Waterton Lakes National Park
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Waterton Lakes National Park - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Crypt Lake Trail
Awe-inspiring and strenuous, this 17.2-km (11-mile) round-trip trail is one of the most stunning hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Conquering the trail involves taking a boat taxi across Waterton Lake, climbing 700 meters (2,300 feet), crawling through a tunnel nearly 30 meters (100 feet) long, and scrambling across a sheer rock face. The reward, and well worth it: views of a 183-meter (600-foot) cascading waterfall and the turquoise waters of Crypt Lake. This hike was completely untouched by the wildfires of recent years. Difficult.
Crypt Lake Trailhead, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
2. Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
Overlooking the devastation of one of Canada's deadliest rock slides, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre tells the tale of the night Turtle Mountain crumbled and 110-million metric tons of limestone crushed the town below. You can wander through interpretive displays and listen to the stories of survivors. Outside the museum is an overlook and an interpretive hiking trail that winds through the rubble.
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Alberta, Canada403-562--7388Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$15, Closed Mon. early Sept.--mid-May -
3. Remington Carriage Museum
This unique museum houses the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in North America with over 330 carriages, buggies, wagons and sleighs. The nucleus of the collection, some 48 carriages, was donated by Don Remington, a local Cardston resident who restored and collected horse-drawn vehicles. Carriage rides are offered during the summer months for an extra charge.
623 Main St., Cardston, Alberta, Canada403-653--5141-carriage ridesSight Details
Rate Includes: C$15; C$7 carriage rides -
4. Akamina Parkway
Take this winding, 16-km (10-mile) road up to Cameron Lake, but drive slowly and watch for wildlife: it's common to see bears along the way. At the lake you will find a relatively flat, paved, 1.6-km (1-mile) trail that hugs the western shore and makes a nice walk. Bring your binoculars. Grizzly bears are often spotted on the lower slopes of the mountains at the far end of the lake.
Cameron Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
5. Alberta Provincial Police Barracks
This unique museum is housed in the original Alberta Provincial Police (APP) barracks building. The APP was created during prohibition (1916-1924) to deal with "rumrunners" who were illegally importing alcohol from the United States and British Columbia. The museum tells the story of this police force, a murder, and the trial of the only woman who was ever executed in Alberta.
7809 18th Ave., Coleman, Alberta, Canada403-562--8858Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$10, Closed Sept.--mid-May -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Apgar
On the southwest end of Lake McDonald, this tiny village has a few stores, an ice-cream shop, motels, ranger buildings, a campground, and a historic schoolhouse. A store called the Montana House is open year-round, but except for the weekend-only visitor center, no other services remain open from November to mid-May. Across the street from the visitor center, Apgar Discovery Cabin is filled with animal posters, kids' activities, and maps.
Apgar village, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA406-888–7939 -
7. Apgar Visitor Center
This is a great first stop if you're entering the park from the west. Here you can get all kinds of information, including maps, permits, books, and the Junior Ranger newspaper, and you can check out displays that will help you plan your tour of the park. There is a variety of ranger-led programs including free snowshoe walks in winter. Snowshoes can be rented for $2 at the visitor center.
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA406-888–7800 -
8. Avalanche Lake Trail
From Avalanche Creek Campground, take this 3-mile trail leading to mountain-ringed Avalanche Lake. The walk is only moderately difficult (it ascends 730 feet), making this one of the park's most accessible backcountry lakes. Crowds fill the parking area and trail during July and August and on sunny weekends in May and June. Moderate.
Avalanche Creek Campground, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA -
9. Bear's Hump Trail
This steep, 2.8-km (1.4-mile) trail climbs to an overlook with a great view of Upper Waterton Lake and the townsite. Moderate.
Bear's hump trailhead, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
10. Bellevue Underground Mine
Don a miner’s helmet and lamp and go 1,000 feet into a mine on a guided tour with heritage interpreters. Discover the mine's inner workings and feel like you've stepped back in time. All tours must be pre-booked online in advance.
2531 213th St., Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada403-564--4700Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$25, Closed early Sept. --early-May -
11. Bertha Lake Trail
This 11.4-km (7.1-mile) round-trip trail leads from Waterton Townsite through a Douglas fir forest to a beautiful overlook of Upper Waterton Lake, and on to Lower Bertha Falls. From there, a steeper climb takes you past Upper Bertha Falls to Bertha Lake. In June, the wildflowers along the trail are stunning. Moderate.
Bertha Lake Trailhead, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
12. Blakiston Falls
A 2-km (1.2-mile) round-trip hike will take you from Red Rock Canyon to Blakiston Falls. Several viewpoints overlook the falls. Easy
Blakiston Falls Trailhead, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
13. Cameron Bay
There are several picnic shelters along Upper Waterton Lake in the Cameron Bay area. These lakefront sites are equipped with tables, water taps, and wood-burning stoves.
Waterton Townsite, Alberta, Canada -
14. Cameron Lake
The jewel of Waterton, Cameron Lake sits in a land of glacially carved cirques (steep-walled basins). In summer, hundreds of varieties of alpine wildflowers fill the area, including 22 kinds of wild orchids. Canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and fishing gear can be rented here.
Akamina Pkwy., Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
15. Cameron Lake Shore Trail
Relatively flat and paved, this 1.6-km (1-mile) one-way trail offers a peaceful hike. Look for wildflowers along the shoreline and grizzlies on the lower slopes of the mountains at the far end of the lake. Easy.
Cameron Lake Shoreline Trailhead, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
16. Cardston
Town/VillageJust 45 km (28 miles) east of Waterton, Cardston is home to the Alberta Temple, built by the Mormon pioneers who established the town. The Remington Carriage Museum contains North America's largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles. The Carriage House Theatre (www.carriagehousetheatre.com) presents entertaining live theatrical performances on most summer evenings.
, Alberta, Canada -
17. Cardston Alberta Temple
This Designated National Historic Site of Canada was constructed from 1913--1923 by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the eighth temple constructed by the church. The monumental granite structure is built on a hill with large landscaped grounds and views of Chief Mountain in the distance. It was designed by American architects, Hyrum Pope and Harold Burton, in the Prairie School style of Frank Lloyd Wright. The building’s interlocking geometric shapes form a pyramidal shape, evocative of Pre-Columbian architecture. Only members of the church are allowed inside the temple, but there is a visitor's center that can be explored and anyone is welcome to walk around the grounds.
348 3rd St. W., Cardston, Alberta, Canada403-653--3552 -
18. Carriage House Theatre
This 300-seat air-conditioned theater has been hosting live theater performances since 1989. Productions run regularly throughout July and August with a variety of family-friendly shows on offer. There are also some winter community theater productions.
353 Main St., Cardston, Alberta, Canada403-653--1000Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$32, Closed Sun. -
19. Crandell Lake Trail
This 2½-km (1½-mile) trail winds through fragrant pine forest, ending at a popular mountain lake. Easy.
Crandell Lake Trailhead, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
20. First Oil Well in Western Canada
Alberta is known worldwide for its oil and gas production, and the first oil well in western Canada was established in 1902 in what is now the park. Stop at this National Historic Site to explore the wellheads, drilling equipment, and remains of the Oil City boomtown.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, CanadaNo phoneSight Details
Rate Includes: Free
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