Plan Your Visit to Waterton Lakes National Park
This Waterton Lakes National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. Waterton feels different from the other Canadian Rocky Mountain parks because the mountains rise almost directly out of the prairie, with turquoise lakes, waterfalls, red rock canyons, wildlife, and a tiny townsite tucked along the shore of Upper Waterton Lake.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and how to spend your time once you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make Waterton memorable, from paddling on Cameron Lake and hiking Bear’s Hump to driving Red Rock Parkway, photographing Cameron Falls, and sitting down for afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel.
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Waterton Lakes National Park at a Glance
Location: Southwestern Alberta, Canada
How much time: 1 full day for the highlights; 2 days if you want to hike or take a lake cruise
Best time to visit: June through September for the greatest access
Best short hike: Bear’s Hump
Best longer hike: Crypt Lake
Best scenic drives: Red Rock Parkway and Akamina Parkway
Best waterfall: Cameron Falls
Best canyon: Red Rock Canyon
Best lake experience: Paddle Cameron Lake or cruise Upper Waterton Lake
Best historic stop: Prince of Wales Hotel
Best wildlife: Bighorn sheep, elk, deer, black bears, grizzly bears, and occasionally moose
Where to stay: Waterton townsite
Good to know: Weather changes quickly and the park can be extremely windy
Before you go: Check road, trail, wildlife, wildfire, and watercraft restrictions with Parks Canada
Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park
1. Hike Bear’s Hump for the classic view over Waterton
2. Drive Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon
3. Walk through Red Rock Canyon and continue toward Blakiston Falls
4. Drive Akamina Parkway to Cameron Lake
5. Kayak or paddle on Cameron Lake
6. Photograph Cameron Falls
7. Take a cruise on Upper Waterton Lake
8. Visit the historic Prince of Wales Hotel
9. Hike to Lower Bertha Falls
10. Walk through Waterton townsite and along the lakeshore
Where is Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park is located in southwest Alberta Canada directly across the border from Glacier National Park in the United States. The closest international airport is Calgary International Airport. The park is a 3-hour drive from Calgary Canada and 90 minutes from Lethbridge.
Facts About Waterton Lakes National Park
- Waterton Lakes is a tourist town with only 100 residents year-round.
- Waterton Lakes became a national park in 1895. It was the 4th established national park in Canada and is the smallest (195 sq mi).
- Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Biosphere Reserve, an International Peace Park, and a designated dark sky preserve
- The Prince of Wales Hotel was built by the Great Northern Railway in 1927. The hotel was named after the Prince of Wales, although the prince had never actually stayed there. It was built to lure American tourists to Canada during the prohibition era when drinking alcohol was illegal in the US.
- 38% of Waterton Lakes National Park was devastated by the Kenow Fire in 2017
- Waterton Lake is 500 ft deep; it is the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies
- The 2017 Kenow Wildfire burned approximately 50,000 acres
- The water in Waterton Lake is COLD (33 degrees mid-June)
- You must purchase a park pass to enter; buy a daily pass at the gate or order online here
- Purchase a Discovery Pass for all National Parks in Canada
Best Time of Year to Visit Waterton Lakes National Park
July and August are the busiest months at Waterton Lakes National Park, temperatures average 80 degrees. May and June are the rainiest months but be prepared for rain year-round. Wildflowers bloom from mid-June to mid-July. The town begins to close for winter in September and October and begins to reopen in April, snow is possible in April. Temperatures can dip to below 20 degrees and avalanche warnings may occur in the winter.
Accommodation in Waterton Lakes National Park
The historic Prince Edward Hotel and Waterton Glacier Suites are the most popular accommodations in the area, both remain open in the winter. The Townsite Campground is a popular place for camping due to its location near the town and the park. There are 246 sites but it fills quickly.
There are many campgrounds outside of the park if Townsite is full. You must have a camping permit and Parks Canada pass to camp in Waterton and a fire permit for each night you have a fire. There are 10 backcountry camping sites in Waterton equipped with outhouses, tent pads, picnic tables, and food storage poles.
Where to eat at Waterton Lakes National Park
Be sure to stop for a hot dog and deep-fried pickles at Wieners of Waterton and grab a burger and listen to music on the patio of Thirsty Bear Kitchen & Bar.
Popular Hikes at Waterton National Park
- Red Rock Canyon Trail is a loop trail along a gorgeous red rock gorge
- Take the easy 1.5 RT trail to the viewing platform for Blakiston Falls
- Hike 1.8 miles RT up Bears Hump trail for amazing views of Waterton Lakes
- Hike 3.2 miles RT to Bertha Falls on an easy-moderate trail
- Get your adrenaline pumping on the 10.7 mile RT hike to Crypt Lake hike past 4 waterfalls, through a tunnel, and up a steel ladder.
Things to Do at Waterton Lakes National Park
- Shop for souvenirs on Waterton Ave
- Grab an ice cream and stroll the beach on the Waterton Townsite Loop
- Photograph the Prince of Wales Hotel from Driftwood Beach and the Waterton Marina on Emerald Bay
- Tour the 1927 Prince of Wales Hoteland enjoy afternoon tea
- Photograph Cameron Falls
- Cruise Waterton Lake and make a quick stop on the US side at Goat Haunt in Glacier National Park in Montana
- Drive or bike the scenic Red Rock Parkway, Akamina Parkway
- Mountain bike the Snowshoe Trail, Akamina Pass Trail, Wishbone Trail, or Crandell Loop
- Scuba dive and explore the 1918 steam paddle wheeler sunk in Emerald Bay
- Kayak or paddleboard around Emerald Bay or Cameron Lake
- Stop at Alpine Stables and enjoy a horseback ride through the Canadian Rockies
- Photograph Vimy Peak from Waterton Beach at golden hour
- Join the Prince of Wales staff at 8 pm for ghost stories
- Learn about the history of Paahtómahksikimi at the Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre
- Search for the Northern Lights with a dark sky guide
Two Days at Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park: Day One
8 am Photograph Prince of Wales Hotel from Emerald Bay before driving Akamina Parkway to Cameron Lake
9 am Rent a kayak and enjoy the reflections on Cameron Lake while the water is calm
11 am Check out Cameron Falls, and shop for souvenirs on Waterton Ave before having lunch.
3 pm Drive the scenic Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon. Hike the gorge to Blakiston Falls
Waterton Lakes National Park: Day Two
8 am Grab a coffee and take a walk on the Waterton Townsite Loop
10 am Take a morning cruise on Waterton Lake
1 pm Enjoy afternoon tea and take a tour of the Prince of Wales Hotel
3 pm Hike up Bears Hump and enjoy the view
Tips for Visiting Waterton Lakes National Park
- Be sure to bring plenty of snacks and water
- Check for trail closures at the visitor center and grab a map
- Dress in layers and be prepared for rain
- Purchase or rent bear spray and learn bear safety before you visit
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles
- Purchase bug spray and after bite, the mosquitos are relentless
- Cell service is inconsistent, download offline maps
- Red Rock Parkway is closed to vehicles from November to May
- Waterton Lakes is one of the windiest places in Canada
- The visitor center does not provide maps. Download a map of Waterton townsite and Watertown Lakes
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