Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Waterton Lakes National Park, located in the Alberta region of Canada, is a breathtaking destination that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. This national park is known for its stunning landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, and diverse wildlife, making it a must-visit place for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

One of the highlights of Waterton Lakes National Park is the iconic Waterton Lake, which stretches across the Canada-United States border. The lake is surrounded by towering mountains, creating a picturesque backdrop that is perfect for photography and hiking. Visitors can explore the lake by taking a scenic boat cruise or renting a kayak to paddle along its tranquil waters.

For those who enjoy hiking, Waterton Lakes National Park offers an extensive network of trails that cater to all levels of fitness and experience. One of the most popular hikes is the Crypt Lake Trail, known for its challenging terrain and breathtaking views. This trail takes you through dense forests, along cliffs, and even through a tunnel before reaching the stunning Crypt Lake.

Wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted to know that Waterton Lakes National Park is home to a variety of animals, including black bears, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep. The park's diverse ecosystems provide an excellent opportunity for wildlife spotting and birdwatching. Don't forget to bring your binoculars and camera to capture memorable encounters with these magnificent creatures.

In addition to its natural wonders, Waterton Lakes National Park also offers a range of recreational activities. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines into the park's lakes and rivers, hoping to catch trout or whitefish. Boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding are also popular water-based activities that allow visitors to explore the park's waterways at their own pace.

After a day of adventure, visitors can unwind and relax in the charming townsite of Waterton. This quaint village offers a variety of accommodations, from cozy cabins to luxurious resorts, as well as restaurants serving delicious local cuisine. Strolling through the townsite, visitors can also browse unique shops, art galleries, and boutiques, making it a perfect place to find souvenirs to remember their visit.

Alternative names: Area: 194.98 mi²Visitors per year: 402.5 thous.Elevation: 4885 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 49°4'13"N, 113°54'29"W

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AlbertaCanada

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Waterton Lakes National Park Top Attractions

Waterton Lakes National Park Attractions - What to See and Explore

Waterton Lakes National Park offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Crypt Falls, Cameron Lake, Vimy Peak, Crypt Lake Trail. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Hiking trail • Park
Crypt Falls
Crypt Falls is a waterfall in southwestern Alberta in Waterton Lakes National Park. It is viewable from the Crypt Lake Trail via ferry service from the Waterton town-site. It drops out of Crypt Lake and feeds a smaller lake below it.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Cameron Lake
Cameron Lake is at the end of the Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is named after Donald Roderick Cameron a British Royal Artillery captain.
Lake
Vimy Peak
Vimy Peak is a 2,385-metre summit located in Waterton Lakes National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. It is set along the east shore of Waterton Lake on the opposite side from Waterton Park townsite.

Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Crypt Lake Trail
The Crypt Lake Trail is one of the premium hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is accessed by a dedicated ferry service operating from the Waterton Park Townsite.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
First Oil Well in Western Canada
The First Oil Well in Western Canada also known as Lineham Discovery Well No. 1, is a defunct oil well and national historic site of Canada which commemorates the 21 September 1902 oil strike in what is now Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Summit Lake
Summit Lake is located east of Cameron Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park Alberta, Canada along the Alderson-Carthew trail. It lies in the pass between Mount Carthew and Mount Custer.
Lake
Mount Crandell
Mount Crandell is a 2,381-metre mountain summit located in Waterton Lakes National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. It is situated immediately north of the Waterton townsite. Its nearest higher peak is Bertha Peak, 2.94 km to the south-southwest.
Lake
Mount Dungarvan
Mount Dungarvan is a 2,575-metre mountain summit located in Waterton Lakes National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. Its nearest higher peak is Cloudy Peak, 2.8 km to the west.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Waterton Lake
Waterton Lake is a mountain lake in southern Alberta, Canada and northern Montana, United States. The lake is composed of two bodies of water, connected by a shallow channel known locally as the Bosporus.
Lake
Mount Bauerman
Mount Bauerman is a mountain in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. Mount Bauerman has the name of H. Bauerman, a government geologist.
Mountain
Mount Carthew
Mount Carthew is a 2,636-metre mountain summit located in Waterton Lakes National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. Mount Carthew was named after William Morden Carthew, a World War I casualty.
Natural attraction • Nature • Mountain
Forum Peak
Forum Peak is a summit located on the border of Alberta and British Columbia on the Continental Divide. It is the southernmost mountain in the Canadian Rockies, situated only 500 metres north of the Canada–United States border.
Natural attraction • Nature • Mountain
Mount Galwey
Mount Galwey is a mountain located north of Blakiston Creek in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. The mountain was named in 1934 after Lt. Galwey, who was an astronomer for the International Boundary Commission.
49°3'4"N • 113°54'29"W
Waterton Lakes Opera House Theatre
Cinema • Concerts and shows • Theater
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Mount Blakiston
Mount Blakiston is a mountain in the southwestern corner of Alberta, Canada and the highest point within Waterton Lakes National Park. The mountain is situated in the Clark Range, north of Lineham Creek and south of Blakiston Creek.
Natural attraction • Nature • Mountain
Festubert Mountain
Festubert Mountain is located on the border of Alberta and British Columbia on the Continental Divide. It was named after Festubert, a village in France.
49°2'6"N • 113°55'34"W
Lower Bertha Falls
Hiking trail • Outdoor activities • Park
49°5'15"N • 114°4'37"W
Mount Hawkins
Mount Hawkins is a summit in Alberta, Canada. Mount Hawkins was named after J. S. Hawkins, a government surveyor.
Natural attraction • Mountain
Chief Mountain Border Crossing
The Chief Mountain Border Crossing connects the town of Babb, Montana with Pincher Creek, Alberta on the Canada–US border. Montana Highway 17 on the American side joins Alberta Highway 6 on the Canadian side, creating the only road border crossing within the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

Day trips

Waterton Lakes National Park – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Waterton Lakes National Park, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Lundbreck Falls (Blairmore), Remington Carriage Museum (Cardston), Cardston Alberta Temple (Cardston).

38 milesN
Natural attraction, Park, Waterfall
Lundbreck Falls, Blairmore
Lundbreck Falls is a waterfall of the Crowsnest River located in southwestern Alberta, Canada near the hamlet of Lundbreck. It is adjacent to the Highway 3A crossing of the Crowsnest River, approximately 1.2 km off of the Crowsnest Highway, between Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass.
28 milesE
Specialty museum, History museum, Museum
Remington Carriage Museum, Cardston
The Remington Carriage Museum is located in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Opened in 1993, and the largest of its kind in the world, the Remington Carriage Museum displays more than 240 carriages.
28 milesE
Temple
Cardston Alberta Temple, Cardston
The Cardston Alberta Temple is the eighth constructed and sixth of the still-operating temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Cardston, Alberta, it is the church's oldest temple outside the United States.
4.4 miS
Lake
Mount Richards, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Mount Richards is a 2,377-meter-elevation mountain summit located in Waterton Lakes National Park, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada.
50 milesNW
Cave
Booming Ice Chasm, Castle Wildland Provincial Park
Booming Ice Chasm is an ice cave, located in the Crowsnest Pass area of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. The entrance to Booming Ice Chasm was initially found by accident by members of the Alberta Speleological Society while attempting to reach a different cave in June, 2008.