Want to be one of the lucky few to visit Lake O’Hara? Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, this area encompasses countless vibrant blue lakes, soaring mountains, and lush forests sits. You will fall in love with this enchanting landscape. 💕
I was lucky enough to win shuttle tickets to Lake O’Hara this past year. Honestly, I think it may have been better than winning the lottery. I’ve been all over North America and this may be the most spectacular area! 💫 I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was just overwhelming beauty everywhere that I looked.
Traveling to Lake O’Hara is very complicated, because you will need shuttle reservations. So I’ve written this blog with everything you need to know. It includes when to visit, how to get shuttle tickets, what hikes to take, and other tips! I hope you have a fantastic trip.
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Table of Contents
Guide to Visiting Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara Location
You’ll find the vibrant waters of Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies. It’s known for having a multitude of vibrant alpine lakes, towering mountains, and thick forests 🌲. This area is one of the most sensitive areas in the park, so the park rangers protect it by limiting entry.
It’s about 30 minutes from Golden in British Columbia and 90 minutes from Banff, which makes it a great place to add to a Canadian Rockies road trip. But, you will definitely have to plan ahead, read below for more!
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 You need a Canada Parks Pass to visit Yoho National Park & Lake O’Hara. You can buy them at one of the booths or get them online in advance.
🎟 No personal vehicles are allowed at Lake O’Hara. You will need to win a shuttle ticket to get to Lake O’Hara or walk an 11 km (7 mile) one way road to get there. It requires planning in advance!
☀️ Weather in the mountains can change quickly. Make sure that you are prepared for your visit with waterproof gear and layers!
💵 There is a gift shop with souvenirs and some baked goods at Lake O’Hara. So, pack some cash if you plan on buying anything there!
⛺️ There is one campground at Lake O’Hara with 30 campsites. You must make reservations in advance and you can read more about that process down below!
🦮 Pets are not allowed at Lake O’Hara because it is a very sensitive environment.
📵 There is no cell service in this area, so download Alltrails maps and have a plan before you go!
🅿️ Parking is off of the TransCanada Highway. There are plenty of spaces there as well as signs talking about the area.
⚠️ Lake O’Hara is closed for most of the year and only opens from late June through early October. Make sure to stay updated on the closures before you go!
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it. They will do an orientation on your shuttle specifically about Lake O’Hara because it is such a sensitive environment.
How to Get to Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is about 90 minutes from Banff, so getting there does require planning ahead. If you are flying into the area I recommend flying into Calgary which is about 3 hours from Lake O’Hara and offers international flights.
If you’re coming from the airport, I recommend renting a car 🚗, because it will be easier to get around. But there are shuttles to Banff itself, just not to Lake O’Hara from Banff. If you are driving in, then you can take TransCanada Highway 1 to Lake O’Hara.
In order to get to Lake O’Hara, you will need to get shuttle tickets or walk the 11 km down the road, which I talk about below!
Getting Lake O’Hara Shuttle Tickets
Canada Parks decided to start doing a lottery system for shuttle tickets to Lake O’Hara, because of the sensitive environment there. Only about 1000 people a summer win these tickets, even though thousands more apply for them. They are very elusive to win.
I somehow won Lake O’Hara shuttle tickets on my very first try and I seriously still can’t believe that happened! 😮
The random draw system usually opens in March and you can apply for a number of dates. Each application is $10 but you can apply as many times as you want… you just have to pay $10 each time. They will then draw the lucky winners in mid-April and you have two weeks to confirm you want to accept your tickets. 🎫
You can check the website for cancellations closer to the dates if you feel really lucky and you didn’t win a shuttle ticket.
Can I Get to Lake O’Hara without Bus Tickets?
If you don’t have shuttle tickets, then the only way to get to Lake O’Hara is to walk there on the road. 🚶 There is a bunch of parking at the end of the road where the private road to the Lake begins.
The walk from the parking area to Lake O’Hara is roughly 7 miles or 11 kilometers one way.
So, if you choose to walk the road just know that you will end up walking A LOT and it will take a lot of time! Especially, if you add on any of the additional hikes. I have a few friends who have done it with the Alpine Circuit and they ended up walking 21 miles in 13 hours. 😳
Best Time to Visit Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is usually only accessible from mid-June through early October when the road is clear of snow. Otherwise, the road is often covered in snow and the walk in is 7 miles (11 km), so it would be a bit treacherous.
Honestly, if you can get a shuttle ticket at all, then you should take advantage of whatever time you get!
In the early summer, there may be snow on the highest portions of trails ❄️, which would make parts impassable. But in late summer, the trails are clear and the views are stunning. While if you wait until Fall, you may get to see larches with their yellow needles. It’s one of the prettiest places in the world, regardless of the time you visit!
Camping at Lake O’Hara
Getting a campsite at Lake O’Hara is extremely difficult, but if you’re one of the lucky few that does it will be the experience of a lifetime. The campground is just a few hundred feet away from the lake. 🏕
Campsites usually go on sale in late January and sell out immediately. So it’s important to be prepared to snag one and I recommend making an account before the campsites open.
Campsite info:
- There are 30 campsites at Lake O’Hara
- Each tend pad can hold up to 4 people and you can book two at a time.
- You can camp for up to three nights in a row.
- You must bring bear safe food storage and you are limited to one large bag or two small bags per person.
- Shuttle bus tickets are included with your campsite.
Lodging at Lake O’Hara
Getting to Lake O’Hara is one of the most difficult parts. So, once you have the opportunity to visit you may want to stay there overnight. There are a couple lodging options, but they are difficult to reserve and pricey. 💸 You can read about them below!
Lake O’Hara Lodge
Lake O’Hara Lodge sits along the shores of Lake O’Hara and offers beautiful rooms and cabins. While the Lodge was originally built in the 1920s the interior has been updated to modern amenities. However, the rooms and cabins are very pricey and start at $945 CAD a night. The only way to make a reservation is by phone at (250) 343-6418.
Elizabeth Parker Hut
Elizabeth Parker Hut is a rustic hut that was built back in 1912. It has basic amenities fueled by propane, an outhouse, and can sleep up to 24 people. Because of its high demand reservations are only available via a lottery system, which you apply for in the Fall.
Where to Stay Near Lake O’Hara
If you like most of the visitors into Lake O’Hara are only visiting for the day, you’ll need a place to stay. 🏨 There are a number of great places you can choose especially if you are staying longer in the area. Lake O’Hara is closest to Golden, BC, but Canmore, Lake Louise, and Banff are other great options at around an hour to hour and a half away.
We stayed in Canmore for our time in the area and it’s always been one of our favorite towns!
Great Hotels in the Area:
- Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff)
- Falcon Crest Lodge (Canmore)
- Canyon Ridge Lodge (Golden)
- Brewster Mountain Lodge (Banff)
- Moose Hotel & Suites (Banff)
- Peaks Hotel & Suites (Banff)
Hiking at Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is such an incredible destination in and of itself, that you don’t have to go far to see amazing sights. However, if you want to explore further there a number of absolutely fantastic trails to venture out on 🥾. Many of these trails are connected, so you can choose your own adventure!
Alpine Circuit
Most people will tell you that the Alpine Circuit is the best hike in the Lake O’Hara area and I have to agree. 🙌🏻 The lake is surrounded by three mountains and this trail takes you to all three!
Along the way, you’ll get fantastic ridgeline views, make it to Lake Oesa, get to take in the view at Opabin Prospect, and journey on over All Soul’s. You will see the bluest lakes you’ve ever seen 💙 and mountain views that will blow your mind!
I recommend doing this trail clockwise, which means that you will start with a very steep and hard climb up to Wiwaxy gap. But, once you get through it the trail gets a lot easier.
Distance: 7ish miles/11.2 km
Elevation: 2900 feet of gain/853 meters
Type: Loop
Length: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Lake McArthur & Big Larches
People rave about this moderately short trail through the Lake O’Hara area. Along the way you’ll get stunning views from the Highline trail before you get to the end where a lake of deep blue sits. In the Fall, this trail is covered in larches 💛, so it’s a must do hike! This is one that I still need to do and will add to my next visit!
Distance: 4.4 miles/7 km
Elevation: 1100 feet of gain/335 meters
Type: Loop
Length: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Opabin Plateau/Prospect
If you want a fantastic payoff, then this hike really gives you bang for your buck. It’s a steep climb, but once you get to the top you’ll see one of the most incredible panoramic views of your life! This is probably the most famous view of the lake and for good reason, it’s fantastic. 🤩
The hike begins on the West side of the lakeshore. Then, you’ll climb up into the mountains until you get to the famed viewpoint. Take a rest here and admire the scenery.
Distance: 3.5 miles/5.6 km
Elevation: 1000 feet of gain/300 meters
Type: Out and back
Length: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Lake Oesa
Lake Oesa is one of the most beautiful lakes in the area with a milky blue color. Many people visiting for the day choose to just hike there and back. It’s a fairly steep trail but at the end you can relax and take in the beauty at the shoreline of the lake. It’s something I wouldn’t want to miss seeing!
If you have more time or energy, you can always connect this trail to the Opabin Prospect trail and down.
Distance: 3.6 miles/5.8 km
Elevation: 1000 feet of gain/300 meters
Type: Out and back
Length: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Linda Lake & Cathedral Basin
This is one of the least popular hikes in Lake O’Hara, but that doesn’t make it any less stunning. In fact, it might even make it better with fewer hikers on the trail with you!
You’ll walk through thick forested areas with plenty of moss growing. Then, you’ll pass a number of beautiful lakes including the most spectacular one- Linda Lake. The very end of the path gets a bit challenging as you go up a steep rocky area. But, then you’ll get to Cathedral Basin with wonderful vistas down below you!
Distance: 9.4 miles/15 km
Elevation: 2675 feet of gain/815 meters
Type: Loop
Length: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Lake O’Hara Shoreline Trail
For people who want a nice stroll, have less time, or hiked all the way into the area the Lake O’Hara Shoreline is a great option. It’s very family friendly. This trail meanders its way around the lake for many scenic views over the water and the mountains above. You can also stop for a swim on a really nice day! 💦
Distance: 1.8 miles/2.9 km
Elevation: 177 feet of gain/54 meters
Type: Loop
Length: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Final Tips for Visiting Lake O’Hara
You will never forget your trip to Lake O’Hara, because it’s one of the most beautiful areas in North America. However, visiting this mesmerizing area does require advanced planning. So, make sure to look up shuttle dates and download any trails you want to do ahead of time!
If you don’t win a shuttle ticket, just prepare for a very long day. The hike in and out is incredibly long on the road and somewhat boring. Pack plenty of water & food, bring your camera, and have a fantastic trip to one of my favorite areas I’ve ever been!
Let me know in the comments if you found this guide helpful!
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Alexys says
I’ve never heard of this, but I’m adding it to my list! Looks unbelievable 🤩