Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide

The mountains at Waterton Lakes National Park, near the southern end of the Canadian Rockies, seem a bit friendlier than those in the other national parks here?not quite so high, not quite so rugged. A World Heritage Site, Waterton is the meeting of two worlds: the flatlands of the prairie and the abrupt upthrust of the mountains. In this juncture of worlds, the park squeezes into a relatively small area (525 square km or 200 square mi) an unusual mix of wildlife, flora, and climate zones. The town site of Waterton Park is a decidedly low-key community in roughly the geographical center of the park. In summer it swells with tourists, and the restaurants and shops open to serve them. In winter only a few motels are open, and services are largely geared to meet the needs of the several hundred residents.