Lake O'Hara Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Lake O'Hara
Lake O'Hara from the Odaray Trail
Lake O'Hara Location in British Columbia
Location	Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Coordinates	51°21′21.25″N 116°19′49.60″W / 51.3559028°N 116.3304444°W / 51.3559028; -116.3304444
Primary outflows	Cataract Brook
Basin countries	Canada

Settlements	None

Odaray Mountain from Lake O'Hara

Lake O'Hara is a beautiful lake located high in the mountains. You can find it in Yoho National Park in the province of British Columbia, Canada. This amazing spot is known for its stunning views and great hiking trails.

The lake sits at an elevation of about 2,020 meters (6,627 feet) above sea level. It is on the western side of the Great Divide. This is the natural boundary that separates British Columbia from Alberta and Banff National Park to the east.

Discover Lake O'Hara
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Discover Lake O'Hara

Lake O'Hara is a special place in the Canadian Rockies. It's famous for its clear blue water and the tall mountains surrounding it. Many visitors come here to enjoy nature and explore the alpine environment.

How to Visit Lake O'Hara

Getting to Lake O'Hara is a bit of an adventure! To protect the area, access is limited. Most people use a special bus service run by Parks Canada. This bus takes you right to the lake.

Bus Reservations

It's very important to make a reservation for the bus in advance. You can do this through the Parks Canada Reservation website for day trips. If you want to camp, you can book a campsite up to three months ahead. The bus spots fill up quickly, so don't wait until the last minute!

Hiking to the Lake

You can also hike to Lake O'Hara along an 11-kilometer (about 7-mile) road. This hike goes uphill quite a bit, gaining about 500 meters (1,640 feet) in elevation. However, if you hike up, you are not guaranteed a bus ride back down. People with reservations get priority for bus spots.

Why Lake O'Hara is Special

The area around Lake O'Hara is famous for its incredible scenery and amazing alpine hiking. It's a perfect place for outdoor adventures.

Exploring the Trails

Many visitors enjoy following the climbing trails that start from Lake O'Hara. These trails lead to other beautiful lakes like Lake Oesa and Opabin Lake. The views from these trails are breathtaking!

Protecting Nature

To keep this sensitive alpine environment healthy, Parks Canada limits the number of people who can visit by bus. This helps protect the plants, animals, and natural beauty of the area for everyone to enjoy.

Who is Lake O'Hara Named After?

The lake and the valley are named after Colonel Robert O'Hara. He was an Irishman from a place called Derryhoyle in Galway. He learned about this beautiful area from a government surveyor named J.J. McArthur.

The Elizabeth Parker Hut

Close to Lake O'Hara, you'll find the Elizabeth Parker Alpine Club Hut. It's about a 15-minute walk from the main lodge. This hut is a popular place for skiers in the winter. Many skiers visit it for a day trip to enjoy the snowy mountains.