Yoho packs Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and the Natural Bridge into a compact stretch of the BC Rockies just west of Lake Louise. Kicking Horse and Monarch campgrounds take campervans without hookups. Indie Campers' Calgary depot is about a 2.5-hour drive over the Continental Divide.

The most important decision you'll make? Getting the right vehicle for the park’s specific roads. The road to Takakkaw Falls, for instance, has a set of switchbacks so tight that vehicles over 7 metres (about 23 feet) are prohibited. This is where choosing the right hire company makes all the difference.

Our fleet is geared for this kind of travel. Our smaller Class B and Class C campervans, like the Solis or Rebel, are nimble enough for mountain roads while still providing all the comforts you need. With Indie Campers, you get unlimited mileage. This is crucial for a Rockies trip where the kilometres add up quickly. You also get 24/7 support and roadside assistance, so if you have a question about the fridge at 10 p.m. in a remote campground, you can get an answer. Our Calgary depot is roughly 204 kilometres (127 miles) from Yoho's east gate, a straight shot west on the Trans-Canada Highway that takes about two and a half hours without traffic.

We recommend our Solis or similar compact models for a Yoho trip. They handle the mountain grades with ease and fit into every campsite and viewpoint parking lot without issue.

Yoho's main roads are accessible. The rewards are staggering. Unlike larger parks, you can cover the highlights in a couple of well-planned days. Just be aware of the specific vehicle restrictions.

Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls

Key stops: Kicking Horse River, Upper Spiral Tunnel Lookout, Takakkaw Falls Approx drive time: 13 km (8 miles) one-way; allow 30-40 minutes each way due to the slow, winding road. Best time to go: Mid-morning, after the early chill has burned off but before the main crowds arrive around noon. Campervan notes: This is the critical one. A tight, steep set of switchbacks restricts vehicle length to 7.0 metres (23 feet). There is no wiggle room here; longer campervans and trailers simply cannot make the turn. If your campervan is over the limit, you'll have to skip this drive. The falls themselves are spectacular, plunging 373 metres (1,224 feet) and are easily accessible via a short walk from the parking lot.

Emerald Lake Road

Key stops: The Natural Bridge, Emerald Lake Approx drive time: 8 km (5 miles) from the Trans-Canada Highway; a quick 15-minute drive. Best time to go: Sunrise or sunset. At dawn, the water is glass, and you’ll have the place almost to yourself. In the evening, the fading light on the mountains is incredible. Parking is limited and fills up completely from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in July and August. Go early or late. Campervan notes: The road is fine for all campervan sizes, but the parking lot at Emerald Lake is tight. Arrive before 9 a.m. to secure a spot you can easily get in and out of. The Natural Bridge has its own small lot just off the road and is a must-see; it’s where the Kicking Horse River has carved a hole through solid rock.

The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1)

Want the definitive Yoho experience? Camp inside the park. It's that simple. But know this: all of Yoho's campgrounds are operated by Parks Canada and are dry camping only. No electricity. No water. No sewer hookups at the sites. You need to arrive with full water tanks and be prepared to use your generator sparingly (if at all, during designated hours).

• Kicking Horse Campground: This is the largest and most popular campground in Yoho, located near the Yoho Valley Road turnoff. It has reservable sites, flush toilets, showers, and a sani-dump station. It’s the best full-facility option for campervans and is beautifully situated in the forest along the Kicking Horse River. Open late May to early October.
• Monarch Campground: Located just across the road from Kicking Horse, this is a smaller, more basic, first-come, first-served campground. It offers incredible views of Mount Stephen but has only outhouses and no running water. A good overflow option if Kicking Horse is full. Typically open late June to early September.
• Hoodoo Creek Campground: Situated further west in the park, this is another first-come, first-served option. It’s more rustic and generally quieter than the campgrounds in the core area. It offers a different feel, deep in the woods. Open late May to early September.
• Takakkaw Falls Walk-in: This is a tent-only campground and not suitable for campervans. It's mentioned here so you know to avoid it when booking. The parking is for cars only.

Overnighting in parking lots or at roadside pullouts is strictly prohibited within all Canadian National Parks. You must be in a designated campground site to stay the night.

When you visit defines your entire experience. The park's main operating season is short. It's dictated by snowmelt and mountain weather.

Summer (June to August): This is peak season for a reason. Everything is open, the weather is at its warmest (daytime highs of 18-22°C / 64-72°F), and the trails are generally snow-free. Emerald Lake is its most vibrant turquoise. The trade-off is the crowds. Campgrounds are fully booked months in advance, and parking lots at popular spots like Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls fill by 10 a.m. If you visit in summer, your best strategy is to get up and out early.

Autumn (September to October): September is arguably the perfect month for a campervan trip. The summer crowds have thinned, the larch trees in the high alpine turn a brilliant gold, and the air is crisp and clear. Most roads and campgrounds remain open until Canadian Thanksgiving (the second Monday in October). Daytime temperatures are cooler, and you should be prepared for the first snowfalls at higher elevations.

Winter (November to April): Yoho in winter is a quiet, snow-covered wonderland. The Trans-Canada Highway remains open, but all other park roads, including those to Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls, are closed. Campgrounds are closed. This season is for the self-sufficient and experienced winter traveller, focused on cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Campervan travel is not recommended.

Spring (May to early June): This is a season of transition. The valley bottoms start to thaw, but the high country is still buried in snow. The Yoho Valley Road and other secondary routes typically don't open until mid-to-late June. Kicking Horse Campground opens in late May, but you'll be dealing with melt, mud, and limited access. It's a good time to avoid crowds, but you won't get the full Yoho experience.

Booking a campsite in Yoho requires planning. Serious planning, especially for the peak summer months. All reservable Parks Canada sites are booked through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, which typically opens for the entire season in January or February and fills up fast.

• Kicking Horse Campground: This is the one you want to book. A site with a fire permit costs $34.00 per night. A site without one is $28.00 per night. Reservations are mandatory for its 88 sites. The booking window is tight, and for July and August weekends, you need to be online the day reservations open. The campground has hot showers, flush toilets, and a central sani-dump station available for a fee.
• Monarch and Hoodoo Creek Campgrounds: These are first-come, first-served. A site costs $18.00 per night, paid via self-registration envelopes at the campground entrance (bring cash). These sites are basic, with pit toilets and no running water. They are excellent options if you arrive without a reservation, but you should aim to get there before noon to have a chance at a spot in peak season.

Dump Stations and Water:

• In-Park: The only sani-dump station inside Yoho is at Kicking Horse Campground. There is a permit fee of around $10.00 to use it. You can also fill your fresh water tanks here.