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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21. Goat Haunt Ranger Station
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, tour boats do not allow passengers to disembark at Goat Haunt as they once did. If you want to explore the trails on this end of the lake, you will need to hike or paddle in on your own. Check-in before arrival by using the CBP ROAM app. Visitors to this area must carry their passports and proof of ROAM trip approval. The hikes on the U.S. side of the lake were unaffected by the wildfires of recent years.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada403-859–2362Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tour boat C$51 -
22. Hillcrest Mine and Cemetery
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.
200 4th Ave., Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada -
23. Jackson Glacier Overlook
On the eastern side of the Continental Divide, you come into view of Jackson Glacier looming in a rocky pass across the upper St. Mary River valley. If it isn't covered with snow, you'll see sharp peaks of ice. The glacier is shrinking and may disappear in another 100 years.
Jackson Glacier Overlook, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA -
24. Lake McDonald
This beautiful, 10-mile-long lake, the parks' largest, is accessible year-round from Going-to-the-Sun Road. Cruise to the middle for a view of the surrounding glacier-clad mountains. You can fish and horseback ride at either end, and in winter, snowshoe and cross-country ski.
View Tours and ActivitiesGlacier National Park, Montana, USA -
25. Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site
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-June to Labor Day, interpretive staff at this site lead tours through the ruins of the coal processing plant and the coke ovens. The sight is self-guided in the fall and winter and toilets are closed.
Leitch Colleries, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada403-562--7388Sight Details
Rate Includes: by donation -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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26. Logan Pass
At 6,646 feet, this is the park's highest point accessible by motor vehicle. Crowded in July and August, it offers unparalleled views of both sides of the Continental Divide. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bears frequent the area. The Logan Pass Visitor Center is just east of the pass.
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA -
27. Logan Pass Visitor Center
Built of stone, this center stands sturdy against the severe weather that forces it to close in winter. When it's open, rangers give 10-minute talks on the alpine environment and offer a variety of activities including guided hikes. You can get advice from them and buy books and maps.
Going-to-the-Sun Rd., Glacier National Park, Montana, USA406-888–7800 -
28. Lundbreck Falls
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.
Lundbreck Falls, Alberta, Canada -
29. Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre
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.
117 Waterton Ave., Waterton Townsite, Alberta, Canada -
30. Prince of Wales Hotel
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.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada848-868–7474Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed late-Sept.–mid-May -
31. Ranger-led Activities
Free ranger-led programs, most of them held daily from July to early September, include guided hikes, group walks, evening talks, historical tours, gaze-at-the-stars parties, and naturalist discussions. For the Native America Speaks program, tribal members share their history and culture through stories, poetry, music, and dance. In winter, guided, two-hour snowshoe treks take place in the Apgar area. Among the activities for children is the Junior Ranger Program, for which children between ages 6 and 12 complete fun educational tasks to become Junior Rangers.
Apgar Village Visitor Center, USA406-888–7800Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
32. Red Rock Parkway
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.
Red Rock Canyon, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada -
33. St. Mary Lake
When the breezes calm, the park's second-largest lake mirrors the snowcapped granite peaks that line the St. Mary Valley. To get a good look at the beautiful scenery, follow the Sun Point Nature Trail (closed for renovation in 2016) along the lake's shore. The hike is 1 mile each way.
St. Mary Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA -
34. St. Mary Visitor Center
Glacier's largest visitor complex has a huge relief map of the park's peaks and valleys and screens a 15-minute orientation video. Exhibits help visitors understand the park from the perspective of its original inhabitants—the Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Orielle peoples. Rangers conduct evening presentations in summer, and the auditorium hosts Native America Speaks programs. The center also has books and maps for sale, backcountry camping permits, and large viewing windows facing the 10-mile-long St. Mary Lake.
Going-to-the-Sun Rd., off U.S. 89, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA406-732–7750 -
35. Star Creek Falls Loop Trail
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.
Star Creek Falls Trailhead, Alberta, Canada -
36. Table Mountain Trail
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 (2,296 feet) 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
Beaver Mines Lake Campground, Castle Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada -
37. The Burmis Tree
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 life spans 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.
The Burmis Tree, Alberta, Canada -
38. The Garden Wall
An abrupt and jagged wall of rock juts above the road and is visible for about 10 miles as it follows Logan Creek from just past Avalanche Creek Campground to Logan Pass.
Garden Wall, Going-to-the-Sun Rd, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA -
39. Turtle Mountain Trail
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.
Turtle Mountain Trailhead, Alberta, Canada -
40. Two Medicine Valley
Rugged, often windy, and always beautiful, the valley is a remote 9-mile drive from Highway 49 and is surrounded by some of the park's most stark, rocky peaks. Near the valley's lake you can rent a canoe, take a narrated boat tour, camp, and hike. Bears frequent the area. The road is closed from late October through late May.
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA406-888–7800
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