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: 1 day learn more
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
(48 Ratings)
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Darla_b
Aug 2, 2024
Don’t second guess this tour, GO! - I was blown away by this tour. We had never seen these magnificent wonders and our tour guide Nolan was a gem. There were 7 on the tour, we had 5 in our family, the sixth one wasn’t able to join us. It happened to be Nolan’s birthday and maybe that is why he got the best parking spots at all the sites. We ran ahead of schedule and were able to enjoy some locations longer than planned and even stop at one location off the grid. I love the “Emerald Lakes” but the Takakkaw Falls and Marble Canyon soon became my new favorites at least in BC.
Review provided by Viator
828steffanb
Jul 29, 2024
Book this company! - Book Radventures! Our family did the Hidden Gems private tour and it was great leaving the driving to someone else! Our driver, Rae, was a safe driver, provided knowledge of the area and took us to amazing sites! I am sure all of their drivers are excellent based on how the company is run and it’s so worth the cost to just enjoy the ride all day and not worry about parking or getting there!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Viktoriah799
Jul 28, 2024
Hidden gems of the Rockies - We had an amazing trip with our guide Kale, he made sure not to leave anyone behind on our trip. Trip is great for people that have limited time at the Rockies, but want to get the most out of it. Thanks Kale!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janaeo480
Jul 27, 2024
Canadian Rocky Vacation - The trip was great despite the circumstances with the wild fires that required us to change things up just a little as we were driving out. Our tour guide Tyler was great and knowledgeable. He spotted a bear on the side of the road and made a point to turn the van around so we could all see it and provided some insight on grizzlies. The group size was perfect, the views and sites were awesome and I would recommend to anyone else looking to do this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Venky_r
Jul 16, 2024
Waterfall chasing - Louis our guide was great and very informative and the tour was awesome and would definitely recommend this
Review provided by Viator
Alice_c
Jul 15, 2024
Hidden Gems - Great tour. Kate was an excellent guide. She’s enthusiastic, accommodating and shared much information and contributed to the days success. All stops allowed ample time for visiting the site. The day was relaxing. All the stops allowed us to avoid crowds and long lines. Lots of surprises in the “hidden gems.”
Review provided by Viator
Vmhoman84
Jul 1, 2024
Great experience! - Absolutely loved booking this tour with Radventure. The guide, Amelia, was well informed and enjoyed her company. What we enjoyed the most was having someone do the driving so our group could enjoy the views. So beautiful! Lunch was worth the money also. Very good. We booked another tour, with this company and was happy with both. Would do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
541nerysj
Jun 29, 2024
Worth it for Emerald Lake - Best bit of this tour was definitely Emerald Lake! We were there on a rather gloomy day and it was still stunning. It was also great to be one of the first to see Takakkaw Falls this year as it had only opened 2 days earlier. Katie was a great guide, and was really helpful. I was travelling alone and she asked if I wanted her to take my picture multiple times. She also gave great suggestions for things to do in the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jodi_e
Jun 28, 2024
A full day of beautiful water - All the stops on this tour are beautiful! There is an easy hike at the falls and so worth it. We brought lunch along and had a picnic by Emerald Lake, it was the perfect spot. Michael was a great tour guide and answered all our questions.
Review provided by Viator
P3368mdelizabethf
Jul 17, 2024
Out from Banff into the wild! - Great job by Louis! Exceptionally courteous guide who was equally well informed and catered for the group throughout. The stops were all unique and really amazing. Particularly liked the Emerald Lake and felt a bit rushed here - the stop wasn’t long enough. We did stop at The services at Lake Louise and as the tour had provided us with excellent lunch this was unnecessary and some time could have been saved here. Overall though, would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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