Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park: Complete Guide

Emerald Lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Yoho National Park and an easy addition to a Banff or Lake Louise itinerary. With its brilliant blue-green water, surrounding mountains and historic Emerald Lake Lodge, it is well worth crossing the Alberta-British Columbia border to visit.

While many visitors stop at the famous bridge, take a few pictures and leave, there is much more to do at Emerald Lake. You can walk around the lake, rent a canoe, hike into the surrounding mountains, have a picnic or stop for lunch beside the water.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best things to do at Emerald Lake, along with parking tips, hiking options, restaurants, facilities and everything else you should know before visiting.

This post contains compensated links.

Where is Emerald Lake?

Emerald Lake is in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, just west of the Alberta border. It is approximately 39 km from Lake Louise and 94 km from the Town of Banff, making it an easy day trip from either destination.

One thing that sometimes confuses Banff visitors is that Emerald Lake is not in Banff National Park. Once you drive west from Lake Louise over the Continental Divide and into the province of British Columbia, you enter Yoho National Park.

You will still need a valid Parks Canada admission pass to stop and explore Yoho National Park. If you already have a daily national park pass or Discovery Pass for Banff, it is also valid in Yoho National Park. For more information, see our guide to the Banff Park Pass.

How to Get to Emerald Lake

Driving to Emerald Lake

For most visitors, the easiest way to get to Emerald Lake is by car. From the Trans-Canada Highway, turn onto Emerald Lake Road west of Field, B.C. From here, it is approximately 8 to 10 km to the lake. Emerald Lake Road is paved and remains open year-round.

The drive from Lake Louise takes roughly 35 minutes, while Banff to Emerald Lake is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Unlike Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, there is currently no Parks Canada shuttle system to Emerald Lake. In fact, there is no public transportation within Yoho National Park, so most independent visitors will need their own vehicle.

Tours to Emerald Lake

There are also sightseeing tours to Emerald Lake from Banff, Lake Louise and Calgary. These can be a good option if you are visiting Banff without a car or simply don’t want to deal with parking. Most tours to Emerald Lake will be a full day outing, with other stops at top Yoho National Park attractions and/or Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Here are a few good options for tours to Emerald Lake. If you are interested in saving 5% on some of these tours, check out the Banff discounts we have arranged for visitors to our website.

Brewster Sightseeing Mountain Lakes Tour

Brewster Sightseeing is the leading tour company in the Canadian Rockies. Their Mountain Lakes Tour visits Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (when accessible), Natural Bridge and the Spiral Tunnels.

Yoho & Kootenay Rockies Hidden Gems Tour

Radventures is one of the local tour companies we personally recommend. We’ve travelled with them ourselves and had an excellent experience. Their tours are small-group, with knowledgeable local guides and a more relaxed, personal feel than a large sightseeing bus.

This 8-hour summer tour combines Emerald Lake with some of our other favourite stops in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, including Marble Canyon, Natural Bridge and Takakkaw Falls.

Hidden Frozen Gems of Yoho & Kootenay Tour

Emerald Lake is completely different in winter, and this 8-hour small-group Radventures tour is an easy way to experience it along with several other beautiful winter stops in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. The itinerary includes frozen Emerald Lake, Marble Canyon, Natural Bridge and other seasonal stops, with a maximum of just 10 guests and a picnic lunch, hot drinks, ice cleats and hiking poles included.

Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon Tour

This 11-hour tour packs several of the Rockies’ biggest highlights into one day, including Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon. Pick-up is available in Calgary, Canmore and Banff, and transportation, a local guide and national park admission are included. It’s a particularly convenient option if you want guaranteed access to Moraine Lake while also fitting Emerald Lake into the same day.

Parking at Emerald Lake

Parking is one of the most important things to know before visiting Emerald Lake. The public parking lot near the lake is quite small compared with the number of people who want to visit. Parks Canada warns that parking at Emerald Lake is extremely limited and fills quickly, especially during the summer and on weekends. We recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Once the main lot fills, you will often see vehicles parked a considerable distance back along Emerald Lake Road. Be aware that Parks Canada asks visitors to park only in designated parking areas, so don’t assume that every roadside space you see other vehicles using is an approved parking spot.

On our most recent visit to Emerald Lake, we arrived at 9:30 AM on a cloudy Wednesday morning in mid-September, and we had to park on the road about 1 km / 0.6 miles away from the official Emerald Lake parking lot. Parking can be significantly worse on sunny days, weekends and throughout the summer.

If you end up parking a long way down the road, remember that you’ll need to add that walk to whatever else you plan to do at Emerald Lake.

On our recent visit, we counted four designated accessible parking spaces near the front of the parking area.

Best Things to Do at Emerald Lake

1. Canoe on Emerald Lake

The red canoes on Emerald Lake have become almost as recognizable as the lake itself. Canoe rentals are available directly at Emerald Lake through the independently operated Boathouse Trading Co. Rentals are first-come, first-served, so there is no need to make a reservation in advance.

Getting out on Emerald Lake gives you a completely different perspective of the surrounding mountains and Emerald Lake Lodge. If you want to canoe on Emerald Lake, we recommend going in the morning as it is typically the best time for calmer water, fewer crowds and easier parking.

Personal Watercraft Restrictions on Emerald Lake

There is one important rule you need to know before packing your own paddleboard or kayak.

As of 2026, personal watercraft are prohibited in Yoho National Park as part of Parks Canada’s efforts to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The current closure runs through March 31, 2027. This includes personal canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other watercraft. Fishing is also prohibited.

The rental canoes at Emerald Lake are specifically exempt from this restriction, which is why you will still see canoes on the lake. So, unlike many lakes around Banff where you might bring your own SUP or kayak, leave it at home when visiting Emerald Lake.

Swimming is currently permitted, but Emerald Lake is fed by glacial water and is a very cold mountain lake. If you do decide to swim, treat the cold water seriously, as hypothermia is a real risk.

2. Walk the Emerald Lakeshore Trail

One of the best ways to experience Emerald Lake is to walk around it. The Emerald Lakeshore Trail is a 5.2 km / 3.2 mile loop around the lake with minimal elevation gain. It should take most visitors roughly 1.5 – 2 hours to walk around the lake.

One of the things we enjoy most about walking the Emerald Lake Loop is how much the scenery changes as you make your way around the lake. You are rarely far from the shoreline, but the surrounding mountains, forests and views across the water are constantly changing.

If you begin by following the western shore, the first section of trail is the easiest. The first 400 m / 1,300 feet of the trail is paved before transitioning to a well-groomed crushed gravel trail. There are some gentle undulations, but overall this section is quite flat.

Along the western shore you’ll find benches, viewpoints and interpretive signs about the Burgess Shale. There are also several small shoreline areas where you can get close to the water.

As you get farther around the lake, the trail crosses the large alluvial fan at the far end of Emerald Lake. This is also where you’ll encounter the junctions for the Emerald Basin Trail and the route towards Yoho Pass.

The eastern side of the Emerald Lake Loop is noticeably rougher. You can expect muddy and rooty trail conditions on this side of the lake. After such easy hiking on the first part of the loop, this portion of the loop is much less enjoyable. There are muddy sections, uneven terrain, wooden planks and significantly more tree roots. You also spend more time in the forest on this side, so there are fewer continuous lake views.

That said, as of our most recent walk around Emerald Lake in September 2026, Parks Canada had started installing some beautiful new boardwalk sections over particularly wet portions of the trail, with additional trail work still underway. We will continue to update this post as the trail work progresses.

Towards the end of the loop, you’ll reach the Emerald Lake Lodge area before crossing the famous bridge back towards the parking lot.

We are working on a complete guide to the Emerald Lakeshore Trail with detailed trail information, photos and accessibility considerations.

Emerald Lakeshore Trail Accessibility

The western portion of the trail is much more manageable for big-wheeled strollers and visitors with limited mobility than completing the entire loop. Based on the trail conditions we encountered, I would not consider the full Emerald Lakeshore Loop wheelchair accessible.

There are rough trail surfaces later in the loop, and on our visit the bridge over the Emerald River had gravel ramps followed by sizeable steps on either side.

3. Go Hiking at Emerald Lake

If you enjoy hiking, Emerald Lake is an excellent starting point for everything from a very short waterfall walk to challenging full-day mountain hikes.

Here are a few of the best hikes near Emerald Lake:

Hamilton Falls Trail

If you want something short, Hamilton Falls is one of the easiest hikes from Emerald Lake.

The trail begins near the Emerald Lake parking area and climbs through the forest to Hamilton Falls. It is roughly 0.9 km / 0.6 miles one way with about 100 m / 330 feet of elevation gain. It should take most hikers about 30 minutes to reach Hamilton Falls and back, making it an easy addition to visiting Emerald Lake. It’s a great option if you don’t have time for the full Emerald Lake Loop but still want to stretch your legs.

Hamilton Falls Trail Map

Emerald Basin Trail

The Emerald Basin Trail is one of our favourite hikes in Yoho National Park as it’s one of the few moderate hikes near Emerald Lake.

The trail begins along the Emerald Lakeshore Trail before heading away from the lake and climbing through an impressive forest of hemlock and cedar. We especially love the scenery at the far end of this hike, as you are surrounded by towering mountains in a natural amphitheatre. Several waterfalls flow down the steep mountain faces, meeting at the valley floor, creating the Emerald River which eventually flows into the lake.

We typically combine the Emerald Basin Trail and the Emerald Lake Loop. This creates an overall hike which is approximately 11.3 km / 7 miles long with 400 m / 1,300 feet of elevation gain. This usually takes us about 3 hours, but we’re pretty fast hikers. I expect most hikers could complete this Emerald Lake hiking circuit in 4 hours or less.

Emerald Basin Trail Map

Hamilton Lake Trail

Strong hikers looking for a significantly bigger challenge can continue beyond Hamilton Falls to Hamilton Lake.

Hamilton Lake sits in a dramatic mountain setting, but you’ll work for it. This is a very different outing from the easy Emerald Lakeshore Trail and is best for experienced hikers comfortable with sustained elevation gain.

This is a steep hike, climbing approximately 915 m / 3,000 feet over 5.1 km / 3.2 miles one way. This difficult Emerald Lake hike should take most hikers approximately 5 hours for the return trip.

Hamilton Lake Trail Map

Yoho Pass and Yoho Lake Trail

Another excellent option for strong hikers is to follow the route from Emerald Lake towards Yoho Pass and Yoho Lake.

You’ll begin around the far end of Emerald Lake before climbing steadily towards Yoho Pass. From there you can continue towards Yoho Lake and into the extensive Yoho Valley trail network.

This route is especially useful for hikers looking to connect Emerald Lake with the Takakkaw Falls area, but the logistics become more complicated if you intend to do it as a point-to-point hike.

Yoho Pass and Yoho Lake Trail Map

Emerald Triangle Trail

The Emerald Triangle is the major full-day hike at Emerald Lake. This challenging loop climbs from Emerald Lake to Yoho Pass, follows the Wapta Highline to Burgess Pass and eventually descends back to Emerald Lake.

The full loop is approximately 18.8 km / 11.7 miles with 1,285 m / 4,215 feet of elevation gain. A hike with this distance and elevation gain should take most hikers between 8-9 hours.

Emerald Triangle Trail Map

Emerald Lake to Takakkaw Falls Trail

Experienced hikers can also use Yoho Pass to travel between Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls.

This is a point-to-point route, which means transportation logistics need to be planned before starting. It also depends on access to Yoho Valley Road, which is typically open only from mid-June until mid-October, weather permitting.

Emerald Lake to Takakkaw Falls Trail Map

4. Have a Picnic at Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a beautiful place to stop for a picnic. On our recent visit, we counted four picnic tables near the lakeshore on the western side of the lake. If the Emerald Lake picnic tables are all occupied, there are many park benches scattered around the lakeshore.

Be aware that Emerald Lake Lodge does not permit outside food or drinks on lodge property, so keep your picnic in the Parks Canada day-use areas rather than carrying it across to the lodge.

Read more: The Best Picnic Spots in Banff National Park

5. Eat Beside Emerald Lake

If you don’t want to pack lunch, there are a couple of convenient places to eat right beside Emerald Lake.

Cilantro on the Lake

Cilantro on the Lake is the main option for day visitors looking for a sit-down meal. Located beside the lake near Emerald Lake Lodge, Cilantro offers casual dining and has an excellent patio overlooking Emerald Lake. It operates seasonally during the warmer months and is open to both day visitors and hotel guests. If the weather is good and you have time for a relaxed lunch, this is a hard location to beat.

The Mount Burgess Dining Room and Kicking Horse Lounge are also located at Emerald Lake Lodge, but these are reserved for registered hotel guests.

The Window Grab and Go

For something faster, The Window is located next to Cilantro and offers sandwiches, treats and refreshments to go. This is especially convenient if you want to grab something before or after hiking the Emerald Lake Loop rather than sitting down for a full meal.

6. Enjoy the Emerald Lake Viewpoints

You don’t need to hike around the lake to enjoy some excellent views. The area around the bridge and boathouse is the classic Emerald Lake viewpoint and gives you the familiar view of the colourful canoes, Emerald Lake Lodge and surrounding mountains.

It is also the busiest area. If you walk just a few minutes away from the bridge, you’ll quickly find more Emerald Lake viewpoints with far fewer people. We especially enjoyed the viewpoints along the western shore, where you can look back towards the lodge and bridge.

One advantage Emerald Lake has is that its colour can still be impressive in less-than-perfect weather. On our most recent visit to Emerald Lake, it was a dark and cloudy day, but the blue-green colour of the water was still clearly visible.

7. Stay at Emerald Lake Lodge

If you want more time at Emerald Lake, you can stay right beside it at the historic Emerald Lake Lodge. Staying overnight gives you one major advantage: the opportunity to enjoy Emerald Lake early in the morning and in the evening after most day visitors have left.

We have never stayed at the Emerald Lake Lodge, but we really enjoyed a similar experience during our stays at the Chateau Lake Louise and the Glacier View Lodge at the Columbia Icefield Adventure. The quieter evenings and mornings are magical.

Hotel guests use a separate overnight parking area and are transported between the parking lot and the lodge by a complimentary shuttle.

A stay at the Emerald Lake Lodge makes the most sense for travellers who value the location and experience of being right on Emerald Lake. If you are mainly looking for easy access to restaurants, shops and other amenities, Lake Louise, Banff or even nearby Field may be more practical bases.

Facilities at Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake has enough facilities for a comfortable day visit, but this is still a relatively small mountain destination.

Picnic Tables and Benches

There are four picnic tables near the western shore of Emerald Lake. There are benches located all along the Emerald Lakeshore Trail.

Toilets

There are public washrooms near the Emerald Lake parking area, including an accessible toilet.

Accessible Parking

On our recent visit, we counted four designated accessible parking spaces close to the main visitor area.

Food

During the warmer months, day visitors can eat at Cilantro on the Lake or pick up something quick from The Window.

Canoe Rentals

Canoe rentals are available from the Boathouse Trading Co. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cell Service

Don’t count on reliable cell phone coverage in Yoho National Park. Parks Canada specifically warns that cell service is limited.

Download your Emerald Lake hiking maps and save any information you need before leaving Lake Louise or Field.

Is Emerald Lake Accessible?

The main Emerald Lake viewpoint near the parking lot and bridge is relatively easy to access, and accessible parking is available.

The beginning of the Emerald Lakeshore Trail is also the easiest section of the loop. On our visit, the trail began paved before transitioning to wide, well-groomed crushed gravel.

A big-wheeled stroller should manage much of the western side of the lake reasonably well in dry conditions.

Wheelchair users may be able to enjoy part of this section with assistance, but I would not describe the entire Emerald Lake Loop as wheelchair accessible.

The Eastern side of the lake has rougher terrain, muddy sections, wooden boardwalks, tree roots and bridge transitions which would make completing the full loop difficult.

For visitors with mobility limitations, I would stay on the western shoreline and simply turn around when the trail conditions stop being comfortable.

Best Time to Visit Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake Road remains open year-round, so you can visit Emerald Lake during any season. For most visitors, summer and early fall are the easiest times to experience everything Emerald Lake has to offer, including hiking, canoe rentals and outdoor dining.

Summer is also when parking is most difficult. If your priority is photography, walking or canoeing, an early morning visit is ideal. Parks Canada also recommends later in the afternoon as another way to avoid the busiest parking period.

Fall is an excellent time to visit, but mountain weather changes quickly and snow can arrive early.

Spring can be beautiful, but don’t assume Emerald Lake will look like the summer photographs you’ve seen online. The lake can remain frozen well into spring, and snow can linger on the trails. For more information, visit our post on When do Banff Lakes Thaw?

Emerald Lake in Winter

Emerald Lake is also a beautiful winter destination. Parks Canada maintains a network of winter routes in the area for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, including routes around Emerald Lake and to Hamilton Falls.

You can get a sense for how beautiful Emerald Lake looks in the winter in our YouTube video:
Emerald Lake in April.

Winter routing around Emerald Lake is different from summer because of avalanche terrain. There is a very active avalanche track in the north-west corner of the lake and you should never travel in this area unless you are properly trained and have the proper equipment. Watch for Parks Canada signs which identify the avalanche area at Emerald Lake.

How Much Time Do You Need at Emerald Lake?

How long you should spend at Emerald Lake depends entirely on what you want to do.

If you only want to see the lake, cross the bridge and take a few pictures, allow approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

If you want to walk the Emerald Lakeshore Trail, allow around 2 to 3 hours, especially if you plan to stop frequently for pictures.

For a canoe rental, lunch and a short walk, I’d allow 2 to 4 hours.

If you plan to hike Emerald Basin, Hamilton Lake or one of the longer trails, Emerald Lake can easily become a half-day or full-day destination.

Emerald Lake is a special place, so don’t rush your visit. If you’re already making the trip into Yoho National Park, give yourself enough time to walk away from the busy bridge area and experience more of the lake.

What Else Should You See Near Emerald Lake?

Emerald Lake combines especially well with several other attractions in Yoho National Park.

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is along Emerald Lake Road, so it is an easy stop after visiting Emerald Lake. The Kicking Horse River has carved its way through the rock here, creating a natural stone bridge. It requires very little walking and doesn’t take long to visit.

We recommend stopping at the Natural Bridge after your Emerald Lake visit. Your priority should be to go to Emerald Lake as early as possible for the best chance of getting parking.

Check out our YouTube video on visiting the Natural Bridge in April.

Takakkaw Falls

If Yoho Valley Road is open, Takakkaw Falls is another place you won’t want to miss.

We often recommend combining Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge on the same Yoho National Park day trip. Just remember that parking at both Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake can fill quickly.

Read More: Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park

Wapta Falls

If you are looking for another hike, Wapta Falls is one of our favourite easy hikes in Yoho National Park. The 4.3 km / 2.7 mile return trail leads through the forest to viewpoints over one of the largest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies by volume.

Read More: Wapta Falls Hike

Final Thoughts on Visiting Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is one of the most beautiful locations in the Canadian Rockies and it deserves more than a quick photo stop. If you only have a short amount of time, walk across the famous bridge and spend a few minutes exploring the shoreline. But if your itinerary allows, the Emerald Lakeshore Trail, a canoe rental or one of the nearby hikes will give you a much better feel for this beautiful corner of Yoho National Park.

For most first-time visitors to Emerald Lake, I would recommend allowing at least a couple of hours. Walk part or all of the lakeshore, stop for lunch or a picnic, and take your time enjoying the different views around the lake.

Just make parking part of your plan. Emerald Lake has become extremely popular, and the small parking area has not grown along with that popularity. Arrive early or later in the day, and you’ll have a much easier time enjoying one of our favourite places to visit just beyond Banff National Park.