Laughing Falls

Laughing Falls is a roughly 30 m (100 ft) waterfall on the Little Yoho River, where it drops through a narrow rock slot out of the hanging valley to meet the Yoho River below. The moderate Yoho Valley Trail reaches it 4.5 km one way from the Takakkaw Falls parking lot. Save this for a proper hike; it isn’t a quick add-on from the road-end viewpoint.

The river makes a forceful plunge through a tight canyon, and the spray can fill the opening with mist. Cross the Little Yoho River bridge and walk about 300 ft upstream for a closer view of the falls. For a photo, leave some of the rock walls around the drop and a strip of stream in the frame; a close crop of white water loses the slot’s shape. Morning spray can sometimes catch a rainbow, though it depends on the conditions.

The Yoho Valley Trail follows the valley floor beside the Yoho River. Its easier section is packed gravel with only minor elevation gain. Laughing Falls works as a turnaround, or continue another 3.9 km to Twin Falls; there’s also a loop option back via Marpole Lake. Short side trips reach Point Lace Falls, Angels Staircase Falls Viewpoint and Duchesnay Lake, and the Iceline circuit passes back by the falls.

Laughing Falls campground is nearby for overnight hikers heading into Little Yoho Valley. The campground has tent pads, dry toilets, communal picnic tables and food-storage cables or lockers. Those are campground facilities, so bring food and a water filter or treatment for a day hike. Backcountry campers need a permit, and most sites require advance reservations in July, August and September.