Backpacking trails in Yoho National Park

2026 Backcountry Camping Reservations in Yoho National Park

Backcountry Camping reservations in Yoho National Park open at 8am Mountain time on Monday January 26th, 2026. Reservations for Lake O’Hara open Thursday January 22nd, 2026. You can access the reservations system on the Parks Canada Website and it is best to create your account well before reservation system opens. You are put in a random queue, and the best reservations sell out in minutes! The most popular backcountry locations in Yoho National Park that sell out the quickest is the Lake O’Hara campground, as are some of the sites on the Yoho Valley Backpacking route.

You can also find some incredible guided backcountry trekking trips in BC’s Rockies on 10Adventures.

THE TOP 2 BACKPACKS IN YOHO NATIONAL PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA

1. Lake O’Hara Backcountry Trail (17.8 km, 1,104 m, 2–3 days) - Lake O’Hara reigns as one of the most coveted destinations in Yoho National Park. Its transcendent beauty stays imprinted in every visitor’s mind. With such popularity, reservations are required, and those can be difficult to attain as you have to enter a lottery for a shuttle ticket. If you don’t get a ticket, you can extend your hike an extra 11.0 km and walk along the road. During this backpacking trek, your efforts will be rewarded with quintessential Rocky Mountain views replete with alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, boulder fields, and meadows. If you get a spot, appreciate your time at Lake O’Hara to the fullest.
2. Yoho Valley Backpacking Route (28.1 km, 1,395 m, 3–4 days) - Trek for three days among the wild Yoho landscapes filled with waterfalls, alpine lakes, and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding area. Start your journey at the famous Takakkaw Falls and head further away from civilization on a challenging route in the Yoho Valley. You’ll endure some technical climbs and steep ascents, but the campsites are stellar, and several lakes appear during the journey if you ever want a glacial dip. If you don’t want to camp, you can stay at the Stanley Mitchell Hut.