Posted March 4, 2019 by travelaroundthegalaxy1 Comment british columbia

Best of Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park isn’t the most well known of the parks in the Canadian Rockies, it is overshadowed in the public consciousness by Jasper and Banff. It is still one of the most beautiful natural places in Canada. With waterfalls, snowcapped mountains and incredible wildlife, it shares everything else that these other places have to offer, with its own twist. One of the most beautiful of British Columbia’s Rocky Mountain destinations is Emerald Lake, which earns its name from the turquoise coloured water found here.

The Canadian Rockies includes four National Parks (Jasper, Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay) and several Provincial Parks (such as Mount Robson, Height of the Rockies or Peter Lougheed). This uninterrupted chain of parks and wilderness areas have allowed Canada to keep this place pristine for generations to come.

We only spent a short time in the park, as we were driving through from Banff to Revelstoke, so we didn’t have time to see as much as we would have liked. One of the main attractions we had planned to see was Takakkaw Falls, but the road was closed for the season.

The top destination in the park is Emerald Lake, the largest of 61 lakes located in Yoho National Park. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit, especially in July when powdered limestone from the mountain meltwater turns the lake turquoise. On a really calm day, the lake looks like glass, and you can go for a hike or take a canoe around the lake while being surrounded by the silence of nature.

We visited in October, and the mountains were already blanketed in the first layer of snow. There was a little bit of a breeze when we visited, so we didn’t get the mirror effect that some visitors boast of, but the mountains and the lake were glorious, especially with the thin layer of clouds that wrapped around the mountain peaks like a scarf.

To sit on the edge of the lake here, and take in the peaceful beauty of nature, is an unforgettable and humbling experience. A reminder that nature is amazing.

The natural land bridge is located on the same road that accesses Emerald Lake and this small waterfall/land bridge is a really neat reminder of the art that nature can create on its own. Located along the Kicking Horse River, this small waterfall and natural rock archway was a beautiful stopover on our way out of the mountains.

The power of the river is on full display here, as the water has gradually eroded the rocks to find a flow through the small opening. We found a great spot to sit along the flats of the river before it dropped, where the peaceful sound of the running water made for a great way to enjoy nature.

We will have to come back to visit soon, especially in the summer, when we can dedicate a few days to exploring the park. We saw so much in a short time – including mountain goats high in the mountains – so we know if we were able to dedicate a few days here, we would have an unbelievable list of attractions.