In order to protect the sensitive areas of Lake O’Hara, Parks Canada restricts the number of visitors to the area. Day hikers are required to book one of the 3,000 bus seats available during the summer. Parks Canada is making changes to their reservation system in 2020 for people hoping to visit picturesque Lake O’Hara.
Jed Cochrane with Parks Canada (via CBC Canada website) says one of the changes being introduced is a random draw system to allocate reservations for seats on the Lake O’Hara day-use bus.
“That is a very popular offer that does sell out within minutes in the morning when it opens up,” he said. “In the past, we have had over 20,000 people on there trying to make a reservation for one of 3,000 seats that are available for the summer.”
Jed Cochrane, Parks Canada
According to Parks Canada, “This system will improve the reservation service for visitors, reduce stress on the current reservation system, and help to ensure all online users have a chance at securing a reservation for a seat on the Lake O’Hara bus.”
Parks Canada Reservations & Fees for Lake O’Hara
- Visitors will have a one-month period from February 1 – 29, 2020, to submit an application online through the Parks Canada Reservation Service
- Visitors seeking a reservation for the Lake O’Hara day-use bus may choose to submit a single or multiple applications.
- A non-refundable fee of $10.00 (tax incl.) is charged for each application
- Each paid application allows applicants to select up to 6 different bus days and/or times and up to 6 seats, based on the flexibility of their schedule.
- Applications will be drawn at random and have temporary reservations assigned.
- Any unconfirmed and unreserved spots will become available publicly on a first-come first-served basis for reservations at the end of the process.
- Once bookings are confirmed by both Parks Canada and the visitor, bookings are non-transferable. Cancellation and change fees will apply.
- Applications by phone are not accepted for the random draw.
Additional Information
Parks Canada – Lake O’Hara Shuttle Bus Reservations and Fees
Photo copyright CBC/Robson Fletcher
