25 BEST Things To Do In Waterton Lakes National Park
The endlessly charming and naturally gifted Waterton National Park offers a way to escape the crowds of Banff and Jasper. Its resplendent natural beauty was enough to inspire the creation of the first International Peace Park in collaboration with the US National Park Service.
For over a century now, the park has been a wonderful spot for Albertans, Canadians, and international visitors to recreate in the Canadian Rockies. The park is modest in size when compared to neighbouring Glacier National Park (USA) or Banff National Park. However, there are still a lot of adventures and things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Visitors can enjoy Cameron Lake, hop on a scenic cruise along Upper Waterton Lake, hike the Crypt Lake Trail, one of the world’s most thrilling trails, or have a spot of afternoon tea in the historic Prince of Wales Hotel. That’s really just the start of things to do in the park!
The Short List
| Drive the scenic Red Rock Canyon Road |
| Hike to Bertha Falls |
| Canoe or walk along Cameron Lake |
| Scenic cruise on Upper Waterton Lake |
| Visit the Bison Paddock |
| Stay in the Prince of Wales Hotel |
| Climb up Bear’s Hump |
Things to Do in Waterton
Hike to the top of Bear’s Hump
Bear’s Hump offers the most iconic view over Waterton National Park. The hike heads to the top of a bluff that overlooks the town of Waterton and the lakes below. It’s an iconic view that has been entrancing visitors with its epic views!
The trail is easily accessible as it’s just outside the small town. It’s attainable ascent too, as the trail up works its way to the top through a series of switchbacks. That said, it still climbs up 200 metres, which is sure to get your heart racing.
It’s easily doable in under an hour and still have time to explore more of the beautiful hike. We chose to tackle the trail for a nice sunset experience. Here’s how to hike Bear’s Hump in Waterton National Park!
Tackle The Crypt Lake Trail
The Crypt Lake Trail has been named one of the world’s most thrilling hikes and one of Canada’s best trails. Hikers reach the trailhead via boat from the Waterton Township for a full day on the trail. The trail climbs 900 meters over 10 kilometers (one way) through the Canadian Rockies.
The path requires hikers to cling to cliffsides, climb an exposed ladder, and squeeze through a natural tunnel. Along the way, there is no shortage of views with lakes, waterfalls, and towering mountains overhead. Ultimately, hikers are rewarded with a turquoise blue lake perfect for a chilly dip on a hot day.
The Waterton International Peace Park
The International Peace Park memorial is near the marina and honors the unity of Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta and Glacier National Park in Montana.
Together, they are the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first of its kind in the world. The park has nice walking paths and the famous Parks Canada red Adirondack chairs.
Consider a Guide Audio Tour for Waterton National Park
Have High Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel
The Prince of Wales Hotel is a national historic site of Canada and one of the most photographed buildings in the Canadian Rockies. It’s an architectural marvel, featuring a stunning seven-story timbered lobby. Stepping foot into the lobby feels as if you’ve traveled back in time.
It’s a wonderful stay if you’d like to sleep in the historic hotel, but even non-guests can still enjoy the grounds. The best way is to have high tea in the hotel. Seriously, there aren’t many better places to have high tea than here.
Hotel guests and nonguests alike can enjoy having sandwich squares and pastries every day from 12-4 p.m. It’s definitely heavy on the sweets and baked goods, as is the case with any afternoon tea!
Drive the Red Rock Canyon Parkway
One of the most famous Waterton attractions is the Red Rock Canyon Parkway! The Red Rock Canyon Parkway is one of the most beautiful drives in Alberta. It’s 9 km of rolling hills, mountains, and grassland prairie with plenty of pull-off points.
One of the best things to do in Waterton is to enjoy the views along the scenic parkway. Even if you’re from elsewhere in Alberta, I promise you, you haven’t seen colors in the mountains like this before. The drive also ends at the famed Blakinson Falls and Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Canyon
The famous Red Rock Canyon is at the end of the Red Rock Canyon Parkway. It’s an awesome feature in Waterton National Park and one that you can do an easy hike around as well. A paved trail leads around the unique geological feature that is well worth exploring.
The rock here is a myriad of colors, and most notable, a deep red. It’s unlike anything else we’ve seen in the Canadian Rockies, outside a few pockets around Waterton National Park. As the trail around the canyon is paved, it is easily accessible for everyone.
While visiting, it’s well worth scrambling down the few rocks to reach the bottom and explore the unique feature. This is a popular spot, especially on weekends, so get here early!
Enjoy Downtown
While Downtown Waterton is small, there are a handful of charming stores and restaurants to enjoy. Our favorite bites are Wieners of Waterton, The Taco Bar, The Lakeside Chophouse, and Thirsty Bear.
We also couldn’t resist having ice cream on a hot summer day at the Big Scoop Ice Cream Parlor. Compared to the more commercial resort of Banff, Waterton is positively charming!
Get Out on Waterton Lakes
Whether by kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard, it’s important to ensure you get out on one of the Waterton Lakes while there. Seriously, it’s one of the best things to do in Waterton, especially on a hot day. You can rent paddleboards and kayaks at Blakiston & Company for $35/hr.
To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, all non-motorized watercraft from outside the park are prohibited from entering water bodies in Waterton. You can find details here.
Relax Along The Lakeshore
On the shores of Waterton Townsite is a lovely pebble beach from the townsite to the Waterton Campground. You can set up some towels and chairs in the sun or choose a shaded spot under the trees and admire Vimy Peak across the lake.
Bring a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and get out on the water. Or if you dare take a swim in the chilly Upper Waterton Lake. Even during peak August, the water will take your breath away.
There’s a nice footpath to walk around when you want to stretch your legs. We do it every evening after dinner.
Explore Cameron Falls
Cameron Falls is a classic stop in Waterton as it’s an easy walk from just about anywhere in town. The falls’ unique shape has drawn visitors to the area for over a century.
It’s a bit more developed now, with a path leading to the top of the falls and a bridge that provides a nice viewing platform. We visited early in the morning and had the falls to ourselves with a morning coffee. It’s a great idea as they’re just outside the town and super close to the campground.
Hike to Lower Bertha Falls + Bertha Lake
As much as we love a hike to ourselves, sometimes the busy ones are popular for a reason. Bertha Falls is a classic in Waterton, offering an incredible hike that provides great views for the effort involved.
Along the way to the falls, you’ll get plenty of views of Waterton Lake. Once you reach the falls, you can turn this into a longer hike and continue to Bertha Lake, another 3 km, 400 meters, and 21 switchbacks away. The reward is a brilliant green-blue lake!
Take a Boat Tour Around Waterton Lakes
Shoreline Cruise at the Waterton Marina runs boat tours daily around Waterton Lake. They run multiple cruises daily, starting at $65 per adult. It’s a great way to get out on the water.
You’ll also cross the border between Canada and the United States, with a quick pit stop in Goat Haunt in Glacier National Park in Montana. The cruise runs all summer, and the friendly staff will educate you about the details and history of Waterton National Park along the way.
If you’re hoping to enjoy the cruise, we suggest purchasing your tickets the day before or first thing in the morning. It’s very common for the departures to sell out, especially on weekends. Additionally, we suggest arriving a half hour early to snag a seat on one of the upper decks.
Play A Round Of Golf
The Waterton Lakes Golf Course is one of the oldest golf courses in Canada. This is an 18-hole course that golf enthusiasts will love. The course was inspired by Stanley Thompson’s design and constructed between 1929 and 1939. It is absolutely incredible, thanks to the mountain vistas. The golf course is open seven days a week during the summer!
Go for a Mountain View Horseback Ride
Alberta is very much cowboy country, and that’s apparent to anyone on their way to Waterton, as it’s surrounded by ranches. With that in mind, we highly suggest embracing the culture and hopping on a horse.
Alpine Stables is a family-run establishment well-known and respected in the community. They have been running tours since 1969 and continue to take visitors on the 200+ km of trails in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Cycle Around Waterton
Bring a road bike, mountain bike, or e-bike to Waterton National Park to enjoy some of the best trails in the summer. The Red Rock Canyon trail (mentioned above) is 36 km from town and the best trail to cycle.
Another great trail to consider is biking to Cameron Lake via Akamina Parkway. You can even stop at the First Oil Well in Western Canada. The trails to Crandell Lake, Lineham Falls, Rowe Lakes, Akamina Pass, Cameron Lakeshore, and Carthew-Alderson are along the road.
The other is the Kootenai Brown Trail, a multi-use trail that offers views of Middle Waterton Lake and the Prince of Wales Hotel. You can rent bikes at Pat’s Waterton and Blakiston & Co. Adventure Rentals.
Go For The Carthew-Alderson or Akamina Ridge Trails
There are three epic trails in Waterton that are considered the “classics.” They are the Crypt Lake Trail, the Carthew-Alderson, and Akamina Ridge, and all of them are epic. With all three, the park is truly blessed with some of the best hikes in all the Canadian Rockies.
We already touched on the Crypt Lake trail, as it’s so famous. However, the trail is known for some crowds and difficulty accessing due to the boat access. The Carthew-Alderson would be our pick for the best trail in the park as it’s a point-to-point starting at Cameron Lakes and ending in town.
The good news about the hike is that Tamarack Outdoors runs a hiker’s shuttle to Cameron Lake, so it saves you the hassle of needing two vehicles to complete the point-to-point hike. They also offer some awesome packed lunches for hikers.
Spot Bison At The Bison Paddock
Head out of Waterton to the Bison Paddock, where a herd of plains bison lives in an enclosure neighboring the park. You can enter the paddock in your vehicle, which has a 4km gravel loop, in order to spot the bison.
The bison are most often seen grazing near the natural springs and will come right up to your vehicle. Please practice safe viewing practices, which include remaining in your vehicle and giving the animals space.
It’s a tremendous opportunity to see the animals in their natural habitat in the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Make sure to bring the camera as it makes for some great photos.
Spend Some Time Along Crandell Lake
Make the short hike up to Crandell Lake for some quality time along a lovely alpine lake in Waterton. The area was ravaged by wildfires, but it is currently in the midst of its rebirth, with an abundance of wildflowers around the trail, thanks to prime growing conditions.
After the short hike, the lake remains stunning, and the clear waters make for an ideal setting. As the approach is short, it’s a great spot to spend a few hours for a picnic, or you can even spend the night at the small campground with several tent pads.
Hike Up To Rowe Lakes
The Upper and Lower Rowe Lakes are great hikes in Waterton. The lakes can be combined for a more difficult hike. We really appreciated them as they add some contrast to much of the park, as the area was unaffected by the huge wildfire in 2017.
With an impressive cliff face as a backdrop, the Lower Rowe Lake is very impressive. Of course, not to be outdone, the Upper Rowe Lakes are well worth the added effort to reach them.
Listen to Ghost Stories at the Prince of Wales Hotel
If you’re wondering what to do in Waterton in the evening, consider listening to a few old stories! The Great Northern Railway built the Prince of Wales in 1927, and stepping in truly feels like stepping back in time.
From the furniture, rooms, and elevator to the cocktails coming in, it is a different experience. Every evening at 8 p.m., the staff at the Prince of Wales also share stories from Waterton and even a few ghost stories from the hotel, so it’s best to come with company if you are spooked easily. This experience is open to both guests and non-guests.
Things To Do In Waterton In The Winter
Most restaurants and hotels in Waterton shut down during the winter. Unlike the Town of Banff, tourism in Waterton is very low in the winter months. The only open hotels in the winter are Waterton Glacier Suites, Kilmorey Lodge, and Crandell Mountain Lodge.
Nevertheless, if you don’t mind not having the full Waterton experience, you’ll love visiting Waterton National Park in the winter. It’s a quiet time filled with endless beauty. The winter season typically begins in November and lasts until April.
- Snowshoeing in Waterton: There is great snowshoeing around Cameron Lakes. Belleview trail, Wishbone trail (to Vimy junction), Townsite Loop trail, and Prince of Wales Hill are great places to snowshoe to avoid avalanche terrain.
- Cross Country Skiing: Parks Canada sets skiing tracks on the Akamina Parkway between the Little Prairie Day Use Area and Cameron Lake.
- Fat Biking: Red Rock Parkway is closed to motor vehicle access in the winter and is a great fat bike ride.
- Wildlife Viewing: Winter can be a fantastic time for wildlife viewing in Waterton. Look out for elk and, if you’re lucky, a cougar or lynx – or, at the very least, their tracks.
- Ice Climbing: Prepared climbers can take on some of the popular ice climbs in the area. Popular climbs include the Compound Gullies, Quick and Dirty, Expert’s Choice, Lineham Falls, and Sullivan Falls.
- Ice Skating: Linnet Lake near the Prince of Wales Hotel can be a great time to ice skate if the conditions are right.
How to Get to Waterton National Park
As you may have gathered, Waterton Lakes National Park is on the US and Canada border. It’s only a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Calgary, making it an easy day trip for Calgarians. If you’re coming from the States, there are a few border crossings from Montana.
- Calgary to Waterton (270 km): An easy 2 hr 50 min via AB-2 S will get you from the city to Waterton in no time.
- Banff to Waterton (400km): This drive will take roughly four hours via Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 E and AB-2 S.
- Lethbridge to Waterton (132 km): If coming from Lethbridge, you’re lucky, as it’s only a 1.5-hour drive to Waterton along AB-5 W.
- Whitefish, Montana to Waterton (188 miles/300 km): If you’re busy exploring the US side of this park and want to venture across the border, it’s only a 3.5-hour drive via the Carway border crossing.
Purchase a Parks Pass for Waterton National Park
You can purchase a Parks Canada pass at any park gate. Or you can buy them in advance online. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which gets you entrance to all Parks Canada destinations for the year, is only $151.25 for a family. Day passes are $11.00 per person, so depending on how many days you are staying and if you have plans to go to Banff, you may want to consider the Discovery Pass.
Parks Canada Day Pass Rates
| Pass Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Adult | $11.00 |
| Senior | $9.50 |
| Youth (up to 17) | Free |
| Family/Group (7 Persons) | $22.00 |
Where to Eat in Waterton National Park
- Wieners of Waterton: This small shop serves amazing sweet potato fries and gourmet hot dogs with homemade sauces.
- The Taco Bar: Inexpensive and basic taco shop. Great for a quick bite!
- The Thirsty Bear: A hip bar with live music and happy hour specials.
- Lakeside Chophouse: Fancy restaurant with lakeside seating. Perhaps the most expensive in Waterton, but great for a special occasion.
- Royal Stewart Dining Room at the Prince of Wales Hotel: Step back into history at the Prince of Wales Hotel. This is another place to have a memorable dinner on a special occasion.
Where to Stay in Waterton National Park
The best place to stay in Waterton is the Prince of Wales Hotel, which sits perfectly over Upper Waterton Lake. Stepping into the Prince of Wales will take you back in time to 1927, when this historic hotel first opened its doors.
The hotel was built for the Great Northern Railway Company and is considered one of the best railway hotels. The whole building was deemed a National Historic Site of Canada in 1922 and remains true to its roots to this day. The historic hotel has seven floors, with most of the rooms overlooking Upper Waterton Lake.
This is the only Canadian Railway hotel built by an American company. After hearing stories, we learned that the hotel was built in an attempt to lure American tourists to Canada during the Prohibition era, when the consumption of alcohol was prohibited in the United States.
All Americans had to do was cross the border from Montana. The hotel was named after the Prince of Wales, although the prince had never actually stayed there.
It’s a timeless place to stay in Waterton, with comfortable and spacious rooms. I would highly recommend having a meal here, whether you’re a guest or not, and definitely try the Afternoon Tea mentioned above.
A Brief History of Waterton National Park
In 1895, a 54-square-mile area was protected by the federal government. It was known as Dominion Forest Park, now renamed Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton Lakes National Park was the fourth established national park in Canada. The park’s name derives directly from Waterton Lakes, which are impossible to miss.
In 1927, the famous Prince of Wales Hotel was opened, and service to Glacier National Park in the USA commenced. Then, a ship was built to travel between Glacier and Waterton; the “M.V. International” can still be experienced today.
In 1921, the townsite had developed, and a bustling working town was created. In 1932, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was established to commemorate the goodwill between the United States and Canada. This peace park is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Waterton Lakes National Park is situated on Treaty 7 territory, which is the traditional territory of the Nakoda, Niitsitapi, and Tsuut’ina Indigenous peoples.
How Long Should You Spend in Waterton National Park?
We’ve been to Waterton multiple times and usually spend two nights and three days in Waterton National Park. This is the perfect amount of time for first-time visitors. Ideally, I recommend visitors spend at least two full days in the park.
When is the Best Time to Visit Waterton National Park?
The best time to visit Waterton National Park for great weather is between June and September, though even visiting in May and October will still provide you with some nice sunny days. We have visited in both June and August and had nothing but sunshine and warmth at Waterton Lakes – and a lot of wind (Waterton Lakes is one of the windiest places in Canada).
That said, winter is still an awesome time to visit Waterton Lakes National Park, though most services shut down and only a few residents remain. During the winter, you stand a good chance of seeing some awesome wildlife, perfect for photography. It’s also possible to go cross-country skiing, see the Northern Lights, or take a short hike up Bears Hump.
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Thanks for sharing these tips! My mum and I are planning to visit Waterton after visiting family in Calgary. Although, after reading and watching some youtube videos on the Crypt Lake Trail, I sadly don’t think my mum could do it at 62 years old. Might be a tricky one and I’ll save for a future trip with friends.
That’s probably a could call. It’s pretty rough terrain and uneven if you’re not sure-footed. Not to fret there are still plenty of other great views and hikes in Waterton. You’ll have a great time.
What a fantastic blog! I’m visiting Waterton in June and found this blog to be my only needed resource for planning. Coming from Calgary Airport, is there any particular route you would recommend for scenery? Or even a recommended stop in route to Waterton? Thanks in advance for any advice and for all that you have provided already.
Hi Roy,
You could take a short detour to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site, which might be of interest to you. The small mountain town of Fernie is two hours away from Waterton, and might be of interest. It is a great place for more hiking and biking.
Great post!! How busy is Waterton? Canmore has gotten much more popular in recent years. I’m hoping to be in the mountains, but with a little more solitude.
It’s less busy than Canmore, but it will still be a popular place come summertime 🙂
I was wondering if the Wolf Dog Sanctuary was well worth it or not? It is on the maybe list for us. We will be coming the end of August into September. Any other ideas as well would be helpful as we have never been there.
It’s best to do more research the Wolf Dog Sanctuary. That can be found here https://thebanffblog.com/yamnuska-wolfdog-sanctuary/. You commented on an article about Waterton Lakes, please be aware this is three hours from the Wolf Dog Santcuary.
There are ideas all over this website for things to do. Here’s a great place to start: https://thebanffblog.com/banff-in-august/