As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may have Amazon and/or other affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information. Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!
Planning a Visit to Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide
Waterton Lakes National Park sits in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is full of glaciers, waterfalls, evergreen forests, trickling streams, scenic pullovers, picnic spots, red Adirondack chairs, and more. Popular park activities include hiking, horseback riding, biking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Although most of the town is closed down during the winter, the park is open for ice skating, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice climbing. Bighorn sheep, elk, moose, black bears, and grizzly bears live in Waterton Lakes. Plan your visit with this Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide.
You are excited to visit Waterton Lakes National Park and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, what not to miss, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do while visiting Waterton Lakes National Park while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this Waterton Lakes National Park travel blog.
READ: Complete Canada Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
DON’T MISS Alberta Canada, Canadian Rocky Mountains Road Trip Planner
Planning a Waterton Lakes National Park Day Trip
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 238 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 Edwards Hotel from Driftwood Beach and the Waterton Marina on Emerald Bay
Tour the 1927 Prince of Wales Hotel and 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 Edwards 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 Edwards 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
Bookmark and Pin Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide
Plan Your Waterton Lakes National Park Itinerary
Canada Travel Guide
Pick up a Canada Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Waterton Lakes National Park
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Best Canada Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.
Have a great vacation!