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Few travelers look for a place to stay in Yoho National Park, since this park is often overlooked, as it’s smaller than the other national parks that make up the Canadian Rockies.
However, we have a special affection for it because we saw the Northern Lights here for the first time. In addition, there are a lot of things to do in Yoho, so I advise spending at least two days there so you can discover everything it has to offer.
We visited it during our Canadian Rockies 15-day road trip and stayed in hotels, as well as campsites in Yoho National Park, so I’ve written this guide to help you choose where to stay in Yoho (Canada).
Keep in mind that there aren’t many accommodations in Yoho National Park, so many visitors decide to stay in Banff National Park, which is the national park next to Yoho and has an extensive offer of hotels. However, this national park is very touristy, as it’s close to Calgary International Airport, and there are plenty of places to visit in Banff as well. Therefore, if you want to stay in one park or the other, you’ll have to book quite a few months in advance during peak tourist season.
To help you book accommodation in Yoho so that you can have its incredible natural wonders nearby, here you’ll find the hotels in Yoho National Park that I recommend.
- Emerald Lake Lodge, the best place to stay in Yoho
- Cathedral Mountain Lodge, one of the best hotels in Yoho
- Canadian Rockies Inn, another place to sleep in Yoho
- Fossil Beds Guesthouse, cheap accommodation in Yoho
- Yoho Chalets, where to stay near Yoho National Park
- Golden, more accommodations near Yoho
- Best campsites in Yoho National Park
Emerald Lake Lodge, the best place to stay in Yoho
Of all the hotels in Yoho National Park, the Emerald Lake Lodge is our favorite. The hotel is made up of small wooden cabins on an island in beautiful Emerald Lake. It was built more than 130 years ago to accommodate the wealthiest tourists, and its rooms are still decorated practically the same as they were when the hotel was built, meaning a stay there is like a journey back in time.
Emerald Lake Lodge, the best place to stay in Yoho
This was our accommodation in Yoho. We experienced one of the most magical nights of our lives here, since from the shore of this lake we saw the Northern Lights for the first time.
Northern Lights in Yoho? Yes, and the Emerald Lake Lodge is one of the best hotels to see Northern Lights in Canada. But in this article, we want to help you find accommodation in Yoho National Park, so if you want to know the best time to see Northern Lights in Canada or about our incredible experience visiting Emerald Lake and our first time seeing Auroras, we have written two other articles that might be useful for you.
The best places to stay in Yoho to see the Northern Lights
Let’s go back to why I consider the Emerald Lake Lodge the best luxury hotel in Yoho National Park. Although it isn’t cheap, its rooms are amazing, with wood-burning fireplaces next to the beds and balconies overlooking Emerald Lake. There is no Wi-Fi in the rooms, which is a plus if you want to disconnect, but if you need an internet connection, you can go to the reception or the restaurant.
In addition, the hotel has a Jacuzzi, sauna, and an area where they light bonfires and give you chocolates and marshmallows to roast on the fire. There are also different restaurants, and the brunch they serve in the morning is incredible. For all this, this is, without a doubt, the best place to stay in Yoho.
Cathedral Mountain Lodge, one of the best hotels in Yoho
Cathedral Mountain Lodge is an amazing accommodation that is very well located, close to the Trans-Canada Highway that connects Banff and Yoho, on the banks of the Kicking Horse River.
Cathedral Mountain Lodge, one of the best hotels in Yoho
This is an incredible luxury resort in Yoho that is very popular with honeymoon couples. It is traditional but elegant in style. The log cabins are amazing, with a stone fireplace in each room.
Canadian Rockies Inn, another place to sleep in Yoho
Canadian Rockies Inn is a good alternative for a place to sleep in Yoho. This is a more modern and simple accommodation located in the center of Field, the largest town within Banff National Park, which is only 20 minutes from Emerald Lake.
Canadian Rockies Inn, another place to sleep in Yoho
It has Wi-Fi, TV, a living room, fireplace, and kitchen. Please note that kids are not allowed, so if you are traveling as a family, you will have to find another place to stay in Yoho.
Fossil Beds Guesthouse, cheap accommodation in Yoho
Fossil Beds Guesthouse is also very well located, in the center of Field. It is the best option if you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Yoho or you’re traveling as a family, as this guesthouse has 2 bedrooms and a capacity of up to 5 people.
Fossil Beds Guesthouse, cheap accommodation in Yoho
It has a fully-equipped kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace, Wi-Fi connection, a living room with a sofa, and incredible views of the mountains.
Yoho Chalets, where to stay near Yoho National Park
Yoho Chalets is a somewhat more secluded accommodation option. This accommodation in Yoho is located at the exit of the park towards the town of Golden. It has several spacious chalets that have fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, and bonfire areas. They also lend out bicycles for free.
Yoho Chalets, where to stay near Yoho
Although it’s cheap accommodation in Yoho, it has everything you need to enjoy this unique place, so I think it’s a good option for a place to stay in Yoho.
Golden, more accommodations near Yoho
Golden is the first large town located at the west exit of Yoho National Park. If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Yoho, this is your best option, although you should bear in mind that it will take 45 minutes to get to Field.
If you’ve left the hotel reservation for the last minute, don’t worry. It’s quite likely that you’ll find places to stay in Yoho here, even during peak tourist season.
Golden is also the favorite option for those who visit Glacier National Park, since it’s located halfway between these this national park and Yoho. Another compelling reason to search for Yoho accommodations here.
These are the best hotels near Yoho in Golden:
Camping in Yoho National Park
Camping in Yoho is also a great option. There are 4 official campsites in Yoho scattered throughout the national park. Although most must be booked many months in advance, others are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You can check the opening dates of the campsites, facilities, and prices at this link.
We stayed at Kicking Horse Campground, a campsite where each site has a bench, a wooden table, a fire pit, and enough space to place a car and a tent. There were also some sites for RVs.
Camping in Yoho National Park
Lake O’Hara is also a popular campground in Yoho, but it’s the first to fill up, so you should make your reservation as soon as possible because its 30 sites fill up very quickly. Generally, it’s recommended that you make your reservation at least three months before your trip if you want to stay here. Since we traveled in May, Lake O’Hara was closed, so that’s something we’ll have to do another time.
Yoho backcountry campsites and mountain huts
If you like hiking, another option is to stay in mountain huts and backcountry campgrounds. This is a great idea if you want to do multi-day hikes, such as the Iceline Trail, one of the most spectacular hikes to do in Emerald Lake.
If you do choose this option, please read our guide on how to avoid bear attacks. Being out in the wild and off-road, you are more likely to have an encounter with Canadian Rockies wildlife.
Yoho backcountry campsites and mountain huts
And that’s it. Now that you know the best places to stay in Yoho, I hope it will be easier for you to choose your hotel or campsite.
Remember that if you travel during peak tourist season, it’s essential to book where you want to stay in Yoho well in advance. Although it isn’t the most popular Rocky Mountain National Park in Canada, the accommodation options are quite scarce, so it can be difficult to figure out where to sleep in Yoho.
If you still have any questions, leave me a comment and I will be happy to help you.
