How To Visit Lake O’Hara Without a Reservation
Have you been dreaming about visiting Lake O’Hara but missed the Lake O’Hara lottery or didn’t even know one existed? Well, a day trip to Lake O’Hara without a reservation is absolutely possibly, whether you’re hoping to find a last-minute cancellation or you’re prepared to hike the 11 km access road.
Lake O’Hara is one of the most competitive places to get a permit for. And if you’re like me and planned a last-minute Canadian Rockies trip, you’ve probably missed out on the reservation window.
In this post, I’ll walk you through all your options: how to check for cancellations, what you need to know about the access road hike, what to do at the lake for a full day trip or how to catch the return shuttle bus so you don’t have to hike back down.
Overview: Hike Lake O’Hara Without a Reservation
Where is Lake O’Hara
Lake O’Hara is situated in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, close to the border with Alberta. It is about 1 hour drive from Banff and just 10 minutes from Lake Louise, making it an easy addition to a Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Unlike Banff National Park, Yoho sees far fewer visitors, which is one of the main reasons why a Lake O’Hara day hike feels so special.
The trailhead and parking lot are located just off Highway 1, near Kicking Horse Pass.
Where to Stay the Night Before
Since you’ll want an early start, staying nearby the night before is a great idea. The closest town is Fields, just 10 minutes from the Lake O’Hara parking lot. It’s worth stopping at the Yoho Visitor Centre in Field when you arrive, as staff sometimes have access to same-day cancellations that never appear on the Parks Canada website.
We decided to stay at the Kicking Horse Campground, which is just 10 minutes from the parking lot of Lake O’Hara. You’ll need a reservation to stay at this campground. If you haven’t booked ahead, the Monarch Campground next door operates on a first-come, first-served basis. A little further away, Protection Mountain Campground near Lake Louise is another good option.
If you prefer something more comfortable, Emerald Lake Lodge is a great stay with beautiful views over Emerald Lake.
How to Get to Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park
The road to Lake O’Hara is closed to private vehicles and there are only a few ways you can reach it. These are all the possible ways to access Lake O’Hara:
- Enter the day-use bus lottery, which opens in March, to reserve a seat on Lake O’Hara shuttle
- Check for last-minute Lake O’Hara cancellations on Parks Canada website or at the Yoho Visitor Centre in Field
- Reserve a campsite at the Lake O’Hara campground (lottery opens in January and shuttle bus is included)
- Stay at Lake O’Hara Lodge (shuttle bus included and advance reservation required)
- Reserve the Elizabeth Parker Hut here, operated by Alpine Club of Canada (lottery opens in December)
- Join a guided day hike to Lake O’Hara. For more information reach out to Parks Canada.
- Hike the 11 km access road to Lake O’Hara lakeshore: no reservations needed and exactly what this guide covers in detail
The parking lot at the base of Lake O’Hara has room for multiple vehicles. From there, follow the path to the gate that marks the start of the access road. The Parks Canada shuttle bus stop is just beyond it. The shuttle bus runs from late June to early October each year (check Parks Canada for current 2026 dates) but requires an advance reservation.
We decided to go for option 7 and hike the 11 km access road since we didn’t manage to reserve a seat on Lake O’Hara lottery system. It’s not particularly steep and follows the main gravel road to the lake. Depending on your pace you should plan for about 2 to 3 hours. Look out for the kilometre markers on the trees during the hike. They’re both a motivation and a reality check.
On the way back, you may be able to catch the return shuttle bus for $15 per person cash. Seats are not guaranteed, so leave enough time to hike the 11 km back to the parking lot if it doesn’t work out.
Lake O’Hara Cancellations
To check on Parks Canada reservation site for day-use bus cancellations select Day Use – Lake O’Hara Day Use Bus – search dates. Alternatively, visit Yoho Visitor Centre in Field for last minute cancellations.
Hike the Lake O’Hara Access Road On the Way Up
- Distance: 11 km one way (22 km return if you don’t get a spot on the outgoing shuttle bus)
- Hiking time: about 2 hours one way
- Elevation Gain: 430 m
- Hiking Tip: try get a shuttle bus for the way down, if there are free spots
If you’re hiking the Lake O’Hara access road, you should leave early in the morning since you’ll have a long hiking day ahead of you. We ended up leaving the parking lot later than originally planned, which cut a bit into our day. A good starting time is 7-8 am.
The road is 11 km one way and is wide enough to share with the shuttle bus. Note that bikes are not allowed on the access road and Parks Canada will fine you if you’re being caught.
In terms of terrain, the first half is relatively flat but with little shade. The second half is a bit steeper but the total elevation gain is 430 metres. This is before you add any trails at the top of Lake O’Hara.
Along the way, kilometre markers on trees help you track your progress. Personally, I found them to be both a blessing and a curse. On the way up, it was encouraging to watch the distance to the lake gradually shrink. But on the way down (yes, I hiked the entire 11 km back too) those same markers made the return feel endless.
Overall, it took me about 2 hours to hike to Lake O’Hara. But, if you don’t hike often, account for some extra time for breaks along the way. We’ve even met some people trail running along the road.
Opabin Plateau Hike: the Best View of Lake O’Hara
After reaching the lake, we took a short lunch break before doing the Opabin Plateau hike. The trail was surprisingly quiet, giving us the chance to fully soak in the stunning surroundings. If it’s your first time visiting Lake O’Hara, the hike to the Opabin Plateau has arguably the best views of the lake.
We decided to take the Cascade Lakes Hike starting at Lake O’Hara. This hike is 5.8 km round trip, with 317 m of elevation gain and takes about 2 hours to complete.
We started on the west side and hiked up to the Opabin Prospect, which is where you’ll get the best views of Lake O’Hara. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. In fact, we even got caught in a heavy hailstorm and had to take cover under a tree.
After soaking in the final views, we descended to the lakeshore via the eastern route. Knowing ahead of time that we’d be hiking to Lake O’Hara without a reservation, we were prepared for a long day. This relatively short hike was the perfect choice! It let us fully appreciate the stunning views of Lake O’Hara, even with limited time.
Other Hikes at Lake O’Hara
- Lake Oesa is a 6 km return hike with views of Lake O’Hara from above.
- Lake McArthur (trail stats) is 6 km return with 350m of elevation gain and is best suited for those that have more time at the lake.
- The Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit (trail details) is a full 12 km loop with incredible views but worth attempting if you took the shuttle in.
Hike Back Down or Try for a Spot on the Return Shuttle Bus
On the way down, you can either hike the 11 km back to the parking lot (which is what I did) or aim to get a spot on the return shuttle bus. If you opt for the second option, you’ll skip the 11 km on the hike down.
Although it’s not impossible to get a spot on the shuttle bus on the way down, visitors with a shuttle reservation have priority. Then, any campground guests will be allowed to board before the remaining seats are assigned to walk-in hikers on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving at least 20 minutes early definitely improves your chances of securing a spot.
The outbound shuttle bus costs $15 per person and you need to pay in cash.
Return Shuttle Bus Schedule
The shuttle bus on the way down departs from the Le Relais Shelter and drives down to the parking lot. The departure times are:
- 9:30 am
- 11:30 am
- 2:30 pm
- 4:30 pm
- 6:30 pm
Nearby Alternatives If You Can’t Get to Lake O’Hara
If you don’t have time to visit Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park has other great hikes for you to look into. One of my favorite alternatives is Emerald Lake which I found extremely beautiful even on a rainy day. For a more challenging hike, consider the Iceline Trail. But if you’d rather choose a shorter one, Wapta Falls leads to one of the widest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies.
For a full overview of what to do in the area, check out my guide to Yoho National Park.
FAQ: Visit Lake O’Hara without a Reservation
Why is Lake O’Hara so popular?
Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park has one of the best alpine landscapes in British Columbia. It is particularly famous for the unique view over the Lake O’Hara, especially from Opabin Prospect.
Do I need a reservation to visit Lake O’Hara?
Yes and no. The access road to Lake O’Hara is only open for the Parks Canada shuttle bus, which requires a reservation. This opens at the beginning of the year and is very competitive to get. But, if you decide to hike to Lake O’Hara on foot (11 km one way) no reservation is required.
Can I visit Lake O’Hara as a day trip without a reservation?
Yes, but you’ll have to hike 11 km one way to the lake. If you decide to add another bit of hiking to reach Opabin Prospect (the reason why many visit Lake O’Hara), you’ll have to account for a long day of hiking (6-7 hours). Especially if you also hike the way down to the parking lot.
Can I drive to Lake O’Hara?
No, private vehicles are not allowed. You can park your car for free at the bottom of the lake. From here you can either take the Parks Canada shuttle (if you have a reservation) or hike for 11 km along the access road.
How do I get a bus reservation?
Parks Canada releases shuttle bus reservations to Lake O’Hara in March each year. These are based on a lottery system, where reservations are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I take the shuttle back down without a reservation?
Sometimes. If there is space on the outgoing shuttle, the remaining spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. For best chances, aim to take either the 4:30 pm or the 6:30 pm bus. Remember to carry cash, as the fare per person is $15 CAD and no credit cards are accepted.
What are the best hikes at Lake O’Hara?
We did the Cascade Lakes Hike and we loved it. Depending on the distance you’re comfortable covering, I also recommend the the Alpine Circuit Hike (challenging), Opain Plateau Circuit (moderate) or Lake Oesa Trail (moderate).
Is there a standby list for the Lake O’Hara shuttle bus?
There is no inbound standby to Lake O’Hara. You need a reservation to ride the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the lake. Without a reservation you won’t be allowed to board the bus.
Is Lake O’Hara open in winter?
The access road is not plowed, so access is only recommended for experienced backcountry skiers and snowshoers.
Read Next:
- The Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway Drive
- The Ultimate 1 Day Itinerary To Banff
- How to Spend 1 Day at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- Why Hike the Big Beehive Trail at Lake Louise
- Parker Ridge Trail: the Best Hike on the IceFields Parkway
- How to Spend 2 Days in Banff and the Canadian Rockies
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