Lake O'hara, Canada

Lake O’Hara is a lake situated in the alpine area of Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. Yoho National Park is neighboring with Banff National park and Kootenay National Park all are apart of the Canadian Rockies, There is a limitation to the amount of people that can visit each day in order to protect the sensitive alpine environment. (reservations to reach Lake O’Hara are made 3 months in advance). For more information Check out Parks Canada.

Perched high in the mountains east of Field, Lake O'Hara is worth the significant hassle involved in reaching the place, which is an encapsulation of the whole Rockies. Compact wooded hillsides, alpine meadows, snow-covered passes, mountain vistas and glaciers are all wrapped around the stunning lake. A basic day trip is worthwhile, but stay overnight in the backcountry and you'll be able to access many more trails, some quite difficult, all quite spectacular. The Alpine Circuit (12km) has a bit of everything.

To reach the lake, you can take the shuttle bus from the Lake O'Hara parking lot, 15km east of Field on Hwy 1. A quota system governs bus access to the lake and limits permits for the 30 backcountry campsites. You can freely walk the 11km from the parking area, but no bikes are allowed. The area around Lake O'Hara usually remains covered with snow or very muddy until mid-July.

Make reservations for the bus trip or for camping (a permit costs $10 per night) three months in advance. Available spots often go the first hour lines are open, from 8am mountain time. Given the popularity of Lake O'Hara, reservations are basically mandatory, unless you want to walk. However, if you don't have advance reservations, six day-use seats on the bus and three to five campsites are set aside for 'standby' users. To try to snare these, call at 8am the day before.

Lake O'Hara Lodge has been leaving guests slack-jawed for over 80 years. The only place to stay at the lake without a tent, the lodge is luxurious in a rustic way. Its environmental practices are lauded. There's a two night minimum stay.