parking fees
Meals
Gratuities
Optional activities (canoe rentals at Emerald Lake)
- National Park entry fee