Wapta Falls

Wapta Falls Trailhead
5.0
8 Reviews
Wapta Falls
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Details

Distance
2.88 miles
Elevation Gain
354 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Waterfall
Romantic
Family Friendly
River
Forest
Bathrooms
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About this place

Added by Jake Young

Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park is a short and easy hike that features a massive waterfall, rainbows, and turquoise pools.

This short 1.2 mile hike leads you through a relatively level forest to a spot on the Kicking Horse River where the water crashes off a river-wide cliff, producing almost a guaranteed rainbow at the bottom. The trail starts at the Wapta Falls Trailhead, which is a short drive off the Trans Canadian Highway just south of Field.

After gaining roughly 45 feet through a heavily forested area, the trail drops about 180 feet to the falls. There is a small lookout point at the top of the falls, but the rainbow is only visible if you scramble down to the base of the falls. You can either go straight down from the vista point or backtrack a couple hundred feet to a trail that leads to the river's edge.

There is a large mound in front of the falls that has a trail topping its ridge line. This provides an awesome view of the entire falls if you are willing to get soaked by the spray.

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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Deane Carlson
9/30/2022
I can't believe we didn't do this sooner
This has made my top 5 waterfalls list. The hike was great, mostly all flat even ground so made for a quick pace. Only ...
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Jennifer Salisbury
5/4/2022
Beautiful!
Big parking lot, well marked and maintained trail. Absolutely beautiful waterfall, river, and most likely a rainbow. This is a great hike!
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Tiffany Jane
12/15/2017
Winter Wonderland
We came here in mid-December and were so surprised to find no one else! The road to the trailhead is closed but we parked ...
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Jess Fischer
10/5/2017
How are not more people here?
I did this hike in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday and there were only a handful of other people on the ...
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Gabi Robledo
7/31/2017
Stunning Waterfall Destination!
This hike is practically a hidden gem compared to the popularity of most the hikes in Yoho and Banff. One of the most amazing ...
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Jason Hatfield
3/27/2017
Winter Thunder!
I made a sunset visit here in late winter and had the whole place to myself. The falls were simply stunning with ice hanging ...
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Alex
1/6/2017
Quick beautiful hike
This hike can be done in both the summer and winter and both are equally breathtaking. Be careful of the wet and mucky conditions ...
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Dan Deublein
7/24/2016
Magnificent Journey
Just completed yesterday and it is certainly one of the most magnificent waterfalls I've ever seen. Just know, if the gate is closed to ...
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