Waterton Lakes National Park

Introducing Waterton Lakes National Park

Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but Waterton Lakes National Park (adult/child/senior per day $7/3.50/6) could be the best-kept secret in the Canadian Rockies. Where its siblings to the north – Canmore, Banff and Jasper – hemorrhage with tourists and weekend warriors, Waterton is a sublime pocket of tranquility. Established in 1895 and now part of a Unesco World Heritage site, the 525-sq-km Waterton Lakes lies in Alberta’s southwestern corner. Here the prairies meet the mountains and the relief from the flat land is nothing short of an uplifting experience. The park is a sanctuary to the iconic animals we all look to see in the mountains: grizzlies, elk, deer and cougar all call the area home and roam among the 800-odd wildflower species.

The town of Waterton is a charming alpine village that is devoid of the tacky tourist crap that unfortunately populates some of the better known Rockies’ hotspots; yes, Banff, we are talking about you. There is a lifetime’s worth of outdoor adventure to discover here, with hiking trails and the lake close at hand.

Sitting right on the US border and next to the immense Glacier National Park, this is a good spot to work on those international relations, flash the passport and do a poly-country backcountry adventure. Together the two parks comprise Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park. Although the name evokes images of bi-national harmony, in reality each park is operated separately, and entry to one does not entitle you to entry to the other.

For more information on Glacier National Park, contact the US National Park Service (general information 406-888-7800, campground reservations 800-365-2267, hotel reservations 406-892-2525; www.nps.g ov/glac).

Last updated: Jul 22, 2009