🇨🇦Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park in British Columbia offers families turquoise lakes, towering waterfalls, ancient fossils, and dramatic mountain scenery with far fewer crowds than nearby Banff.

Your family guide

Yoho National Park with kids: waterfalls, lakes and fewer crowds

“Takakkaw means 'wonderful' in Cree. The falls live up to their name.”

— San & Jo

Yoho National Park is the Rocky Mountain adventure your family has been dreaming about, without the crowds that come with it. Tucked into British Columbia on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, this UNESCO World Heritage park packs glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and turquoise lakes into just 1,313 km² of jaw-dropping scenery. And because most visitors head straight to neighbouring Banff, you get all that beauty with room to breathe.

What makes Yoho so special for families is the sheer range of experiences on offer. You can walk to a 373-metre waterfall in under 15 minutes, paddle a canoe on an impossibly green lake, watch a freight train spiral through a mountain, and spot mountain goats on the roadside, all in the same day. The tiny hamlet of Field serves as your base, with a handful of great places to eat and a genuine sense of being somewhere remote and real.

Yoho gets more rainfall than Banff, which means its forests feel lusher and greener. The trails are well-maintained, the scenery is consistently dramatic, and the park rewards families who take their time. Whether you have a day or a long weekend, Yoho offers impressive mountain landscapes that make a strong impression.

British Columbia, CanadaWestern Rockies

Parks Canada pass requiredEntry fee applies

Best: June to SeptemberTrails snow-free from mid-June

Best things to do

Best things to do in Yoho National Park

Takakkaw Falls

At 373 metres, Takakkaw Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada and an absolute showstopper. The walk from the parking area takes just 10 to 15 minutes and the payoff is enormous. Kids love the mist, the roar, and the sheer scale of it. The name means 'wonderful' in Cree, and honestly, it fits.

Arrive early to beat the parking rush in peak summer

30-60 min

Emerald Lake

The largest lake in the park, Emerald Lake earns its name with a striking turquoise colour created by glacial silt. A flat 5 km trail circles the lake, making it perfect for families with younger kids. Canoe rentals are available if you want to get out on the water. It was only discovered by non-native explorers in 1882, which adds a nice story to tell the kids.

Combine with a stop at the Natural Bridge just down the road

1.5-3 hours

The Spiral Tunnels

This is one of those unexpected highlights that genuinely delights kids and adults alike. Built in 1909, the Spiral Tunnels are a feat of railway engineering that allow trains to navigate the steep Kicking Horse Pass by looping inside the mountains. Around 25 to 30 trains pass through daily, and you can watch from roadside viewpoints. Bring snacks and settle in.

Check the CP Rail app to see when the next train is due

30-90 min

Natural Bridge

A short walk from the road brings you to this fascinating rock arch carved by the milky-blue Kicking Horse River over thousands of years. It is free to visit, takes very little time, and sits right on the route to Emerald Lake. A great quick stop that kids find genuinely cool.

Great photo spot, especially in morning light

15-30 min

Wapta Falls

Wapta Falls is the widest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River, stretching about 107 metres across and dropping 18 metres. A short hike through forest leads you there, and the wide, powerful cascade is a completely different experience from Takakkaw. Less visited than the park's other highlights, which means a quieter experience for your family.

The trail is mostly flat, making it manageable for younger hikers

1-1.5 hours

Burgess Shale Fossil Beds

The Burgess Shale contains fossils older than dinosaurs and is one of the most significant palaeontological sites in the world. Access is via guided hikes only, which are led by knowledgeable Parks Canada interpreters. The hikes are challenging, but the story of 500-million-year-old sea creatures preserved in mountain rock is the kind of thing that sparks a lifelong fascination with science.

Book guided hikes well in advance as spaces fill up fast

Full day

Iceline Trail

At 14.2 km, the Iceline Trail is one of the most celebrated day hikes in the Canadian Rockies. It winds past glaciers and meadows full of wildflowers, with views that feel almost too dramatic to be real. This one is best suited to families with older, experienced hikers. Start from the Takakkaw Falls parking area and plan for a full day out.

Start early and pack extra layers, even in summer

6-8 hours

Our verdict

How Yoho National Park scores for families

Kids

Waterfalls you can walk to in 15 minutes, trains spiralling through mountains, turquoise lakes, and mountain goats by the roadside. Yoho delivers genuine wow moments for children of all ages.

Nature

This is the whole point of Yoho. Glaciers, wild rivers, alpine meadows, and over 400 km of trails. The lush forests from extra rainfall give it a distinctly different feel compared to drier parks.

Adventure

From short waterfall walks to full-day glacier hikes, the range is excellent. Families who love getting out and moving will be very happy here.

Food

The hamlet of Field punches above its weight with Truffle Pigs Bistro and the Siding Café, but options are limited. Plan meals in advance and consider self-catering for some nights.

Budget

A Parks Canada pass is required and accommodation around the park is not cheap, especially Emerald Lake Lodge. That said, many of the best experiences, including the Spiral Tunnels and Natural Bridge, are completely free.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Yoho National Park?

1 day

Day trip

Do Takakkaw Falls, the Natural Bridge, and Emerald Lake. You will see the headline highlights and leave wanting more.

sweet spot

2 days

Sweet spot

Two days lets you add Wapta Falls, the Spiral Tunnels, and a proper canoe on Emerald Lake, without rushing a single thing.

4 days

Deep dive

Four days opens up the Iceline Trail, a Burgess Shale guided hike, and possibly Lake O'Hara if you planned the shuttle booking months ahead.

Fun facts

Things to know about Yoho National Park

Trains that loop inside a mountain

The Spiral Tunnels were built in 1909 so trains could climb the steep Kicking Horse Pass without tumbling back down. Engineers made the tracks loop in a figure-eight shape inside the mountains, so the front of a long train can be exiting the tunnel while the back is still going in. Up to 30 trains pass through every single day.

Fossils older than any dinosaur

The Burgess Shale fossil beds in Yoho contain creatures from over 500 million years ago, long before dinosaurs ever existed. These fossils are so well preserved that scientists can still see the soft body parts of ancient sea animals. It is considered one of the most important fossil sites on the entire planet.

A waterfall named 'wonderful'

Takakkaw Falls gets its name from the Cree word for 'wonderful', and at 373 metres tall it absolutely earns it. The water comes from the Daly Glacier high above, which means the flow is strongest in late June and July when the glacier melts fastest. Stand close enough and you will get completely soaked from the mist.

Taste Yoho

Where to eat with kids in Yoho National Park

Smoked salmon tiramisu

Must try

Truffle Pigs Bistro, Field

Yes, it sounds unusual, but Truffle Pigs Bistro in Field has built a reputation on adventurous combinations like this. The patio overlooks the Kicking Horse River and the menu leans into local and regional ingredients. A proper sit-down dinner after a big day on the trails.

Hearty hiker lunch

Local favourite

The Siding Café, Field

The Siding Café in Field has been feeding hikers and families for over 16 years. Think filling lunches, snacks, and takeout options that are perfect for packing into a trail bag. Casual, friendly, and exactly what you need after a morning on the trails.

Rocky Mountain wild game

Safe choice

Mount Burgess Dining Room, Emerald Lake Lodge

The Mount Burgess Dining Room at Emerald Lake Lodge serves Rocky Mountain cuisine featuring local game, Albertan beef, and stunning lake views through floor-to-ceiling windows. It is a more special-occasion meal, but the setting is hard to beat.

Smoked salmon

Local favourite

Truffle Pigs Bistro, Field

Rocky Mountain cuisine has deep roots in European mountain guide cooking and Victorian rail travel, and smoked salmon appears on menus across the park. Rich, flavourful, and a genuinely regional speciality worth ordering wherever you see it.

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