Waterton Lakes National Park is located in Alberta, Canada. In the mid-1800’s, a British expedition, known as the Palliser Expedition, explored much of western Canada, including the Waterton Lakes area. One of those explorers, Thomas Blakiston, named Waterton Lakes after Charles Waterton, a noted British historian, and early conservationist.
Waterton Lakes is adjacent to Glacier National Park in Montana, just across the international border. This area comprised by both parks is known as the “Crown of the Continent”. If you have not read our previous blog post titled ‘3 Days in Glacier National Park’, we would like to suggest reading that post in order to understand how it got that name and some of the other relevant history of this region.
Waterton is where ‘the prairie meets the mountains’. Although much smaller than Glacier, Waterton National Park has many of the same features including beautiful vistas of wildflowers, jagged mountains, pristine lakes and plenty of wildlife.
If you are visiting Glacier National Park in Montana, you will definitely want to make the short drive across the border to see Waterton Lakes. Likewise, if you are visiting Banff or any of the other national parks located in western Alberta or eastern British Columbia, a drive down to Waterton is going to be well worth your time.
TIP: In 1932 Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park were designated as the world’s first International Peace Park, celebrating the peace and goodwill along the world’s longest undefended border! In 1995, the peace park was designated as a World Heritage Site for its unique scenery and ecology.
How to Get There
- From Montana
If you are traveling from Glacier National Park, the easiest way to get to Waterton is via the Chief Mountain Highway. From the town of St. Mary on the east side of Glacier, travel north on Highway 98 for about 13 miles until you reach the entrance of the Chief Mountain Highway.
Chief Mountain Highway is a 30-mile scenic roadway. There is typically not a lot of traffic on the road, but you will want to take your time and enjoy the scenery. Be on the lookout though for some free-range cattle that often wander into the roadway. We traveled both directions on this road quite a number of times and we never failed to encounter cattle in the roadway. So, take it slow and enjoy the journey.
Be aware that you will be crossing the international border and will need a passport. If you have a rented vehicle, make sure you check with your rental company to ensure that it is permissible to take the vehicle out of the country. Also, be aware of what you are permitted to bring into Canada and the United States, as well as any COVID-related restrictions that may be in place at the time of your visit.
- From Banff, Calgary and Other Points North
If you are traveling from Banff, Jasper, Yoho, or Kootenay National Parks in Canada, you are looking at about a 5 to 8-hour drive. From the Lake Louise area, take the Trans-Canada Highway/ AB-1 toward Calgary. From there take AB-22 south until Lundbreck, Alberta where you will follow AB-6 south until you reach the Waterton area.
From Calgary, plan on a 4-hour drive, by traveling south on Highway 2 until you reach Highway 3. Follow Highway 3 to the west until you reach Highway 6 near Pincher Creek. From there, follow Highway 6 south until you reach the Waterton area.
Where to Stay
- Waterton
There are a number of hotels in and around the town of Waterton. Here are a few for you to consider:
Because it can get quite busy during summer months, it may be difficult to get reservations at any of the hotels within the park. Instead, consider looking for a bed-and-breakfast or private rental in the surrounding area outside of the park boundaries.
We stayed at the Waterton River Suites located in Twin Butte, Alberta, about a 20-minute drive from the park. We can wholeheartedly recommend this lovely spot. Located on the shore of the Waterton River, the suites are surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The owners are wonderful, accommodating people who are more than happy to help you plan your stay or answer any questions you may have about the area. A delicious breakfast is provided in your suite each day, and each suite has its own kitchenette and outdoor grill for preparing other meals.
We spent every evening rocking on the porch, soaking up the peace and quiet. We were also visited almost every day by friendly mule deer and their curious fawns, who would bashfully peak around the corner of the cabin to get a look at us!
TIP: If you are looking for familiar chain stores and restaurants in this part of Alberta, consider the town of Pincher Creek, about 30 miles north of the park. In addition to some fine private establishments, there you will find a Walmart Supercenter, McDonalds, Tim Horton’s, etc.
- Montana
If you are looking for accommodations across the border in Montana, take a look at our ‘3 Days in Glacier National Park’ article. In that article we discuss places to stay in and around the park.
Things to Do
There is certainly no shortage of things to do within Waterton Lakes National Park. We were only able to spend 3 days there, so we did not have an opportunity to take in all the iconic spots. However, we do have several suggestions for some wonderful sights to see and some fun things to do.
If you are not already aware, Waterton Lakes experienced devasting fires during the late summer of 2017. These fires burned nearly 50,000 acres within the park, as well as many structures, including the visitor center. A new visitor center has been under construction and is due to open sometime during the first half of 2021. We recommend making the new visitor center your first stop when you arrive at Waterton Lakes. The visitor center will be the place to learn not only about the current offerings in the park, but also about the history of the region and local indigenous culture.
TIP: If you are visiting Waterton Lakes National Park or the town of Waterton during peak times, such as holiday weekends, be prepared for big crowds. The town of Waterton is lovely, but both the town and areas of the park can experience some gridlock during these peak times. Start your day in the park as early as possible. Portions of the park, such as Red Rock Canyon, may reach maximum capacity and you will be denied entry later in the day.
- Visit to the Prince of Wales Hotel
One of the first sights you will see upon arriving in the town of Waterton is probably its most famous landmark, the Prince of Wales Hotel. Completed in 1927, the hotel was part of a chain of hotels built across Canada by the Great Northern Railway. This lovely, 7-story hotel is constructed in a rustic style, with the outward appearance of a Swiss chalet. Inside, its timber-framed lobby soars overhead and the extensive wood detailing offers a warm and cozy setting for visitors.
The “Prince”, as it is frequently called, is situated in a bluff overlooking Upper Waterton Lakes, in the shadow of several major mountain peaks. Even if you do not stay at this hotel, you must stop in for the views and photo opportunities. We also recommend enjoying the stunning views while having lunch or dinner at the hotel.
For a special dining experience, try the hotel’s Afternoon Tea. Traditional tea is served in the hotel lobby and with its floor to ceiling windows, every table has a jaw-dropping view. The exemplary service, along with the delectable sandwiches, pastries and teas, all made for a marvelous way to spend the afternoon. Afternoon Tea is served from Noon until 4PM and reservations are recommended.
- Red Rock Canyon
Waterton Lakes National Park is known as the place at which the prairies of Alberta meet the Rocky Mountains. There is no better example of this union of grasslands and peaks than the Red Rock Parkway. This nearly 9-mile roadway begins off Highway 5, about 2.5 miles from the Waterton Lakes park entrance. This narrow, but paved road winds up the Blakiston Valley, traversing meadow lands where deer, elk and even bears are fairly common sights.
It will not take you long to understand why this area of the park is called Red Rock Canyon. There are veins of iron-rich sedimentary rock running through the surrounding mountains. We were simply amazed at the vivid colors, ranging from lighter pinks to deep crimsons.
Be prepared to take your time on the parkway. The road is winding and there are quite a few blind curves. Animals are frequently seen close to or even on the road. Be sure to take advantage of the pull-outs along the way so that you can stop and take in the beautiful scenery.
The parkway ends at a parking lot. From there you can choose from several hikes that travel throughout the canyon. The shortest and easiest hike is one that takes you to Blakiston Falls. The trail is suitable for just about anyone, including small children. This hike is like a lovely walk in the woods, with a beautiful waterfall at the end.
Be aware that parts of the canyon were impacted by the fires in 2017. However, mother nature is making a come back as she usually does, and new life is springing up in those areas that were so devasted just a few years ago.
TIP: If you are a bicyclist, the Red Rock Parkway is an amazing place to ride, and it is open year-round, weather permitting. Even better is that the parkway is completely closed to motorized traffic from November to May.
- Akamina Parkway and Cameron Lake
Another spectacular roadway is the Akamina Parkway, that begins just north of the village of Waterton. The roadway is quite similar to the Red Rock Parkway in that the road is narrow, winding and wildlife is abundant. The 10-mile parkway begins in a relatively narrow gorge, passes through a wide valley, and rises 5,400 feet before arriving at the sub alpine Cameron Lake. This lake was our favorite spot in the national park.
Unfortunately, this area of the park also fell victim to the fires, and reconstruction work has been underway for some time. In fact, the road just reopened to motorized traffic in October, 2020. Although signs of the devastation are evident, the drive to the lake is still beautiful and there are small pull-outs all along the way so that you can enjoy the views. But once you arrive at Cameron Lake, you will see why this place is so special.
Cameron Lake is stunning. We arrived early in the day, when the water was amazingly calm. The surrounding mountains, including the imposing Mount Custer at the southern end of the lake, make for a dramatic backdrop to the crystal-clear, reflective waters of the lake.
There is a 2-mile round trip hike called the Cameron Lakeshore Trail. The trail follows the west side of the lake for about 1 mile. From that point, you will get a great view of Mount Custer. The views while hiking are terrific, but the best way to see the lake is by boat. A rental shop near the parking lot is the place to rent paddle boats, canoes and kayaks.
We opted for a canoe which allowed us to paddle all the way to the most southern part of the lake at the base of Mount Custer. By the way, Mount Custer is actually part of Glacier National Park and you will actually paddle across the international border to get there!
We spent a couple of hours paddling around the lake and it was such wonderful experience. If you make it to Lake Cameron, do not miss a chance to get out on this gorgeous mountain lake.
We hope you enjoyed this visit to Waterton Lakes National Park. If you find yourself in this part of Canada or the U.S., please do not miss the opportunity to visit this jewel in the “Crown of the Continent”!
Until next time, safe travels.
Can we bring our own kayaks from Montana to Waterton to kayak on Waterton and Cameron Lakes?
Yes, you can bring your own kayak, but it will be inspected each time you enter the park. Here is a link to the information, https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton/info/index/reglements-regulations/permis-permit
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