Waterton Lakes National Park is a popular destination for all adventure seekers in Canada. It has a lot to offer to its visitors, making it one of the most sought-after tourist attraction spots for tourists worldwide.
Apart from the breathtaking scenic views and fantastic photo locations, the Waterton Lakes National Park is home to some great spots and thrill-seeking moments in town. To sum it all up, it is the hub of everything you are looking for!
If you are wondering what to do in Waterton Lakes National Park, you are at the right place. Head below to check out 7 of the best things you can do when you visit here to make your moments even more memorable.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton National Park is one of the most renowned parks Canada has ever seen. It was also given the name “international peace park” for giving visitors a peaceful ambiance.
Sitting aside Waterton Lake is known for offering original and natural activities with the help of nature the conquest of standing out. Though it is a compact space, it has left no stone unturned in satisfying the demands of the visitors.
People of all age groups love the Waterton Lakes National Park as it has something to offer for everyone who is visiting. It was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its top-class features and incredible views.
1. What to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park?
This is a question that may bother you if you are clueless. Check out some of the best things to do in National Park! You can rest assured that you will be sorted once you head below. There are many attractions in Waterton that you can enjoy.
1.1 Waterton Camping
To give you the best camping experience in Waterton Lakes National Park, there are so many camping sites you can visit. You need to pay to reserve your site, and all that is left is making memories!
Some of the famous campgrounds in Waterton Park are:
(a) Belly River Campground
The Belly River Campground doesn’t take pre-booked reservations, unlike the other campgrounds. It is based on who comes first and books it physically. There are tents and other camp essentials to help you make your camping experience an awesome one!
Located along the Chief Mountain Highway, 26 km from the Waterton townsite, the Waterton Lakes National Park is one of the most popular sites in Canada. Group camping is also allowed here, so this should be ideal if you’re planning a getaway trip with friends!
(b) Backcountry and Waterton Lake Camping
Backcountry camping tends to be more adventurous and is the perfect one for all thrill-seekers. Some of the famous lakes that allow backcountry camping are Alderson Lake, Bertha Lake, Goat Lake, and Twin Lakes, to name a few. Here could cap beside Waterton Lake and all the other lakes to enjoy the moment.
1.2 Hiking Trails
Hiking is one of the signatures in Waterton Lakes National Park. There are nearly 200 km of hiking trails that will ignite your inner explorer to figure out things! Shorter trails are also present here to benefit those hikers who prefer to spend less time hiking.
Short, day, group hikes, and interpretive trails are also present here. The sceneries of the surrounding area are filled with rocky mountains, mountain vistas, glaciers, and peaks and are mainly found on the trail to help hikers enjoy their hike.
Guests suggested that the window between June and August would be ideal for hiking in Alberta and Banff. So if you want to set out to hike, check out these excellent hiking trails offered by Waterton Lakes National Park to make your hike experience an awesome one!
1.3 Glacier National Park
Located in Montana, Glacier National Park was established in 1910. It has beautiful greenery, including views of meadows, vistas, and waterfalls. This place offers you to research the history as well as look at the glacier is that around you.
You can also perform winter activities, eat delicious food, and shop your way out! This is also the perfect place for families and friends as it has a lot to offer for all age groups. Some roads lead to views of the enormous glacier.
1.4 Wildlife Watching
The wildlife views of Waterton Lakes National Park are something you wouldn’t want to miss out on! It is considered one of the best watching views in Southern Alberta. If you decide to take a break and relax, you could choose wildlife watching to give you company.
Here, you can view the sights of different animals from a safe distance by abiding by all the rules and regulations. There are nearly 60 types of species present here, and they are on watch 24×7.
During Summer, this safari is at its peak as it is the time most animals come out from their homes. If you ever spot an animal, be kind to them and don’t be the cause of any nuisance. Feeding animals is also not allowed.
Some of the different species that you can find here are deer, squirrels, black bears, and sheep, to name a few. Bird Watching can also be done here. If you a nature maniac, then this is the best activity for you.
1.5 Prince of Wales Hotel
Located in Waterton, Alberta, the Prince of Wales Hotel is one of the most premium hotels in Canada. It is one of the state’s oldest hotels, as it was established in 1927 near the great northern railway to lure American tourists.
Today, the Prince of Wales Hotel is a popular lodging site for tourists. The rooms are highly rated for cleanliness and excellent service by staff. You can also see epic views of lakes, mountains, Canadian Rockies, prairie grasslands, and wildflowers.
If you want to stay in a good location, the Prince of Wales Hotel is ideal because it serves as an epicenter of all destinations.
1.6 Adventure Sports
The Waterton Lakes National Park offers its lovers different activities that will appeal accordingly. Waterton and Canada are known for not leaving any stone unturned in giving tourists the best experience, so they have a series of Adventure Sports lined up.
Adventure sports in Waterton Lakes National Park include:
(a) Horseback Riding
A historical phase of Waterton Lakes National Park, horseback riding has existed since the park came to life. Horses could be hired on an hourly basis. For a better adventure experience, you could take the horses with you on trails and enjoy the moments.
(b) Boat Tours
A cruise tour in Waterton Lakes National Park is an activity that is looked forward to by many people. A 1 hour 15 minutes long cruise ride will give you all the thrills!
(c) Biking
Traveling up the mountain with these 2 wheelers is no less than an adventure, right? Waterton Lakes National Park provides guests with mountain bikes where you can explore the entire place while riding!
(d) Golf Course
The 18-hole golf course opened in the year 1922. It has been home to many renowned golf sessions with players coming to practice every day. If you want to practice this sport, feel free to get yourself here!
1.7 Simply Relax!
Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park is also a great place to find peace and chill. It acts as a stress buster for some and a couple’s romance location for others.
Above all, you can find the simplest joys in doing stuff like sipping your afternoon tea with a loved one, hanging around in the park, or roaming the city of Calgary and Banff. You can also click pictures of the mountains and peaks, discover new scenic areas, and capture the stories of the town and country.
Looking at the border and prairies will give your mind much-needed peace during your trip.
Now that you have figured out 7 epic things to do in Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, you will have your Instagram stories blessed with some wholesome content, right?
Bring out the explorer in you and discover the different areas like Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountains, and parks. After all, having your afternoon tea in beautiful scenery is not something everyone does, so make the most out of everything you do.
Waterton Park is a small world filled with adventure and greatness, so ensure that you don’t miss out on anything!
Bon Voyage!
2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is special about Waterton?
A1. Waterton was Canada’s second biosphere reserve and the first Canadian national park to take part in this UNESCO program. The park has two national historic sites located within its boundaries: The Prince of Wales Hotel NHS (designated in 1995) and the First Oil Well in Western Canada NHS (designated in 1968).
Q2. Do you need a passport to go to Waterton National Park?
A2. While together we are an International Peace Park, Waterton Lakes still lies within Canada. Like any other international travel, you still need an active passport to visit their park.
Q3. How many days do you need at Waterton National Park?
A3. Two or more days are perfect if you want to go cycling and hiking in the park. Spend one-day hiking Crypt Lake and your second day biking along the Red Rock Parkway, going on a boat cruise, kayaking, having afternoon tea, or exploring the town of Waterton.
Q4. Can you see the northern lights in Waterton?
A4. The loop road surrounds an expansive paddock where direct descendants of the original herd of Great Plains bison graze. With its wide open spaces and lack of light pollution, the area is a top spot for watching the Northern Lights.
Q5. Are there grizzly bears in Waterton Park?
A5. Waterton Lakes National Park is home to both grizzly and black bears. Although the chances of having an encounter with an aggressive bear are low, proper planning before you head out can help reduce your risk. By following a few “bear-aware” rules, you can help protect bears, too.
Q6. How cold is Waterton Lake?
A6. Waterton’s summers are brief and cool with some hot spells (high 35*C/94*F). Winters are long and relatively mild, with frequent warm spells (high 10*C/50*F), often caused by chinooks. The park is one of Alberta’s warmest places in the winter, despite temperatures that can drop as low as -40*C.
Q7. Can you swim in Waterton Lake?
A7. On hot summer days, people swim in Upper Waterton Lake. Keep in mind that the lake is very cold, drops off quickly, and is subject to strong winds. Emerald Bay (in the community) is the most popular spot for swimming. The beach near the Townsite campground is also used but tends to be windier.
Q8. Why is it called Waterton?
A8. He named the lakes Waterton Lakes to honor the British naturalist Charles Waterton. Another notable person to visit the Waterton Lakes area was John George “Kootenai” Brown. Born in Ireland in 1839, Brown served with the British Army in India before coming to North America.
Q9. Is there a parking fee for Waterton Lakes National Park?
A9. Park Fees.
| Daily pass | |
|---|---|
| Adult | $10.50 |
| Senior | $9.00 |
| Youth | Free |
| Family/ Group | $21.00 |
Q10. What is the closest airport to Waterton Lakes National Park?
A10. The nearest airport is Lethbridge. This airport handles domestic flights only. Calgary and Edmonton have international airports that are serviced by major national and international carriers. The nearest U.S. airports are Glacier Park near Kalispell (195 km) and Great Falls (323 km), Montana.
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Last Updated on June 11, 2023 by somya909
