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Parks Canada - Yoho National Park of Canada - Activities - Exploring Lake O'Hara

️Government of Canada, Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada, Parks Canada Agency, Yoho National Park of Canada
️Thu Apr 07 2005

Activities

Exploring Lake O'Hara

Le Relais Day Shelter is the hub for trails in the Lake O'Hara Valley.
© Parks Canada/YNP

To protect this sensitive alpine area and maintain a wilderness experience, a quota system limits the number of visitors using the public bus service into Lake O’Hara. Consequently, not everyone will be able to obtain a day use bus or camping reservation. The daily quota allows 42 day users, along with overnight visitors staying at the park’s 30-site campground, two Alpine Club of Canada huts, and a small, private lodge.

There are no restrictions on the number of people who wish to hike the 11-km access road. Reservations are not required for buses returning from Lake O’Hara, but a one-way cash fee is collected: $9.90 adult/$4.95 youth. You may walk your pet on leash into the valley, but pets are not allowed on the bus. Cycling is not permitted on the Lake O’Hara road.

The Lake O’Hara Valley is a high-elevation backcountry area. Come prepared to be self-sufficient. Prepare for all weather conditions: carry extra clothing, sunscreen, a hat, light gloves, and rain gear. Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Bring food and water. The Lake O’Hara Trails Club operates Le Relais Day Shelter. Here you may warm up, receive trail information, buy a hot drink or snack (cash only).

Reservations

Reservations are required to take the bus to Lake O’Hara for day use and camping. The bus operates from June 17 - October 5 (start and end dates vary year to year). You may reserve up to three calendar months in advance of your visit, by telephone only.

Please have your Mastercard, Visa or American Express card ready when you call. A $11.85 reservation fee applies. The bus, campground and reservation fees are collected at the time of booking. Once reservations are made, an additional $11.85 modification fee will apply for any future changes. Individuals with a disability, please consult us regarding alternative access into Lake O’Hara.

Lake O'Hara Reservation Line Hours of Operation
Telephone: 250.343.6433 Mountain Time

March 17 - April 13: Monday - Thurs., 8 am-12pm/ 1pm-4 pm
April 18 - May 26: Monday - Friday, 8 am-12 pm/1 pm-4 pm
May 29 - September 30: daily, 8 am-12 pm/1 pm-4 pm
October 1 - 4: reduced hours

When you call, please have the following information ready:

Dates requested: maximum of 3 nights for camping
Number of people: maximum of 6 people per party
for day use
Number of campsites: maximum of 2 sites per party
and 1 tent per site
Preferred bus time: reservations are not required for
an outgoing bus

Lake O'Hara Fees

Bus Fare

Adult: $14.85
Youth (6-16): $7.40
Child (5 & under): no charge

Camping

Adult: $8.90 / night
Youth (6-16): no charge
Child (5 & under): no charge

Reservation Fee: $11.85 non-refundable
Modification Fee: $11.85

Please Note: The Lake O'Hara campground fees are based on the Wilderness Pass system. If you are an annual Wilderness Pass holder, your O'Hara backcountry campground fee is covered.

24-Hour Bookings for Lake O'Hara

Parks Canada reserves six day use places and three to five campsites for 24-hour bookings. These places are reservable by telephone only. They can be booked by contacting 250.343.6433 the day before you wish to visit O’Hara. Each individual may reserve either two day-use places, or one campsite. These are usually filled within 10 minutes of the office opening.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations are received by an answering machine at 250.343.6433. Please leave your name, reservation number, credit card number and expiry date.

The $11.85 reservation fee is non-refundable.
A $11.85 cancellation fee applies for day users who cancel after 4 p.m., with less than four days notice prior to the first reserved date.
A $11.85 cancellation fee applies to cancelled camping reservations. The first night’s camping fee is also forfeited after 4 p.m., with less than four days notice prior to the first reservation date.
Campers who must leave before the end of their stay may be issued refunds depending on the circumstances, and if requested before 10 a.m. A $11.85 cancellation fee applies.

Accessing Lake O'Hara

The Lake O’Hara parking lot is located off the Trans-Canada Highway, 15 km east of Field, British Columbia, and 11 km west of Lake Louise, Alberta. Visitors require a valid National Park Pass. These can be purchased at any Park Visitor Centre or from the attendant at the bus. Do not leave valuables in your parked vehicle.

O'Hara Bus Schedule

Yoho National Park is on Mountain Time.
Please arrive early. Bus reservations become invalid 10 minutes prior to departure, and may be given away.

June 17 - September 30

In-going
8:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
Out-going
9:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.*
2 :30 p.m.*
4 :30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

* limited seating

October

In-going
10 :00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
Out-going
11:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m.

Stewardship

Trails at Lake O’Hara are usually snow-bound or muddy until early July. Higher trails are not accessible until late July. These conditions make the trails susceptible to erosion. Please stay on trails and obey all closure signs to minimize your impact. Research has identified important grizzly bear habitat and an important wildlife corridor in the area.

To ensure wildlife can move freely through a bottle-neck in the McArthur Valley-Cataract Brook wildlife corridor at McArthur Pass, please voluntarily limit your use of the Odaray Highline trail. Check with park staff or at Le Relais for details.
After August 15, when seasonal plant foods favoured by grizzly bears have peaked, McArthur Valley is opened to a small number of hiking parties. A hiking permit is required to hike this unmaintained wilderness route. It can be obtained by phoning the Field Visitor Centre: 250.343.6783.
Learn more about bears and bear-aware practices, read the brochure Bears and People: a guide to safety and conservation on the trail.

Camper Information

Please help us maintain the backcountry atmosphere of the Lake O’Hara Campground.

Each camper may bring one large, or two small pieces of baggage (25 kg max./person; length + width + height must not exceed 158 cm/62”). Food coolers, hard sided storage bins, items stored in plastic bags and miscellaneous loose items will not be accepted on the bus. Backpacks and duffle bags are recommended.
Please leave musical instruments, radios and lawn chairs behind.
Communal facilities include two kitchen shelters with wood stoves; a fire pit; separate food and garbage storage; grey water disposal; pit privies; firewood and a splitting maul; and well water (not always available early and late season).
A primus stove is recommended for cooking and to boil drinking water.
Bears frequent this area. Bear-aware procedures for cooking, and storing food and garbage must be observed to protect both people and bears.
Tent pads (2.7m X 2.7m) are designed for small backpacking tents. One tent per campsite.
Campers choose their site once they arrive. It’s not always possible for parties to camp at adjacent sites.
A limited number of lock-up boxes are available for valuables. Please bring a medium-size padlock.

Related Lake O'Hara Information

Alpine Club of Canada, Elizabeth Parker & Abbot Pass Huts: 403.678.3200
Lake O’Hara Lodge, 250.343.6418
Lake O’Hara Trails Club

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