Yoho National Park

Yoho, a Cree word of “amazement,” is a fitting name for the 131,300-hectare (324,450-acre) Yoho National Park immediately north of Kootenay National Park [1] and beside Banff National Park [2] to the east. Although it’s the smallest of four contiguous parks, its wild and rugged landscape holds spectacular waterfalls, extensive ice fields, a lake to rival those in Banff, and one of the world’s most intriguing fossil beds. In addition, you’ll find some of the finest hiking [3] in all of Canada on the park’s 300-kilometer (186-mile) trail system.

Within the park are four lodges [4], four campgrounds [5], and the small railway town of Field, where you’ll find basic services. The park is open year-round, although road conditions in winter can be treacherous and occasional closures occur on Kicking Horse Pass. The road out to Takakkaw Falls [6] is closed through winter, and it often doesn’t reopen until mid-June.

From the park’s western edge, Highway 1 follows the Kicking Horse River as it descends to the Columbia River Valley and the town of Golden [7].

The main source of park information is Field Visitor Centre on the TransCanada Highway at Field (250/343-6783, daily 9 a.m.–8 p.m. in summer, daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m. the rest of the year).

Passes are required for entry into Kootenay [1] and Yoho National Parks. Passes are interchangeable between parks — including adjacent Banff and Jasper National Parks [2] — and are valid until 4 p.m. the day following purchase. The cost of a National Parks Day Pass is adult $10, senior $8.30, child $5. There is a maximum per-vehicle entry fee of double the adult (or senior) rate.