A Wonderland of Wonders Yoho national park: Find a magnificent wilderness

A Wonderland of Wonders Yoho national park was given its Cree name, which means “wonder and amazement,” which sums it up nicely. Yoho is quite simply a breathtaking wilderness, complete with rock walls, streams, and about 30 mountain summits that rise more than 3,000 metres into the air. Yoho National Park, located west of Banff and just across the border from British Columbia, is where visitors travelling east on our First Passage to the West itinerary truly receive their first taste of the Canadian Rocky Mountains as we pass past the village of Field and into Spiral Tunnels.

On your Rocky Mountaineer holiday, it would be a great idea to return to Yoho National Park to further explore everything that it has to offer in terms of sights and activities. Thankfully, both Lake Louise and Banff offer quick access to the park. The Yoho National Park Visitor Center is located in Field, which is an excellent site to start exploring the area and is only 20 minutes from Lake Louise and one hour from Banff.

The top activities in Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park’s scenery gives tourists the chance to experience dizzying mountain peaks, thundering waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes, as well as a little bit of Canadian history. Here are a few of our top activities in Yoho National Park:

National Historic Sites at Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass:

Long trains entering the Spiral Tunnels in one direction are exciting to see, even if you’re not a rail enthusiast. whereas the locomotive leaves from a totally distinct one! The Kicking Horse Pass, named after an incident on the 1857 Palliser Expedition where one member was, you guessed it, kicked by a horse, was made treacherous by this pair of tunnels on the old Canadian Pacific Railway.

The Upper Spiral Tunnel, which passes through Cathedral Mountain, and the Lower Spiral Tunnel, which passes through Mount Ogden, both include vantage spots. Choose our First Passage to the West tour, nevertheless, if you want to experience walking through the tunnels for yourself!

Emerald Lake:

Although the name Emerald Lake won’t win any prizes for originality, it is rather realistic. One of Yoho’s most admired features is the lake’s distinctive deep green waters, and it is strongly advised to take the short, one-hour route that circles the lake. The region has a delicate microclimate that leads to some stunning floral displays, including rare wild orchid sightings.

The Natural Bridge:

The bridge is a naturally occurring rock formation that spans the Kicking Horse River. It was formed when the force of water carving away softer stone at the base of a waterfall eventually caused it to flow through the bottom rather than over the harder rocks at the top. At the overlook, which is only two miles (3 km) from Field, observe nature in action.

Wapta Falls:

Many stunning waterfalls can be seen in Yoho National Park. With a 150-metre width and 30-metre height. The longest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River, Wapta Falls, is reachable via a straightforward 2.4 km (1.5 mile) hike through a lush forest. At the falls, the notorious horse-kick actually occurred.

Burgess Shale Fossils

Yoho National Park is home to one of the most significant fossil discoveries, the Burgess Shale. These are some of the oldest and most intricate fossils in existence, and they are aiding study into the origins of life on Earth and the process of evolution. The Burgess Shale, which was designated a World Heritage Site in 1981, comprises the fossilised remains of marine animal species that date back more than 500 million years. The fossil beds themselves are only accessible by a series of strenuous guided walks, but Via interpretive displays at the Field Visitor Center and Emerald Lake, the rest of us can learn more about them.

Takakkaw Falls

Takakkaw Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada and the highest waterfall in Yoho National Park. The Cree name “Takkakaw” means “amazing” or “magnificent,” which, at 384 metres tall, is an accurate description of the structure. Wheelchairs and strollers can be used to visit the falls from the parking lot via a short trail. Simply be ready for the roaring falls’ mist!

Conclusion

This concludes my overview of Yoho National Park. I hope it will be helpful as you prepare for your upcoming trip! We sincerely hope that this has provided you with an overview of some of the fantastic activities to do in Yoho National Park. Exploring Yoho is simple to include in your journey if you’re going to the Canadian Rockies.