Lake O’Hara is a stunning place in British Columbia, Canada, and is nicknamed a “Hiker’s Paradise” because really, the only thing to do while visiting Lake O’Hara is hiking! This is for good reason though, because there are SO MANY beautiful hikes here.
I have visited Lake O’Hara three times in the past, and plan to visit even more in the future! My first visit to Lake O’hara was in July, and my second time exploring Lake O’Hara was in September. My most recent visit was July 2025! All three times were so beautiful – it is one of my favourite places in the Canadian Rockies!
In this article, I will share everything you need to know about visiting, hiking, and camping at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada!
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Lake O’Hara at a Glance and Where is it?
Lake O’Hara is a hiking and camping area in Yoho National Park, in British Columbia, Canada. It is only accessible by bus or walking in (public vehicles and bikes are not allowed on the road to Lake O’Hara). There are quite a few hiking trails at Lake O’Hara, as well as a campground and a luxury lodge.
The Lake O’Hara Parking Lot (where you park before the road closes) is around a 15 minute drive from Lake Louise, Alberta and around 13 minutes from Field, BC.
Open the map with Google MyMaps!
What is the Best Time to Visit Lake O’Hara?
Lake O’Hara hiking trails typically open mid-June until early October. This year, the shuttle bus is running June 19th – October 4th, 2026. Make sure to reserve a spot in advance! You can enter the lottery for tickets between March 2-23, 2026 and camping reservations open February 10th, 2026.
For warm weather and limited snow, I would recommend visiting in July and August!
For beautiful fall colours, mid-September – October is your best bet!
How Long to Spend at Lake O’Hara
If you are really interested in hiking, I would recommend spending as much time as you can at Lake O’Hara! Campers are allowed to reserve up to 3 nights at the campground. However, due to its popularity, it can be very hard to score even 1 night here.
If you can only spend 1 day at Lake O’Hara, it will be incredible. But of course, the more the merrier!
How do I Get to Lake O’Hara?
There are two ways to get to Lake O’Hara, both options start at the Lake O’Hara parking lot: take the bus or walk 11km in and out. The road is not open to public vehicles or bikes, so you cannot drive or bike in.
1. Lake O’Hara Bus Reservations 2026
There is a bus service that transports visitors from the Lake O’Hara parking lot to the main area where all of the hiking trails begin. A spot on the bus is included in a campground reservation (more on camping further down). The rest of the spots on the bus can be reserved on the Parks Canada Reservations website.
Camping reservations open on February 10th, 2026 at 8am MST.
If you just wanted to visit Lake O’Hara on a daytrip, you can try to get a spot on the shuttle bus into Lake O’Hara! To score a spot on the bus, you can put your name in the lottery draw between March 2nd, 2026 and March 23rd 2026. They will then do a random draw for winners for spots on the day shuttle. The shuttle bus runs from June 19 to October 4, 2026.
In the past, visitors could also try to wait standby at the bus, to see if there happens to be any empty spaces on the bus. If you were lucky and there was a spot available, you could pay $10 in cash for a ride in (this doesn’t guarantee a ride out). I’m not sure if they will be accepting standby visitors for the 2026 season.
If you were waiting standby and there was no space, you could choose not to go, or you could choose to hike in. If you waited standby to get into Lake O’Hara, you would also have to wait standby for the shuttle out (and be prepared to hike out).
Cost for the shuttle bus:
To ride the Parks Canada shuttle for a day trip to Lake O’Hara, it costs $25.50/person (roundtrip) and an $11.50 booking fee when booking online.
If you are able to book a campsite, the cost of the bus is included in your camping reservation, and your spot on the bus is guaranteed. This also goes for if you are staying at the Elizabeth Parker Hut during the time the shuttle bus is running.
Bus Schedule
The bus runs at specific times each day. You’ll be booked for a specific time so make sure not to miss your reservation (arrive at least 30 minutes early).
Bus Times in for campers: 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM | 3:30 PM | 5:30 PM (reservations required)
When making your camping reservation online, you’ll be able to choose morning bus or afternoon bus. Make sure to check your backcountry permit with the confirmation of your bus time in.
Bus Times in for day-trip: 8:30AM | 10:30AM (reservations required)
Bus Times Out: 9:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 2:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 6:30 PM
Other Things to Know About the Lake O’Hara Bus
- You don’t need to book a bus out if you are camping, you will get a token on the way in as your “return ticket”.
- Only pack what you can carry – there are guidelines and you can only bring 1 large bag or 2 small bags, per person when camping.
- Be early, because if you miss the bus, you don’t get a new spot! They recommend being at least 20 minutes early for your bus to check in and load up any bags.
2. Hiking into Lake O’Hara
If you can’t score a spot on the bus, your only other option is to walk the 11km fire road in. It can be done, as I met a couple of hikers who had done it on the days I was visiting. The general consensus was it took 2.5-3 hours to hike the road one way. Because the road is a fire road, the entire view is just trees, so it’s not scenic, but it’ll get you to the trailhead for incredible hikes!
Keep in mind that after hiking in 11km on the fire road, you’ll most likely then want to hike around the area as well. This can make it a very long, hard day. Be prepared with everything you need and make sure you are physically able to complete a day like this.
Tip: If you hike in, you can try to wait standby to see if there is any space for you on the bus out. Make sure to have cash though (as they only accept cash), and double check the cost of the bus before leaving to make sure you have enough. You can do this through the Parks Canada website, or by calling Parks Canada.
Where to Stay at Lake O’Hara?
Most visitors to Lake O’Hara try to stay overnight in order to hike as much as possible. If you are hoping to stay at Lake O’Hara, there are three options:
1 . Lake O’Hara Lodge
The Lake O’Hara Lodge is stunning. There are beautiful small lodges right on the water’s edge of Lake O’Hara for incredible views everywhere you look. The Lake O’ Hara Lodge also offers cabins that are nestled into the forest near the Lake for a little more privacy and a more “wild” feeling. Staying here can get a little pricey though, but I can see why because it is amazing.
2. The Elizabeth Parker Hut
The Elizabeth Parker Hut is a hut run by the Alpine Club of Canada and can be extremely hard to get. Booking the hut operates off of a lottery system. Meaning you have to win a lottery draw in order to stay here. I met a hiker while I was visiting Lake O’Hara and he told me had finally won a spot at the lodge after trying for 6 years – so if your name gets picked then consider yourself incredibly lucky!
The draw for the ACC Hut usually happens in December for the upcoming year.
3. Lake O’Hara Campground
There is a campground at Lake O’Hara and this is the BEST way to visit the area. Camping overnight will allow you to spend so much more time hiking and absorbing the beauty this place has to offer, and give you the time to rest afterwards as well.
The Lake O’Hara Campground is open June 19 – October 3rd in 2026.
Camping at Lake O’Hara has been one of my favourite things to do in the Canadian Rockies. It is truly a hiker’s paradise and is one of the most stunning places I’ve been lucky enough to explore.
Lake O’Hara Campground Facilities
The campground has everything you need for a great stay! There are about 30 camping sites at Lake O’Hara campground.
The tent sites are nice and spread out and quite big. You are only allowed one tent per site, and you are not allowed hammocks or chairs, so don’t try to squish those into your bags.
There are pit toilets (that are the nicest pit toilets I’ve used), and two communal sinks outside the washroom. At these sinks, you can wash your hands, brush your teeth, use them for cooking. The water is potable so you can fill your water here as well.
Each site gets a bear locker to store their food & any smelly products in (toothpaste, sunscreen…).
There is a bear-proof shelter where you can store any extra bags as well. It is essentially a building for bag storage that is never locked, so use your discretion (we just stored our half empty bags in there so they didn’t take up space in the tent.
There are quite a few picnic tables as well and there is one large communal fire pit, firewood, and axes provided.
There are two cooking shelters at the Lake O’Hara campground.
Although not at the campground, there is a shelter that is about a 10 minute walk from the campground, and is closer to the actual lake, called Le Relais. Here, you can purchase snacks, their famous carrot cake, drinks, and souvenirs. They only take cash so make sure to bring cash with you!
How to Book the Lake O’Hara Campground
The Lake O’Hara Campground Reservations open online through the Parks Canada Website, usually in late January for the upcoming summer.
In 2025, Lake O’Hara Campground Reservations open on February 10th at 8am MST.
There are about 30 sites in the campground, and it can be very tough to snag a site. You’ll have to be patient, fast, and flexible when trying to score a campsite here.
My best tip is to have your Parks Canada account ready a couple of days before booking opens, and be logged on at least 5 minutes before reservations start (don’t log on right when it opens at 8am MST).
Parks Canada has implemented an “online queue system”, which puts visitors to the site in a “waiting room” before booking starts at 8am. Once the clock strikes 8am, visitors will be randomly placed in the queue and when it’s your turn it will bring you to the site to book.
If you log on at or after 8am, you will be put at the back of the line for booking.
In previous years, I have been in the waiting room and have been placed around number 16,000 in line – so make sure to get in the waiting room for your best chance, but also make sure to be flexible because you never know how many will be booking ahead of you.
It doesn’t really matter what site you book, as long as you book one. Once you get to the campground, a Parks Canada guide will do an introduction and you’ll choose your actual campsite when you arrive.
What if I Don’t Get a Campsite When Bookings Open?
If you aren’t able to book a site at the campground the day bookings open, don’t panic! My biggest tip would be to watch for cancellations online and snap them up as soon as you see them. Check Parks Canada whenever you have time and keep your eye out for them. I have scored sites this way and it is such a great feeling!
Otherwise, the only way you can guarantee seeing Lake O’Hara, is trying to book a spot on the bus in and doing a day trip, or planning to hike the fire road that leads to Lake O’Hara (in and out, 11km both ways).
Lake O’Hara Campground Fees
- $15.00/person/night for a campsite
- $11.50 online reservation fee (non-refundable)
- Your shuttle bus ticket is included in your camp fee!
- Park Fee – There is a fee for visiting Yoho National Park (where Lake O’Hara is located). You can pay per day ($12.25/adult), or buy a year-long Discovery pass that is valid for any Canadian National Park ($83.50/adult or $167.50 for a family). I would visit the Yoho National Park Visitor’s Centre to pay this before parking at the Lake O’Hara parking lot. But, from June 19 – September 7, 2026, Canadian National Parks are free!
What to Bring Camping at Lake O’Hara
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Sleeping pad
- Tent (allowed up to a 4-person tent)
- Stove, fuel, and any cooking utensils or equipment you may need
- Food and snacks
- Water bottle (there is potable water at the campground)
- Garbage bags to pack out trash while hiking (there are bear-proof garbage bins at camp)
- Bearspray
- Bugspray
- Warm clothes and rain jackets
- Headlamp/flashlight
- Camping permit (used to check in for your shuttle bus!)
- Toiletries
- Cash for Le Relais Day Use Shelter
Other Lake O’Hara Camping Information
- They try to limit bags because there is limited space on buses, they recommend 2 smaller bags per person or one larger bag. I saw people with huuuge bags and they weren’t really sticking to the limit. So don’t panic, but do your best to stay as close to the limit as possible (don’t haul your coolers, grills, bags, loose tents, etc., try to stay compact).
- Download offline maps to use – there is no cell service at Lake O’Hara.
- If you want to save phone battery, you can purchase the Lake O’Hara trail map from any visitor center (Banff, Yoho, etc.) or at Le Relais Day Shelter when you arrive. This was SO HELPFUL! It helps you while on the trail if you find yourself lost or wondering which way to go. It has descriptions about each trail to help you choose which trails to do, and it was just so handy to have. It costs around $6, so why not!
- Everyone there is SUPER FRIENDLY – talk with others you see, say hello, and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations about hikes!
- Be respectful of this place and use Leave No Trace Principles. The reason Lake O’Hara is so hard to get to and visitors are so limited, is to keep the area clean, pristine, and preserved. It is already so hard to get here, don’t ruin it for future visitors. Use garbage cans, pack out what you pack in, don’t go off trail, and just be a good person.
- You are in bear country! There are bears around! Don’t depend on other people to be prepared for your safety – you are responsible for you.
Le Relais Day Use Shelter
One of my favourite things about the Lake O’Hara are is the Le Relais Day Use Shelter. It is almost like a concession where you can buy snacks and souvenirs!
They carry things like pop, iced coffee, popsicles, chocolate, postcards, stickers, and their famous carrot cake!
Le Relais only accepts cash – so make sure to bring enough before arriving (there are no ATMs at Lake O’Hara).
I love to stop at Le Relais after an amazing hike for a delicious treat!
What Other Gear do I Need for Lake O’Hara?
- Bring cash for Le Relais – a shelter where you can buy snacks, souvenirs and find out any information you may need about Lake O’Hara.
- Your camera!
- Enough food, and snacks & a way to prepare them (jet boil, etc.).
- Water bottle – There is typically potable water at the campsite.
- Appropriate clothing (jacket, hiking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray…) and extra clothing in case it rains.
- Your swimsuit – you can swim at Lake O’Hara, the lodge even has a dock you can jump off of (but it’s chilly!).
- Backcountry camping gear if you are staying overnight (see camping section above).
- I recommend purchasing the GemTrek Trails Map for the hiking trails before you go, especially since there’s no service at Lake O’Hara.
- Bear spray – you are responsible for your own safety!
Lake O’Hara Hiking
There are a lot of amazing hiking trails to explore in Lake O’Hara. Most of them are short and are very manageable – you could do more than one in a day (depending on fitness level).
Some of the more popular hikes include:
Lake O’Hara Shoreline Trail
Shoreline Trail | Easy | 2.9km loop | 58m elevation gain
The Shoreline Trail is basically a hiking trail that runs along the shores of Lake O’Hara. This hike is very easy and you’ll probably end up hiking most of it just by doing other hikes in the area, as most hikes leave from somewhere along the Shoreline Trail.
Opabin Prospect & The Opabin Circuit (my personal favourite hike)
Opabin Prospect Via West Trail | 5.1 km out + Back | 304m elevation gain
Opabin Plateau and Lake O’Hara Shoreline | 7.6km loop | 377m elevation gain
The Opabin Prospect is probably the most famous hike at Lake O’Hara. It is the one featured all over Instagram and for good reason. It is stunning.
This is one of my favourite hikes of all time. I recommend starting on the West Shoreline Trail, hiking up West Opabin, hiking to the Prospect, then descending through East Opabin, and completing your hike along the East Shoreline Trail.
If you have extra time or want a longer hike, you can extend this hike even more and make a stop at Opabin Lake to complete the Opabin Plateau.
Lake McArthur Trail
McArthur Lake via Alpine Meadow Trail and High Level Trail | 6.8km out + back | 351m elevation gain
The Lake McArthur Trail is a great hike leading to beautiful Lake McArthur, which takes around 3 hours to accomplish. This trail also connects to a lot of other, larger trails, which is perfect if you are looking to extend your hike for a longer day. We also passed Schaffer Lake on the way to McArthur!
I would definitely recommend having the Lake O’Hara GemTrek map or screenshotting the different routes, as there a few different trails you can take to get here (and for the other hikes in Lake O’Hara too!).
We did the hike to McArthur Lake via the Alpine Meadow Trail and High Level circuit on the way in, but on the way out we took the High Level Circuit and then went back through the Big Larches path. Having our map helped us navigate each time there was a fork in the road!
Odaray Grandview Hike
Odaray Grandview | 7.6km out + back | 516m elevation gain
When we had initially set out for our first hike of the day during our most recent visit, we were planning to check out Odaray Grandview! However, this hike is in a wildlife corridor, and there is a limit on how many groups can hike in this area per day.
When we had arrived, the maximum number of groups allowed per day had been met, so we opted to continue to Lake McArthur instead, as there is a fork in the road to head there instead of Odaray Grandview.
Having Lake McArthur as your backup plan is a great option if the limit has been met for the day when you arrive! Maybe next time we will get to see this hike 🙂
Lake Oesa Trail
Lake Oesa Trail | 5.8 km out + back | 312m elevation gain
Lake Oesa is a highly recommended hike that leads to a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains, where you can have a picnic, swim (it’s glacier fed and cold), or just hang out! The hike to Lake Oesa takes around 3 hours, so it is a perfect hike to do if you are hoping to squeeze in two hikes in one day.
This one would pair well with Opabin Prospect or as part of the Alpine Circuit!
The Alpine Circuit
The Alpine Circuit | 11 km | 887m elevation gain | ~ 5 hours
The Alpine Circuit is one of the longer hiking trails at Lake O’Hara, that essentially is a loop around the area with high elevation gain and some challenging spots. This circuit has amazing views of Lake O’Hara and its valley, but only set out on this trail if you are a seasoned hiker and prepared.
The Alpine Circuit has been marked to help hikers stay on the path, as it can be tricky to find the way at some points.
Other Practical Information for Visiting Lake O’Hara
- If you are taking the bus in for camping, there is a baggage limit (2 small bags or 1 large bag per person).
- There is no service at Lake O’Hara – so download whatever you need offline before arriving.
- Le Relais does not sell water bottles, so bring your own water bottle.
- You can fill your water bottle at the campsite (even if you’re not staying there).
- Le Relais only accepts cash.
- You need a valid National Parks Pass on any vehicle that is stopping in Yoho National Park. So, if you are parking at the Lake O’Hara Parking Lot, you need to have a visible & valid National Parks Pass. You can purchase these in Field, BC at the Yoho National Park Visitor Center. From June 19 – September 7, 2026 the Pass is free!
- Be bear safe and bring bearspray!
Resources That May be Helpful:
- Lake O’Hara Trails Club
- Lake O’Hara Lodge
- Elizabeth Parker Hut
- Parks Canada & Yoho National Park
- AllTrails Hiking Site
Lake O’Hara FAQ
Yes, you can walk/hike the fire road into Lake O’Hara. However, keep in mind that it’s 11km one way, and once you get there the only thing to really do is hike! Be prepared and also keep in mind you’ll probably have to hike back out as well.
Visiting and hiking around Lake O’Hara is 1000% worth it. Lake O’Hara is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever explored. But, unless you’re a fit hiker, I wouldn’t recommend hiking the 11km road in and out. Personally, I would struggle to do this, but I’ve seen others hike in, hike around, and hike out all in one day!
You can apply for a spot on the shuttle bus for a day trip through the lottery system online through Parks Canada Reservation Service between March 2 and March 23, 2026. Booking a campsite at the Lake O’Hara Campground includes a spot on the Shuttle bus. Camping reservations can be made online through Parks Canada Reservation Service on February 10th, 2026 at 8am MT.
No, bikes are not allowed on the fire road to Lake O’Hara. You will need to have a spot reserved on the shuttle bus, or hike in the 11km fire road.
Lake O’Hara is so popular because it is a stunning, picturesque area in Yoho National Park in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Visitors are limited due to public vehicles and bicycles being banned from driving the road to Lake O’Hara. This means that crowds are limited, making the overall hiking experience a lot more enjoyable, compared to other popular, over-crowded spots in the Rockies.
Yes, there is a potable water tap at the Lake O’Hara Campground where you can refill your water. The water may not be available early or late in the season.
No! There is no cell service at Lake O’Hara. Make sure to download anything you’ll need before arriving, and pack a book or a game if you’re staying overnight to have something fun to do!
Lake O’Hara Summary
I have been visiting and exploring the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and British Columbia every summer for just over 10 years, and Lake O’Hara continues to be one of my favourite places to explore time and time again. I would highly recommend visiting if you ever get the chance, as there is something for all budgets (from camping, to the luxury Lake O’Hara lodge).
Apply for your spot on the day-bus with the lottery system or reserve your campsite when reservations open for the season!
Make sure to bring your camera, cash for Le Relais, and enough food and snacks for the duration of your stay.
There is no cell service at Lake O’Hara, so make sure to be prepared with whatever you need before leaving, and be sure to purchase your Yoho National Park pass before parking and getting on the bus (can be bought at the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre).
Be prepared to be blown away by beauty when visiting Lake O’Hara!
Please message me on Instagram any other questions you have, and I’ll do my best to help you out.
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More Articles on the Rockies:
- Banff National Park Bucketlist
- 24 Things to do in Jasper National Park
- 18 Banff National Park Lakes to Visit
- Moraine Lake Bus Company Shuttle Review
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada and just 4 hours from the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I love to travel to Banff and Jasper frequently and also explore new places around the world. Follow along for my tips based on my real adventures!
