Lake O'Hara Guided Hikes
Yoho national park
2026 Summer / Fall dates Availble
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Contact To Join The Wait List
Guided Hiking Dates are Released by Parks Canada on April 1st 2026 for the Summer / Fall Season
Aerial View.
Left to Right - Lake McArthur, Mount Schaffer, Opabin Plateau, Lake O'Hara is in the distance in the center of the photo, Lake Oesa, Abbot Pass far right
I am very proud to be one of only a small handful of guiding companies granted a license by Parks Canada to lead professionally guided hikes at Lake O’Hara — widely considered the most difficult area to access in the entire Canadian Rockies. As a certified and licensed guide with both the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and the Interpretive Guides Association (IGA), I have been fortunate to have spent well over 100 days exploring this extraordinary corner of the world.
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My experience at O'Hara spans all seasons — from cozy winter nights by the fire in Wiwaxy Cabin and Elizabeth Parker Hut while skiing through O’Hara’s winter wonderland, to autumn days walking among golden larch trees. Many nights have been spent in the campground, meeting incredible people all with unique stories about how they secured their Lake O’Hara booking. Once or twice a year, I walk the locked and gated 25 km return access road just to enjoy a few peaceful hours along the lake shore. I have spent more than a month in the lakeshore cabins and at the historic Lake O’Hara Lodge, guiding exclusive photography workshops for clients from around the world. These multi-day workshops focus on visiting the very best photography locations the park has to offer.
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Through this time, a deep love and understanding of Lake O’Hara area has developed. Every trail has been explored, and extensive knowledge of the park allows trips to be planned efficiently, safely, and with plenty of memorable moments for both individuals and groups.
To help plan your visit, photo albums and videos from all trails and seasons are available.
When booking a hike, a phone call is arranged to review options and explore the hikes listed on the website, providing all the information needed to choose where to spend time in this sought-after area.
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Private group & corporate rates are available and children of all ages are welcome — there is truly a hike for everyone at Lake O’Hara.
Access is via the Parks Canada Lake O’Hara shuttle, with seats and tickets provided for every booking.
Due to a busy summer wedding schedule, only a limited number of guided Lake O’Hara days are available.
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Dates for 2026 are from June 25th to October 3rd, with groups of up to six people per day.
Early booking is recommended to secure your spot.
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A portion of every booking will be donated to the Lake O'Hara Trails Club
to Help Preserve & Maintain This Special Place
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Lake O'Hara Surprise Proposals & Engagement Photography Packages
Starting at $3599.00
Includes Transportation to Lake O'Hara on Parks Canada Shuttle
Unforgettable Surprise Proposals and Engagement Photos at Lake O’Hara
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Want to propose in one of the most breathtaking locations in the Canadian Rockies? Join me on a guided hike to Lake O’Hara as your cover story, and I’ll set you up in one of the most picturesque spots imaginable to capture an unforgettable proposal.
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After your proposal, we’ll explore Lake O’Hara together, hiking to the most scenic locations for your engagement photos. This is a full 8-hour experience, guided by a professional ACMG and IGA licensed guide, ensuring both safety and expert local knowledge.
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Transportation to Lake O’Hara is included via the Parks Canada shuttle bus, and access to shuttle seats will be arranged.
Full planning support is provided, including sample photos of all locations at Lake O’Hara so you can choose the perfect backdrop for your proposal and engagement session — whether along the shores of Lake Oesa, the Opabin Plateau lookout, All Souls Prospect, Lake McArthur, or any other of Lake O’Hara’s beautiful locations.
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I am the only professional wedding and engagement photographer licensed to bring clients into Lake O’Hara, turning an incredible day of hiking some of the most beautiful trails the Rockies have to offer into the surprise proposal or engagement of a lifetime, while accessing the very best hiking and photo locations in area that is probably the single hardest booking to get in all of the Canadian Rockies. This is not an exaggeration...
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This is a full 8-hour day hiking package with guiding and photography included, combining a world-class alpine hiking experience with unforgettable proposal or engagement photography.
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Doing any kind of hike or photography at Lake O’Hara comes with the understanding that all groups will follow Parks Canada Leave No Trace Behind mandate. All hiking and photography will strictly be in designated areas and will not be off trail or leaving trails to go to photo locations. I have been guiding photography workshops at Lake O’Hara for over ten years and take great care to protect and respect the fragile and unique environments that help make Lake O’Hara a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly one of the crown jewels of the Rocky Mountains.
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A portion of every booking will be donated to the Lake O'Hara Trails Club
to Help Preserve & Maintain This Special Place
Lake O'Hara Guide Family Hikes and Family Portraits
Starting at
$2599.00
Looking to capture unforgettable family photos in one of the most beautiful locations in the Canadian Rockies? Join me for a family-friendly guided hike to Lake O’Hara, combining a fun, relaxed outdoor adventure with professional family photography in some of the most picturesque alpine settings imaginable.
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This experience is designed for families of all ages and abilities, creating a comfortable and enjoyable day on the trails while documenting genuine moments together. Whether you are travelling with young children, teenagers, or multiple generations, the hike and photography locations will be tailored to suit your family’s pace and comfort level.
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Throughout the day, I will guide you to the most scenic and family-accessible locations Lake O’Hara has to offer for natural, candid, and beautifully composed family photos. This is a full 8-hour experience, led by a professional ACMG and IGA licensed guide, ensuring both safety and an engaging interpretive hiking experience for everyone in your group.
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Transportation to Lake O’Hara is included via the Parks Canada shuttle bus, and access to shuttle seats will be arranged. Full planning support is provided in advance, including sample photos of all locations at Lake O’Hara so you can choose the settings that best suit your family — whether along the lakeshore, alpine meadows, scenic viewpoints, or on gentle sections of trail with iconic mountain backdrops.
I have extensive experience guiding and photographing families in alpine environments, creating a seamless blend of adventure and professional photography while keeping the experience relaxed, fun, and stress-free for all ages.
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This is a full 8-hour day hiking package with guiding and photography included, combining a world-class alpine hiking experience with timeless family photography in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the Rockies.
​
Doing any hike or photography at Lake O’Hara comes with the understanding that all groups will follow Parks Canada Leave No Trace Behind mandate. All hiking and photography will strictly be in designated areas and will not be off trail or leaving trails to go to photo locations. I have been guiding photography workshops at Lake O’Hara for over ten years and take great care to protect and respect the fragile and unique environments that help make Lake O’Hara a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly one of the crown jewels of the Rocky Mountains.
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A portion of every booking will be donated to the Lake O'Hara Trails Club
to Help Preserve & Maintain This Special Place
