“Yoho” is a Cree exclamation of wonder or amazement, making it the perfect name for the picturesque natural beauty of Yoho National Park. Nestled among the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Yoho is well-known for its gorgeous scenery and overall natural splendor. Among the most popular Yoho National Park attractions are Emerald Lake, Paget Peak, and the park’s famous waterfalls. Yoho also features several of the tallest peaks in the Canadian Rockies, adding a sense of majesty to the background of its scenic vistas.
One of the most unique attractions in Yoho National Park is the Burgess Shale, a massive deposit of shale rock containing thousands of incredibly well-preserved fossils. The animals preserved in the Burgess Shale date back to the Cambrian period, over 500 million years ago. Most of North America was underwater during that time, so these fossils give us a glimpse at the rich diversity of Cambrian ocean life.
More amazingly, the Burgess Shale contains well-preserved soft tissue fossils, allowing researchers to study the remains of animals that haven’t been found anywhere else intact. The shale itself is located deep in the park, so you’ll need to take a guided tour to get there, but you can see some of the fossils at visitor centers in more accessible areas.
The Kicking Horse River Natural Bridge is another unique site in Yoho National Park. The erosion of natural limestone over many years produced this bridge, which spans the entire width of the river. As rushing water flowed over the limestone band, it gradually wore through the softer rock underneath, eventually punching through and flowing entirely under the bridge instead. The Natural Bridge is one of the most popular attractions in the park and one we highly recommend seeing for yourself.
To make the most of your trip, check out our Yoho National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.
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