Emerald Lake
Located in Yoho National Park, the area around Emerald lake offers a variety of choice activities including kayaking, canoeing, or backpacking. Bring your own boat or rent one in Field.
Emerald Lake Area
Emerald Lake Lodge is a two story 85 room inn on the shores of Emerald Lake. You couldn’t ask for a better setting. If money is not a concern then this would be a great way to spend a few days exploring the area.
Surrounded by the towering peaks of the President Range mountains you may feel like you’re in the Coliseum of the Gods.
There are a number of hiking trails including a gentle scenic walk around the Emerald Lake Loop with more trails branching off to amazing vistas of Emerald Glacier, Mount Carnarvon, and Emerald Peak.
Advanced Hikers can explore a number of more moderate to advanced level trails like Hamilton Lake Trail, Emerald Peak Route, Emerald Basin Trail, and Yoho Pass Trail that can lead you to Yoho Lake.
Love this interactive map by Alltrails. Hover over the designated Trails on this map and then click on the individual trails on the left side of the page for more information.
Another popular option is to drive from Field up Yoho Valley Road 17 kms to Takakkaw Falls parking. There is a campsite here with picnic tables and toilettes. Proceed from there first to Takakkwa Falls and then to do the Yoho Lake Loop.
Field is great location to rent one of the many cottages available in this small mountain town. Be aware that there is a train yard here, and that sleeping with the window open can be somewhat of a challenge if you are sensitive to night noise. Close the window and sleep well.
I had the pleasure of guiding my brother and his girlfriend to a number of daytrips to places like Emerald Lake, Takakkwa Falls, Wapta Falls, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Golden for an adventurous morning of whitewater rafting and an afternoon ziplining at the Golden Skybridge.
If you still have some energy at the end of the day you can drive to Emerald Lake and do the Emerald Lake Loop walk. I found that sitting by the lake and taking in the sights and sounds to be a great way to unwind, and find that inner peace at the end of a long day of adventure.
There are four Backcountry Campsites throughout the area.
Reservations or call 1-877-737-3783
Getting to Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is at the end of Emerald Lake Rd, 9km off of Highway 1, the Trans Canada Highway, about 2 kms west of Field, BC, which also translates to a half hour west of Lake Louise or an just over an hour from Banff.
There is parking at the end of the road as well as the Emerald Lake Lodge and the Boat House.
There are different ways to see the lake area. You can choose to hike around and above it or kayak and canoe it. There is a rental shop by the small bridge, but the prices are insanely high at around $80.00 an hour.
You can bring your own kayak or canoe, or electric powered boat, no motorized boats allowed. Personal flotation devises absolutely a must. This water is COLD at about 5 degrees Celsius. See this section on an AIS Prevention Self-Certification Permit that is required when boating in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks with your own boat.
Whichever way you choose to visit the area be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. Bring a rain poncho and warm fleece clothing, not cotton, as it does not retain heat well, especially when wet.
Please visit the Gears section for proper outfitting.
Golden Skybridge
10Adventures Guided Tours
Emerald Lake Basin
Trip planning can be very time consuming and a lot of work. Guided tours are an excellent option.
With the information provided, you can book your flight and a one night stay, if necessary, at a hotel by the airport.
Hotels with Calgary Airport Shuttle Service.
Arrange your Brewster Express from the airport to Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper where 10Adventures will take care of the rest with a bus that will drive you to your first day of camping under the star filled skies of Alberta or British Columbia.
Weather you’re backpacking through the backcountry or touring the most popular sites in the Rockies, your meals and accommodations and return to the Brewster Express airport bus will be taken care of.
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