How To Hike to Lake O’Hara Without a Reservation

Have you been dreaming about hiking to Lake O’Hara but don’t have a shuttle bus reservation to get there? This blog post is for you! Whether you missed the lottery in March or didn’t realize there was a lottery system at all, you can still visit Lake O’Hara without a reservation.

Lake O’Hara is one of the most beautiful places in Canada and one of the best hikes in British Columbia. But it’s also one of the most competitive places to get a permit for. And if you’re like me and planned a last-minute trip to the Canadian Rockies, you’ve probably missed out on the reservation window.

In this article, I will explain how you can visit the stunning Lake O’Hara without a reservation. I will also share the best hike to view Lake O’Hara from above.

Overview: Hike to Lake O’Hara Without a Reservation

Where: Lake O’Hara is situated in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, Canada
Backcountry Camping: a backcountry campground is located just before the lake (30 sites) and requires a reservation
Best time to visit: end of June to early October
Parking lot coordinates: click here
Total Distance: 22 km round trip if hiking along the access road to Lake O’Hara, but it will be closer to 30 km if you add another hike at the top
Total Time: plan for at least 6-7 hours
Good to Know: you need a Canadian National Parks Pass to be displayed on the window of your car. But, from June 20 to September 2, 2025 there are no fees.

⚠️ The Lake O’Hara access road is closed to personal vehicles. The only way to reach the lake by vehicle is via the Parks Canada shuttle bus, which requires an advance reservation. Guests staying at Lake O’Hara Lodge may also use a separate lodge shuttle. Alternatively, you can hike the 11 km access road (one way) to reach the lake’s shoreline.

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.

Where to Stay the Night Before the Hike to Lake O’Hara

We decided to stay at the Kicking Horse Campground, which is just 10 minutes drive from the bottom parking lot of Lake O’Hara. You’ll need a reservation to stay at this campground. But if you want to test your luck, you can check the Monarch campground next door. In fact, this is a first-come, first-served campsite.

Campgrounds Map from Parks Canada in Yoho National Park

Another campground close to Lake O’Hara is Protection Mountain near Lake Louise. If you’re looking for a more comfortable stay, you can check some of the lodges nearby, such as at Emerald Lake.

How to Get to Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park

Most trails around Lake O’Hara begin at the lake’s shoreline. But to reach this point, you must either secure a spot on the Parks Canada shuttle bus—available through a lottery system that opens in March—or hike the 11 km access road (one way) from the trailhead.

The parking lot at the base of Lake O’Hara has room for multiple vehicles. From there, make your way to the gate that marks the start of the Lake O’Hara access road. Just beyond it, you’ll find the Parks Canada shuttle bus, ready to transport both day hikers and overnight campers up to the lake.

The shuttle bus runs from late June to early October each year (20th June to 5th October in 2025) but you can only board if you have a reservation.

HOWEVER if you don’t have a reservation, you can hike for 11 km (about 2 hours) to Lake O’Hara. This section is not very steep and follows the main access road. The route isn’t particularly steep and follows the main gravel road all the way to the lake. Along the way, you’ll find kilometer markers on the trees, helping you track your progress as you ascend.

On the way back down, you may be able to catch a ride on the shuttle bus for $15 per person (if there are available seats). So, be sure to bring cash, as the driver does not accept cards. However, keep in mind that if the bus is full, you’ll need to hike the 11 km back to the parking lot.

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 for $15, if there are free spots

Girl hiking to Lake O'Hara without a shuttle reservation

If you decide to visit Lake O’Hara without a reservation, you’ll need to hike for 11 km to get to the lake. You’ll share the road with the shuttle bus but it’s wide enough for everyone to use. However, bikes are not allowed on the Lake O’Hara access road.

Although the elevation gain is just 430 meters, you should be physically prepared to hike at least 22 km in a single day. Chances are, you’re visiting Lake O’Hara for its breathtaking alpine views, which likely means adding a few more kilometers to explore the surrounding trails. Below, I’ll share how I managed to hike Lake O’Hara without a reservation.

The access road has also kilometer markers so that you can track your progress. Personally, I found this to be both a blessing and a curse. On the way up, it was encouraging to see the distance to the lake gradually shrink. But on the way down (yes, I hiked the entire way back too!), those same markers made the journey 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.

Take a Hike to Opabin Plateau at Lake O’Hara

After reaching the lake, we took a short lunch break before continuing our hike up to the Opabin Plateau. 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 offers arguably the best panoramic view of the lake.

Hiking trail at Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park

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.

Girl standing in front of Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park

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.

Seven Veils Falls at Lake O'Hara — Seven Veils Falls

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 reservation have priority. So, any free spots on the shuttle bus are assigned to anyone visiting Lake O’Hara without a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

💡Insider Tip: the 4:30 pm service has two buses driving down to the parking lot. So, this is the best chance to secure a spot on the bus.

FAQ: Hike to 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 scenery 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 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 reservations to Lake O’Hara at the beginning of 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 system for the inbound drive to Lake O’Hara?

No, there is no standby system for the inbound journey 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.