Where To Hike Emerald Lake?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The hike to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the

Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36

. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to reach the trailhead during peak tourist season.

Can you hike around Emerald Lake?


There are several great hikes and scrambles around Emerald Lake

. It’s a really wonderful area to take to the trails and enjoy stunning views of glaciers, craggy peaks, wildlife, rainforest, and waterfalls. The weather can be a bit unpredictable, so come prepared for a wet hike with hiking boots and a shell jacket.

Where do you park for Emerald Lake Trail?

The parking lot for Emerald Lake Trail is

at the end of Bear Lake Road

– a short drive from Estes Park in Colorado. There is minimal elevation gain along the path which is paved for the first half-mile. The trail to Emerald Lake is open year-round and is very popular, so arrive early to secure a spot.

How long is the walk around Emerald Lake?

Trail Distance (return) Time (return) Emerald Lake

5.2 km


2 hours
Hamilton Falls 1.6 km 30 minutes Centennial 2.5 km 45 minutes Walk-in-the-Past 3 km 1.5 hours

Do you need a pass for Emerald Lake?

Emerald Lake lies in Yoho National Park, and although this natural sight is free,

you need to purchase Discovery Pass to enter the national park

. The Discovery Pass costs $140 for a vehicle (up to seven people), or $70 per adult if you are solo traveling the Rockies.

Can you swim in Emerald Lake?


Swimming comes highly recommended for the experience, but is not for the faint of heart

. The water is cold! The more leisurely delight of having lunch at the lakeside patio does the trick for some, as well. Picnic areas and the Emerald Sports gift shop are also easily found.

Is Emerald Lake a glacier lake?

For more information, please visit: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho

The Emerald Lake Trail is one of the best examples of a glacial runoff lake

in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Think Lake Louise in Alberta but without the crowds and with better chances of seeing North American wildlife in their prime habitat.

How long is Takakkaw Falls hike?

To get to Takakkaw Falls is just a

1.4 km

round trip hike and only 36 meters of elevation gain on a well-maintained path. As you cross over the bridge you’ll really start to feel the power of the falls, and depending on the time of year you visit you may start to get wet.

How do I get to Emerald Lake?

To get to Emerald Lake, you can

drive the Trans-Canada Highway for two hours from Calgary

, where many commercial flights arrive every day. On the way, you will pass through Banff National Park, where you can see other glacial lakes such as Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.

Is the road to Emerald Lake open?


Emerald Lake Road and Emerald Lake are open

. The Trans-Canada Highway is open through Yoho National Park.

What city is Emerald Lake in?

Emerald Lake Emerald Lake Lodge Emerald Lake Location Yoho National Park,

British Columbia
Coordinates 51.444°N 116.531°WCoordinates:51.444°N 116.531°W

How much does Emerald Lake cost?

BASIC RATE TOTAL
PER NIGHT


$ 140.00


$ 169.50
FRI & SAT. $ 145.00 $ 175.15 H.W.E $ 150.00 $ 180.80 WEEKLY. $ 840.00 $ 960.50

Can you see Emerald Lake without hiking?

Even if you don’t do the hike,

you can still find beautiful views of the lake from the road that crosses over to the lodge and restaurant

. There are so many wonderful photo opportunities at Emerald Lake and it’s a gorgeous place to relax and explore for a half-day.

Can you skate on Emerald Lake?

Though

there is no skating area set up on Emerald Lake itself

, a short drive back down the valley will take you to a community rink in Field – the perfect place to watch a train or two go by. For the ice climbers out there, nearby Field has fantastic waterfalls climbs available, if they are in condition.

What is Emerald Lake known for?

Yesterday’s travellers were adventurers in search of the extraordinary, and that’s exactly what Legendary guide Tom Wilson found when he first stumbled across this small gem of a lake – famed for

its jade-coloured waters

– in 1882 during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Can you bring your own kayak to Emerald Lake?

Yes, you can go kayaking on Emerald Lake. There are no rental kayaks available from the lakeshore boathouse, however. If you want to kayak Emerald Lake,

you’ll need to bring your own or rent one in Banff or Golden

.

Are there fish in Emerald Lake?

Fish

Is Yoho Valley Road closed?

Emerald Lake Road, located 3 km west of Field, is open year round. The Yoho Valley Road, located 5 km east of Field, is

open seasonally from late June until mid-October, weather permitting

.

Why is Emerald Lake so blue?

The beautiful blue-green colour of Emerald Lake is

created by sunlight reflecting off a white layer of “marl” on the lake bed

. Marl is a white calcium carbonate (CaCO3) clay that forms in the water and then settles, often unevenly, onto the lake bottom.

Is Emerald Lake cold?


It is COLD

, but swimming is possible. There’s a good area to park with a short walk. Be sure to have decent footwear for a walk on the rocky area. Of particular importance is your awareness of the altitude and its effect on you while swimming.

Do you have to hike to see Takakkaw Falls?


You don’t have to hike to see Takakkaw Falls

, the parking lot is practically at the base of the falls. The Natural Bridge is on the road into Emerald Lake, about a ten minute drive from the road into Takakkaw Falls.

What is the tallest waterfall in Canada?

With a nearly vertical drop of 1,445 feet (440 m),

Della Falls

constitute the highest waterfalls in Canada.

Can you hike to the top of Takakkaw Falls?

From the parking lot for Takakka Falls, follow the tourist trail across the bridge to the Takakkaw Falls viewpoint (10 minutes). Continue past the viewpoint on braided climber / tourist trails. When possible, get close to the wall and head up left.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.