Emerald Lake & Takakkaw Falls: Discover Hidden Gems of Canadian Rockies

Escape the summer crowds and discover the hidden gems of the Canadian Rockies in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Experience the stunning beauty of Emerald Lake, Takkakaw Falls, and more!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kootenay National Park - A land of ice and fire, Kootenay National Park is a place of contrasts, with valleys and canyons carved by glaciers and grasslands marked by fire. Take a scenic drive along its historic highway. Step out to experience ancient fossils and steamy hot springs.
  • Marble Canyon - Just over the continental divide, where the Rockies cross from Alberta into British Columbia, lays one of our favourite local secrets in Marble Canyon.

Awaiting us here is an easy 1.3 kilometre out and back trail that crosses several bridges providing amazing views across the canyon and down into the startling turquoise water of Tokumm Creek below.

If you like a learning moment woven into on your hikes, stop to marvel at how this little creek carved through the creamy coloured sedimentary rock over millennia to create the canyon. Otherwise, just marvel at the beauty.

  • Spiral Tunnels - Witness a historical example of engineering ingenuity firsthand on the first stop of this jam-packed and award-winning Radventures small group adventure.

Sprial Tunnels make up two vast figure-eight tracks that run through the mountains and mark the site where a train plummeted into the lake, killing three workers.

You may just see a freight train pass through; if not, the picturesque mountain range makes this short stop worthwhile!

  • Emerald Lake - It’s pretty easy to figure out where Emerald Lake gets its name.

If the colour of the lake isn’t enough to move you, the surrounding landscape certainly will!

The President Range mountains surround the lake and form a natural amphitheater of the grandest scale with towering peaks and forested banks.

As our guest on this small group tour, you’ll get guaranteed & expedited entry right to the shoreline of the lake.

Here, you will have 1.5 hours to explore the lakeside trails, rent a canoe or simply hang out under a tree and watch the world go by!

  • Natural Bridge - Natural Bridge is an impressive natural rock formation that spans the flow of the Kicking Horse River west of Field, where the slower-moving waters from the Field valley flats begin their descent through a canyon to be joined by the Amiskwi River.

The Natural Bridge lookout presents visitors with the opportunity to view the formation from a variety of different vantage points, with interpretive displays explaining the physical processes at work. The bridge can easily be reached by car just 3km (1.9 miles) from Field on Emerald Lake Road.

Sculpted by the erosive forces of rushing water over what had once been a waterfall, the Natural Bridge is a powerful reminder of how much influence water has in shaping the landscape. Softer rock found below the Natural Bridge’s hard limestone band eroded more quickly, and fissures in the rock widened until the flow of water was diverted below the outcrop.

  • Takakkaw Falls - At 1,224 ft, Takakkaw Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies and the second tallest in Canada.

As the snow and ice melt in the early summer, they fuel the cascading water creating picturesque mist through the pines. If you’re lucky, you may see a rainbow or two at its base.

It’s no wonder that the waterfall is based on the Cree word for “wonderful”, to go hand in hand with national park name of Yoho, which is the Cree expression of awe and amazement, similar to “wow.”

  • Yoho National Park - Yoho National Park might be one of the smaller parks in the Canadian Rockies, but we believe it packs the biggest punch!

Located a little further up the road from the busy & bustling Lake Louise & Banff National Park, Yoho National Park has an intimate feel, despite being filled with immense, snow-capped mountains and thundering waterfalls!

This beautiful region is heaven for explorers looking to escape the ordinary, and we think it should be on everyone’s Rockies bucket list.

On this tour, your fun & local expert Radventures guide will determine the best times to visit each of these following locations, in no particular order, based on weather conditions, big bus tour schedules & a few other factors that we as locals consider to ensure that you, as our valued guests, are getting the best and most authentic experience on the day.

As one of our signature small group tours, we’ll also treat you to a few secret locals spot with incredible views too!

What's Included
  • Water refills (please BYO water bottle)
  • Expert & fun local guide with lots of local secrets to share!
  • Expedited access to Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, Marble Canyon & more!
  • Upscale, modern & spacious transportation with large panoramic windows
  • Small group guarantee (Max 12 guests)
  • Onboard cooler to keep drinks & lunch cold
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pick-up in Banff or Lake Louise (please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability)
  • Guide gratuities (not mandatory but greatly appreciated)
  • Lunch & snacks (please BYO or contact Radventures BEFORE booking to add-on a picnic lunch)
Additional Information

If you feel like you’ve seen & done just about everything in the beautiful, but busy Banff National Park, then joining us on this tour to the lesser-known but just as incredible Yoho National Park will most definitely scratch that adventure itch you’re still working away at!

Highlighted by stops at the amazing, neon blue waters of Emerald Lake, Canada’s tallest waterfall at Takkakaw Falls and one of the Rockies nearby best kept secrets in neighbouring Kootenay National Park, this tour gives adventurous folks access to our personal favourite locations to experience the epic beauty of the Canadian Rockies without the summer crowds.

  • Explore the Canadian Rockies epic, hard to reach gems in Yoho & Kootenay National Parks

  • Feel the power of one of the biggest waterfalls in all of Canada (380m tall!!)

  • Get off the beaten path and experience the Canadian Rockies best kept secrets!

  • Children 6 and under are unable to join our small group adventures
Location
Banff Train Station
Railway Avenue
For select hotel pick-ups in Banff, Canmore & Lake Louise please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability. Please meet your guide at the front of the Banff Train Station building and allow an extra 5 minutes for parking and walking to the meeting point if you are driving.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(53 Ratings)
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Erika_t
Oct 4, 2024
Amazing! - Very well planned! I got to see so many places that I wouldn’t have had the chance to if not for this tour!
Review provided by Viator
683sherilync
Oct 4, 2024
Had a RAD time with Radventures - Booked two tours with Radventures and did not regret it at all! We were a group of 18 which is as chaotic as it sounds but the tour guides assigned to us were by far the friendliest I have encountered. Had Jaycob take us around to Morraine and Lake Louise and Tyler and Michael took us on the Yoho and Kootenay Rockies tour. I could go on and on about why you but long story short, just do it. Extremely comfortable vehicles, sandwiches were delicious, and honestly the guides are what made the experience even better. Extremely knowledgeable, accommodating and easy to get along with.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A9024idbrianh
Oct 1, 2024
A very nice experience - This was a very enjoyable day. I especially liked having plenty of free time to walk around Emerald Lake. A big reason for the success of the tour was the attitude of the guide/driver (Katie), who was very friendly and informative. All my dealings with the company went very smoothly; no complaints at all, and I am happy to recommend them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kellyhf4567ax
Oct 1, 2024
Loved chasing waterfalls! - Our group had an amazing time with Tyler on this experience! Tyler was personable, fun, and so knowledgeable! But most importantly he was safe! As someone who normally gets carsick, I felt very safe and secure with him driving us around for the day. Emerald Lake was gorgeous and so was marble Canyon! we never felt rushed during the day and had plenty of time to get out of the car, take pictures and hike around. Highly recommend! Thank you, Tyler! -Kelly, Whitney, Joe and Rick
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Marianaa542
Sep 21, 2024
Sightseeing the Rockies with the best - Where do I even start, Katie our tour wide was super friendly and kind throughout the entire day, we were able to get to know amazing places. I highly recommend radventures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christinew3174
Sep 14, 2024
Great tour! - Flossie was our tour guide and did an outstanding job! She shared her knowledge of the area and was an excellent driver. Loved the stops including Marble Canyon, Tak Falls, Emerald Lake - all beautiful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynnec843
Sep 9, 2024
Wonderful day trip - Jaycob was an amazing guide. The bus was so comfy and he was a wealth of information making the trip so much fun! Highly recommend Radventures!
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Nancy_s
Sep 8, 2024
Loved it - Amelia was awesome. We had a great day with her on this excursion. So glad we decided to go. Takakkaw Falls was my favorite .
Review provided by Viator
Soccerdeb
Sep 8, 2024
Off the beaten path - How fun to explore the secrets not often read in the guide books. Tess was a great guide, she made an extra stop at the spiral train tunnel and accommodated everyone’s needs. Bus was comfortable and hikes were within everyone’s abilities. We opted for the packed lunch and it was great or you could bring your own and a cooler was provided. The Takakkaw falls was impressive, we hiked around Emerald lake And visited the lodge. There was a cafe there if needed and you have time to canoe at a much cheaper price than Lake Louise. Marble canyon is about a 30 minute uphill hike All doable without the stress of driving. The day went from 40’s to 80 so dress in layers. They do provide water to fill your bottle if needed. A couple parking lots were full even in September so it was nice not to worry about parking
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Merri_c
Sep 6, 2024
Great! - It was all great. Our guide Taylor was informative and made the day awesome. Fun to see the black bear too.
Review provided by Viator