In 2015, I stumbled upon a photo of Lake O’Hara that changed everything. Back then, I had never backpacked, rarely hiked, and my camping experience was limited to music festivals. But that one magical view sparked a dream—I knew I had to see it in person someday.
Fast forward almost a decade, after countless outdoor adventures and checking off other bucket-list spots, I finally made it to Lake O’Hara. To my surprise (and absolute delight), the viewpoint I had been obsessing over was just a small part of what makes this place so breathtaking.
Now, after soaking in the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake O’Hara, I’m excited to share how I made it happen, so you can too. Here’s your guide on how to get there, what to pack, and the must-see spots in Lake O’Hara, located in Yoho National Park.
About Lake O’Hara
Tucked away in Yoho National Park, BC, Lake O’Hara is a true gem of the Canadian Rockies. This pristine alpine wonder is home to turquoise lakes, stunning hanging valleys, and jaw-dropping vistas that will leave you in awe. The well-maintained trail network, cared for by the Lake O’Hara Trails Club and Parks Canada, guides visitors through this magical landscape, offering an unforgettable experience in one of the most extraordinary environments in the Rockies.
How Get to Lake O’Hara
Due to Lake O’Hara’s sensitive and protected environment, Parks Canada does not provide direct drive-in parking for visitors. Instead, there are four ways to access the lake and its surrounding trails, all of which require advanced reservations and careful planning.
I recommend getting familiar with Parks Canada’s reservation system and policies before the booking dates open. Make sure to create an account in advance and understand where to navigate when it’s time to make a reservation.
Camp at Lake O’Hara
The most budget-friendly way to stay at Lake O’Hara is by reserving one of the 30 campsites at the Lake O’Hara Campground, which is open from late June to early October. All campsites must be booked in advance and can be reserved for a maximum of 3 nights. I stayed for two nights which was just enough time to enjoy all that I wanted to see.
Camping reservations for the entire year open in January, so if you’re planning a trip for summer 2025, you’ll need to secure a spot when bookings open in January 2025. Parks Canada typically announces the reservation date in early January on the Lake O’Hara page.
Lake O’Hara Campground Notes / Features:
- All camp bookings also come with a shuttle reservation. After booking your camping, you will be assigned a shuttle-in time.
- While you can choose specific dates for camping, it’s best to have a few backup options in case your first choice isn’t available.
- There is a maximum of 4 people and 1 tent allowed on each tent pad.
- Tent pads are 2.5m x 2.5m and are designed for smaller backpacking tents.
- Each campsite is assigned one medium-sized storage locker (60 cm/24 in deep, 50 cm/20 in high, 60 cm/24 in wide).
Facilities at the Campground
- Two cooking shelters
- Communal fire pit
- Recycling and garbage bins
- Grey water disposal
- Pit toilets
- Firewood and a splitting maul
- Potable water
Day Trip to Lake O’Hara
If you’re unable to book a campsite or don’t have the time to stay overnight at Lake O’Hara, consider a quick day trip instead! There are two ways to access the numerous trailheads around Lake O’Hara for a day visit.
Shuttle In
To secure a spot on one of the daily shuttles, you’ll need to submit an application in March of the year you wish to visit Lake O’Hara. For example, if you want to visit between June and October 2025, you’ll need to apply in March 2025.
The application period typically lasts a few weeks, with selections made once the application window closes. Shuttle spots are given via a random draw and for each application there is a $10 non refundable fee.
There are 2 inbound buses per day and 6 outgoing buses:
- Inbound Times: 8:30; 10:30
- Outbound Times: 9:30; 11:30; 14:30; 16:30; 18:30
Shuttle Application Details:
- Each application allows you to specify your party size and choose up to 6 different inbound bus dates and times.
- If selected in the random draw, Parks Canada will try to accommodate your first choice of date and time. If your first choice is not available, they’ll move to your other choices in order of preference.
- If successful, you’ll receive an email notification with a temporary reservation.
Successful Shuttle Applications:
- Once notified, you’ll have 14 days to log in to your Parks Canada account and confirm your reservation.
- Any temporary reservations not claimed within 14 days will expire and cannot be reclaimed
Missed the Draw for the Shuttle?
If you’re unable to secure a spot through the random draw, keep an eye out for cancellations or unclaimed spots, which will be made available for regular reservations after the draw is complete.
Hike In
If you’re not lucky enough to snag a campsite or a day shuttle booking, hiking in is an option—but it’s definitely a last resort! The road to Lake O’Hara is 11 km one way, so just getting to and from the parking lot means covering 22 km (a half marathon) before even stepping foot on any of the trails. That said, we did see a handful of people tackling it. So, if you’ve got the energy and stamina for a 30 km+ day, it’s certainly doable!
Stay at Elizabeth Parker Hut
If you’re looking for budget-friendly indoor accommodations at Lake O’Hara, consider staying at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, managed by the Alpine Club of Canada. Located just 0.5 km from the day shuttle stop, this hut offers a convenient and cost-effective option.
Note: When booking a stay at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, you can reserve your inbound shuttle bus through the Alpine Club of Canada at the same time.
Reservation Process:
Due to its popularity, the hut is reserved through a lottery system. The lottery typically opens in the fall of the previous year. For example, if you want to book a stay for summer 2025, you’ll need to look for lottery dates in fall 2024.
Hut Details:
- Maximum stay: 5 consecutive nights.
- Hut capacity: 24 people total.
- Reservation limit: 8 people per booking.
If your group exceeds 8 people, you’ll need to make two separate reservations.
Stay at Lake O’Hara Lodge
For those with a more generous budget, the Lake O’Hara Lodge offers a truly exceptional place to stay. Guests can enjoy delicious catered meals and choose between rooms in the main lodge, charming lakefront cabins, or panoramic cedar cabins. While a stay at the lodge comes with a higher price tag, it provides a serene and stress-free way to experience the beauty of the park.
Note: The Lake O’Hara Lodge runs its own shuttle (separate from the Parks Canada bus), which you’ll take from the parking lot to the lodge.
What to Pack
For Camping
Although the Parks Canada shuttle takes you almost directly from the parking lot to the campground, it’s still recommended to pack light and compact as if you were going backpacking.
- Bag size is restricted to one large bag per person (max size 55 lbs) or two small bags per person.
- Hard sided coolers, storage bins, plastic bags or loose items are not allowed.
This backcountry packing list offers a detailed guide on what you should bring for any backpacking adventure, including a trip to Lake O’Hara. The one thing I wish I had packed? Cash. LeRelais Day Shelter serves up warm drinks, their world-famous carrot cake, and souvenirs—but without cash on hand, we missed out on enjoying these treats!
For a Day Trip
If you’re heading to Lake O’Hara for a day trip, be sure to check out my Ultimate Day Hiking Checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared for your adventure.
A few extra items I recommend bringing (in addition to what’s listed in that post) are:
- Cash (for treats and souvenirs at the LeRelais Day Shelter)
- Hiking Poles (super helpful for navigating the steep trails)
Best Day Hikes at Lake O’Hara
This is where the fun begins: deciding which hikes to tackle at Lake O’Hara! With its incredible variety of trails for all skill levels, there’s so much more to explore than just the popular Opabin Plateau. I arrived expecting only one standout route, but I was completely blown away by the endless trails, viewpoints and diverse landscapes.
Below is my recommended itinerary for a 2-night, 3-day trip, but you can check out the entire list of trails here.
My favorite thing about the trail network in Lake O’Hara is the number of routes that link together. The numerous interconnected routes allow you to create your own adventure and easily combine multiple trails in a single day.
Day 1: Lake McArthur & Big Larches Loop
Total KM: 8km round trip
How much time you have on your first day will largely depend on which shuttle bus you’re assigned. We took the 10:30 a.m. bus, arriving at the campground around 11:00 a.m. After setting up our tent and getting settled, we weren’t ready to hit the trail until just after noon.
Since we didn’t have a full day ahead of us, we chose to hike the Lake McArthur & Big Larches trail—one of the shorter routes we really wanted to explore.
Starting from Le Relais Day Shelter, we followed the McArthur Pass trail, which takes you past the charming Elizabeth Parker Hut and onward to Shaffer Lake. There’s a steady incline for most of the way up, but overall, I’d consider it a moderate hike.
When you arrive at Lake McArthur, you’ll be greeted by glacier-capped peaks and a lake so intensely blue it looks almost looks fake. We paused here for a snack and soaked in the breathtaking scenery.
On the way back, we took the route through Big Larches to switch up the views. Although we were too early to catch the larches in their golden glory, we did stumble upon a massive porcupine!
Day 2: Alpine Route & Opabin Plateau
Total KM: 16 km round trip
Our second day was our only full day at Lake O’Hara so we wanted to make the most of it. I knew I wanted to see Opabin Plateau, but had not planned much outside of that. Talking to some fellow campers the night before, they mentioned the Alpine Route was an absolute must-do, especially as first-timers to Lake O’Hara.
I would 100% agree, if you have just one day to spend at Lake O’Hara do this route. It is important to note that this is a technical route involving many narrow ledges and sections where some scrambling over boulders is necessary. Hikers doing this route should also be comfortable route finding, though the trails are incredibly well marked.
Following our fellow campers’ advice, we kicked off the day from the shores of Lake O’Hara and headed up Wiwaxy Gap / Huber Ledges. This route starts with a steep and steady climb for about 2 km, but the breathtaking views offer plenty of excuses to pause for photo breaks.
From Huber Ledge, we connected to Yukness Ledges, feeling like a mountain goat as we skirted the alpine ledges. We even came across a family of mountain goats grazing along the hillside and a few pikas running through the boulders.
The Yukness Ledges trail eventually drops down to connect with the Opabin Highline, leading up towards Opabin Lake. From there, we continued on to complete the Opabin Plateau loop, stopping at Opabin Prospect and descending the mountain via West Opabin, ending back at the shores of Lake O’Hara.
Although we didn’t get to finish the full Alpine Route (we missed out on the All Soul’s section), we still felt like we experienced everything we wanted—and then some!
Both my husband and I agreed that this was the most breathtaking place we’ve ever had the privilege of exploring. We spent the entire day—and all 16 km of the hike—in absolute awe of the magnificent vistas. Before we even finished the day, we were already planning our next trip back!
Day 3: Linda Lake & Morning Glory Lake
Total KM: 7 km round trip
One thing to keep in mind is that you can take any outbound shuttle on your departure day. This means you can spend your entire day exploring Lake O’Hara, as long as you’re back at the campground for the last shuttle at 6:30 p.m. There’s even a gear shelter at the campground where you can store your packed-up items (tent, etc.) while you head out for one last adventure.
Unfortunately, the weather on our last day took a turn for the worse, so we decided to leave early to avoid the oncoming downpour and thunderstorms. But if you’re luckier than we were, I’d recommend squeezing in the Linda Lake & Morning Glory Lake route or keeping it simple with the Lake O’Hara Shoreline trail before heading out!
Summary
Lake O’Hara is truly one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever had the privilege of exploring. From its crystal-clear lakes and towering peaks to the endless interconnected trails, every corner of this hidden gem left me in awe. I hope sharing my experience inspires you to plan your own trip here—whether it’s tackling the iconic Alpine Route or simply soaking in the serenity of the shoreline. If you’re looking for a destination that offers unparalleled beauty and adventure, Lake O’Hara is an absolute must-visit!
