Home to incredible lakes, rushing waterfalls, and fossils older than dinosaurs, Yoho National Park is one of B.C.’s crown jewels. It’s world-famous for its incredible hiking and camping opportunities, and fall is an absolutely breathtaking time of year to plan a visit.
Established in 1886, the national park encompasses the Continental Divide, marked by a historic archway along the multi-use, paved Great Divide (to Lake Louise) trail. Popular among cyclists (it takes two hours to bike this path, round trip), the hike is accessible via the Lake O’Hara parking lot.
Speaking of which, Tourism Golden notes that Lake O’Hara is one of the most spectacular places in the country, and can only be accessed on foot or by taking the Parks Canada bus.
500 million-year-old fossils
In 1909, Charles Doolittle Walcott made one of the most historic fossil discoveries in the world when he happened upon the famed Burgess Shale fossil site.
The prehistoric fossils offer a glimpse into the strikingly diverse marine ecosystems that once covered the area, famous for how well-preserved they are. They depict a time when a shallow sea once covered the B.C. interior, with details like eyeballs and brains still preserved today.
You can embark on a guided hike to three distinct fossil sites (two of which are UNESCO sites and normally restricted), including the journey to Mount Stephen, where fossilized trilobites (extinct marine arthropods) await.
If you’re hoping to get a closer look at these incredible, 500 million-year-old fossils, you’ll have to plan your visit between May and September.
Stunning fall hikes
If you’re keen on a colourful fall hike, however, there are plenty of options. For one, there’s a flat, easy trail to one of Western Canada’s highest waterfalls: Takakkaw Falls, which towers 384 metres high, and is named after the Cree word for “magnificent.”
According to Parks Canada, another family-friendly trail includes one that takes hikers along Kicking Horse River to Wapta Falls. Before you go, just note that Wapta Falls Road (two kilometres) is closed from late October to late May.
Another scenic choice with minimal elevation gain is the gravel trail to the shores of Emerald Lake, where muddy and “rooty” conditions reward hikers with sweeping mountain and glacier views. So as long as you’re prepared with solid footwear, there’s no reason why you can’t make an afternoon of this loop trail.
Some more challenging routes for experienced hikers include Little Yoho Valley and Kicking Horse Fire Road, both of which have smaller trails that branch out into their own hiking destinations.
As always, make sure you check weather, trail, and wildlife safety conditions ahead of your visit, dress in layers, and bring your own water.
Note that trails above tree line (2,000 metres) may be at risk for avalanches year-round, but especially from November to June.
How to get there: Drive eight and a half to nine hours from Vancouver to Yoho National Park via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and BC-5 N, or drive two and a half hours from Calgary via theTrans-Canada Highway/AB-1 W.
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