Well-known National Parks in Canada include Banff and Jasper – both located within Alberta, Canada, but have you heard of Waterton National Park? Waterton is another National Park in Alberta, Canada and is lesser-known. It borders the state of Montana, USA and is part of the International Peace Park alongside Glacier National Park (Montana, USA). In this post, I will be covering a complete guide to Waterton National Park in Canada from hikes, seasonal information, food, and lodging.
fun facts about Waterton National Park
Waterton-Glacier National Park is the first International Peace Park intended “to promote peace and goodwill between nations” as well as emphasize the importance of protection and cooperation required to sustain natural wilderness. Waterton (and Glacier) is very wild boasting grizzlies, bighorn sheep and deep glacier lakes. What does this mean for your hiking and backcountry journey? You can walk across the “border” of the USA and Canada without going through an official border crossing – and it’s legal to do so!
If you do hike between the two nations, you will not need to go through customs until you reach the Ghost Haunt Ranger Station where a picnic table serves as the “desk of the customs officers” where you can stamp your passport. While many of the hikes can be lengthy (many 45km + hikes), there are some shorter ones including being able to hike Point A to Point B. For a point-to-point hike, there are shuttle buses that will drop you off in the one park so you can journey back to your base spot.
Weather and Seasonal info
Seasonal Park Closures
We ventured to Waterton on the cusp of the opening season – which we were not aware of until some last-minute research. I booked our hotel the night before departure and was shocked to learn that most hotels (and restaurants) were still closed for the season. While they do not completely close the park in the winter, it becomes a bit of a ghost town with the bare minimum remaining opening leaving anyone to fend on their own or get groceries and gas in the nearest town – Crowsnest Pass.
For the small handful of year-round residents in Waterton, preparedness is extremely important as snowstorms can cause road and highway closures with no access to surrounding towns. While there are no official opening and closing dates in the park, store owners typically talk and agree upon a time when they will all open/close. The spring and summer season typically opens on the May long weekend (weather-dependent) and closes near the end of October.
Temperature Throughout the Year
You may be surprised, but the coldest average temperature in Waterton is -10°C in December and January. While this doesn’t sound like a cause for road closures, Waterton is WINDY. The wind will redistribute the snow covering causing some of the dangerous driving conditions. You will find the warmest months like most places in Canada fall between July and August reaching a high of 23°C.
Varying Weather Patterns
Most of the things I read online about Waterton National Park mentioned how windy it was in the park. It made me prepare a bit more for the wind but expected similar conditions to the wind patterns in Calgary, Alberta. Well, the internet did not lie because boy was it WINDY. At one lookout spot we checked out, it was so windy the conditions reminded me of what I have heard and seen in videos of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. If I relaxed my body without bracing myself, the wind was blowing me over. And while we did go the second weekend in May, the wind was really cold likely due to the massive lake.
The 2017 Waterton Wildfire
In 2017, there was a massive wildfire that hit Waterton National Park hard. The aftermath of the Kenow Wildfire is still evident in the park and one that continues to be talked about. You can watch a simulation of the wildfire and the areas it devastated the most by checking out the Visitors Centre, which I highly recommend checking out and is located in the center of town. The mountains are quite bare, with the still-standing dead trees amongst them. The wildfire had started after a lightning and thunderstorm on August 30, 2017, due to the scorching weather, dry conditions and strong winds taking over the park.
Activities in Waterton
You can fill a jam-packed weekend of activities within Waterton National Park boasting several lakes and mountains. If you own a kayak, SUP or canoe don’t forget to bring it along with you and enjoy your time on the water. A couple of shops in town offer rentals for boats, canoes, kayaks, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), E-Bike, and more.
Watersports & Bike Rentals in Waterton National Park
- Blakiston & Company
- Kayak, SUP, Canoe, E-Bike rentals
- Pat’s Waterton
- For various types of bicycle rentals
- Cameron Lake Boat Rental
- For boat and fishing gear rentals
Hiking in Waterton National Park
From quick and rewarding hikes to longer treks, there are many options in Waterton National Parks to wander through a canyon, marvel at the waterfalls, and enjoy lake views. There are many camping spots within the park from front country options to many backcountry ones too. Below are a few of the hikes I recommend checking out with photos and a link to the AllTrails map.
Red Rock Canyon
Distance: 0.6 km
Duration: 12 min
Type: Loop
(There is currently a section closed off with fencing. You will need to walk back and forth on either side to complete the trail if desired)
The longest part of this “hike” is the drive from town which is about 15 mins. You will be taken through some mountains and if you keep your eye out, especially around the Parks Canada base you’ll be sure to see some bighorn sheep. Red Rock Canyon will leave you in awe and as the name says, you will see Red Rocks that create the canyon. The origins of the red rock are believed to be from a shallow inland sea created by mountain sediments eroding over 1.5 billion years ago. You will find that the red rocks are quite crumbly leading to believe that it was created by compression of mud and sand layers becoming shale and sandstone.
Bear’s Hump
Distance: 2.4 km
Duration: 1 hour
Type: Out & Back
This trail is short but rated as moderate while you will gain 213 m in 1.2 km. If you luck out and complete this trail on a clear day with blue skies, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, lake and town below.
Bertha Lake Loop from Waterton
Distance: 14.6 km
Duration: 5 hrs
Type: Out & Back
We chose this hike to complete on Saturday but had to turn around. As we neared Bertha Lake, the mounds of snow grew completely covering the trail. Only a couple km’s from the lake we decided to turn back after Danny’s leg sunk completely into the snow. Snowshoes would have been helpful but if you are in Waterton between June and September this trail will be perfect. While AllTrails rated this as Hard and though we did not complete it, it was a very easy hike. The trail was a slow and steady incline and even in the rain was not so bad. A great hike for those wanting to explore longer hikes without being too strenuous.
Goat Haunt from Waterton via Great Divide Trail
Distance: 13.7 km
Duration: 3 hr 40 min
Type: Point to Point
Looking to hike across the boundary border on foot? This trail leads you along the long lake to Goat Haunt in Glacier National Park (Montana, USA). You could complete this hike as an out & back, for a 27.4 km full-day hike. Otherwise, you could camp overnight at Goat Haunt or take the shuttle bus back.
Lodging in Waterton
Prince of Wales Hotel
$$$
Rates start at $260 per night
The Prince of Wales Hotel is well known and can be easily spotted at the top of a hill as you enter into the town. It is on the pricier side for a hotel, but I imagine the views are spectacular of the mountains and lake. If you are visiting Waterton during the off-season, the hotel is completely closed. At the time of booking a hotel, I tried making a reservation here only to call and find out they open for the season on the May long weekend of each year. The next time I’m in Waterton, I will definitely book a table there for afternoon tea at their restaurant.
Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
$$
Rates start at $180 per night
We stayed here for the night and booked the King Suite. On Saturday evening I took it easy soaking in the big tub and listening to music. The rooms themselves are a little outdated but they renovated the bathrooms in recent years. I also found the staff to be really friendly and gave us great information about the off-season in Waterton as we were curious to learn that not many spots were open.
Camping Options
If you prefer to sleep in a tent or have a camper van or trailer, there are some camping options available right within the town! Or if backcountry camping is more your style, there are plenty of options all lakeside. The Townsite Campground is a great option if you have a camper van/trailer or just want to stay within the town.
Otherwise, hikers can camp in the backcountry and have many options with 10 different campgrounds in the park. You will need to purchase a permit to camp in the backcountry which will cost $10.50 per Adult (16+). Permits can be purchased at the Visitor Centre or you can book up to 90 days in advance but will need to call 11 to reserve. For more information on the 10 campsites and fees and reservations, you can read more on the Parks Canada website.
food spots in Waterton
Don’t expect a whole lot open in the off-season, as almost everything is closed. During the summer months though, there are plenty of options. You can easily save money and bring your food and if you stay at a hotel you may even have a kitchenette. While in Waterton, I went to the hotel restaurant for dinner, a restaurant for a beer and the candy shop for some sweets. If you have a sweet tooth you need to stop by the candy shop and check out their large collection of Pez.
Breakfast
Zum’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and was one of the few spots open while we were in Waterton. Make sure to book Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel and enjoy tea, sandwiches and pastries. And for a sweeter breakfast, check out Waffleton and enjoy freshly made waffles with your favourite toppings!
Lunch & Dinner
We enjoyed a pitcher of Fernie Brewery beer along with the Hot Cauli Wings for an appetizer at Zum’s. You can easily spend your time at Zum’s spotting the various license plates that cover the walls creating a very relaxed environment. After Zum’s, we made our way to Vimy’s Lounge & Grill, part of the lodge for drinks and dinner. Some other options in the town are Lakeside Chophouse and the Prince of Wales Hotel.
Wildlife in Waterton National Park
Do not, I repeat, do not go on a hike in Waterton without bear spray! There is much less human activity in the area which I’m sure is partly the reason for it being so wild in the area. I hoped to see wildlife in Waterton National Park and was pleasantly bombarded with lots of wildlife on both days. Online you can find many people who have captured bucks, big-horn sheep and bears. We didn’t catch a glimpse of a bear on this trip but saw TONS of white-tailed deer and big horn sheep both days.
While the animals may look cute if spooked or provoked they could hurt you. If big horn sheep start to charge towards you, use bear spray to keep them away. And while we all want to capture the wildlife we spot, please remember you are in their home so don’t get too close, feed them or harm them in any way.
Waterton packing must-haves
- Binoculars – for birding and animal sightings
- Bear spray
- Sunscreen
- Windbreaker
- Hat and gloves (with the wind it will be a lifesaver)
If you are thinking of heading to this destination you’ll want to make sure you bring along a pair of gloves, a windbreaker, and even a beanie/toque. It is very windy in Waterton, expect it to be even windier than you think it will be. I was not expecting how strong (and cold) those winds were. You will be happy you came prepared and I like to think it’s better to be over-prepared than under.
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