Emerald Lakeshore Loop: Easy Trail at this Gorgeous Lake

I’ve done the Emerald Lakeshore Loop twice now, and both times I left thinking the same thing. It’s one of the easiest trails in the Canadian Rockies, and also one of the most underrated once you get past the parking lot. If you want a short, flat walk around a genuinely turquoise lake without much effort, this is it.

Trail Stats

Trailhead: Emerald Lake day-use parking lot, near Field, BC

Parking: Fills up fast on summer days. Come prepared to park along the road if the lot is full

Permit: Yoho National Park Pass required

Getting There

From Banff, it’s about a one-hour drive to Emerald Lake. You’ll cross into Yoho National Park along the way, so make sure your park pass is sorted before you go.

The drive itself is genuinely scenic and offers several viewpoints along the way. We arrived on a sunny Wednesday and the parking lot was completely full, with a long line of cars parked on the shoulder of the road. It wasn’t a big deal though, we just walked a bit further to reach the actual trailhead.

If you want to make a full day of it, Wapta Falls is only about 30 minutes further into Yoho and makes an easy add-on. That’s exactly what we did, pairing the lake loop in the morning with a short hike at the falls in the afternoon.

The Lodge Crowd You Can Skip

Once you’re at the lakeshore, you’ll find a washroom and your first view of Emerald Lake Lodge, a cluster of cute cabin-style buildings across a long wooden bridge. Almost everyone who’s just there for a quick stop heads straight for that bridge to take a photo and then leaves shortly after. It’s genuinely crowded right at that spot, but you don’t actually have to cross it.

The Lakeshore Loop itself gives you views that are just as good, if not better. Absolutely head over across the bridge to the lodge if you’re curious or have extra time, but you’re not missing much if you don’t.

Into the Forest, Away From the Main Crowds

You can go clockwise or counterclockwise, it really doesn’t matter. Either way, the trail is easy and mostly flat, and within a few minutes the crowds thin out noticeably compared to the lodge side. That said, don’t expect true solitude anywhere on this loop. You’ll pass other hikers steadily the whole way around, it’s just nowhere near as packed as the front of the lake.

On one visit, early into this stretch, we heard a strange sound in the trees that I honestly first mistook for a bird call. Then we spotted where it was coming from, a black bear cub just off the trail, close enough that I could clearly see its brown nose. It was genuinely adorable, but my stomach dropped a bit too, because a cub that close usually means the mother isn’t far off. We gave it plenty of room, made some noise, and kept moving. We never did see the mother, but that moment has stuck with me since.

There are a few benches like this one scattered along the loop, and they offer a nice break spot with a great view. By the time we finished, the color of the lake had stuck with us more than anything else, that real emerald green surrounded by mountains on every side. If Yoho has your attention after this hike, Lake McArthur is another excellent trail in the same park, though it’s a much longer day out than this one.

Open Views at the Far End

Toward the back of the lake, the trail opens up into a grassy clearing with some of the best views on the whole loop. This is where the forest breaks and you get an unobstructed look at the peaks across the water.

Crossing the Glacier-Fed Bridge

At the far end of the lake, you’ll cross a well-built wooden bridge over one of the streams feeding into Emerald Lake. This water comes straight from a nearby glacier, and it’s one of my favourite spots on the whole loop.

We stopped at a bench nearby here to eat some homemade banana bread we’d brought from home, and it was a perfect little break before continuing on.

Boardwalks Through the Muddy Side

One side of the lake, the side shaded by the mountain, stays noticeably wetter than the rest. Parks Canada has been adding boardwalks through this section to deal with the mud, and they’ve made a difference.

The forest here has a slightly damp, almost rainforest feel to it, unlike most other trails in the area. Ferns and low plants crowd the path, and the air smells noticeably fresh and earthy.

It’s still a little slippery in spots, especially if it’s rained recently. There are also stretches of exposed tree roots woven across parts of the path that don’t have the boardwalk. Sturdy footwear helps a lot, and trekking poles aren’t a bad idea either, though you don’t strictly need either one.

Finishing the Loop

As you continue around, you’ll still pass people steadily, but it stays noticeably calmer than the scene back at the lodge. A few unmarked side trails branch off on the right side of the lake, so it’s worth pulling up AllTrails just to confirm you’re still on the main path.

We heard loons out on the water at one point, never saw them, just that unmistakable call carrying across the lake. People do canoe here, though you can’t bring your own watercraft anymore. All canoe rentals now go through Emerald Lake Lodge because of invasive species concerns in the lake.

If you’re looking for a similarly easy hike to a lake closer to Banff, Boom Lake is another great choice.

Tips

Go early or late in the day if you want a real shot at parking, especially in summer. Even if the lot is full, don’t be discouraged, since most visitors never make it past the lodge bridge anyway.

It seems okay to just park on the side of the road when the lot is full, as everybody does it.

Bring bear spray even though this feels like an easy, low-risk trail. We had a close bear cub encounter early on this loop once, and while it ended up being nothing, cubs that close are a real signal to stay alert.

Pack a snack you can enjoy at one of the several lakeshore benches, it’s a genuinely nice spot to sit before heading back.

Frequently Asked Questions