How to Hike to Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park

Wapta Falls is one of the most stunning waterfalls in British Columbia and a must-do hike in Yoho National Park. Tucked between Field and Golden, and just far enough from Banff to deter the crowds, it remains relatively undiscovered. However, those who make the effort to see the waterfall are surely rewarded.

After a short journey through thick forest, you’ll reach the wild Wapta Falls, which cascade over a wide point in the Kicking Horse River. The shallow river bed near the waterfall’s base allows you to experience the power of the waterfall.

If you’re road-tripping through the Canadian Rockies or on your way from Banff to Golden, you can’t miss out on this short hike to Wapta Falls. It’s a peaceful little oasis compared to the more popular tourist destinations, such as Emerald Lake or Lake Louise. Sure, it might take a bit more effort to get to, but trust me, it’s worth it!

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Key Points

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Wapta Falls Stats

Wapta Falls is the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River and is located in Yoho National Park. It is 18 meters high and a whopping 107 meters wide, and its average flow can reach 96 cubic meters per second (3,400 cu ft/s).

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How to Get to Wapta Falls

From the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1, drive east on the Trans Canada Highway for 31.8 kilometers to the Wapta Falls trail turnoff. Turn right and drive 1.8 kilometers on Wapta Falls Rd (gravel road) to the parking area at the trailhead. The gravel road is a bit rough on smaller vehicles.

Note that from mid-October to mid-May, the 2 km access road is closed to vehicles, so you’ll have to walk an extra 4km to see Wapta Falls.

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About the Wapta Falls Trail

The Wapta Falls is a short and easy 2.3 km trail (one way) through level forest that should be added to any Yoho itinerary. Along the trail, you’ll hear the water flowing from the Kicking Horse River.

After gaining about 50 meters gradually, you’ll start to get a glimpse of the magnificent Wapta Falls, and the trail then starts to drop down to the falls. Head down the trail about 40 meters to the Top of Falls Viewpoint. If hiking Wapta Falls in the winter, you’ll definitely want microspikes for this section. It’s here you’ll get a viewpoint over the falls.

There is a railing here to keep hikers from slipping down to the waters below. You can see that some hikers have hopped the rail for a better photo opportunity. Please don’t do this. Not only is it incredibly dangerous, but it also causes trail erosion.

The trail continues to wind down to the base of the falls, where you can feel the power of the gigantic waterfall. There are two large mounds in front of the falls that allow for a closer view of the waterfall.

The first one is best reached by walking around to the backside and coming up the right side when looking at the falls. From here, you can grab some sweet photos without getting too wet, but it’s still pretty muddy and steep.

If you don’t mind getting a little wet from the spray or have a waterproof jacket on, you can head up the closet one for an epic photo and an incredible view. However, it’s akin to standing in the shower with the pressure of a waterfall, so be prepared to get soaked.

Which is a great option on a hot July or August day. Although you’ll lose the elevation heading down to the falls and have to climb back up, we promise it’s well worth it.

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Gear We Recommend

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Trail Duration

The hike to Wapta Falls is a quick and easy one. You can easily complete this hike in 1 – 1.5 hours return, leaving plenty of time for all the other things to do in Yoho.

We recommend combining Wapta Falls with a stop at the Natural Bridge, Emerald Lake, and Tak Falls nearby. Wapta Falls is not far from Field or Golden, which makes for a great base or a place to have lunch.

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When Can You Hike to Wapta Falls?

The great thing about Wapta Falls is that you can hike it in both the summer and winter. If you’re hiking in the winter, microspikes and a pole may be helpful for those slippery sections. Keep in mind that Wapta Falls Road is closed to vehicles in the winter, so you’ll have to walk an extra 2km each way along the access road to get to the trailhead.

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Trail Difficulty

The hike to Wapta Falls is one of the easier hikes in Yoho. With minimal elevation gain and just 5 km total in length, it’s well suited to hikers of every ability.

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How Long Does it Take To Hike Wapta Falls?

Depending on your pace and fitness, you can hike to Wapta Falls and back in an hour. If you plan to hike down to the falls and take photos, add some time for that. We recommend allocating at least two hours of your day to Wapta Falls.

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Should You Bring Dogs and Kids to Hike Wapta Falls?

Dogs and kids are suitable for this hike. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Strollers are not recommended for this hike.

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Wildlife Awareness On the Wapta Falls Trail

While hiking in the area, you should practice good wildlife awareness. There are frequent sightings of black bears, grizzly bears, moose, coyotes, and cougars in the region. They all present a threat to humans, and we should reduce our impact on their natural lives.

Before any hike in Yoho, pack bear spray, check the park websites for wildlife information (Parks Canada), and then check again for notices at the trailhead. 

When you’re on the trail, make noise by banging hiking poles, talking, whistling, clapping, or singing. This is particularly important around blind bends and corners, although there aren’t many on the Wapta Falls Trail. It’s also a busy trail, so you generally don’t need to make too much noise, but always be bear aware. 

This means staying alert, traveling in a group, minding children and pets, and finally, carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it. If you’ve come to the park without bear spray, plenty of places in Golden, Canmore, and Banff sell spray and holders with employees who will demonstrate how to use it properly. 

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