Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit

Andrew Schofield

2 days ago

9 min read

Takakkaw Falls is one of those places in the Canadian Rockies that looks impressive before you’ve even reached it.

As you approach the falls along a winding mountain road, you can already see the water plunging from high above. And it’s the height that really makes Takakkaw Falls so spectacular. While some of the other waterfalls in the Rockies are wide and powerful, Takakkaw Falls seems to come almost straight down from the top of the cliffs.

It's often described as Canada's second tallest waterfall, and while the exact ranking depends on how you measure it, there's no arguing with how big it looks in person.

We’ve visited Takakkaw Falls several times now, and it’s one of those places we’re always happy to return to when we are in the area. It’s an easy walk, the scenery is spectacular, and there’s enough opportunity for kids to explore and scramble over rocks that it feels like more than simply walking to a viewpoint.

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Takakkaw Falls, including how to get there, parking, the walk to the falls, what to expect along the way, when to visit and some of the other places you can combine with your visit.

Planning More Than Just the Falls?

Takakkaw Falls is one of the highlights of our two-part Canadian Rockies itinerary

Part 1: for Calgary, Waterton, Kananaskis, Banff, and Lake Louise

Part 2: for Kootenay, Yoho, and Jasper

Where is Takakkaw Falls?

Takakkaw Falls is in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, just off Highway 1.

The turnoff from the Trans-Canada Highway takes you onto Yoho Valley Road toward the falls. It’s only about 15 to 20 minutes from the highway, but allow a little extra time as the road is winding and includes several switchbacks.

Here is the location of the Takakkaw Falls on Google Maps.

The drive is very much part of the experience, climbing steadily into the mountains as you make your way toward the falls.

Traffic can sometimes be slow, usually due to larger vehicles and RV's trying to negotiate some of the tighter sections.

Once you arrive, there’s a large parking area beside the trailhead.

Takakkaw Falls Parking

Parking at Takakkaw Falls is generally straightforward. The parking lot is large, and we’ve never had any real trouble finding a space. Even when we've visited on a busy holiday weekend we were still able to find parking.

That doesn’t mean it never gets busy, though.

The parking area fills up during the middle of the day, so if you arrive between roughly 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., you may have to wait for a space, or park on the road and walk in.

If you have flexibility, mornings and evenings are much quieter.

It's nowhere near as bad as Emerald Lake nearby, where cars can end up parking along the roadside almost 2km from the lake on a busy day. We've never seen anything close to that at Takakkaw Falls.

How Long is the Hike to Takakkaw Falls

Calling this a hike is probably giving it too much credit. The Takakkaw Falls trail is really just a short, easy walk to the falls and back along the same path.

The return trip is less than 2 km in total and can be completed quite quickly, but I'd allow up to an hour if you're visiting with kids. They'll likely want to spend time exploring and scrambling on the rocks near the falls, or you may simply want to stop and enjoy the scenery.

The path is also suitable for strollers for most of the route. However, once you reach the end of the maintained trail, getting any closer to the falls involves following informal paths and scrambling over uneven rocks along the creek.

Walking to Takakkaw Falls

The trail initially follows the river, and this is one of the things that makes the walk more interesting for families, as rather than simply following the path, you can walk down to the river as it is quite shallow most of the year.

There are also information boards along the path explaining the geology and formation of the falls, including how the water is fed by glaciers higher up in the mountains.

There’s even a 3D model showing the surrounding mountain range, which makes it much easier to understand the landscape you’re standing in. It’s a nice little learning opportunity for kids, particularly if they’re interested in how mountains, glaciers and waterfalls fit together.

The bridge is one of the best photo spots

As you continue along the trail, you’ll eventually cross a bridge, and this is where you get your first really good look at Takakkaw Falls. It's a pretty iconic photo spot too, as the falls are clearly visible, and the scale of them is impressive from here.

Once you’ve crossed, there are a few opportunities to step slightly off the main trail and get different perspectives, including photographs with the river in the foreground.

Our girls always have fun scrambling around and climbing over the rocks. There are also little paths leading down toward the stream where you can step across rocks and pebbles.

You don’t need to do any of this, of course. The main trail is easy to follow. But if you’re visiting with kids, it gives them something to do besides simply walking.

Getting Close to Takakkaw Falls

As you continue beyond the bridge, the trail takes you toward the base of the falls. The official path ends at a clearly defined area, which gets you fairly close to the waterfall.

By this point, you can start to feel the spray from the falls, and depending on the conditions, you may get a little wet if you decide to get closer. This is also where things get a little more adventurous.

People scramble over the rocks beyond the end of the path to get closer to the waterfall. With sensible footwear and some common sense, exploring around the rocks can be a really fun part of the visit, particularly for kids.

But please use your judgment.

We’ve seen people climb much farther toward the falls, including onto rocks that are clearly wet from the spray. That’s not something I’d recommend.

There’s a difference between having a bit of fun scrambling around the rocks and taking an unnecessary risk for a photograph.

You don’t need to get right underneath Takakkaw Falls to enjoy it.

Facilities

There are toilets near the start of the trail, although they aren’t necessarily obvious when you first arrive. If you don’t see them immediately, don’t worry. They’re along the trail as you walk toward the falls.

There are also several picnic tables around this area beside the river, making it a good place to stop for a snack or picnic before or after your walk.

Is Takakkaw Falls Suitable for Kids?

Absolutely.

This is one of the things we particularly like about visiting Takakkaw Falls as a family. The walk itself is short and easy enough that you don’t have to worry about tiring young children out. But there are also plenty of opportunities for them to explore along the way.

Our girls always have a great time scrambling over the rocks, getting closer to the water and posing for photos with the falls behind them.

And perhaps the best endorsement is that they didn’t want to leave. That’s not something that happens at every attraction we visit!

The falls are also suitable for older visitors. We visited with grandparents and other family members in their 70s, and everyone was able to make the walk easily.

When is Takakkaw Falls Open?

Takakkaw Falls is a seasonal attraction because Yoho Valley Road is closed during the winter due to avalanche risk.

The road is generally open from around mid-June until mid-October, although exact opening and closing dates can vary depending on conditions.

During the summer, the falls have a strong and impressive flow, making this the most popular time to visit.

If you’re visiting outside the summer season, check the current road conditions before making the trip.

Don’t Forget Your Parks Canada Pass

Takakkaw Falls is inside Yoho National Park, so you’ll need a valid Parks Canada pass to visit.

If you’re planning a Canadian Rockies road trip and aren’t sure which pass you need, I’ve put together a complete guide covering everything you need to know about Parks Canada passes.

It's worth remembering that this is the same park pass that many visitors have already purchased when visiting Banff National Park.

Unsure About What Pass to Buy?

Find out which Parks Canada pass you need, how much they cost, where to buy one and where they are required in our complete guide to Parks Canada passes.

What to do Near Takakkaw Falls

For most visitors, the short walk to Takakkaw Falls will be the main reason for coming here. But if you’re a serious hiker, there are also longer trails that start in this area, as well as backcountry camping options.

Iceline Trail

The Iceline Trail is one of Yoho National Park’s best-known hikes and is a completely different experience from the short walk to Takakkaw Falls.

It’s a much more ambitious hike, taking you into the alpine with spectacular mountain and glacier scenery.

If you’re looking for one of the Canadian Rockies’ memorable full-day hikes, it’s worth coming back to this area with the Iceline Trail specifically in mind.

Little Yoho Valley

The Little Yoho Valley Trail follows the Yoho River beyond Takakkaw Falls and leads deep into the heart of the park. Compared with the dramatic alpine scenery of the Iceline Trail, this route offers a gentler valley experience, passing the Laughing Falls, forests, and mountain meadows along the way.

You can choose to hike to Little Yoho Valley as a destination in its own right, or combine sections of it with the Iceline Trail to create one of Yoho's classic loop hikes.

Stanley Mitchell ACC Hut

Located in Little Yoho Valley, the Stanley Mitchell Hut is a popular backcountry destination operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. We haven't stayed here yet, but it is high on our list, as it is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, and makes a great base for hikers, climbers, and mountaineers exploring the area.

Where Else to Visit Near Takakkaw Falls

One of the great things about visiting Takakkaw Falls is how easy it is to build into a full Yoho National Park day trip, combining it with other places in the surrounding area.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Yoho National Park, and in the Canadian Rockies in general.

If you're weighing up Takakkaw Falls vs Emerald Lake, the good news is that you don't have to choose.

The two attractions pair perfectly together, and experienced hikers can even connect them via the Emerald Triangle Trail, which leaves from the far side of Emerald Lake and heads to Takakkaw Falls. Even if you're not planning to hike, they're close enough to easily visit both on the same day.

It can be busy, but the walk around Emerald Lake is beautiful and well worth including on any Canadian Rockies itinerary.

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is another easy stop to add to your day in Yoho National Park. It's located along the road to Emerald Lake, and it is a quick and worthwhile stop that showcases the power of the Kicking Horse River as it rushes through a naturally carved rock formation.

It is just a short walk from the parking area, so it doesn't take much time out of your day, but worth stopping all the same. You won't need more than 30 minutes here.

Lake Louise

No visit to the Canadian Rockies is complete without seeing Lake Louise, famous for its striking turquoise waters, mountain backdrop, and the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on its shoreline, it is one of the most photographed destinations in Canada.

It's only a 30 minute drive from the falls to the lake, and 15 minutes from when you re-join the highway, so it's a lot closer than you might think. That said, good luck trying to park unless you arrive after 7pm in the summer!

Field

The tiny community of Field is also nearby and makes a useful stop while exploring this part of Yoho National Park. There are quite a few guest houses and lodges, along with a fantastic restaurant called Truffle Pigs Bistro and Lodge (it books up well in advance).

Parks Canada has a great little map here.

Golden

Golden is one of our favourite mountain towns, and it makes a great base for exploring this part of the Canadian Rockies. It's about an hour's drive away from Takakkaw Falls.

If you're staying in Golden, be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Golden, along with our post about visiting the Golden Skybridge. As well as being home to Canada's highest suspension bridge, the park also features an incredibly fun mountain coaster that is loads of fun for kids.

Is Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely.

We've visited Takakkaw Falls several times, and it's a stop we always enjoy.

While the walk to the falls is short, it's worth lingering, especially with kids who'll love scrambling over the rocks near the base.

The falls are spectacular, the drive is beautiful, and it's easy to pair a visit with Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, or other highlights in Yoho National Park.

That's what makes Takakkaw Falls one of our favourite stops in the Canadian Rockies, and a place we're always happy to revisit.