Yoho National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: Discover Natural Beauty and Fossilized History

Unearth a hidden treasure in Yoho National Park with this self-guided driving tour. Discover natural beauty, fossilized history, and Canada’s tallest waterfall. Book now!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Yoho National Park Of Canada - Yoho is one of Canada’s smaller national parks, but it’s certainly not “small” by any other metric. Coming in at over 500 square miles, this sprawling wilderness is packed with incredible scenery and wildlife.

Note: This 41+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Yoho National Park in 2-3 hours.

  • Kicking Horse Pass - Right now, we’re driving through Kicking Horse Pass. Long ago, the Kootenay people used this very pass to cross over these mountains on their way to Banff. But how did it end up with the name “Kicking Horse”?

  • Sherbrooke Lake Trailhead - Coming up in a moment will be a hiking trail to another lake, Sherbrooke Lake. This secluded lake rarely gets crowded and it tucked at the base of two mountains, making for some incredible views! The trail to get there is six miles long and takes at least two hours to complete, but it’s worth it if you’re seeking some solitude!

  • Lower Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint - Coming up is the Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint. In the 1880s, Canadian Prime Minister John MacDonald and the Canadian Pacific Railway company had to solve some thorny problems when it came to the Rocky Mountains and the promise of a transcontinental railway. First off, how do you get a steam-powered train with around 20 cars up and over mountains that are 10,000 feet tall? MacDonald promised his people it would happen. So the Railway company had to figure it out.

  • Takakkaw Falls - Up ahead, we have the option to take a detour to Takakkaw Falls. The road is only open from July through September. The detour takes about 15 minutes each way, but it’s well worth the trip. Takakkaw Falls towers at a staggering 1,200 feet, and visitors can get surprisingly close to this deluge!

  • Wapta Mountain - After we round the next bend, we’ll see the top of Wapta Mountain. This peak clocks in at 9,114 feet. Clergyman James Outram and his friend J.H. Scattergood climbed Wapta with a Swiss guide for the first time in 1901. Most mountains around here have European names, but this one actually has a First Nations name. Do you remember what “wapta” means in the Nakoda language?

  • Burgess Shale - Towering off to our right is Mount Field, home to one of the most important paleontological finds in Canada. It’s the Burgess Shale, a huge swath of sedimentary shale loaded with fossils!

  • Natural Bridge - A fascinating overlook is coming up in just a moment. Here, we’ll see a natural bridge of rock spanning the width of the Kicking Horse River. How did this Natural Bridge form? The answer lies with the Kicking Horse River. It flowed on flatter ground near the town of Field, slow and lazy. But right around here, the river starts a downhill journey to join with the Amiskwi River. Gravity makes it flow faster and a little rougher.

  • Emerald Lake - Just ahead is our final destination on this tour: Emerald Lake! And we’ll finish with someone we started the tour with: Tom Wilson. Wilson has the distinction of being the first European settler to lay eyes on this gorgeous glacial lake. He even named it! And this time, historians are pretty sure he isn’t lying about the discovery.

What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Unearth a hidden treasure right next to Banff National Park with this self-guided driving tour of Yoho National Park! Discover the secluded beauty of Sherbrooke Lake and Emerald Lake. Witness a natural bridge carved by a patient river. Visit The Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint to see how engineering tamed this harsh alpine landscape. Learn about the incredible fossilized history of Yoho. Marvel at Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls. And so much more!

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • For the tour guide app to function as intended, iPhones must be iOS 13 or above and Androids must be version 9 or above.
Location
CRHF+Q24
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

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

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