Plan a trip to Lake O'Hara
Yoho National Park
The Lake O’Hara area is a true gem in Yoho National Park. To protect this sensitive alpine area and provide a wilderness experience, access to Lake O’Hara is managed through Parks Canada shuttle bus reservations. Advanced reservations are required for the shuttle and campground.
Reservation launch dates:
- Campground: Thursday, January 25 2024 at 8:00 am MT
- Update Shuttle: In 2024, reservations for the Lake O'Hara day-use shuttle will once again be available by way of random draw. Applications for the random draw will be accepted from 8:00 am March 11 until 11:59 pm March 31 MDT, on Parks Canada’s Reservation Service website. For detailed information on the application and selection process, as well as random draw policies, please visit our Random Draw Policies Random Draw Policies page.
- Prepare for launch day
Reserve:
- Online 24/7
- By calling: 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783)
Prime hiking season in the Lake O’Hara area runs July through late-September. Until late June, many higher routes are still snow-bound and may be subject to avalanche hazard.
Advanced reservations are required. There are four ways to visit Lake O’Hara:
Visit for the day
From June 21 - October 6, 2024, the Lake O’Hara shuttle takes visitors 11 km up to Lake O’Hara. Advanced reservations are required.
Camp up to three nights
From June 21 to October 5, 2024, the Lake O’Hara backcountry campground is open to reservation holders only.
Stay at the Elizabeth Parker Hut
Rustic accommodation for overnight guests year-round. Book with the Alpine Club of Canada.
Stay at Lake O’Hara Lodge
Accommodation to guests on the shores of Lake O’Hara. Book with Lake O'Hara Lodge.
Visit for the day
Parks Canada Lake O’Hara Day Use shuttle
Operating from June 21 to October 6, 2024. Reservations are required. The bus departs from the Lake O’Hara parking lot, 12 km west of Lake Louise, Alberta or 13 km east of Field, B.C.
2024, reservations for the Lake O'Hara day-use shuttle will once again be available by way of random draw.
Update Applications for the random draw will be accepted from 8:00 am March 11 until 11:59 pm March 31 MDT, on Parks Canada’s Reservation Service website. For detailed information on the application and selection process, as well as random draw policies, please visit our Random Draw Policies page.
Commercially guided reservations: for the 2024 season, can be booked starting April 1 through the Lake O’Hara information office phone line at; 1-250-343-6433.
Important information:
- Day-use bus schedule (MDT): 8:30; 10:30 (ingoing) and 9:30; 11:30; 14:30; 16:30; 18:30 (outgoing).
- Maximum 6 people per reservations. Children from 1-16 years old must be included within the reservation.
- Pets are prohibited on the bus and at the campground but permitted on the road when leashed.
- Cycling is prohibited on the road.
- Hiking the 11 km access road: Visitors attempting to hike the 22 km round trip should be prepared with food, water, bear spray, and appropriate clothing and footwear. Camping is not permitted outside of the designated campground. Campground reservations are required in advance
Camping at Lake O'Hara
For those who wish to stay overnight, the popular Lake O'Hara Campground is open June 21 to October 5, 2024. The campground has only 30 sites and is reserved for overnight guests only.
Important information:
- All campsites must be booked in advance. The campground is open from June 21 to October 5, 2024. All overnight camping reservations at Lake O’Hara will be offered on Thursday, January 25 2024 at 8:00 am MT online on the Parks Canada Reservation Service. or by telephone 1-877-737-3783.
- Maximum of 3 consecutive nights for camping. Maximum of 2 reservations per transaction. Maximum 4 people per tent pad. Children from 1-16 years old must be included within the reservation. Maximum 1 small 4-person tent per site.
- Tent pads (2.7 m x 2.7 m) are designed for smaller backpacking tents.
- Baggage is restricted to one large bag per person (max. weight: 25 kg / 55 lbs; max. length 97 cm / 38”) or two small bags per person.
- Bear-aware procedures for cooking and storing food and garbage must be observed.
- One medium-sized storage locker (60 cm/24 in deep, 50 cm/20 in high, 60 cm/24 in wide) is assigned per campsite – you may bring a padlock.
- Hard sided food coolers, storage bins, plastic bags, and loose items are not permitted on the bus. Please leave musical instruments, electronics, chairs and hammocks behind.
- Only visitors with a camping reservation will be permitted to overnight in the campground.
- Parks Canada cannot accept reservations for day trips through the campground reservation service. Those who reserve a site at the campground and who show up without a tent will be turned away.
Campground facilities:
- two cooking shelters
- one fire pit
- food and garbage storage
- grey water disposal
- outhouses
- firewood and a splitting maul
- treated well water (not always available early and late season)
Be sure to bring a backpacking stove for cooking. The wood stoves and fire pits are best used for heat.
Elizabeth Parker Hut
The Elizabeth Parker Hut offers rustic accommodation for overnight guests year-round. Reservations are required. Due to high demand, summer bookings for the Elizabeth Parker Hut are made by lottery the previous fall. More information about the lottery is available from the Alpine Club of Canada.
Lake O'Hara Lodge
Lake O'Hara Lodge offers magical meals and accommodation to guests on the shores of Lake O’Hara. The lodge is open mid-June until early October for summer and autumn escapes, and late January through early-April for winter adventures.
Le Relais
The Lake O’Hara Trails Club operates Le Relais day use shelter during the hiking season. Here, you may warm up, receive trail information, buy a hot drink or snack (cash only).
The Lake O’Hara Trails Club, Lake O’Hara Lodge, the Alpine Club of Canada and Parks Canada look forward to welcoming you to this very special place.
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