Glacier NP & WatertonNP border crossing
 

Driving from glacier NP to Waterton Park we need to cross the border.

How long does it take each way at the checkpoints, if we have our US passports with us?


I just wanted to budget adequate time in case there are long lines.

Yes you need to cross the border to get from Glacier NP to Waterton Park.

Utahtea

They are very quick. Our tour bus was there no more than 15 minutes as I recall. This was just after mid-day around the 22nd of June, 2006.

You be crossing the border at Chief Mountain. It is usually not that crowded. I have found they are sometimes fussier at this border than some of the others but even then it should not take that long unless you are chosen to be searched.

At Chief Mountain, they were not happy about fresh food in either direction, but other than that, the questions were perfunctory. People do get set aside to be searched, but we spent no more than five minutes in each direction in prime tourist season at the end of July.

In general, experience has shown us and friends that the Canadians are concerned about firearms and liquor, US is more concerned about illegal immigrants, drugs. Both have restrictions on agricultural products.

IIRC, rental car contracts have to note permission to drive into Canada, but I may not RC, since I am getting increasing numbers of senior moments. I do know that US drivers in their own cars have to have "Canada cards" from their insurance company showing coverage while in Canada since your regular US insurance is not valid.