The word 'Yoho' is a Cree expression of awe - the
perfect description for this stunning 1,313 sq km/505 sq mi national park with its 28
mountain peaks which reach more than 3,000 metres towards the sky. With
breath-taking scenery, Yoho National Park offers hikers, campers and sightseers lots to
see and do in one of the most beautiful settings on earth.
Thanks to the early days of Canada's ambitious rail system, the
high, snowy peaks and tangled forests which were once impassible are now accessible to the
wilderness adventurer. After the railroad opened up the area, a golden era of
mountaineering and exploring began that created a culture rich in heroic stories, stunning
artwork and volumes of literary work celebrating the special features of this area.
It also led to the discovery of one of the world's most important fossil finds - the
Burgess Shale.
High in the mountains above Emerald Lake, the Burgess Shale preserves in
delicate detail the remains of an incredible variety of life forms from the Middle
Cambrian time period. More than 500 million years old, the Burgess Shale fossils
have expanded modern day society's understanding of the early evolution of modern animal
life. An indoor exhibit at the Field Visitor Centre displays fossil specimans, while
an outdoor exhibit offers visitors more in-depth information on these fascinating fossils.
Some of the heritage attractions within Yoho National Park include the
Spiral Tunnels, which were cut through the park's mountains to make way for the railroad;
Takakkaw Falls, with a free fall of 254 metres; and the Natural Bridge, where the Kicking
Horse River has carved its way through solid rock.
With rockwalls and waterfalls, Yoho is a pocket of dramatic wilderness
that offers adventurous travellers the chance to connect with nature, understand its
complexities and appreciate its wild beauty.
What to See and Do:
Winter: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sightseeing and
animal watching, ice climbing. Wildlife viewing - elk, deer, moose, coyotes,
chickadees, dippers, grossbeaks.
Spring: Late season ski touring and snowshoeing,
sightseeing, animal watching, bird watching, nature walks at low elevations.
Wildlife viewing - black and grizzly bears, elk, deer, moose, mountain goats, coyotes,
wolves, owls, migratory birds including bald and golden eagles, harlequin ducks,
songbirds, hawks.
Summer: Hiking, backpacking, camping, sightseeing, animal
watching, picnicking, rafting, horseback riding, paddling, cycling, climbing, fishing.
Wildlife viewing - black bears, elk, deer, moose, mountain goats, pikas, coyotes, wolves,
owls, snowshoe hares, marmots, ground squirrels, summer birds including bald and golden
eagles, songbirds, ducks, geese and hawks.
Fall: Late season hiking and backpacking until early
October, larch viewing/hiking at Lake O'Hara, sightseeing and animal watching, nature
walks at low elevations. Wildlife viewing - black and grizzly bears, elk (in rut),
deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, owls, snowshoe hares, migratory birds.
Park Services and Facilities: Picnic or day-use facilities,
hiking trails, fishing, boat launch (canoe only), concession, gift/souvenir shop.
Campgrounds: Kicking Horse (86 sites), open mid-May to
mid-October, unserviced, shower, fee. Hoodoo Creek (106 sites), open late-June to
early September, unserviced, fee. Chancellor Peak (64 sites), open early-May to
late-September, pit toilets, pump water, fee. Monarch (46 sites), open late-June to
early-September, pit toilets, pump water, fee. Takakkaw Falls (35 sites), open
late-June to late-September, walk-in tent sites, pit toilets, pump water, fee.
