Best trails in Yoho National Park

4.5(35,495 reviews)

Canada
:
#2 of 49 national parks

Yoho National Park is located on the western slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It was established in 1886. Its landscape is made of high mountains, valleys, forests, rivers and waterfalls. It is home to a varied wildlife including grizzly bears, black bears, timber wolves, cougars, moose, elks as well as many other species. It is thus a great place to watch wildlife, backpack and hike.

Top trails

#1 - Emerald Lake Loop

Emerald Lake is a spectacular and serene turquoise glacial lake surrounded by mountains in Yoho National Park. The drive from the Trans Canada Highway along the narrow but newly paved road to Emerald Lake is absolutely gorgeous as it cuts through dense forest. From Field, it takes around 15 minutes to arrive at the parking lot. The lake is visible from the parking lot and a wooden bridge crosses a portion of it leading to the Emerald Lake Lodge and a restaurant called Cilantro on an...

The Wapta Falls hike is a great nature walk along a well-maintained trail which leads to the left side of the falls, facing the falls directly with the water coming down. There are plenty of roots on the path but they are manageable as long as you watch your step. There is a fence viewing in which folks can go further behind to get a bit closer to the falls, but be careful getting too close as it gets quite wet and slippery. This trail is kid-friendly, thanks to the route to the falls being...

#3 - Takakkaw Falls Trail

Takakkaw Falls is one of the most powerful and amazing waterfalls in British Columbia and is very famous in Yoho National Park. It's even known for being the second-tallest waterfall in Canada. You will discover this iconic area by following a winding and narrow paved road that leads from the Trans Canada Highway cutting through the park to the namesake waterfall which is located at the very end of the road. The drive is incredibly scenic as the road passes through beautiful lush forests with...

#4 - Emerald Basin and Emerald Lakeshore

The Emerald Lake Trail is one of the best examples of a glacial runoff lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This trail really is the Rockies at their best. The route combines a circuit of a green glacial lake surrounded by mountains, with a diversion to Emerald Basin through forests and avalanche chutes to see the glacier that created it all. The trail is rated as moderate because of some steep sections in the climb to Emerald Basin, but it is possible to stick to the lake circuit if you...

#5 - Iceline, Little Yoho Valley and Yoho Valley Trail Loop

This loop follows route in an area that hikers should not rush through, and most people recommend planning for a two to three day hike that would be well spent either at Stanley Mitchell Hut or at the nearby campground. This loop can be completed in either direction, but counter-clockwise allows one to face the best scenery much of the time. Hikers will begin up the Yoho River Valley along an excellent trail, past Laughing Falls, then ascend a relatively short, moderate hillside to Little...

This trail leads to the Iceline Summit in Yoho National Park. It offers great views up past the treeline and presents amazing vistas across the Yoho Valley. Parking is available at the end of Yoho Valley road. Follow the Iceline Trail along the Yoho River towards Whiskey Jack hostel. It's a steady grind up through the forest. Once you clear the trees the ascents are more gradual with some flat sections. It's called Iceline for a reason: there are pretty cool ice sheet along the rock face...

#7 - Laughing Falls via Yoho Valley Trail

The Laughing Falls trail offers an opportunity to explore a part of Yoho National Park. It's a path known for being well-marked. You'll be surrounded by mountain views and natural sounds. Keeping an eye out for common animals like black bears in this area is advisable. If you have them, hiking poles can assist with one of the uphill sections. Since the trail can sometimes be wet, waterproof shoes with good traction are suggested. This path often sees a moderate number of visitors,...

The Sherbrooke Lake trail is a perfect family-friendly adventure, or a great introduction to easy Rocky Mountain hiking within Yoho National Park, just outside of Banff along the stunning Trans Canada Highway. Since this trail is mostly easy year-round, this is a popular spot for folks driving to stop and stretch the legs as well, so it can get quite busy on summer days. The route is pretty short when you stop at the Lake Access, and the trail is very well-marked. You can also go all the way...

#9 - Paget Peak via Paget North Ridge Route

4.6(963)

•Hard

•6.0 mi

The trail starts from the Sherbrooke Lake day-use area, just west of the Great Divide Lodge. It is also possible to start from the lodge which would add 400 metres to the hike each way. The trailhead, however, is not that obvious to novice hikers, since it is located over a metal stile and through a gate in the wildlife fencing by the outhouse. Once following the trail, hikers will love how quickly it ascends and follows a region that overlooks Wapta Lake and Sherbrooke Lake. The trail has...

#10 - Paget Lookout and Sherbrooke Lake

4.7(633)

•Moderate

•6.3 mi

The trailhead is not marked for eastbound traffic as the highway is divided. Continue east for another 2 km to the Lake O’Hara Road, turn around and come back on Highway 1 west. If you make it to the Spiral Tunnels (which is worth visiting), you have gone too far west. Paget Lookout was used up until the late 1970s as a fire lookout area for Yoho park staff. The trail to the lookout is stunningly beautiful, primarily following a ridge that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains...

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Visitor info

Passes & fees

Fee required

Accessibility

Yoho National Park charges a fee to enter.

Get details from the park

Overview

Parks Canada offers free admission and access to programs for support persons traveling with a visitor who has a disability and depends on the support person to travel and experience a Parks Canada destination.

Yoho National Park offers some wheelchair accessible services and facilities. Cell coverage is limited outside the town of Field and there is no WiFi in the park.

Most picnic areas along the Trans-Canada Highway are accessible and have wheelchair accessible outhouse toilets. The restrooms at the Natural Bridge parking area are some of the best available.

Additional information about accessibility at Yoho National Park can be found on their website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/visit/services.

Facilities

Most picnic areas along the Trans-Canada Highway are accessible and have wheelchair accessible outhouse toilets. The restrooms at the Natural Bridge parking area are some of the best available.

Service animals

All service dogs must have an Alberta Service Dog Identification Card to ensure access to public places.

Guides

Top Picks in Yoho National Park

8 trails

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Trail reviews for Yoho National Park

42,812 trailgoers Busiest in August

anne marie souza

Aug 21, 2025

Easy to parkNot crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

plenty of parking when i got there at 1230 incline the first 1.3 miles, then flattens out. trail smells amazing with mountain views. the lake is STUNNING. hit lake access at about 1.8 miles in. we only went to the lake access and back. my dog had a BLAST this trail and lake put us in the best mood. this was my favorite hike in all of Yoho National Park and this is the most beautiful lake in my opinion!

Sherbrooke Lake

Dr Cocktail

Aug 17, 2025•Hiking

Hidden gem in Yoho National Park....peaceful lake & stunning views

Paget Lookout and Sherbrooke Lake

Jack Keiser

Sep 22, 2025•Hiking

Great conditionsGreat views

Really enjoyed this one. Created my own route and got the whole yoho np experience I think. Started with the taka falls, then went up the trail to the summit, then I went down to celestial lake and took that trail to little yoho valley and then finally the yoho valley trail. Got to see multiple lakes, meadows, rivers, and also laughing falls and chutes. It did feel prolonged at times and a lot more distance was added to the hike with the made up route. I coincidentally did it with three other groups and we all agreed it was a lot of downhill hiking through the thick forest but overall very worth it. Those lakes were as clear as swimming pools it was insane. Beautiful hike

Parking: Entry fee, Free, Large lot

Iceline Summit

Alanna Single

Sep 19, 2025•Hiking

Great conditionsGreat views

This hike was incredible - it was our favourite hike of the trip after hiking in Yoho and Kootenay for a week. We did this in a clockwise direction, that way you get the tough ascent out of the way early and can have a more gradual descent. Also helpful to have the sun at your back as it's very exposed on the Iceline. This trail literally offers everything - great views of Tak falls across the Yoho Valley, up close views of glaciers, many different alpine zones, and glacial lakes. There was ample parking at 8 am on a weekday in September.

Celeste Lake via Iceline Trail

Lawrence Jones

Sep 12, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat views

Easy walk, most of it is a paved path. Low effort, high reward trail with great view of the waterfall. Worthwhile stop while visiting YoHo NP.

Parking: Entry fee, Free, Large lot

Difficulty: Easy

Takakkaw Falls Trail

michelle spink

Sep 5, 2025•Hiking

Great trail that gets the heart rate up a bit, but without anything technical or overly strenuous. Amazing views of Takakkaw falls and the valley, and a really pretty stroll around Yoho lake. I did it in just under 3 hours without too many breaks.

Yoho Lake Camp

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Yoho National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Yoho National Park is Emerald Lake Loop, which has a 4.6 star rating from 5,239 reviews. This trail is 3.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 406 ft.

What is the longest trail in Yoho National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Yoho National Park is Great Divide Trail Section D: Field to North Saskatchewan River Crossing. This trail is estimated to be 64.6 mi long.

How many trails are in Yoho National Park?

There are 112 trails in Yoho National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 35,495 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Yoho National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Yoho National Park has you covered. Great Divide Trail Section D: Field to North Saskatchewan River Crossing boasts the most elevation gain with 11,568 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is The Rockwall: Alt Route via Goodsir Pass, which will get you 10,652 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Yoho National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 43 camping trails in Yoho National Park and the most popular is Iceline, Little Yoho Valley and Yoho Valley Trail Loop with an average 4.8 star rating from 1,175 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Yoho National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 29 running trails in Yoho National Park and the most popular is Emerald Lake Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 5,239 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Yoho National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 4 biking trails in Yoho National Park and the most popular is Old Highway 1A with an average 4.4 star rating from 195 community reviews.