This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a rare and detailed look at life on Earth over half a billion years ago, during a time known as the Cambrian Explosion.
Whether you're a seasoned paleontology buff or a curious traveler, this ancient treasure trove belongs on your bucket list. Here’s everything you need to know about the fossils, the tours, how to get there, where to stay, eat, and explore.
Why Are the Burgess Shale Fossils Important?
The fossils of the Burgess Shale are a paleontological jackpot. Dating back 508 million years, they preserve not just the hard shells and bones, but also the soft tissues of ancient creatures — things like gills, eyes, and guts. These rare details offer a vivid snapshot of life in the ancient Cambrian seas.
Discovered by Charles Doolittle Walcott in 1909, the Burgess Shale holds some of the earliest and weirdest animals to ever live on Earth — including:
- Anomalocaris – a top predator with grasping arms and a ring of teeth
- Opabinia – a creature with five eyes and a long, tube-like nose
- Hallucigenia – a spiny worm that once puzzled scientists with its upside-down anatomy
- Pikaia – one of the first known animals with a notochord, an early precursor to the backbone
These fossils help us understand the roots of animal evolution — including our own.
Guided Fossil Tours: Hike Through Deep Time
Yes — you can actually visit these ancient fossil beds! Parks Canada offers guided day hikes to several Burgess Shale sites during the summer months (late June to early September). All tours must be booked in advance and are mandatory to access these protected areas. You can take photos galore but cannot collect or keep any of the fossils. They are protected and their removal is illegal.
Book Your Guided Burgess Shale Hike
Here are the main hikes you can choose from:
1. Walcott Quarry Hike
- Difficulty: Challenging (22 km round trip, ~11 hrs)
- Highlights: Iconic fossil site, stunning mountain scenery, classic fossils
- Departs from: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, Yoho National Park
2. Mount Stephen Trilobite Beds
- Difficulty: Moderate (8 km round trip, ~6 hrs)
- Highlights: Ground covered in trilobites, panoramic views
- Departs from: Field Visitor Centre
3. Stanley Glacier Hike (Kootenay National Park)
- Difficulty: Moderate (10 km round trip, ~7 hrs)
- Highlights: Newer fossil site, unique specimens, stunning glaciers
- Departs from: Stanley Glacier Trailhead
Note: You’ll need good hiking shoes, layers for changing weather, plenty of water, and a spirit of adventure.
Where to Stay Near the Burgess Shale
Field, BC is the perfect home base for your fossil adventure. It’s quaint, quiet, and surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain beauty.
Top Places to Stay:
- Cathedral Mountain Lodge – Rustic luxury cabins, great food, stunning setting.
- Emerald Lake Lodge – A short drive away, this lakeside lodge is a slice of paradise.
- Guesthouses & B&Bs in Field – Charming, cozy options like The Great Divide Lodge and Fireweed Hostel.
Where to Eat in and Around Field
While Field is small, it packs a punch with local, hearty eats:
- Truffle Pigs Bistro – Field’s culinary gem. Comfort food with a gourmet twist.
- The Siding Café – Great for coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods. Cozy and casual.
- Cathedral Mountain Lodge Dining Room – Upscale Rocky Mountain dining if you’re staying at the lodge.
Tip: There’s no gas station in Field. Fill up in Lake Louise (30 minutes away).
How to Get to Field, British Columbia
Field is nestled in Yoho National Park, just off the Trans-Canada Highway. Here's how long it'll take you from major cities:
Driving Times to Field, BC
- From Vancouver: ~8.5 hours (850 km via Hwy 1 through Kamloops and Golden)
- From Calgary: ~2.5 hours (215 km via Hwy 1 through Banff and Lake Louise)
You’ll pass through some of the most scenic mountain corridors in North America. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife — mountain goats, bears, and elk often make an appearance.
A Lasting Legacy in Stone
Standing among the Burgess Shale beds, surrounded by towering peaks and the whispers of deep time, it’s hard not to feel humbled. These fossils tell the story of life’s earliest steps into complexity — a reminder of how strange, beautiful, and interconnected our world truly is.
Whether you're chasing trilobites or just soaking in the grandeur of Yoho’s landscapes, the Burgess Shale offers something extraordinary: a chance to walk with the ghosts of Earth’s earliest animals.
Learn More: (pop these in Google for more information)
- Parks Canada – Burgess Shale Official Site
- Royal Ontario Museum – Burgess Shale Project
- UNESCO World Heritage Info
