Camping at Lake O’Hara is one of the most desirable reservations in the Rockies and it is notoriously hard to get a spot to spend the night. Those lucky enough to be able to get out to Lake O’Hara are rewarded with a hikers paradise! There are trails to suit all abilities at Lake O’Hara from the easier circuit around the lake and up to the viewpoint for the Seven Veil Falls, to the moderate hike to Lake Oesa and the advanced hike and scramble around the Alpine Circuit.
Along with the stunning hiking, the other reason I’m sure Lake O’Hara is so popular is how easy it is to get there. Parks Canada runs a regular shuttle bus every day to Lake O’Hara for the lucky few who can get a reservation for a day trip or for an overnight stay. At under $15 for a return bus trip, it is by far the easiest way to get to a backcountry campsite in the Canadian Rockies! NOTE. Due to the current pandemic Parks Canada is not currently operating the shuttle for the summer 2020 season.
In this guide I’ll cover accommodation options, the best trails and how to give yourself the best opportunity to get one of the super competitive spots!
The Campsite and How to Book A Spot
The Lake O’Hara Campground is approximately 1km from the lake and home to 30 tent pads making it a fantastic base for summer adventures. There is treated water, the cleanest backcountry toilets I have ever enjoyed, a large cooking area including a fire pit with wood and an axe as well as two cook shelters and a place to leave your packs if you arrive early or wish to leave late.
In 2020 Parks Canada moved their Lake O’Hara reservation system online. Previous years saw a mad battle of dialing to be cut off and then dialing again repeatedly to try and get hold of a reservation agent at the other end. You can still call, but honestly, I wouldn’t like the chances of getting through.
To book online, head here. When you book, make sure to select Backcountry Camping and the park you are looking to book in, would be Yoho. From here you can select whichever site is available and they get snapped up fast!
In 2020 reservations opened towards the end of January, if you don’t get online at 8am on the day booking opens you will be unlikely to get a booking. Make sure to set up an account on the Park Canada reservation site ahead of time to give yourself the best chance of snagging a spot! If you don’t get a spot, don’t panic, cancellations are common since people are forced to book so early, their plans may change. If you are flexible with when you go, you’ll likely get lucky at some point, if you keep checking the website!
Within a week or so of booking they will email you a confirmation of your ingoing bus time. During booking you are able to select whether you prefer a morning or afternoon bus and they try to accommodate these requests as best as possible.
Other Accommodation Options
The Elizabeth Parker Hut
The Elizabeth Parker Hut is run by The Alpine Club of Canada and all summer reservations are done by a lottery system. The lottery typically opens on October 1st and you have a month to enter the lottery at a cost of $10 per entry and you can enter as many times as you wish.
You are issued a number for each entry and after the lottery closes numbers are picked at random. The ACC then contacts the winner and they can then book any available date they wish for as many people as they wish, then they contact the next winner and so on until all available beds and nights have been taken for the summer season.
For those winter lovers, the ACC hut books on a first come first serve basis in winter for members and non members. Check out my trip to Lake O’Hara in the winter here.
NOTE: Due to the pandemic the lottery has yet to be announced for summer 2021. The ACC are currently operating a limited number of huts on the basis that the hut is fully booked out by a single group for a set fee per night.
The Lake O’Hara Lodge
By far the most luxurious accommodation option is a stay at the Lake O’Hara Lodge, with rooms in the main lodge as well as cute lakeshore cabins, you’ll be more than happy with this option! They run their own shuttle bus in the summer and offer fully catered luxury stays with guides to show you the best of Lake O’Hara.
The lodge operates in summer and winter, although in winter you’ll need to make your own way in, along the 11km road, either by cross country skiing or snowshoeing. The lodge is the perfect relaxing base at Lake O’Hara although that luxury comes at a cost, which is considerably more than the other two options!
Lake O’Hara Hiking Trails
1. The Alpine Circuit
The Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit is a photographer’s dream but be prepared to work for your views! The circuit is made up of three sections, Wiwaxy gap/Huber Ledges, Yukness Ledges and All Souls Prospect. These can be completed individually or as one long, full day hike.
The views from the circuit are incredible, however this is a difficult trail with a large amount of elevation gain, often over a short distance! Alongside this the trail can be rocky and uneven with some exposure in places. For those with a fear of heights, this trail may test you at some points!
2. Schaffer Lake and Lake McArthur
The trail to Schaffer Lake starts from near ACC Hut and you have two options, the typical trail or the Big Larch trail. I would go up one way and down the other personally. Both are relatively steep up to Schaffer Lake.
From Schaffer Lake there are again, two options to get to Lake McArthur, a high route and a low route. I personally preferred the high route and we hiked in this way, there is a really small amount of hands on scrambling at one point. The low route is also beautiful and takes you through the forest where you can get some shade on a hot day.
Lake McArthur is a large, bright blue lake with a glacier in the back and a small trail runs along one shore of the lake. This is a very popular spot so please stay on the designated trails, there were a number of worn paths which Parks Canada have tried to prevent people using any further.
3. Lakeshore Loop
See Lake O’Hara up close in all its beauty, the lakeshore trail, loops the whole lake. With little elevation gain or loss it’s the perfect loop for those new to hiking or just looking for a relaxing way to spend a few hours.
Take a seat on the bench on the backside of the lake and watch lodge guests paddle canoes around the lake while you marvel in the fact it feels like you have the whole trail to yourself. A short side trail off the loop will take you to a viewpoint of Seven Veil Falls, this one is steep though!
4. Opabin Plateau
There is no denying the trail up to the Opabin Plateau is a steep on and at times loose and rocky, but once you are up there it is an incredible spot to explore, with loop trails crossing through the plateau leading you to hidden lakes and beautiful paths surrounded by larch trees.
Don’t forget to stop at Opabin Prospect on the edge on the plateau, a perfect spot to soak in some sun on the rocks and take in the breathtaking views of Lake O’Hara and Mary Lake below.
5. Lake Oesa
The hike to Lake Oesa is beautiful, it is steep at times and starts with some pretty big switchbacks but, once you are up there, you are greeted with views of small bright blue lakes as you follow the trail.
Lake Oesa itself is beautiful and a color you can only see to believe! Surrounded by towering mountains on three sides, it’s quite a sight and a perfect spot to enjoy some lunch and relax on the lake edge.
