Yoho National Park Itinerary: Unforgettable Day Trip from Banff

Yoho National Park is often overlooked compared to Banff and Jasper, but it offers equally stunning scenery with fewer crowds.

If you’re staying in Banff, it’s an easy 1-hour drive and makes for a great day trip!

Some of the best stops include Wapta Falls, Emerald Lake, and Natural Bridge, all of which are easy to get to and offer incredible views. We’ll dive deeper into these later in the post.

Since the park is smaller and less crowded, you can cover a lot in one day without feeling rushed.

This Yoho National Park itinerary covers exactly how to spend your time, with hiking details, parking information, and driving directions to make your trip planning easier.

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One-Day Yoho National Park Itinerary

I recommend starting your day early to beat the crowds and make the most of your time exploring all the best sights in Yoho National Park!

I have created a downloadable Google Map below with all the sights from this blog post, so you can easily get driving directions between each stop.

Morning: Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is one of the most impressive lakes in the Canadian Rockies, with its bright turquoise water and surrounding mountains.

In my experience, it’s far less crowded than Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, making it a great spot to take your time and enjoy the views.

Emerald Lake was my favorite lake we visited during our Banff trip due to its bright turquoise color and lack of crowds.

When we visited on May 29th (Wednesday) at 8:30 AM, it was practically empty—felt like we had the whole place to ourselves!

There are a few ways to experience Emerald Lake:

Hike the Emerald Lake Loop – This 3.2-mile loop circles the lake and offers different viewpoints along the way. We hiked it counterclockwise (taking the right side first over the bridge), and I’d recommend going this way to avoid crowds. The first half of the trail is a bit more rugged, with uneven terrain and some muddy sections, while the second half is an easy, well-maintained path. The hike isn’t difficult, but we took our time, stopping to enjoy the views and even feel the water (it’s as cold as you’d expect!). It took us about 2 hours to complete.
Rent a Canoe – Canoes are available for rent at the boathouse but are pricey (~$100 CAD per hour). If you didn’t get a chance to canoe at Lake Louise, this is a good alternative. We didn’t do this because it felt too expensive for me.
Relax by the Lake – If you’re not up for a hike or canoeing, there are plenty of spots to sit and take in the view.

Since parking here fills up quickly, it’s best to visit earlier in the day, before 9:00 am.

If the lot is full, you may have to park along the road and walk in.

Emerald Lake is about a 1 hour and 15-minute drive from Banff, and we pulled into the parking lot around 8:30 AM.

I was surprised to see the lot nearly empty!

We visited on a Wednesday (May 29th), which was before peak season, but I still expected more people.

If you’re visiting during summer (June through August), I recommend getting here early (before 9:00 am) to beat the crowds and enjoy the lake while it’s quieter.

Emerald Lake was already fully thawed at the end of May, which isn’t always the case, but it is usually thawed by late May to early June.

In 2024, it was one of the first lakes to thaw, and the emerald green color was just as unreal in person as it looks in photos!

The vibrant turquoise-colored waters of Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park surrounded by the green skinny fir trees and the impressive Canadian Rockies. — Emerald Lake

Early Afternoon: Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is just a short 10-minute drive from Emerald Lake and makes for a quick but worthwhile stop.

The Natural Bridge was formed by the Kicking Horse River that has gradually worn away the limestone, forming a natural arch.

There’s no hike required, just a short walk from the parking lot to the viewpoints.

It doesn’t take long to visit, but it’s definitely worth stopping to see!

➡️Looking for the perfect hotel in Banff? Check out my guide on where to stay in Banff to find the best accommodations for your trip!

Lunch: Truffle Pigs Bistro

After a morning of exploring in Yoho National Park, head to Truffle Pigs Bistro in the small town of Field to enjoy some delicious food for lunch.

It is about a 10-minute drive from the Natural Bridge.

The food here is great, with a unique menu featuring beef nachos, charcuterie boards, steak sandwiches, and more.

I enjoyed the nachos!

The cool rustic exterior of Truffle Pigs Bistro restaurant in the small town of Field near Yoho National Park making it a perfect rest stop for lunch. — **Truffle Pigs Bistro**

Late Afternoon: Wapta Falls

Hike Distance: 3.0 miles round trip
Time Needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
Trailhead Location: Wapta Falls Trailhead, just off the Trans-Canada Highway
All Trails Directions

After eating at Truffle Pigs Bistro in Field, drive on Highway 1 toward Wapta Falls, one of the best hikes in Yoho National Park.

The drive takes about 30 minutes, and the turnoff for the Wapta Falls trailhead is easy to miss, so keep an eye out.

To reach the parking lot, you’ll have to drive on a gravel road that has numerous potholes.

It’s a bit rough, but we managed just fine in a rental car by driving slowly.

The parking lot is small, so once it fills up, people start parking along the road, which is what we ended up doing.

The hike to Wapta Falls is almost 3-miles round trip and mostly easy, though it gets steeper near the end as you make your way down closer to the falls.

The final stretch is worth it as you are able to get closer to the base, providing you with an up-close view of the powerful 98-foot waterfall.

After descending the steps, we followed the left side along the rock wall, walking across the rocks to get as close to the falls as possible.

If you do this, bring a rain jacket—you will get wet from the mist!

To find the trailhead, I recommend using All Trails which will provide you with driving directions to the parking lot as well as navigation while on the trail.

The impressive and powerful Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park viewed from above surrounded by tall green fir trees and a misty shroud. — **Wapta Falls**

The hiking trail to lead to Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park while following a dirt trail surrounded by tall skinny trees in a forest. — **Wapta Falls Hiking Trail**

Driving Back to Banff

After a full day of exploring Yoho National Park, it’s time to head back to Banff.

The drive takes about 1 hour, so plan to leave in the early evening if you’re wanting to get back at a reasonable time for dinner.

If you have daylight left, you could stop at Lake Louise on the way back before returning to Banff.

You can also avoid the peak crowds at Lake Louise by visiting later in the evening.

Conclusion

A day trip to Yoho National Park is a great way to escape the crowds in Banff and see some of the best scenery in the Canadian Rockies.

I hope this blog post can help you create your own Yoho National Park itinerary for an unforgettable trip. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Banff!

➡️Need more help planning your Banff itinerary? Check out my detailed 7-Day Banff Itinerary to see exactly what I did during my trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Yoho Better Than Banff?

It really depends on what you’re looking for!

Yoho National Park is less crowded and offers stunning views, waterfalls, and lakes, but it doesn’t have as many sights to see compared to Banff National Park.

If you prefer a quieter, more peaceful experience with less traffic, Yoho might be the better option for you.

However, if you want iconic sights like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, or more hiking and accommodation options, Banff is the place to be.

I recommend spending the majority of your time in Banff and just taking a day trip to Yoho National Park.

2. How Far Apart are Banff and Yoho?

Banff and Yoho are about 1-hour apart by car.

You can drive from Banff to Yoho National Park along the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1), which makes it an easy day trip from Banff.

3. Does Banff Park Pass Include Yoho?

Yes, your Banff National Park Pass covers Yoho National Park as well.

Both parks are part of the Canadian Rockies National Parks system, so a single park pass allows you access to both Banff and Yoho which is super convenient!

4. Do You Need Reservations for Yoho National Park?

You don’t need reservations to visit Yoho National Park itself.

However, if you plan to stay at a campground, you’ll need to book in advance, especially during peak season (summer months). Check out more information here.

Popular campgrounds like Takakkaw Falls can fill up quickly (especially during July and August), so it’s a good idea to reserve your spot ahead of time if you plan to camp.

5. When is the Best Time to Visit Yoho National Park?

The best time to visit Yoho National Park is usually from June to September when the weather is warmer, the lakes have thawed, and the snow has melted or started to melt at higher elevations.

If you prefer to avoid crowds, late spring (May) or early fall (September) can be great times to visit.

We visited during late May and had a great experience!

Just keep in mind that some areas, like the Yoho Valley Road, may be closed during winter months due to snow and road conditions.

6. What are the Top Hikes in Yoho National Park?

Here are a few of the best hikes in Yoho National Park that I recommend:

Emerald Lake Loop (Easy)
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Time: 1-2 hours
- This is a great easy trail around the lake with views of the surrounding mountains and Emerald Lake.
Takakkaw Falls to Iceline Trail (Hard)
- Distance: 9.0 miles
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Starting near Takakkaw Falls, this trail offers fantastic views of the falls, glaciers, and the surrounding landscape. It’s a longer, more challenging hike, but the views make it worth it!
Wapta Falls (Easy to Moderate)
- Distance: 3.0 miles
- Time: 1.5-2 hours
- A relatively easy hike to an impressive waterfall where you can get close to the base and feel the mist. It’s a less-crowded hike compared to others.

Check out my other Banff blog posts to help plan your trip!

Helpful Tips For Planning Your Trip to Banff

Recommended Activities: I highly recommend checking out the Banff Gondola, Via Ferrata, White Water Rafting, and Lake Minnewanka Cruise.
Best Hikes in Banff: Plain of Six Glaciers, Little Beehive & Big Beehive, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Tunnel Mountain – read more on my best hikes in Banff blog post!
Where to Stay in Banff: I loved our stay at the Banff Inn and would 100% recommend! The Canalta Lodge and Moose Hotel & Suites are great options too.
Rental Car: If you’re wanting to get a rental car in Banff, I recommend using Expedia or Rentalcars.com for the best deals!
Flights: Look for the best flight deals using Aviasales.
Airport Transfer: Use the Banff Airporter to get you from the Calgary Airport to your hotel in Banff if you don’t have a rental car.
No Rental Car: If you don’t have a rental car, consider using the Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus or joining a guided tour of the most popular sights.