Ultimate Guide to the Wapta Falls Hike in Yoho National Park, B.C.
Wapta Falls in British Columbia is a great short hike in Yoho National Park (near Banff!) to a powerful and picturesque waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. In this guide, learn everything you need to know to hike to Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park, including how to get to the trailhead, what to expect, hiking stats, and what we think is the absolute BEST photo spot for Wapta Falls!
Yoho National Park lies at the eastern edge of British Columbia and neighbors some of the most famous sights in Banff National Park just over the border in Alberta. With its expansive mountain views, and its collection of epic hiking trails, emerald blue lakes, and postcard-worthy waterfalls, the sights in Yoho National Park definitely rival those of its famous neighbor, and it’s no wonder why so many people have learned to include Yoho in their Canadian Rockies itineraries.
One of the best sights in Yoho National Park is Wapta Falls, a scenic waterfall along the Kicking Horse River that winds its way through the park. At nearly 100 meters wide, it’s the largest waterfall along the Kicking Horse River, and a worthy trip to get up close to experience just how powerful this falls actually is.
You have to hike to Wapta Falls, but luckily it’s a short and pretty easy trail, and the payoff is high! What’s even better is that because Wapta Falls is found on the western edge of the park, a bit further away from Banff and Lake Louise, it sees slightly less crowds than other popular Yoho attractions that are closer to Banff, such as Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls. Don’t get me wrong- it’s popular, but you won’t be fighting crowds or hiking with a train of people on the trail.
Interested in hiking to Wapta Falls? In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the Wapta Falls Trail in Yoho National Park. We’ll go over how long the Wapta Falls hike is, how to get to the trailhead, what to bring, what to expect on the trail, and we’ll even let you in on the absolute best photo spot of Wapta Falls that you can’t miss!
So, let’s get into it!
In this Wapta Falls hiking guide:
Where is Wapta Falls?
The beautiful Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park
Wapta Falls is on the western edge of Yoho National Park in British Columbia. Yoho is part of a collection of epic National Parks found in the Canadian Rockies that span both Alberta and British Columbia.
The scenery, sights, and hikes of Yoho National Park rival those of its more famous neighbor, Banff National Park. Known for attractions such as the brilliantly blue Emerald Lake, Canada’s second tallest waterfall- Takakkaw Falls, the epic Iceline Trail, sights and activities along the Kicking Horse River, and famous fossil beds that preserve fossils up to 500 million years old, Yoho is well worth a visit on any Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Yoho National Park is crossed via the portion of the TransCanada Highway that runs between Lake Louise in Banff, and the town of Golden. Many of Yoho’s most popular attractions are right near the small town of Field, which sits just off the Highway about 20 minutes from Lake Louise. The Wapta Falls hike is another 25 minutes past Field down the TransCanada Highway, making it a less visited destination in Yoho, but, in our opinion, it’s worth the trip. And if you’re driving between Banff and Golden or beyond, then Wapta Falls is definitely worth a stop on the way, as it can be done fairly quickly and easily.
Yoho National Park map
This map shows where Yoho National Park is in relation to other National Parks of the Canadian Rockies, such as Banff, Jasper, and Kootenay National Parks.
Yoho National Park is surrounded by other famous parks such as Banff and Jasper
Distances to Wapta Falls from popular places in the Canadian Rockies:
Golden to Wapta Falls: 30 minutes
Field/Emerald Lake/Takakkaw Falls to Wapta Falls: 25 minutes
Lake Louise to Wapta Falls: 45 minutes
Banff to Wapta Falls: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Calgary to Wapta Falls: 2 hours and 45 minutes
How to get to the Wapta Falls trailhead
The Wapta Falls trailhead lies at the end of a 2 km dirt road found off the south side of the TransCanada Highway in Yoho and is pretty easy to find, but…
This is important! When using navigation on Google Maps, use “Wapta Falls Main Trail” or “Wapta Falls Trail Head Pk” to find the Wapta Falls trailhead. If you simply type in “Wapta Falls”, this will navigate you to the Wapta Falls Recreation Site, which is a campground and recreation area on the opposite side of the Kicking Horse River and does not have a hike down to the base of the falls. We learned this the hard way. The recreation area does have some views over Wapta Falls but they are from a distance.
The Wapta Falls trailhead road is a dirt road. It’s accessible to any car, but there is some washboarding and frequent potholes to look out for.
The parking lot for the Wapta Falls hike is at the end of this dirt road. It’s not too big, but you can park along the road leading up to the lot, so you should be able to find a place to park. There are vault toilets here and bear-safe trash bins.
The parking lot for Wapta Falls
Golden to Wapta Falls
Coming from Golden and other places to the west, the Wapta Falls trailhead road is well-signed, and it will be a turn on your right.
Lake Louise to Wapta Falls
If coming from Lake Louise, Field, Banff, or Calgary from the east, the Wapta Falls trailhead road will be to the left off the TransCanada Highway, but it’s not well-signed from this direction, so be sure to have navigation on. Technically, you aren’t supposed to make a left turn off the highway onto this road as there is no turning lane here, and you should drive another 5.5 km past it down the highway until you reach the exit for Beaverfoot Road where you can turn around and head east on the highway back to the Wapta Falls trailhead road, which will now be on your right.
The road to Wapta Falls off the TransCanada Highway
How Long is the Wapta Falls Hike?
The Wapta Falls hike is pretty short and fairly easy. Here are our stats from the Wapta Falls hike in Yoho:
Length: 4.8 km (3 mi) roundtrip
Elevation gain: 137 m (450 ft)
Time: 1.5 hours. Plan a little bit more time to explore the base of the falls (we’d say plan for more like 2 hours in total).
Elevation profile:
Our elevation profile of the Wapta Falls hike
A satellite view of our Wapta Falls hike
How Hard is the Wapta Falls Hike?
The Wapta Falls hike in Yoho is relatively easy. The first part from the parking lot out to the first views over the Kicking Horse River and Wapta Falls is a mostly flat path through the woods.
Once you hit the viewpoints over the river, the Wapta Falls trail begins its descent to the base of the falls. Here, the trail does get steep and rugged. It can be slick and pretty root-filled through here, but it’s a short section and can be easily done if you just take your time and watch your footing.
The last part of the Wapta Falls hike gets rugged and steep as it heads down to the riverbed
Of course, on the way back up from Wapta Falls, you’ll have to climb back up this steep section, but again, it’s just a short section of the trail and then it’s smooth sailing the rest of the way back to the car.
The Wapta Falls Hike: Trail Description and Our Experience
The Wapta Falls hike starts in the far-left corner of the parking lot. The trail starts off as a well-trodden walking path, and remains pretty flat and easy through the forest for most of the hike out to the river. It was actually a very quiet and peaceful hike for us, and we didn’t run into very many people on the trail.
Just before you get to any river views, you’ll start to first hear the rushing river below and the trail climbs up just slightly and gradually before coming to your first viewpoint over Wapta Falls and the Kicking Horse River. We reached this viewpoint in about a half hour of hiking. Here, there is a fenced area with open views over the top of Wapta Falls. Continue down a short steep section with lots of roots to get to the “lower level” of this viewpoint for an even better perspective over Wapta Falls.
The first viewpoint over Wapta Falls
A nice view over the top of Wapta Falls from this first viewpoint
From this viewpoint, the more difficult part of the Wapta Falls hike begins as the trail starts its descent to the riverbed. The trail zigzags steeply down and becomes a bit more rugged, with rocks and roots to navigate around, but it only takes about ten minutes or less to get down this part to the base of Wapta Falls. We did see ways you can shortcut the trail by cutting off the short switchbacks, and saw someone doing this, but we suggest that you don’t do this- there’s really no point, it looks like it only makes things harder for yourself as you’d be cutting off an already steep and slick switchback, and it causes disruptive erosion along the trail!
Starting the hike down to the base of Wapta Falls
The trail down to the base of Wapta Falls
The Wapta Falls Trail gets steep and rugged here
Another viewpoint of Wapta Falls along the hike down
About halfway down this steep section of the Wapta Falls trail is another unofficial viewpoint out over Wapta Falls. There’s no fence or rail here, so just be careful, but it’s a great view in front of the falls where you can now see the mountain backdrop behind it and the blue pools in front of it.
A great view of Wapta Falls from the trail!
The Wapta Falls trail as it continues its way down to the riverbed
At the bottom of the Wapta Falls trail, you’ll be spilled out onto the riverbed downstream of the falls. Depending on what time of year you’re hiking to Wapta Falls, the water levels can vary. Usually in the spring, the river is higher and fills in this side of the riverbed and it might be harder to really explore too much down here (at least without getting pretty wet!). We visited in September, and while there was still some rock hopping that we had to do to cross some small streams and residual water flowing through here, we could easily explore the area.
Walking along the riverbed to Wapta Falls
Some careful rock hopping was required to explore around the base of Wapta Falls
From the riverbed, you get great views of the falls and the beautiful mountain backdrop. As you get closer to Wapta Falls, you’ll find the blue pools that are remnants of when the water levels are higher and the river fills in here. You might feel the mist of Wapta Falls a bit here, but it’s not enough to soak you.
And of course, you’ll notice the large dirt mound right in front of the falls, obstructing the view of the fall somewhat. There’s a herd path on the right side of this mound that you can climb up to get really in-your-face views of Wapta Falls. This path, though, is quite slick and slippery. At the top, it’s even moreso, and we found that we couldn’t walk too far along the ridge at the top because we felt too uncomfortable with how slick the narrow trail was. It was still worth climbing up to get the views of the waterfall from here and to feel how powerful it is. Plus, rainbows appeared around Wapta Falls from up here! But just a warning: You will get soaked! It’s super useful to have a raincoat if you want to get this view of Wapta Falls!
The path up the dirt mound in front of Wapta Falls is slick!
An up- close view of the entire Wapta Falls from the higher vantage point!
The Wapta Falls rainbow! Here you can also get an idea of the muddy and slick conditions at the top of this mound.
Once you’re done exploring the falls and riverbed, it’s a short but steep climb back up to the first viewpoint, and then an easy walk from there back to your car.
The best viewpoint of Wapta Falls
Before you head back up to your car, do you want to know how to find the best photo spot for Wapta Falls? Of course you do!
You may have noticed that in addition to the dirt mound right in front of Wapta Falls, there is another dirt hill just a little bit further back. We did notice that there was a light herd path up to the top of this mound, but it seemed a little sketchy so at first we didn’t even consider it. But I’m glad we rethought it!
The path up was really muddy, steep, and slick, and as we climbed, I wasn’t quite sure how we would be getting down other than on our butts!
Here’s a view of this small hill from above where you can get this amazing photo of Wapta Falls
But, the view of Wapta Falls from the top was awesome! You get a direct view over the pools, river, falls, and mountains all in one shot, plus the Wapta Falls rainbow! It was definitely our favorite viewpoint of Wapta Falls.
Check out this amazing view of Wapta Falls! Can you spot Kevin?
There’s a narrow path along the top of this hill, and on the far side is a better way down off the mound. It’s drier and not quite as steep as the other path that we took up. It will bring you down to the back side of the dirt hill along the riverbed.
The narrow trail along this Wapta Falls viewpoint
The drier trail on the back side of this hill
Walking along the Kicking Horse River downstream of Wapta Falls
When to Hike to Wapta Falls
We think the best time to hike to Wapta Falls is mid-summer to fall, as the water levels will likely be low enough for you to comfortably explore around the base of the falls. In the spring and early summer, the river may be too high to get too close to the falls, and everything can be pretty slick and muddy.
You can hike to Wapta Falls in the winter, and it’s pretty popular to do as the falls freeze and make a really cool sight. Of course, you’ll need proper winter hiking gear, such as microspikes, to hike safely. Also, in the winter, the Wapta Falls trailhead road closes, so this adds another almost 4 km roundtrip of easy hiking to the overall Wapta Falls hike.
Where to Stay Near Wapta Falls
The closest accommodations to the Wapta Falls hike are the Yoho Chalets, about 5 km west of the Wapta Falls trailhead road along Beaverfoot Road at the park’s border. These cute little cabins are a little pricey but are in a great location.
Field is the closest town to Wapta Falls (almost 30 km away going east on the Highway) and there are a good number of accommodation options here. Nearby are the Emerald Lake Lodge at Emerald Lake, and the Whiskey Jack Wilderness Hostel near Takakkaw Falls.
Golden is the next closest town to the west, about 30 km away from Wapta Falls. Golden has plenty of accommodation options and serves as a good central base for exploring not only Yoho and Banff to the east, but also Glacier National Park and Revelstoke to the west.
It’s also possible to stay at Lake Louise or in/near the town of Banff and make a day trip to Wapta Falls. It will require a little more driving, but you can make plenty of stops along the way to make a full day out of it!
Camping near Wapta Falls
Yoho National Park has four frontcountry campgrounds that are all relatively close to Wapta Falls and are open generally between May to mid-September or mid-October. Three are found right along the TransCanada Highway, and one is a walk-in tent only site near Takakkaw Falls. There are many first-come first- served sites throughout the campgrounds, but also some reservable ones as well. Check out the Yoho National Park camping page for information on how to camp in Yoho and details on opening and closing dates, prices, when and how to reserve, and amenities at each site.
Another camping option is the Wapta Falls Recreation Site, which sits on the opposite side of the river, across from the Wapta Falls trail. This camping area has a couple of free sites and does have views over Wapta Falls, but from a distance, and you can’t hike down an official trail to Wapta Falls from here. Still, it would make a nice place to camp and isn’t far from the actual Wapta Falls trailhead.
We accidentally ended up here by not putting the correct destination into our GPS (see above for the directions to the actual Wapta Falls trailhead!). This site is about 15 minutes down a dirt road (Beaverfoot Road) at the western park boundary. The recreation site has a dirt U-shaped road that goes through it that is in pretty rough condition- lots of waterfilled potholes and rugged sections that I am glad we had an SUV for! It seemed pretty quiet when we were there, so may make for a good place to escape the crowds of more popular areas.
What to Bring on the Wapta Falls Hike
Aside from the usual day hiking essentials, here are some things we would recommend specifically for the Wapta Falls hike.
Hiking shoes or boots: The Wapta Falls hike is pretty easy for most of it, and if you only plan on hiking to the first viewpoint over the falls, then you can hike in standard sneakers. However, if you want to drop down to the riverbed, we recommend having on good hiking shoes with good traction and waterproofing.
Rain gear: Not so much for the weather, but for standing at the base of the falls! If you want to hike up the dirt mound in particular, you’ll be glad to have rain gear to help keep your hiking clothes somewhat dry.
Bear spray: Yoho is home to Grizzlies and black bears, and the Wapta Falls trail is no exception. Always makes sure you hike with bear spray anywhere in the Canadian Rockies and keep it somewhere accessible and easy to grab in an emergency. You can rent or buy bear spray cans in outdoor stores in towns like Golden, Banff, and Calgary.
Tips for the Wapta Falls Hike
Admiring the powerful Wapta Falls!
Is there a fee for the Wapta Falls hike?
Wapta Falls is in Yoho National Park, which requires a park pass. A day pass costs $11.00 CAD per person per day and can be bought at the park gates or the visitor center in Field.
A good option if you plan on being in the area for a while and visiting more National Parks is the Discovery Park Pass, an annual pass that gets you into all of Canada’s National Parks for an entire year! This costs $75.25 per person (though there are family rates) and can be bought here.
Are there bears in Yoho National Park?
Yoho is home to both grizzly and black bears, and knowing how to stay safe in bear country is super important out here. Be aware on the trails, carry bear spray, and always practice strict Leave No Trace Principles when hiking and camping. Check the current reports for bear sightings before heading out.
Even on a short and popular trail like the Wapta Falls hike, being vigilant about bears is necessary. Around the time we were there, we did read several recent reports of bear sightings right along the Wapta Lake trail! And when we hiked it, it definitely felt like bear territory. When we were driving down Beaverfoot Road nearby, we even saw a small black bear right off the road!
A bear along the side of the road near Wapta Falls!
Wapta Falls trail conditions
Before heading out on the Wapta Falls hike, check for trail conditions and trail or road closures. AllTrails is a good place to go to read recent reviews about trail conditions before heading out. Also check for air quality alerts and conditions as fires are a common occurrence around Yoho, especially in the summer.
Can dogs go on the Wapta Falls hike?
Dogs are allowed on trails in Banff, but make sure they are leashed and make sure to stay extra vigilant as this is bear country.
Things to Do Near Wapta Falls (Plus More Canadian Rockies Guides!)
There are plenty of awesome things to do near the Wapta Falls hike, so that your visit to the falls can be just one part of a larger day trip, or a larger Canadian Rockies itinerary!
Things to do in Yoho National Park
We will be writing a guide for all the awesome things to do in Yoho National Park, but for now, some of our favorites include:
Visiting Takakkaw Falls, Canada’s second tallest waterfall
Hiking the Iceline Trail, an epic trail that traverses a high alpine environment filled with lakes, glaciers, and views of Takakkaw Falls from above
Visiting Emerald Lake, a brilliantly blue lake where you can hike, sightsee, and even canoe!
Walking along the Natural Bridge, a natural rock formation along the scenic Kicking Horse River
Things to do near Yoho National Park
If you want to explore beyond Yoho National Park, there are several nearby National Parks, including Banff, Jasper, and Kootenay to the east. Be sure to check out the Boom Lake hike in Banff for an easy hike to a beautiful turquoise lake!
To the west is Glacier National Park, and just a little bit further, Mount Revelstoke National Park. These lesser visited National Parks are a great way to leave the crowds behind but still get epic views of mountains, glaciers, and lakes. Check out some of the amazing hikes you can do:
HERMIT TRAIL: The Hermit Trail is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park of Canada. It’s the steepest hike in the park, but it leads to breathtaking views over alpine meadows and the jagged mountains and glaciers of Rogers Pass.
GLACIER CREST TRAIL: This Glacier National Park trail is another steep climb to an up-close view of the Illecillewaet Glacier!
EVA AND MILLER LAKES: The Eva and Miller Lakes Trail is the best hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park. This nearly 10 mile hike leads through wildflower-filled meadows and peaceful forest to two beautiful alpine lakes in the heart of Mount Revelstoke.
Other Canadian Rockies guides
To help you plan out your Canadian Rockies itinerary, here are even more of the most amazing spots to add to your list!
MOUNT ASSINIBOINE PROVINCIAL PARK: Mount Assiniboine is one of our favorite spots in the Canadian Rockies, but it can be a challenge to get to, as there are no roads into the park! But trust us, it’s worth the effort to get to. Learn all about how to get to Mount Assiniboine and how to plan your visit in our ultimate guide. Plus, learn how to hike into Mount Assiniboine from Banff, and learn about the best day hike in Mount Assiniboine- the Nublet hike!
TENT RIDGE: The Tent Ridge hike is in Kananaskis, an alpine area just southeast of Banff. It’s a challenging hike involving scrambling and ridge walking, but your reward is epic views over Spray Lake and the mountains of Kananaskis!
Are you putting the Wapta Falls hike on your Canada itinerary? Let us know if you have any questions about the hike to Wapta Falls and as always, happy hiking!