How to visit one of Canada鈥檚 most gorgeous lakes in 2020
Nov 23, 2019 鈥 2 min read
Lake O'Hara (right) is one of the top sights in Yoho National Park 漏 Catalin Mitrache / Getty Images
Canada has no shortage of stunning scenery, but Lake O鈥橦ara in British Columbia is certainly one of the most sought after views in the country 鈥 so much so that visitors will have to plan well in advance to visit in 2020.
Lake O'Hara is found in Yoho National Park, which neighbours the more internationally well-known Banff National Park, but boasts the same dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery and vibrant lakes. Parks Canada has long had a limit on visitor numbers at the lake to protect the precious natural scenery. Visitors have to book in advance to take a bus up to the site, where they can hike and camp overnight. Only 32 day-use visitors and 90 overnight campers can go each day on the designated bus. However, as demand has grown, these spots book up each year within minutes 鈥 much to the annoyance of many would-be visitors.
To help make the system more equitable, starting next year there will be a random draw for day-use bus passengers to help make sure that everyone has a chance to get a ticket. From 1 to 29 February, 2020, visitors will be able to apply for a seat using the site and the winners will be randomly selected.
But 鈥 there鈥檚 a catch. Everyone will have to pay a non-refundable $10 payment to submit their application, which doesn鈥檛 guarantee getting a ticket. Those who are successful will then have two weeks to confirm and book their spot on the bus. According to the park, 鈥渢he $10 non-refundable fee will be reinvested into Yoho National Park to help protect the environment and support high-quality visitor experiences鈥.
There are also changes coming for overnight camping, which will now be available on the Parks Canada beginning 24 January at 8 am MST. In the past, visitors had to call in to book their spot in the campground. Those bookings are on a first-come first-serve system and also will include a seat on the bus.
Find out more about the new reservation system on the Yoho National Park .
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