Lake O'Hara Lake

Address: Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/experiences/experience-22

Lake O’Hara is a small alpine lake in Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies known for its concentrated high-mountain scenery and trail network. The basin contains lakes, meadows and cirques ringed by rugged peaks and is a popular destination for hiking and alpine photography.

A compact set of trails radiates from the lakeshore, ranging from short walks to longer alpine circuits that gain nearby ridges and passes. Access to the area is controlled by Parks Canada via a limited shuttle and reservation system to protect sensitive alpine environments, and there is a campground and a small lodge with tightly managed capacity.

The lake sits within Yoho National Park near the village of Field, British Columbia, in the Kicking Horse Valley of the Canadian Rockies. It is accessed by a seasonal road and managed shuttle from the park road.

Lake O’Hara’s landscape was sculpted by glaciation and remains a high-elevation recreational and conservation area within the national park.

• Visitor access limits: Park-run shuttle service and a strict reservation system limit daily visitor numbers to protect fragile alpine ecosystems; many hikers require advance bookings for the bus or campsite.
• Scenic concentration: High-alpine scenery with granite peaks and meadows close to the lake makes it a concentrated area for day hikes and photographic routes, often accessible from a short lakeside trailhead.

What to See#

• Alpine trails: A compact alpine trail network around the lake with routes ranging from short lakeside walks to multi-day alpine circuits that link to high-elevation passes and cirques.
• Access road and bus service: A Parks Canada-operated access road and shuttle system that limits private vehicle access to protect the area; bookings are required for the shuttle in peak months.

Visitors must reserve a spot on the Parks Canada shuttle bus from the Lake O’Hara parking lot (often called Lake O’Hara bus reservation). Access on foot along the alpine road is possible but lengthy; private vehicles are not allowed beyond the parking lot. Reservations for camping or the lodge should be made well in advance.

• Book bus reservations early - Parks Canada limits visitor numbers to Lake O'Hara via a reservation system for the shuttle bus from the parking lot.
• Reserve campsite or lodge accommodation months in advance during peak season (July-September).
• Hike the lake's loop trails early in the morning to avoid small crowds and to catch the best light on the surrounding peaks.