6 Things To Know BEFORE Visiting Red Rock Canyon in Waterton

A babbling creek has carved out Red Rock Canyon, a natural work of art, from the deep red Argillite rock in Waterton Lakes National Park. Its beauty has long been revered, and it is now considered to be a highlight of the park. It also helps that the journey along the Red Rock Canyon Parkway through the Blakiston Valley is a stunning drive.

Its only drawback is the canyon’s popularity, as peak times and weekends at the natural formation draw a large crowd. Due to the crowds, it’s best to visit at off-peak hours. However, thanks to its accessibility and beauty, it remains a wonderful stop in Waterton.

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Red Rock Canyon

The famous Red Rock Canyon is at the end of the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the Canadian Rockies. It’s a 9 km or 5.5-mile road to the canyon along rolling hills of the Blakiston Valley. Once at the canyon, a paved trail leads around the unique geological feature that is well worth exploring.

The rock here is a myriad of colors, most notable being a deep red. It’s unlike anything else we’ve seen in the Canadian Rockies, outside a few pockets around Waterton National Park. Argillite is the iron-rich rock that is a brilliant red color and is present throughout the valley.

It’s a short trail, approximately one kilometre long, and most visits last around one hour. However, you can spend more time here with a hike out to Blakiston Falls or exploring up the creek through the canyon. However, you’ll want hiking sandals to head up the creek as your feet will get wet.

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Anyone Can Visit

What’s really nice about Red Rock Canyon is its accessibility, which isn’t always the case with many sights in the Canadian Rockies. The large parking lot has several disabled parking spots that allow for easy access to the canyon.

From the parking lot, the trail around the canyon is paved, featuring two-level bridges that cross over the canyon to take in the views. As the trail around the canyon is paved, it is easily accessible for everyone. That means those in wheelchairs or families with strollers can enjoy the canyon.

The upper parking lot is ideal for those in a wheelchair, as the lower parking lot is more uphill. However, families with children in strollers shouldn’t have too much of a problem with the lower parking lot.

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Explore A Bit More

While visiting, it’s well worth scrambling down the few rocks to reach the bottom and explore the unique feature. Several trails lead into the small canyon. From there, you can explore the creek and observe the red rock up close.

If you plan to do this, it’s a good idea to have proper hiking shoes, as there are a few steep steps down to the water. If you’re really keen on an adventure, you should wear hiking sandals and head up the canyon a bit further.

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Stop Along The Way To The Canyon

The drive to the canyon presents some great opportunities for more exploration. There are numerous pull-off points to take in the views and several wonderful hiking trails.

An easy hiking trail that many would enjoy is Crandell Lake, which can be accessed from the north. The more popular route is from the south off the Akamina Parkway.

When is the Best Time To Visit Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon is a popular spot, especially on weekends, so arrive early to avoid crowds. Waterton doesn’t draw the international visitors that Banff does, but Albertans are well aware of the park. Being easily accessible, Red Rock Canyon can draw large crowds, so it’s best to avoid peak times on the weekend. If you’d like to visit on the weekend, we recommend an early morning visit or a later afternoon to have a quieter experience.

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Hike Out To Blakiston Falls

A relatively easy hike from Red Rock Canyon is to Blakiston Falls. It’s a 2 km hike along an easy trail, but it is not paved like the pathway around Red Rock Canyon. It’s still an approachable trail that many will appreciate. If you take the time to hike to the falls, plan on spending around two hours for the visit.

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You Can Visit In Winter

While the summer is the time to appreciate the red rocks, it’s also possible to visit in the winter for some snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Compared to the summer, Waterton is very quiet in the winter and rewards those who make the trek with a serene setting. We personally have never made it out to Waterton in the winter.

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Explore More of Waterton National Park

It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, but there is a lot to do and explore in Waterton Lakes National Park. You can do everything from scenic cruises, high tea, golf, hiking trails, canoes, and horseback riding. If you’d like to learn about more of our favorite things to do, check out our full guide to Waterton.

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