Welcome To Yoho National Park!
After a great couple days maximing my free Parks Canada Discovery Pass by driving through Jasper National Park and hiking in Banff National Park, the next Canadian National Park on my list was the somewhat lesser-known Yoho National Park.
Named from a Cree word meaning “awe and wonder”, Yoho National Park is the smallest National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Driving Yoho National Park:
My time in Yoho National Park was limited, so I wanted to make sure to at least hit up a couple of the more popular attractions on my park drive-through.
My plan on driving Yoho National Park was to do an out-and-back drive by following the Trans-Canada Highway 1 from Banff National Park and head west into Yoho National Park.
Once you leave the Lake Louise area you will cross into British Columbia and into Yoho National Park. The road will almost immediately descend along a steep mountain where you’ll pass a lookout point for the Lower Spiral Tunnel.
After making it to the bottom of the mountain, I exited at the Yoho Valley Road to head north toward the popular Takakkaw Falls hiking area.
Upper Spiral Tunnel:
On the way up to the Falls, I pulled over that the Upper Spiral Tunnel Scenic Viewpoint turnout.
Even having read the sign above, it was still kind of hard to visualize exactly what I was looking at. A bunch of tourists (including myself) stood there and stared at seemingly nothing but a pretty view.
But when the train arrived, everything became clear — the sign now made perfect sense. One could clearly see the train enter the mountain –and then exit the mountain — in a mind-bending fashion (see the video below).
Close-up of the train coming through the Upper Spiral Tunnel
The Takakkaw Falls Hike:
Continuing on past the Upper Spiral Tunnel Scenic Viewpoint, you’ll head up a steep and narrow road. Be sure to watch out for the first crazy “switch-back”, it’s a doozy.
You’ll then reach the end of the road at a large, loop-style parking lot. Parking is limited so you may have to park off the side of the road.
Takakkaw Falls and Rainbow
You’ll be able to see the Takakkaw Falls from the parking lot, but continue walking down the hill past the bathrooms, to the trail-head. Follow this short and easy trail over the bridge toward the falls.
Bridge over glacial water
Footbridge to Takakkaw Falls
Beautiful scenes in every direction
As you near the falls, you will start getting misted. Perhaps very misted. Even wet. Hike in as far as you like, some of the best photo opportunities present themselves in this zone of the hike.
Some type of forest fungi (I believe)
Final Thoughts on Driving Yoho National Park:
Driving Yoho National Park took me about 3.5 hours round-tip and it was perfect for an afternoon in the Canadian Rockies. The Upper Spiral Tunnel was interesting to see, but it only makes sense when you can see a train snaking its way through the tunnel. Takakkaw Falls is a popular tourist hiking spot perfect for everyone of all skill levels – it’s not to be missed when in the Canadian Rockies.
The truth is, I could have probably explored Yoho National Park for a week. I’ll have to put that on my list for the next time I’m back in the Canadian Rockies.
Cheers!
