COMPLETE Guide to Lake O’Hara, Canada + My Booking Secrets

To this day, Lake O’Hara is the most magical place I have ever hiked in Canada. One of the things that make this part of Yoho National Park so special is the restrictions on visitor numbers, but that also makes it one of the hardest places to hike in B.C.

I have been lucky enough to visit Lake O ’Hara twice, first in June of 2018 and again, last October 2024. Both times were just as incredible and I truly got to experience all types of weather; sun, rain, clouds and even snow!

Even though reaching Lake O’Hara, Canada can be quite complicated, I can attest that it is 110% worth the effort. So to make it that little bit easier for you, I’ve laid out everything you need to know before visiting Lake O’Hara in the complete guide below.

Bags Always Packed is a reader-supported site which means some of the links on this page may be affiliates. I spend a lot of time researching these hotels, tours and products and only recommend those which I would use myself. Booking your trip through my links is a great way for you to support my work for free, as I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. ♡

Quick Summary

Summer camping, cabins and shuttle tickets for Lake O’hara are super competitive and usually sell out within minutes. That’s why it’s super important to be prepared and know what to expect before the release date comes. If you miss out during the initial release, don’t worry, I have some great secrets to share with you to help you secure a last-minute spot.

The release date for Lake O’hara permits in 2025 is January 23rd.

If you don’t manage to secure a permit, you can still visit Lake O’Hara but it requires an 11km hike up the road (each way) and you cannot stay overnight.

Lastly, above you’ll find a Lake O’Hara map that labels all the important places like parking, shuttle points, camping and cabins that you’ll need to locate in order to understand the area. You’ll find some recommendations for the best hikes in Lake O’Hara throughout this article, but I’ve also put together a complete 3-day hiking itinerary that’s also highlighted in this map.

🎟️Permit Release Date:	23rd Jan, 2025
☀️Summer Season:	20 June – 5 October
🥾Best Hike:	Alpine Route
📅Ideal Duration:	3 Nights
📞Contact:	250 343 6433

1. Why Visit Lake O’Hara, Canada

As I mentioned earlier, Lake O’Hara is one of the most beautiful mountain locations in all of Canada. In order to preserve the incredible nature here, less than 150 visitors are allowed in per day which simply adds to the experience.

With 84 acres of unbelievable wilderness, Lake O’Hara is a hikers paradise. Think Gatorade blue alpine lakes, towering peaks, undisturbed wildlife habitats and just a few tourists. You really have to see it to believe it.

While the shuttle places are limited to those who were lucky enough to snag a permit, you still have options if you are not one of those few. Keep reading to find out all the ways you can visit Lake O’Hara, Canada.

2. Options for Visiting Lake O’Hara

There are 3 main options when it comes to visiting Lake O’Hara; staying overnight (camping or lodge/hut), visiting for the day with the shuttle bus, or hiking in for a day trip. I will give you a brief overview of each of the options below but for all the details, scroll down to the corresponding section of this article.

Overnight – Camping, Lodge or ACC Hut

Staying overnight at Lake O’Hara is the best option as there are so many amazing hikes here that you need more than one day to explore. That being said, it is also the most competitive option for how to visit Lake O’Hara, Canada.

To stay overnight, you can either camp in the designated campground, stay at the Lake O’Hara Lodge or the Elizabeth Parker Hut. All three overnight options are incredibly competitive as there are only 30 sites in the campground, 24 beds at the hut, and 8 twin rooms or a handful of cabins available at the lodge.

Day Trip with Shuttle Bus

If you don’t want to stay overnight (or were unable to get a spot), the next best option is to enjoy a day trip to Lake O’Hara via the shuttle bus.

This option is possibly even more competitive than staying overnight as there are just 42 seats available per day and you have to compete with everyone else wanting a day trip plus those who missed out on camping reservations.

That being said, it’s still worth trying to get a shuttle bus reservation for Lake O’Hara as it’s the only option that allows you to do some of the bigger hikes like the Alpine Route in a single day. Should you choose to hike in (the last option below), you will waste up to 6 hours just getting in and out of the heart of the park.

Shuttle reservations are chosen by a random draw in April. You can apply to the lottery system throughout March on the Parks Canada Reservation website. Entries cost $10 per party and you can choose up to 6 different dates and times for your group. The lottery entry fee is non-refundable, even if you are not successful in getting a place on the shuttle. However, if you are successful, you will have 14 days to claim your place. Note you will still need to pay the reservation and bus fee for each member of your party.

Day Trip on Foot

Your final option is to hike in via the road. The Lake O’Hara road is an 11 km / 6.8 mi (one-way) gravel road that is also utilized by the shuttle bus and park workers. Unfortunately, there aren’t any alternative trails and due to the tall trees lining the road, there aren’t any views to be had until you reach the lake itself.

Besides the monotony of hiking a road, the hike itself isn’t too strenuous as it’s only around 400m / 1,312 ft of elevation gain over the 11 km. Plus, if you walked up to Lake O’Hara, there is a small chance you can still get on a shuttle bus for the return trip down. However, I wouldn’t rely solely on this as reserved passengers always have priority. Tickets for the shuttle down cost $10 CAD and you must pay the driver in cash when you board.

3. How to Get to Lake O’Hara

To get to Lake O’Hara you must first drive to the trailhead parking lot before taking the shuttle bus or hiking 11 km to the lake itself. There is no public transportation available to get to the Lake O’Hara parking area.

From Banff, drive North on Highway 1 for 45 mins. You will pass the turn-off for Lake Louise approximately 10 mins before you see the road sign for the Lake O’Hara parking area which lies just off the highway.

Alternatively, if you’re coming from Golden, take Highway 1 eastbound for around 50 mins until you see the Lake O’Hara sign.

You must also display a Canadian National Parks Pass in the window of your car that is valid for all the days that you will be here.

Officially, park passes expire at 4 pm on the displayed dates. This means if you plan on taking one of the later buses out of Lake O’hara, technically you need to pay for an extra day. However, when I asked one of the park rangers about this they said I should be okay without adding an extra day as long as I was going to drive straight out of the national park.

Lake O’Hara Parking

The parking for Lake O’Hara is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway 1, about a 45-minute drive (70 km / 45 mi) northwest of Banff or 50 minutes (70 km / 45 mi) east of Golden.

This is where you must park regardless of whether you have a reservation or not, but thankfully the parking lot is quite large with space for vehicles of any size. If you’re taking a shuttle, Parks Canada asks you to arrive 20 mins before your departure time but in my experience, you should really plan to arrive 40 mins early to allow time for unforeseen circumstances.

Lake O’Hara Shuttle Bus

Once you’ve arrived at the Lake O’Hara parking area, walk back towards the entrance of the lot and you will see a small shelter just past the gate. This is where you will meet the park ranger who will check your permits and assign you a bus.

Usually, there will be two buses waiting here. One is for day hikers and the other is just for campers. There’s no way to tell which is which so just wait in the shelter until a ranger has checked you in and told you where to go. You’ll also need to show your reservation number (phone or printed is fine) and each member of your party must be present for check-in.

They didn’t check my ID against the reservation however, both times I visited Lake O’Hara were at the lower end of the busy season so I don’t think they were very worried about that.

4. Where to Stay at Lake O’Hara

As I mentioned earlier, you have just a couple of options when it comes to where to stay at Lake O’Hara. Camping is the cheapest option for staying overnight but even if you’re on a budget, staying at the Alpine Club of Canada hut (Elizabeth Parker hut) is also affordable.

If camping or staying in a communal hut doesn’t sound appealing to you, don’t worry, luxury travellers can still enjoy a stay at the Lake O’Hara Lodge. I’ll go through the details for each of your options below.

4.1 Camping at Lake O’Hara

Even though they officially call Lake O’Hara campground “backcountry camping”, camping at Lake O’Hara is actually quite a bougie experience!

Firstly, you get driven right to the campground, secondly, there are so many facilities that make camping here super comfortable.

Making a Campground Reservation

Camping reservations for 2025 will be launched on January 23rd, 2025 at 8 am MST.

Reservations are required for the Lake O’Hara campground from late June to early October and there are a few restrictions that you should be aware of.

• Maximum 3 consecutive nights per booking
• Maximum 4 people per site including children
• Maximum 2 reservations per transaction

This means if you are booking for more than 4 people, you must book two sites for a single date. You won’t be able to book multiple non-consecutive dates as this will be over the two-reservation limit. Alternatively, if you’re just booking one campsite you may book two different dates over the summer (with up to 3 consecutive nights each).

Every campsite for the entire summer season is released at once in January each year. Places are released at 8 am MST and are sold out within minutes so it goes without saying that you should be prepared for a fight.

You can enter the waiting room 30 minutes before reservations are released but places in the queue are not allocated in sequential order. When reservations open at 8 am, everyone in the waiting room will be given a random place in the queue and groups of around 500 will be let into the booking site at a time.

I’ll go through everything you need to know to get a reservation in section #5 of this article, but what I will say is don’t give up when allocated your place in line. I was number 11,567 and still managed to get a spot!

Lake O’Hara Camping Fees

When making a reservation for backcountry camping at Lake O’Hara, you only need to battle it out for the campsite itself (you will automatically be given a bus ticket), however when it comes time to pay you will see 3 different fees.

• Camping Fee: $13.50 per person
• Bus Fee: $24 per person
• Reservation Fee: $11.50

This took me a little by surprise when I booked in 2024 because most of the blogs I read online didn’t mention the cost of the bus. While your seat on the bus is included in your campsite booking, you still need to pay for this separately.

This means one night of camping at Lake O’Hara for two people costs $86.50 which is quite a lot pricer than most Parks Canada campsites.

Campground Facilities

When you arrive at the campground you will immediately see a large communal area with two warming huts, a bathroom block, a firepit, picnic tables and bear lockers. The park ranger will give you a quick tour of the facilities before allowing you to pick a campsite.

Campsites

Each site has a 2.5m x 2.5m, level gravel square surrounded by trees which gives you a little bit of privacy from your neighbours.

Parks Canada says that you are only allowed one small backpacking tent per pad but in reality, you could probably fit up to a 6-person tent on most sites (although the maximum people per site reservation here is 4). For reference, we have a 3-person tent which you can see in the attached pictures.

The sites are spread out along a couple of looped trails but all the paths and communal areas are well-maintained with gravel so you don’t even have to worry about mud. Each of the sites is also assigned a specific bear locker based on your site number.

We camped in site number 26 and happened to get a huge food locker, even though it was just the two of us. However, the locking mechanism wasn’t very good on our particular locker (a bear could have easily opened the door), so I do recommend bringing a carabiner or lock just to keep it shut.

Communal Areas

The base area of the campground is really well laid out with lots of picnic tables, a large fire ring and plenty of free firewood. There are also two warming shelters, both equipped with a small wood-burning stove and two picnic tables.

Although small, these warming huts were essential during my second visit to Lake O’Hara as it was -6°C and snowing for nearly the full 3 days. 

There are some hooks where you can hang wet clothing but note that there really isn’t enough space in these shelters to accommodate all the campers at once, so please be respectful and don’t hog the space. 

Here’s a list of all the facilities you can expect to find when camping at Lake O’Hara, Canada: 

• Bag storage room 
• Information boards – updated with the latest weather and trail conditions
• Picnic tables 
• Large fire ring
• Free firewood and splitter 
• 2x warming huts with wood-burning stove, hooks & seating
• 4x (not smelly) pit toilets (2 male, 2 female) fully equipped with toilet paper and hand sanitizer
• Grey water disposal 
• Portable running water – located outside the toilet block for drinking and dishwashing. And no, the taps don’t freeze, even when it drops below 0! Luxury, I tell you! 

Bus to Lake O’Hara Campground

Return shuttle bus tickets are included in your camping reservation for Lake O’Hara, so thankfully you don’t have to face the 11km walk with all your gear. When making a reservation, you’ll be able to select if you prefer a morning or afternoon bus but not the time.

If you booked during the first release of permits, your bus time will be assigned to you around April. For those of you who booked last minute, you may have to wait until 4 pm the day before your arrival to find out which bus you have been assigned.

In my experience, most campers who picked the morning slot are assigned the 10:30 am bus. This is probably because you have until 10:30 to vacate your site so if you take an earlier bus and the campground is fully booked, you may not be able to immediately claim your site.

If you have 2 or more nights, the 10:30 am bus gives you plenty of time to get settled and fit in a short hike before dinner on your first night. However, if you only have one night, I recommend you ask to swap to the 8:30 am bus to make the most of your time. To change times, you must wait until after you have been assigned a bus, then you can either email [email protected] or call to request a swap.

Inbound bus times from carpark to Lake O’Hara:

• 8:30 am
• 10:30 am
• 3:30 pm
• 5:30 pm

I recommend you arrive at the Lake O’Hara parking lot around 40 minutes early. This will ensure you are on time, even if you get stuck at the railway crossing or need to re-pack your bag. 

When you board the bus, the driver will give you a plastic token which acts as your return bus ticket. Take care not to lose it! If you don’t have a token for your return trip, not only will you have to pay (in cash) for the bus, but you will also lose your guaranteed place meaning you will have to wait to see if there is space for you. 

You don’t have to book a return bus time (you actually can’t book one), so just show up at either Le Relais day use hut, or the campground entrance, about 15 minutes before one of the bus times below. While the return busses can fill up with day hikers, those with tokens have priority and I haven’t heard of anyone with permits missing out on their preferred bus time before. 

We took the bus down from the campground (which is the second pickup location). A ranger came to count how many people were waiting and radioed ahead to make sure our seats were saved. 

Outbound bus times from Lake O’Hara to carpark: 

• 9:30 a.m.
• 11:30 a.m.
• 2:30 p.m.
• 4:30 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m

Luggage Restrictions

While you are technically only allowed to bring one large bag or two small bags with a maximum combined weight of 25 kg/55 lbs per person, as long as what you are bringing is not unreasonable, I’ve never heard of them actually measuring bags. While they do specify that your bag cannot be larger than 97 cm/38 inches in length, they don’t clarify what a “small” bag actually is, so you’re free to interpret that as you please. 

You are also allowed to bring a day bag as a carry-on in addition to the bags I mentioned above. This wasn’t made clear to me before we went and we frantically stuffed our day daypacks plus all our winter camping gear into one 65L backpack each. When we arrived, we discovered that nearly everyone else had much more gear than us and we didn’t have to be too worried about it. 

In addition to the bag limit, the following items are also prohibited on the bus:

• Large hockey bags
• Hard-sided coolers/storage bins
• Loose items 
• Plastic bags (you need to store your things in a proper backpack or duffel)
• Musical instruments, chairs or hammocks not stored inside your allowed bags
• Animals

What to Expect When Camping at Lake O’Hara

When you arrive at the car park, you’ll first meet a park ranger at the shelter found at the start of the road. They’ll check your reservation, confirm the number of people in your party and make sure your bags fit within the size restrictions. 

After boarding the bus, there’s a short briefing about protecting the environment at Lake O’Hara and you will be given a return bus token. 20 minutes later you’ll be dropped off at the campground with all your eager fellow campers. 

I’ve already talked about how nice the campground facilities are but I can also attest to how nice your fellow campers are likely to be. Since getting a camping permit for Lake O’Hara is so competitive, it tends to result in a great group of people who are equally as excited and grateful to be in such a special place. Both times I’ve stayed at Lake O’Hara it’s been easy to meet new people and everyone pitched in to make sure the fire stayed lit all night. 

So even if you’re coming alone, don’t worry, it’s easy to find people to hike with. 

Last Minute Campground Bookings for Lake O’Hara

If you missed out on getting reservations for either camping permits or the day bus, don’t worry, all hope is not lost. People always cancel throughout the year and as they do, all cancelled bus tickets and campaign spots are immediately re-released onto the Parks Canada Website. 

In my experience, there is no set time or days when they release all cancelled spots back into the reservation system. It seems that it can happen at any time when the cancellation is processed, so just keep checking the Parks Canada Reservation website until you find something. 

Of course, you must be flexible in your dates but pay attention to last-minute cancellations when the weather forecast looks less than ideal. You can make camping reservations online up to 3 pm the day before – so keep checking! You may also want to try calling 250 343 6433 on the day to see if there are any no-shows as these won’t appear online. 

Originally, I only managed to secure one night of camping at Lake O’Hara despite following all the best practices that I’ll go through in the next section. So for the next 7 months, I periodically checked the reservations system for cancellations on either side of my booking. To be honest, I had pretty much given up until the week before our trip. 

One evening just 3 days before we left for Lake O’Hara, I randomly decided to check at 5 pm and found a spot open that aligned with our reservations. I quickly snapped it up, despite the worsening weather forecast. That extra night ended up making a huge difference as the days that someone else cancelled ended up having much clearer weather than the original date I booked.

4.2 Lodging at Lake O’Hara

If camping isn’t your vibe, you have two additional accommodation options; Lake O’Hara Lodge or the Alpine Club of Canada’s Elizabeth Parker Hut. 

Lake O’Hara Lodge

The beautiful log structure of Lake O’Hara Lodge was built in 1926 using giant Douglas Fir beams that were transported by horse up to the current location. The following summer, 11 lake-side cabins were constructed to provide even more lodging in this beautiful spot. 

Today, the main lodge at Lake O’Hara Lodge has 8 twin rooms available with two shared bathrooms for everyone to use. Don;t worry, they’ve got hot water showers and even a clawfoot bathtub, providing a divine place to relax after a long hike. 

You can also opt to rent one of the eleven, 1-bedroom lakefront cabins or slightly larger cedar cabins. I’m sure you’ve probably seen pictures of the iconic Lakeshore cabins already. There are 11 of these adorable 1 bedroom cabins lining the east side of Lake O’Hara which guarantees incredible views all day long. These cabins have one queen bed, a private bathroom (with a shower & hot water) plus a private porch, but no cooking facilities. 

Lastly, the Cedar Cabins are a little more modern and are set back on top of a small hill which gives you amazing views of the surrounding peaks. With a queen bedroom, plus a living room complete with both a pull-out couch and a Murphy bed, these cabins also have a bit more space making them suitable for families. You’ll also be indulged with a full-sized bathroom and wrap-around porch, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine. 

Prices for all rooms and cabins at Lake O’Hara Lodge include meals for your whole stay, daily afternoon tea and round-trip bus fares from the carpark. All guests are also welcome to spend time in the main lodge’s communal areas. In fact, this is the best place to meet fellow adventures, swap stories and warm up around an open fireplace. 

While this is the most luxurious place to stay at Lake O’Hara, you are still in the backcountry. This historic lodging option has its quaint quirks and limited space, but all of this simply adds to the mountain experience. 

Prices per night: 

• Main lodge twin room (2 people): $990
• 1 Bed lakefront cabin (2 people): $1,400
• Cedar Cabins (2-4 people): $1,400 for 2 people + additional fee per person

Lake O’Hara Lodge is open for the same duration as the official Parks Canada season for the campsite and booking is only available by phone at 250 343 6418.

Elizabeth Parker Hut

Lastly, the Alpine Club of Canada runs the original Lake O’Hara hut named after Elizabeth Parker. This is where I was lucky enough to stay during my first trip to Lake O’Hara. 

Located in a beautiful alpine meadow, just 500m from the drop-off point, this is your chance to feel like an explorer while having plenty of creature comforts. 

The Elizabeth Parker hut has space for up to 24 people on shared bunk platforms and a wood fireplace for warmth throughout the night (wood is provided). There are actually two huts, one with space for around 6 people which is usually taken by families or larger groups and the main hut with a larger sleeping and cooking area. 

The main hut here has a propane heater, stove, oven and lighting but for the bathroom, you’ll have to venture to the outhouse just a short walk from the front door. Water can also be collected from a nearby stream. 

Mattresses are provided on the bunk platforms however you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow (if you use one). It’s also important to note that personal space is practically non-existent here. As everyone sleeps side by side on one giant bed, you may have to deal with restless sleepers or unrelenting snoring… Hopefully, your roommates aren’t as loud as the ones I was unfortunate enough to encounter during my stay at the Elizabeth Parker Hut. 

Booking

The reservation Lottery closed on January 13th for the 2025 season

The Elizabeth Parker Hut can be booked all year round however outside of the summer months there is no shuttle bus access. This means after the official Parks Canada season is over, you’ll have to hike the 11km road in and out. 

Of course with all things Lake O’Hara, getting a spot at The Elizabeth Parker hut during the summer is super competitive. To make it a little more fair, reservations are made via a lottery system. 

You can buy lottery tickets for $16 each (buy more for a higher chance of winning) from early December to mid-January. Once the lottery has closed, they pick winners one at a time. If your name is drawn, you can book up to 5 consecutive nights for any available dates during the summer. What’s more, you can book as many beds as you need (all the way up to 24). 

Once all spaces are filled for the season, a waitlist will be created with all remaining lottery entries. If someone cancels, a new name will be drawn and the space will be offered down the list until claimed. There is no other way to get on the waitlist. 

You’ll also need to book your space on the Parks Canada Lake O’Hara shuttle. This can also be done through the Alpine Club of Canada as bus spots are reserved for those staying in the hut. 

To purchase lottery tickets for the Elizabeth Parker Hut you don’t need to be a member of the ACC, but you will need to become a member in order to stay at the hut if you are successful in the lottery. This means all members of your party will also have to pay for an Alpine Club of Canada membership in addition to the other fees listed below. 

• Lottery: $16 per entry
• Nightly Fee: $60 pp for members / $70 pp for non-members
• Shuttle Bus: $25.50 per person (return)
• Reservation Fees: $13.50 (up to 8 guests)
• ACC Membership: $38 per person

5. Lake O’Hara Reservations for 2025

Lake O’Hara’s official summer season for 2025 is June 20th – October 5th. 

During this time,  you must have a reservation for camping, the day-use shuttle and Elizabeth Parker Hut at Lake O’Hara. Below are all the details you need to make a Lake O’Hara Reservation for the 2025 season. 

Reservation Launch Dates for 2025

• Camping permits: January 23rd, 2025 – 8 am MST
• Day use bus lottery: March 3rd – 24th, 2025
• Elizabeth Parker Hut lottery: December 2nd, 2024 – January 13th, 2025

After the lotteries have closed, the distribution and booking period takes place over the next couple of months for both the day-use shuttle and Elizabeth Parker Hut until all places have been sold. If you are unsuccessful in the lottery you will be notified via email when all places have been filled. 

In the case of cancellations, the Elizabeth Parker hut will return to the original lottery entrants to fill the places whereas the day-use bus seats and camping permits are re-released on the Parks Canada website for anyone to book. 

What Permits Do You Need to Visit Lake O’Hara in 2025

Camping: 

• Camping reservation for all members of your party (this includes your bus ticket)
• Yoho National Parks Pass or Parks Canada Discovery Pass 

Day Use Bus: 

• Successful lottery entry
• Day-use bus reservation (a successful entry does not equal a bus ticket)
• Yoho National Parks Pass or Parks Canada Discovery Pass 

Elizabeth Parker Hut: 

• Successful lottery entry 
• Hut booking (will need to choose dates and pay after being successful in the lottery)
• Bus reservations made through the Alpine Club of Canada
• Yoho National Parks Pass or Parks Canada Discovery Pass 

Lake O’Hara Lodge: 

• Lodge booking 
• Yoho National Parks Pass or Parks Canada Discovery Pass

How to Make a Reservation for Lake O’Hara

Since the day-use shuttle and Elizabeth Parker Hut are both done on a lottery system, you simply need to log in during the open period above and pay for your tickets. You will be notified if your ticket is pulled and given instructions on how to book your place. 

To get a camping reservation for Lake O’Hara, follow these steps: 

1. Go to the reservation website for Parks Canada (this is different from the regular Parks Canada Website).
2. Create an account ahead of time (IMPORTANT!). You need a Parks Canada account in order to book anything on this website and creating one takes around 5 minutes or more as there are a lot of details to give and security hoops to jump through. Do not underestimate this step and do it at least the day before the reservations are released.
3. Collect details from every member of your party. You will need the following:
   1. Full name 
   2. Date of birth
   3. Phone number
   4. Emergency Contact 
   5. Car registration number 
4. Before 7:30 am MST on launch day, log into Parks Canada Reservations – You will be placed into a waiting room until 8 am. When 8 am arrives, your screen will change and you will be given a number in the queue. Don’t be discouraged if it’s high, mine was over 11,500 and I still got a place.

5. When you are let into the booking system, go to the “backcountry tab” and select the following:

• Tab: Backcountry
• Type: Backcountry Zone
• Park: Yoho
• Access Point: Choose the morning or afternoon bus

6. Scroll down and click on Calendar View – you may also have to uncheck the “show available zones only” box 

7. If you see a green tick on a day you want, click it. It should change to a shopping cart symbol and appear in the “Your Stay” section above. 

8. Click “reserve” as quickly as physically possible. Even when it appears in “your stay”, it’s not actually in your cart until you get to the next screen. 

9. If you see an error, someone else may have gotten there before you. Scroll back and forth along the calendar to re-fresh the dates. Every time you click “Next” and then “Previous” you will see different dates pop up and disappear as people fight for their spot. Keep scrolling back and forth until you manage to get something in your cart. Remember that thousands of people are doing the same as you and may have multiple dates in their cart at once. 

10. Hollow all the steps in the next pages to complete your booking. You will need all the info for each of your party members that I mentioned above plus a credit card to make the payment. 

TIPS for Getting a Lake O’Hara Reservation:

• Create an account at least the day before – it’s needed to make a booking and can take some time to set up
• Log in before 7:30 am (when the waiting room opens) – once the waiting room is open you cannot log in and must do so after you have something in your cart. Lots of people have experienced issues with the site crashing or freezing at this point and losing their reservations.
• Use multiple devices but make sure they are all logged into an account – Since the queue is randomly allocated at 8 am, you may get a much higher number on one device or the other. 
• Refresh, refresh, refresh (but don’t actually re-load the page or you will lose your spot in line) – Scroll back and forth along the calendar to re-fresh the dates. Every time you click “Next” and then “Previous” you will see different dates pop up and disappear as people fight for their spot. 
• Be patient and keep looking until you are successful – Last year it took me an hour to get through the whole process of waiting in line, scrolling back and forth and booking. Remember that thousands of people are doing the same as you and may have multiple dates in their cart at once which will be released back at some point. 

Cancelled Bookings Hack

If you miss out on a booking, I recommend you immediately sign up for a tracker on Outdoor Status.

You can choose a set of preferred dates and they search the reservation sites every 10 mins until your date has come and gone. As soon as a spot becomes available, you’ll get a text so you can go and book it immediately.

As cancelled bookings are not released at a set time, this is absolutely the best way to have a good chance of securing a booking.

Lake O’Hara 2025 Bus Schedule

Here are the bus times for the Lake O’Hara shuttle in 2025. The bus times are the same whether you’re taking the day-use bus or camping, however, the two inbound shuttles in the afternoon are for campers only. 

Inbound to Lake O’Hara	Outbound to Car Park
8:30 am	9:30 am
10:30 am	11:30 am
3:30 pm*	2:30 pm
5:30 pm*	4:30 pm
	6:30 pm

*= Campers only 

6. Things to Know Before Visiting Lake O’Hara, Canada

Facilities at Lake O’Hara

I’ve already gone through all the facilities available at the Lake O’Hara campground but there are a few more luxuries that I wanted to make sure you are aware of! 

Le Relais Day Shelter

The Relais day-use shelter is a hut located across the road from Lake O’Hara itself. Here you can buy maps, hot tea and coffee, and limited snacks such as chips, noodles, ice cream and freshly baked goods from 8:30 am – 6:30 pm. 

Everyone raves about the carrot cake here ($6 per slice) and it sells out quite quickly each morning, so make sure to get in quick if you want some! In my opinion, it’s overhyped. I do remember it being amazing when I first had it in 2018, but when I revisited last year, it was good but not earth-shattering.

Even if you don’t want any cake, it’s still worth dropping by Le Relais as there are some interesting displays, up-to-date information on weather, trail conditions and animal sitings, plus a warm fire! 

This is also where you will find the pay phone should you need it (outside on the porch), and you can always chat with the staff to get some insider tips about the best trails for the conditions.  All profits from Le Relais are donated to the maintenance of the trails and amenities of Lake O’Hara. 

Lake O’Hara Lodge Afternoon Tea 

Even if you are not staying at Lake O’Hara Lodge, anyone is able to drop by for a delicious afternoon tea each day providing there is space. Afternoon tea costs around $25 per person (cash) and is served at 3 pm daily however, it’s best if you make a reservation on the morning you would like to attend. 

This is a great chance to see how the other half lives or simply get some valuable indoor time during a camping trip! 

Ranger talks & activites

During peak season, the park rangers at Lake O’Hara often give talks on weekend evenings. Topics range from day to day but always revolve around the history and nature of the Lake O’Hara area. 

You will usually be informed on your bus ride whether there are any special events during your stay but you can also find this information at Le Relais. 

In addition to the ranger talks, every Saturday night the staff at Lake O’Hara Lodge put on a show for their guests. I’ve never attended this show myself however it never hurts to ask if you can join for some light entertainment! 

Weather

Weather at Lake O’Hara is quite seriously in a league of its own. Due to the dramatic peaks and high elevations of its mountains, Lake O’Hara essentially has its own microclimate that can be as wild as your ex. 

So what I am trying to say is, be prepared for anything! When I visited in mid-June, we were still hiking through deep snow but with sunny skies and t-shirt weather. When I visited in early October, it was full on winter conditions with blizzards, rain and negative temperatures. 

Unfortunately, there aren’t any forecasts that are super accurate for Lake O’Hara, even the printed weather forecast at the parking area was for Field (a town nearby). I used YR leading up to my trip and it turned out to be pretty spot on, even with the frequently changing conditions. 

As there is no cell service at Lake O’Hara itself, check the information boards at the campground or Le Relais. A printed weather report is put up daily which was super helpful when the weather was less than ideal. 

Bear Safety 

As it’s so protected, Lake O’Hara is basically a bear sanctuary. There are both black and grizzly bears at Lake O’Hara and it’s highly likely that you will encounter one during your trip. 

Always carry bear spray and make sure you know what to do when you see a bear. There haven’t been any attacks on humans in Lake O’Hara but you should always use caution. 

To prevent an unwanted encounter, yell out every few hundred meters and before any blind corners. If you do see a bear, stay still, prep your bear spray and talk gently to make sure they’re aware of your presence. Most of the time they will walk away with no interest in you, if they walk towards you, back up slowly and get out of the way, they may just want to pass you. 

Cell Service

There is no cell service at Lake O’Hara. You’ll find limited reception in the parking area but from pretty much as soon as you board the bus, until you’re back at your car, there is no service. 

In case of emergency, the rangers have access to a phone line. Plus, there is a pay phone at the Le Relais day shelter should you need to contact anyone.

How Long to Spend at Lake O’Hara

If you are fortunate enough to book the maximum 3 nights of camping at Lake O’Hara, do it! 3 nights is the perfect amount of time to explore all areas of Lake O’Hara without overdoing it. 

That being said, you can still do plenty of hikes if you are only able to book 1 or 2 nights, so it’s absolutely worth it! I stayed 2 nights both times that I visited Lake O’Hara and it was perfect. 

In fact, during last year’s trip, it was super cold, rainy and even snowed about 10cm. So we were pretty happy to be going home after the second night. However, in ideal conditions, I would have loved an extra day. 

Lake O’Hara in Winter

Contrary to popular belief, you can visit Lake O’Hara outside of the summer season. However, there is no shuttle service and the road to Lake O’Hara is still closed. This means you will need to walk, snowshoe or ski the 11km in and then out again. 

In terms of accommodation options, you are allowed to camp in the designated camping area or make a booking for the Elizabeth Parker Hut through the ACC. To camp, you must call the Lake Louise Backcountry office on 403 522 1264 to get a backcountry permit. The regular Yoho office is closed in winter. 

You should also note that many of the amenities may be unavailable. For example, Le Relais Day Shelter and Lake O’Hara Lodge are not operated in the winter, plus the toilets and other campground facilities may close for maintenance. 

7. Best Hikes at Lake O’Hara

If you’re trying to figure out the best way to fit in as many hikes as possible, I’ve created the perfect Lake O’Hara hiking itinerary. My hiking itinerary is based on a 2 night/3 day stay, but I’ve also given my suggestions for those of you who have more or less time. 

Alternatively, if you want to plan your hikes yourself, here are the best hikes at Lake O’Hara.

Alpine Route

If you’re only going to do one hike, make it the Alpine Route. The Alpine Route essentially combines most of the shorter hikes listed below, connecting them all via high-altitude trails that pass up and over mountain ranges. 

These additional trails are the Huber Ledges/Wiwaxy gap, Yukness Ledges and the All Souls route. Each of these trails is steep and fairly narrow with a long dropoff on the side of the trail. But because you’re climbing so high, this is where you will find the best views! 

The whole loop can be pretty strenuous, so I’ve actually devised an alternative Alpine Route which combines all the best spots in Lake O’Hara without quite so many ups and downs. It was perfect for our short weather window considering all the high trails were covered in snow and ice. 

Opabin Prospect

This is what you have likely seen pictures of on Instagram and the main reason for many people who visit Lake O’Hara.  

Opabin Prospect looks out over the iconic Mary Lake, lined with larch trees and an unbelievable mountain backdrop. From here you get an amazing view of Wiwaxy, Mount Huber and Yukness Mountain which is simply unmissable. 

Opabin Prospect can be hiked as its own hike or added as a stop on the Alpine Route or Opabin Lake trails. 

Lake Oesa

Lake Oesa is another one that has its own trail or can be combined as part of the Alpine Route. Either way, this stunning Gatorade blue lake is worth the trip, not just for Oesa Lake itself, but also for all the smaller, bluer lakes and waterfalls along the way. 

Lake O’Hara Shoreline & Seven Veils Falls

To be honest, the Lake O’Hara shoreline hike is nowhere near as impressive as the other hikes I’ve just listed. But if you’re looking for an easy stroll on your arrival day, it’s a great choice. 

You can walk the loop in either direction and take a little detour to visit the Seven Veils Falls located on the far side of the Lake. On a still day, the Lake’s reflection is pretty impressive and the cute cabins only add to the picture-perfect scene here. 

Lake McArthur & Schaffer Lake 

Lake McArthur is one of the most underrated hikes in Lake O’Hara. Starting off by hiking via Schaffer Lake (tones of Larch trees here), you continue with a fun trail filled with alpine meadows, light scrambling, waterfalls and magical lakes. I was so surprised at how much I loved the journey just to get here! 

Once you make it to Lake McArthur you will be rewarded with a huge glacial lake with some of the bluest water in the entire park. 

Mount Schaffer Scramble

This was the objective for my very first visit to Lake O’Hara and boy oh boy was it an adventure. There are two routes to reach the top and I believe we chose the harder route via Lake Schaffer. To make it a loop, first hike to Lake McArthur, scramble up Mt Schaffer and down via the Old Souls Route.

Whichever way you go, scrambling to the top of Mount Schaffer does require a little skill and experience but is by no means out of reach. 

After climbing a scree slope, the rock becomes quite technical and very exposed. This is not the scramble for you if you’re afraid of heights. The last stretch to the summit can also be a little confusing as it’s hard to tell which rock is the top. You’ll know you’ve found it when you find a tube containing the summit register. 

Morning Glory, Linda Lake & Cathedral Basin

This is a great hike if you are already hiking in via the access road as it’s possible to join the trail early and cut off a couple of km from the road. That being said, these lakes are less popular as they are not quite as scenic as the ones I’ve already mentioned. So if it’s your first visit, you may want to slog out those km in order to see the main sites. 

For anyone who’s already hiked the main trails above, this lake-filled loop is a hidden gem. Here you’re likely to enjoy even more solitude with a high chance of spotting some wildlife. The trail first passes the Morning Glory Lakes and then continues onto Linda Lake. About 30 minutes past Linda you will reach Cathedral Basin where you can continue onto Monica Lake for an epic view of the entire Lake O’Hara region. 

The great thing about this trail is that it is a big loop with lots of crossovers, so you can easily mould the hike to fit your timeline.

Odaray Highline / Grandview

Odaray Grandview Highline is one of the last trails that most people choose to hike but that isn’t because it’s special. In fact, it’s perhaps because it’s too special! This trail is limited to just 4 groups of hikers per day as it passes through a prime wildlife habitat. 

The trail is steep and a little unrelenting but offers incredible views of all the lakes and mountains you’ve been exploring during your trip. 

There is a registration book at the trailhead where you can check how many groups are ahead of you. While it is self-policed, please respect the restriction and do not start the hike if you are not within the 4-group cap. 

8. Best Time to Visit Lake O’Hara

The best time to visit Lake O’Hara for photographers is usually late September. This is when the Larch trees turn yellow, creating an even more picturesque setting for some incredible hiking. However, it can also be incredibly cold (and sometimes snowing) during this time of year so you also have to be prepared for bad weather. 

What’s more, predicting when the Larches will turn yellow is not a science. Usually, if you visit during the last two weeks of September you have a pretty high chance of catching the larches at their peak, however last year we visited in the first week of October and they had only just turned (they were also covered in snow). 

If you want sunny skies and are not too concerned about the Larch trees, August is the best time to visit Lake O’Hara, Canada. Snow can linger on the high trails into July and it’s possible for snow to start again in September. Early August gives you the best chance of clear trails and blue skies.

9. What to Pack for a Trip to Lake O’Hara

Since Lake O’Hara is quite remote, it’s important to be well-equipped with everything you might need during your trip. In addition to all your regular camping and/or hiking gear, I recommend bringing microspikes, hiking poles, a good quality backpacking tent, and an extra warm sleeping bag. 

Trails can be icy all year round and some of the mountain passes have quite high consequences should you slip. Similarly, most of the trails here are super steep and rocky, hiking poles will really come in handy for both the ascent and descent. 

Lastly, bring a warmer sleeping bag than you think you may need. The campground is located in a valley which is shaded most of the day meaning it can be hard to warm up. Even in peak summer, it can get below 0°C at night. 

Here is some of the gear I recommend: 

• Poles
• Spikes
• Tent 
• Camping stove 
• Fuel
• Cooking Utensils 
• Food 
• Water Blatter
• Garbage bags 
• Cash
• Bear Spray 
• Headlamp
• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping pad 
• Pillow 
• Clothes + extra layers
• Toiletries
• Swimsuit

10. Where to Stay Near Lake O’Hara

If you need somewhere to stay for the days before or after your trip to Lake O’Hara, Canada, you have a few options. If you’re looking to stay in a hotel, motel or hostel, your choice of town will depend on whether you’re arriving from the East or West, I’ll go through both below and suggest my top hotels for each budget. 

Staying in Lake Louise or Banff

For those of you coming from Alberta, the closest towns to Lake O’Hara are Lake Lousie or Banff. Most people will be including these towns in their road trip if it’s your first time in Canada so it’s worth planning this into your itinerary. 

Lake Lousie is just a 10-minute drive to the parking for Lake O’Hara but has less choice of accommodation, and Banff is around 45 minutes away with a huge range of hotels. 

Lake Louise

Banff

Staying in Golden

For those of you coming from the west, Golden is the closest major town to Lake O’Hara. The drive is under 1 hour and Golden has plenty of choices of accommodation. Here are my suggestions: 

Campgrounds Near Lake O’Hara

Lake Louise, Banff and Golden all have camping options, however, if you’re hoping to camp as close as possible to the Lake O’Hara parking lot there are better options. Each of the campgrounds listed below are operated by Park Canada and can be booked online. 

• Kicking Horse Campground – Large campground with 88 sites, lots of amenities and a great location just off Highway 1, under a 10-minute drive to Lake O’Hara.
• Monarch Campground – First come, first served campsites just a few minutes away from Kicking Horse Campground. 44 unserviced sites but amenities such as cooking shelters, water and bathrooms. 
• Takakkaw Falls – Walk-in, tent-only campground with 35 sites and views of a large waterfall. This campground is a 300m walk from the parking area and provides wheelbarrows for transporting your gear. Note that this is the trailhead for a number of hikes in the Little Yoho Valley and is a 20-minute drive off the highway (30 minutes from Lake O’Hara parking). 

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope that answered all your questions about Lake O’Hara, Canada! I love this part of Canada and am so excited to continue visiting it year after year. 

Lake O’Hara is such a special place and I hope that you are successful in snagging a permit and seeing it for yourself. Let me know if you have any other questions or simply want to share your experience in the comment section below. 

Remember to have a look at my hiking itinerary, and while you’re at it, feel free to check out my other BC, Canada guides here.

Happy Hiking,
Kate

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