33 Best Sights in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

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.

Overlooking the devastation of one of Canada's deadliest rockslides, 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.

This unique museum houses the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in North America with more than 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A 2-km (1-mile) round-trip hike will take you from Red Rock Canyon to Blakiston Falls. Several viewpoints overlook the falls. Easy.

One of the most photographed trees in Alberta sits near the eastern edge of the Crowsnest Pass. The Burmis Tree is a limber pine that lived for about 700 years before it died in the 1970s. Limber pines have one of the longest lifespans of any tree in Alberta and are known for their ability to thrive in harsh conditions. In 1998, high winds toppled the dead tree over, but the community shored it up with rods and brackets to keep it standing. It's considered an important landmark and a symbol of home for residents of the Crowsnest Pass.

These beautiful falls are one of the most photographed sites in Waterton. Located right in the townsite, a paved walkway and bridge as well as a paved trail beside the falls makes them accessible to all. Interpretive signage explains the geology and history of the falls.

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.

Enjoy a picnic near one of the most scenic spots in the Rockies. Six picnic tables surround Cameron Lake and one partially enclosed picnic shelter. There are also toilets.

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.

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.

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.

This 2½-km (1½-mile) trail winds through fragrant pine forest, ending at a popular mountain lake. Easy.

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, interpretive signage, and remains of the Oil City boomtown.

Reached only by foot trail, private boat, or tour boat from Waterton Townsite, this spot on the U.S. end of Waterton Lake is the stomping ground for mountain goats, moose, grizzlies, and black bears. It's also the official border crossing for the U.S. side of Waterton Lake. In recent years, the crossing has not been staffed by U.S. Customs personnel, and, consequently, anyone who wishes to cross the border here must check in before arrival using the official CBP ROAM app (formerly OARS) from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This app allows eligible travelers who arrive at remote locations to report their arrival online. Visitors to this area must carry their passports and proof of ROAM trip approval. You can hike or paddle to Goat Haunt or take the tour boat with Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. The tour boat makes a limited number of stops near this border crossing, so you can catch the boat in the morning, cross the border, hike the trails, and then cross back into Canada and catch the tour boat to the Waterton marina in the late afternoon. The hikes on the U.S. side of the lake were unaffected by the wildfires of recent years.

The worst coal mining disaster in Canada happened on June 19, 1914 in the community of Hillcrest. A pocket of methane gas ignited and set off a coal dust explosion that killed 189 miners. Most of the victims were buried in a mass grave and a memorial was later erected in the cemetery. There are interpretive signs and you can go on a self-guided tour of the cemetery.

Interpretive panels, walking paths, and listening posts provide insight into the demise of the only fully Canadian-owned and -operated coal mine in this region of Alberta. From mid-May to Labor Day, visitors can take a self-guided tour of this site and see the ruins of the coal processing plant and the coke ovens. You can still visit in fall and winter, but trails are not maintained and the public toilets are closed.

These 12-meter (39-foot) falls on the Crowsnest River are stunning in every season. You can watch them from the observation platforms above the falls or walk down into the limestone gorge to see them up close.

The Blackfoot consider the area around the Waterton Lakes to be sacred. Paahtómahksikimi is the Blackfoot name for Waterton Lake. It means "inner sacred lake." The Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre helps visitors connect with the Spirit of Waterton and learn about Blackfoot culture. You can participate in various activities and programs and purchase authentic handcrafted artisan products in the on-site craft store.

Named for the prince who later became King Edward VIII, this hotel was constructed between 1926 and 1927 and was designated a National Historic Site in 1995. Take in the magnificent view from the ridge outside the hotel, or pop inside to enjoy the vista from the comfort of the expansive lobby, where afternoon tea is served. The hotel charges a parking fee, but there are a few free parking spaces. Inquire with the parking attendant about availability.

The 15-km (9-mile) route takes you from the prairie up the Blakiston Valley to Red Rock Canyon, where water has cut through the earth, exposing red sedimentary rock. It's common to see bears just off the road, especially in autumn, when the berries are ripe. There are picnic sites along the parkway and at Red Rock Canyon.

This family-friendly 1.9-km (1.2-mile) loop trail leads to a 10-meter (30-foot) waterfall. There's 86 meters (282 feet) of elevation gain on the trail and it's best used from June through October. In winter, you can hike up the creek with ice cleats and poles for a unique icewalk experience.

The view from the top of Table Mountain is one of the prettiest scenes in the Canadian Rockies. The hike is 10 km (6.2 miles) round-trip and takes about four hours in total. It’s a moderately difficult trail with a 700-meter (2,300-foot) elevation gain and a lot of scrambling near the top, but the views are well worth the effort. The trail begins in Castle Provincial Park and ends in Castle Wildlands Provincial Park. You'll find the trailhead at Beaver Mines Lake Campground. Difficult.

This 7.4-km (4.6-mile) round-trip hike follows along the ridge of Turtle Mountain to the false and true summits. It's a steep and challenging trail, but the views of Frank Slide and the Crowsnest Valley are worth it. Scrambling is required to reach the second peak known as the south peak. This hike has 936 meters (3071 feet) of elevation gain and hiking poles are recommended.