Visitor Guide 2021 – 2022 Emerald Lakeshore Trail Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Également offert en français 1 Ktunaxa Nation Welcome to Yoho National Park The Ktunaxa (k-too-nah-ha), also known as Kootenay, have occupied the lands around the Kootenay and Columbia rivers and Arrow Lakes for more than 10 000 years. Their Traditional Territory encompasses 70 000 km2 of south-eastern British Columbia, and includes parts of Alberta, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. For thousands of years, and long before settlers arrived, the Ktunaxa harvested flora and fauna in the area that is now managed as Yoho National Park. The park lies within aknuqⱡuⱡam amak is (Land of the Eagle). Ktunaxa stories teach their generations of seasonal migrations that occurred across the Rocky Mountains and on the Great Plains; of war and trade interactions with other Nations; of place names and landmarks; and of lessons and values. The Ktunaxa language is a language isolate, meaning that it is one of a kind and unrelated to any other language in the world. To learn more, visit ktunaxa.org Shuswap Indian Band Weyt-k (hello) The Kenpesq’t (ken-pesk-t) community, currently known as the Shuswap Indian Band, is Iceline Trail part of the Secwépemc (seck-wep-em) Nation. The Nation occupies traditional lands in British Columbia and Alberta. 1 Welcome The Rocky Mountains have been part of Indigenous peoples’ homelands The Secwépemc people traditionally fished, for thousands of years. hunted and camped in the areas we now know Only in very recent history did European settlers move into the area that we now know as Yoho National as Yoho, Kootenay, Mt. Revelstoke, Glacier, Banff 2 Plan your adventure and Jasper national parks for thousands of Park. A British expedition in 1858 relied on the help of Indigenous guides to navigate the challenging terrain. years; long before settlers arrived. Back then, Dr. James Hector became the first European to map the pass that we know as Kicking Horse 3 Take the pledge Pass today. This spectacular route received its name after Hector’s horse had knocked him over with a kick Many of today’s roads and trails are Secwépemc to the chest. travel routes. They served as connections to trade partners and areas for food and medicinal 4 Yoho National Park map In the late 1800s, the Canadian Pacific Railway built a luxury hotel to welcome the first railway tourists in plant gathering. Indigenous guides created the village of Field. This is where Mount Stephen Reserve was established in 1886. The reserve became horse trails that evolved into major highways Yoho National Park in 1911. 7 Map of Field such as the Trans-Canada Highway in Yoho. Today, the area encompassed by Yoho National Charles Walcott discovered the Burgess Shale fossils on Mount Wapta around the same time, in 1909. Read Park continues to be an important site of oral 9 Camping in Yoho more about the fossils that are older than dinosaurs on page 11. history and Shuswap cultural practice. Parks Canada and the Secwépemc Nation 10 Discovering and preserving Yoho You are in a very special place. continue to foster a better working relationship Yoho National Park will take your breath away and you will want to come back. That’s a promise. that informs the management of natural Stay safe and protect wildlife DID YOU KNOW? resources and enhances the visitor experience 12 We invite you to explore the park’s natural and cultural treasures. Experience roaring waterfalls, the history Yoho National Park lies within the traditional for those exploring traditional lands. of Canada’s railway and world-famous fossil beds, or bring a picnic and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. lands of the Ktunaxa and Shuswap. To learn more, visit shuswapband.net 13 National park regulations Whatever it is you came to Yoho for, we are glad you are here. Laughing Falls 2 1 Plan your adventure WHERE CAN I GET STAYING SAFE WHAT’S YOUR TRAVEL STYLE? INFORMATION? IN THE MOUNTAINS Select your favourite activities: Keep this guide for travel inspiration and maps, Your safety is most important to us. As you plan your Scenic driving and sightseeing and come chat with Parks Canada staff at the Yoho trip, please do your research BEFORE you head out. National Park Visitor Centre in Field, BC. You can find Tell somebody where you’re going, when you will be Camping and relaxing us next to the Trans-Canada Highway. See page 7 for back and who to call if you don’t return. Hiking, biking and other outdoor activities a map of Field. Parks Canada Dispatch (non-emergency line): History, fossils and learning opportunities Call or email us: 403-762-1470 250-343-6783 Good news - Yoho ticks all your boxes! Road conditions: drivebc.ca [email protected] Visit parkscanada.gc.ca/yoho and click on Trail condition reports: parkscanada.gc.ca/yohotrails “Things to do”. Backcountry travel and safety: parksmountainsafety.ca Avalanche risk Avalanche season in the mountains extends from COVID-19 may affect November to June. Even a short walk from a parking hours and available services. Please check Take the lot can take you into dangerous terrain. pledge parkscanada.gc.ca/yoho-covid Avalanche ratings: parkscanada.gc.ca/avalanche for updates and safety requirements. No matter if you have a few hours or a few weeks here, you play an important role in the future of the Winter activities: parkscanada.gc.ca/yoho-winter park. Yoho is a diverse landscape, a home to wildlife and a place of history. YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WE NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP IT THIS WAY! Entry fees are charged at all national parks. Every time you visit a national park you are investing in its future, and in a legacy for future generations. Pick up your pass at any park gate, visitor centre or staffed campground kiosk. DAILY ENTRY PASS The daily entry pass is valid in Yoho, Kootenay, Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier I will never feed wildlife or leave food and garbage outside. national parks. Regardless of time of entry, the pass is valid until 4 p.m. the following day. Wildlife need to find their own natural food sources, not yours. By feeding an animal or leaving your scented food items unattended, you attract it WHY? to roadsides and human areas. This can be dangerous for you and for the animals. Adult (18-64) $10.00 Senior (65+) $8.40 I will leave plants, rocks, fossils, antlers and all other natural objects undisturbed. Youth (0-17) Free To let others enjoy them as I have, and to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the park. Thousands of people visit the park each year; WHY? Family/group a harmful act, multiplied by that amount, can have devastating consequences. $20.00 (up to 7 people in a vehicle) I will give wildlife space. PARKS CANADA DISCOVERY PASS To avoid injury and keep animals wild. When you stop to view wildlife or get too close for a photo, animals lose their natural fear of people. This annual pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, WHY? This increases the risk of wildlife being hit by a vehicle or acting aggressively towards people. Both may cause the death of an animal and expiring on the last day of the month in which it was purchased. a risk to your safety. It gives you unlimited admission to over 80 Parks Canada places across the country. I will keep my dog on a leash and pick up after it. Adult (18-64) $69.19 Dogs cause stress for wildlife as they may be seen as a threat. Off-leash dogs can cause wildlife to show aggression, which puts you, WHY? Senior (65+) $59.17 your dog and other visitors in danger. Pick up dog poop, carry it with you and throw it in a bin to keep the park sanitary and clean. Family/group $139.40 (up to 7 people in a vehicle) I will drive carefully and obey speed limits. Your To prevent deadly collisions with animals. In high risk areas, no stopping zones are used to protect pledge 12/21 WHY? 7-00000 motorists and wildlife. Look for signs along the roadside. makes a big DID YOU KNOW? difference. I will learn about and follow all national park regulations. You must have a valid entry pass if you stop anywhere in a national park, and if you drive Yoho Valley Road or Emerald Lake Road. To ensure that I stay safe during my visit and help preserve the park for future generations. THANK YOU FOR WHY? See page 13. Emerald Lake TAKING ACTION! 2 3 HIKES, WALKS, HISTORIC SITES AND SCENIC STOPS. N Explore the park Create unforgettable memories with your family and friends. 05 km 10 km See pages 6-8 for details. ek re es C av W ALBERTA Yoho Valley Road Meeting of the Waters Viewpoint Kicking Horse River Upper Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint 7 Twin Falls Kicking Horse Campground Yoho River Lower Spiral Yoho Valley Road: Vehicles over 7 m in length Tunnel Viewpoint 5 must reverse in order to navigate around the Monarch tight switchbacks. No trailers. Open late June Campground er to early October, weather permitting. iv R o Little Yoh Laughing 6 Falls Iceelds Parkway Cathedral E Mountain Lodge Y TAKAKKAW FALLS o h see page 6 Takakkaw Falls o R iv Campground (walk-in) e r O tto Yoho Valley Road C K r D e i ek w HI Whiskey Jack e MEETING OF THE 2.5 km Peyto Lake 48 km t i n Hostel WATERS VIEWPOINT o see page 6 A k Columbia Iceeld 132 km R 15 PAGET LOOKOUT iv G e r TRAIL Kicking Horse Pass Jasper 235 km EMERALD LAKE 16 4 see page 8 Westbound access only 1627 m see page 6 93N Hamilton Lake Sherbrooke 3 ek C Lake re C 13 e SPIRAL TUNNEL ir 1 F VIEWPOINTS see page 6 1.2 km 2 12 Hamilton Wapta Falls Kicking Horse Campground Lake Ross A Lake m 14 i Road Lake Emerald Lake Louise sk Monarch Campground w i R Great Divide i Emerald Lake ve Lodge B r Lodge 11 Lake LAKE O’HARA BUS PARKING Advance bus reservations and Louise payment required.