For most visitors, this vividly colored lake is Yoho’s most unmissable sight. Like its sister lakes of Peyto, Moraine and Lake Louise, Emerald Lake gains its otherworldly color from sunlight bouncing off rock particles suspended in the water – the brighter the light the more vivid the color. Ringed by forest and silhouetted by impressive mountains, including the iconic profile of Mt Burgess to the southeast, it’s a truly beautiful - if busy - spot.
The lake also marks the start of several hikes, including the easy 800m (0.5-mile) jaunt from the parking lot to Hamilton Falls , and the much tougher high-level hike via the Wapta Highline.
Canoes can be rented from the lakeside Emerald Sports & Gifts, and fishing is permitted from July to November.
The lake road is signed off Hwy 1 just to the southwest of Field and continues for 10km (6.2 miles) to the lakeshore. You can stop for a peek at a natural rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River just after the turnoff.
