Lake O'Hara
A high-alpine lake area in Yoho National Park, accessed by a limited number of buses. Many regard it as the most beautiful hiking area in the Rockies.
Lake O'Hara lies in a high alpine basin at about 2,000 metres in Yoho National Park, surrounded by more than a dozen glacial lakes and many alpine trails, including the Opabin Plateau, Lake Oesa and the Panorama Ridge route. To protect the environment, private vehicles are banned on the 11 km access road. You can only ride the limited Parks Canada shuttle buses, which require an online lottery or advance booking with very few spots, or walk the 11 km uphill. There is an alpine hut and a campground at the lakeshore. The parking lot is about 15 minutes' drive from the village of Lake Louise. There is no mobile phone signal in the lake area, so watch for changes in the weather and for bears.
Opening hours
Approx. mid-Jun–early Oct (bus season)
Nearby sights
- Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
- Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint
- Lake Agnes Tea House
- Lake Louise
- Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass
- Moraine Lake
- Lake Louise Gondola & Ski Resort
- Natural Bridge, Yoho