Guided Hikes
Award-winning Parks Canada heritage interpreters offer guided hikes to the world famous Burgess Shale fossil beds. These hikes incorporate storytelling, holding actual fossils, and hands-on activities. Book early as there are only 12 spots available per hike and all of the fossil beds are open to guided groups only.
1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783) or visit www.reservations.parkscanada.gc.ca to create an account and make your reservation online.
Walcott Quarry
View of Emerald Lake from the Burgess Shale hike to the Walcott Quarry © Parks Canada
Beginning at Takakkaw Falls, this awe-inspiring hike takes you through a variety of mountain landscapes including stunning views of Emerald Lake en-route to the world-famous fossils at Walcott Quarry. Open to guided groups only.
Length: This moderately difficult 22 kilometre round-trip hike takes about 10 hours to complete. Elevation gain is 800 metres (2625 feet).
Schedule: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from July 12th to September 23rd. Meet at 7:15am.
Meeting place: Takakkaw Falls parking lot (see map)
Cost: Adults $70.00 17-64 years
Youth $35.00 8-16 years*
Seniors $59.50 65 years +
*A non refundable reservation fee of $11.00 will be charged for each online reservation and $13.50 charged for each phone reservation.
*Children under 8 are not recommended due to trip length and difficulty. Youth from 8-16 must be accompanied by an adult.
*Groups that reserve all 12 available spaces at the same time for the same hike receive a 10% discount.
Mount Stephen Fossil Bed
View from the Mount Stephen fossil bed on a Burgess Shale hike © Parks Canada
This short but challenging hike leads you to the site where railway workers reported finding thousands of so-called ‘stone bugs’ in the 1880’s. The sheer number of fossils at Mount Stephen has been described by some as comparable to stumbling upon a treasure frozen in time. Open to guided groups only.
Length: The hike is a moderate 9-kilometre round-trip hike that takes about 7 hours to complete. Elevation gain is 800 metres (2625 feet).
Schedule: Every Saturday and Sunday from June 22nd to September 15th. Meet at 7:15am.
Meeting place: Yoho Visitor Centre (see map)
Cost: Adult $55.00 17-64 years
Youth $27.50 8-16 years*
Seniors $46.75 65 years +
*A non refundable reservation fee of $11.00 will be charged for each online reservation and $13.50 charged for each phone reservation.
*Children under 8 are not recommended due to trip length and difficulty. Youth from 8-16 must be accompanied by an adult.
*Groups that reserve all 12 available spaces at the same time for the same hike receive a 10% discount.
Reservations are required and available starting January 3, 2013. A non refundable reservation fee of $11.00 will be charged for each online reservation and $13.50 charged for each phone reservation. All fees are collected at time of booking. A confirmation letter will be e-mailed to verify the reservation once payment is finalized.
Reservations: Go to www.reservations.parkscanada.gc.ca to create an account and make your reservation online or call 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783) and have the following info ready:
- Dates & hike requested
- Names and ages of participants
- Emergency contact & medical info
- MasterCard, Visa or AmEx number
Changes and Cancellations: Cancellations with a full refund of hiking fees may be made by 10 a.m. five days before the scheduled hike. Online reservation changes and cancellations are subject to a fee of $11.00 per transaction and changes and cancellations by phone are subject to a fee of $13.50 per transaction. Due to high demand, Parks Canada requests that booking modifications be made with as much advance notice as possible. Parks Canada reserves the right to retain hiking fees in the case of no-shows.
Standby Hikers: Visitors wishing to join a Burgess Shale hike on a standby basis may do so by arriving at the hike meeting location prior to the start of the hike, although there is no guarantee that a place will be available. Open spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are unable to reserve for the date you prefer, guided hikes are also offered by licensed private guides through the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation.
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