Must-See Sights at Yoho National Park of British Columbia

Yoho National Park is located just west of Banff in Canada's province of British Columbia. Its name is a Cree express for awe and wonder, and filled with craggy peaks and steep rock faces along with towering waterfalls, roaring rivers, brilliant glacial lakes and spectacular mountains this region is surely awe-inspiring.

While Yoho is often overlooked by visitors who tend to flock to Banff National Park, fortunately for those who enjoy a more authentic wilderness experience without the hordes of tourists, this park fits the bill. First-time visitors to the park should consider these four must-see sights for the top of their to-do list in Yoho.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is renowned for its beauty as well as its intensely vivid emerald hue. An easy hike around the shoreline is one of the most rewarding treks in the entire park. Here you'll find a rich diversity of vegetation and even several microclimates producing impressive flower displays including tiny, fragile wild orchids that thrive in the moist, shady enclaves of the region.

The world renowned Burgess Shale fossil beds can be viewed form the lake as well as Michael Glacier; with the wildlife drawn to the water, it's also an ideal place to spot bald eagles, osprey, moose and a variety of water fowl.

Rent a canoe or a rowboat, available at lakeside to get a more up close and personal experience from atop the water.

Takakkaw Falls and Yoho Valley Road

Takakkaw Falls is the second highest waterfall in all of Canada, plunging nearly 850 feet from a towering glacier cliff. The drive there along Yoho Valley Road with its dramatic switchbacks is just as spectacular, but keep in mind it's not meant for large vehicles like motor homes, RVs or trailers. Keep in mind that it's typically snow bound from about mid-October through mid-June.

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is found just west of Field on the Emerald Lake Road. Kicking Horse River carved this naturally bridge over the millennium through solid rock. This impressive rock formation offers a lookout that presents visitors with the opportunity to see this unique formation from a variety of viewpoints with interpretive displays explain how it was created.

Spiral Tunnels

The Spiral Tunnels are an especially fascinating stop for railroad buffs making their way into the park. These two tunnels make a gigantic loop inside the mountain allowing a train headed uphill to enter the tunnel on the lower right, exiting on the upper left as it made its way up Kicking Horse Pass.

An interested display explains the history and operation of the spiral tunnels, and from the platform visitors are offered an incredible panoramic view of Yoho Valley, Yoho Glacier and the lower spiral tunnel portals at Mt. Ogden.