Ultimate Guide to Waterton Lakes National Park
Bordering Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park is over 500 square kilometers of magnificent mountains and beautiful glacial lakes.
In this guide to Waterton Lakes National Park, I’ll cover everything you need to know to plan a perfect trip based on my experience visiting the park.
Let’s get started!
Waterton Lakes National Park Basic Information
Waterton National Park is open 24/7 every day of the year, but some facilities in town may be closed between November and April.
The Visitor Center is located right in town and is open daily from 8:30am - 4:30pm.
Park entry is $10.50 per day per adult, $9 per day for seniors, and kids are free. Another option is family/group tickets which are $21 per day. Annual passes are available for $52.25 for adults, $44.50 for seniors, and $104.50 for families/groups. Parks Canada also offers a Discovery Pass with access to all their national parks for a yearly fee of $72.25 for adults, $61.75 for seniors, and $145.25 for families/groups.
Top Things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park
Lower Bertha Falls:
Distance: 3.3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 662 ft
Trailhead Access: Bertha Lake Trailhead
Duration: 1 hour -2 hours
Nice, gentle hike that takes you to beautiful falls. There is very little coverage along the trail, so bring a hat and sunscreen on bright sunny days.
Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls:
Blakiston Falls
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: 250 ft
Trailhead Access: Red Rock Canyon parking area
Duration: <1 hour
Easy, well-maintained trail that takes you to platforms overlooking the falls. This is a great trail to take the family on, as it is easy to push a stroller along the trail. We hiked to the falls in the morning when the weather was cooler and followed this with a dip in the river at Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon
This is just a short walk from the parking lot and is on the path to Blakiston Falls. I recommend hiking to Blakiston Falls first and then enjoying a picnic lunch along the banks.
Along the drive to Red Rock Canyon, we also spotted a bear crossing the road, so it’s a great place for spotting wildlife.
Cameron Falls:
Cameron Falls is located right in the town of Waterton Park. There is a parking lot right next to the falls, making it a really convenient spot for the whole family to enjoy. Only a few minutes is needed to see the falls so you can check out this on the way to or from exploring other locations.
Cameron Lake:
Cameron Lake is just a short drive outside of the town of Waterton Park. Along the drive, you can stop at the trailhead for Lineham Falls as well as the first oil well in Western Canada.
There is a rocky beach at the lake where you and the family can relax. This is a popular place for swimming, fishing, and windsurfing. There are also pedal boats for rent during the summer.
Bear's Hump:
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 698 ft
Trailhead Access: Visitor Center parking lot
Duration: 1 -2 hours
This was my favorite hike in Waterton Lakes, and if you only have time for one hike, I’d definitely recommend this. After the relatively short but steep climb, you are rewarded with expansive views overlooking the town of Waterton Park, Waterton Lake, and the magnificent mountains.
Additional Things to do at Waterton Lakes National Park
Additional things to check out are:
Check out the neighboring Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park were the first international peace park, bridging together the United States and Canada. If you’re visiting Waterton Lakes, I definitely recommend taking a trip across the border into the United States and exploring the sites in Glacier National Park.
For more info on Glacier National Park, check out our blog post!
Climbing
There are opportunities for climbing and ice climbing within the park. The main area for climbing is at Bear’s Hump. In the winter, the popular ice climbing routes are at Compound Gullies, Quick and Dirty, Experts Choice, Lineham Falls, and Sullivan Falls.
Water Activities
There are a lot of different opportunities to explore the lakes within the National Park. Some of the main water activities available are:
Canoeing
Kayaking
Paddleboarding
Scuba diving
Swimming and relaxing on the beaches
Fishing
Windsurfing and kite surfing
Winter Activities
Waterton Lakes National Park is wonderful to explore in both the summer as well as the winter. Popular winter activities are:
Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing
Ski tours
Fat biking
Ice skating
Sledding and tobogganing
Stargazing
Waterton Lakes is recognized as a Dark Sky Park which makes it a great place for stargazing. Some of the top places for star gazing are Cameron Bay, Red Rock Parkway, and the Bison Paddock overlook. While we were there, we were able to see the stars from the Prince of Wales Hotel.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a great way to explore Waterton Lakes National Park. Groups are limited to 12 horses or fewer. Horseback riding is permitted in the following areas year-round:
Bellevue
Blakiston Valley
Carthew-Alderson
Goat Lake
Horseshoe Basin
Lakeshore Trail
Lineham Falls
Snowshoe
Summit Lake
Tamarack
Twin Lakes
Wishbone
Vimy
Bicycling
Bicycling is allowed on almost all paved roads within Waterton Lakes. But trail riding is limited to 5 trails:
Kootenai Brown Trail
Snowshoe Trail
Akamina Pass Trail
Wishbone Trail
Crandell Loop
E-bikes are also allowed on all cycling trails, but e-bikes that are equipped with an accelerator or a throttle can only be ridden on paved roads.
Where to Stay
Prince of Wales Hotel:
The most iconic place to stay is at the Prince of Wales hotel. Built in 1927, the architecture of the hotel is absolutely stunning. The lobby has floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the lake. which makes it a great place to relax after a long day. The hotel also offers daily afternoon tea. The hotel can be on the pricier side, but is totally worth the cost.
Camping in Waterton Lakes National Park:
Camping is permitted within Waterton Lakes National park only in designated areas with a camping permit. Reservations are required along with an entry pass to the national park. Fees for campsites vary and can be found on the national park website.
A fire permit is required for each night you have a fire, but in Townsite Campground fires are only permitted in the kitchen shelters. Quiet hours are from 10 am to 7 am.
Where to Eat
Prince of Wales Hotel:
The hotel offers a beautiful dining room that has availability for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Afternoon tea is available, and the hotel has a gift shop that has snacks and drinks available.
Red Rock Trattoria:
Located in downtown Waterton Park, Red Rock Trattoria offers Italian cuisine.
What to Pack
Good to protect your knees on longer, steeper hikes.
Definitely needed along with snow baskets if hiking in spring or early summer as there will still be snow on the trails.
Good hiking socks to keep your feet comfortable when scrambling over rocks or climbing up inclines.
Bring waterproof hiking boots that are comfortable and you have a chance to break in before you set out on long hikes.
Needed for hikes in spring or early summer as you can still find snow and ice along the trails.
Keep your hands free while having space for your sunscreen, water, extra layers, quick dry towel, and more.
Is a must as some areas are exposed and do not offer much shade.
Stay hydrated while you’re hiking in the hot sun.
A roll-up hat you can pack in your day bag to keep cool as the temperature varies throughout the day.
