Scenic Views · British Columbia
A wide, powerful waterfall on the Kicking Horse River at the western edge of Yoho National Park, reached by an easy-to-moderate trail of about 2.4 km each way. Use the Wapta Falls trailhead, not this map pin.
Wapta Falls is where the Kicking Horse River drops over a broad ledge near the western boundary of Yoho National Park. By volume it's one of the largest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies, and hikers say its power is the surprise: get close and the spray reaches you. The river below and the green forest around it make the whole outing scenic.
The trail is about 2.4 km each way through forest and mostly easy, with a steeper final section down toward the falls, which you climb again on the way out. Wear proper walking shoes. A visitor in late June 2026 found it dry and in good shape, with decent parking, outdoor toilets and lots of dogs. In spring, before the access road gate opens, you walk from a lower winter lot, which adds distance.
Navigation is the main trap. One visitor followed this map location and ended up on a long gravel road with no access to the falls. Set your map to the Wapta Falls trailhead instead, reached from Wapta Falls Road off the Trans-Canada. Westbound drivers can't turn left onto it and have to continue a few minutes, turn at Beaverfoot Road and come back eastbound.
Don't plan to fish or paddle. All lakes and rivers in Yoho are closed to angling and watercraft until at least March 31, 2027, to slow the spread of whirling disease, though shoreline activities are still allowed.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 261 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
