Waterton Lakes is in the southwestern corner of Alberta, bordering British Columbia to the west the American Glacier National Park in Montana to the south. The area is known for its large lakes, the largest of which stretches across the border between Canada and the US. There are also beautiful mountains, stunning waterfalls, and lovely hikes connecting them all.
I’ve been to Waterton Lakes a couple times now, and I’ve got a list of some places you have to see and hikes you need try while you’re in the park. This includes activities for all skill levels and ages, whether you are a seasoned hiker or more of an urban walker.
What’s in this guide?
- Activities in the Townsite
- Exploring Waterton Park
- Hikes in Waterton
- Tips for Your Trip to Waterton
- Recommended 3-Day Itineraries
- Map of Waterton Locations
Activities in the Townsite
Whether you stay in a hotel or at the townsite campground, there is plenty to see and do in Waterton. The town itself is home to many cute shops and restaurants.
The one place that dozens of people have recommended to me was Wieners of Waterton, a gourmet hotdog spot. They serve 4 types of hotdog, including one vegetarian falafel in the shape of a sausage. You can customize your toppings and sauces, and each side of fries comes with a dipping sauce as well. They have unique flavour options like Wasabi Ginger, Curry Ketchup, and Rosemary Parmesan.
On the west side of town sits the iconic, Cameron Falls, a diagonal waterfall with a path alongside to view it from above. Across the street from the falls is the Waterton Planetarium, which offers 360° views of celestial shows for everyone 4+. To the north is the Prince of Wales Hotel, and if you ask nicely you might even get a ghost tour (whether or not you’re staying at the historic hotel).
Waterton sits along the lakeside, so there are many people who like to take advantage by swimming or renting boats. It’s important to note that outside watercraft is not permitted in the park, so leave your paddleboard at home.
Finally, Waterton Lakes National Park is a Dark Sky Preserve, meaning that stargazing here is otherworldly. We saw the Milky Way and some shooting stars while camping here, and if you walk out to the lakeshore you get a fantastic view away from the campground lights.
Exploring the Park
Beyond the town, there is plenty to see. Take a drive down the Red Rock Parkway to visit Red Rock Canyon, a famous destination where you can wade in the stream of the canyon. This stop can get very busy in the summer, so try to visit on weekdays and plan to hike around the area so you get away from the crowds near the parking lot.
You can also drive the Akamina Parkway. Both of these drives are under 30 minutes to reach the end. At the end of Akamina you’ll reach the famous Cameron Lake. This is a wonderful picnic spot, with lots of picnic sites and boat rentals available. You can rent a kayak, canoe, rowboat or stand-up paddleboard, as well as a fishing rod by the hour. It’s also close to a number of trailheads, or you can simply take the lakeshore trail for a beautiful stroll.
Finally, you could opt for a boat cruise along Waterton Lake. There’s options to cruise across the border, with one boat stopping at Goat Haunt Landing and the other passing by without docking. You can purchase tickets from Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. up to three days in advance at the ticket office. They do not sell tickets online.
Hikes in Waterton
The first hike I ever tried in Waterton Lakes was Bear’s Hump. This short, 2.8 km trail brings you up and over the town, giving you an incredible viewpoint of the lakes, the town, and ever the Prince of Wales Hotel. The trail is steep, but short and well-maintained. If you’re able, I’d highly recommend hiking this route. There are a number of benches along the way up where you can admire the view and catch your breath.
Another short trail I tried recently was Blakiston Falls. This hike begins at Red Rock Canyon and is a total of 2 km round trip. It’s also very mild in elevation gain, making it an easy trail for families or non-avid hikers.
If you’re looking for a bit more challenge, but something still accessible or kid-friendly, I’d recommend Wall Lake. This is a 11.5 km trail, with an option to add another 500 metres for a detour to Forum Falls. This hike crosses the Alberta-BC border and leads to a dazzling blue-green lake. The trail has a short section of elevation at the beginning, then remains relatively flat for the rest of the way.
The most difficult hike I’ve done in Waterton was the purpose of my first visit. We hiked Crypt Lake Trail, the 18.5 km round trip hike that begins on the opposite side of the lake. To start the hike you must take a ferry to the trailhead. This is an incredible hike, but it includes some more technical sections, including a ladder and section of chains, so it’s important to be prepared and take caution if you’re afraid of heights. You’ll also need to be time conscious on this route as you need to make the last ferry back to town.
Tips for Your Trip to Waterton
Waterton Lakes is a beautiful national park. Like all national parks, it’s home to diverse Canadian wildlife including deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, wolves, cougars, and, of course, black bears and grizzlies.
Whether you’re staying at the campground or in one of the local hotels, it’s imperative that you follow wildlife safety and leave-no-trace principles while in town or on the trail. Bear-proof garbage bins are found around the town—make sure they latch when you close them. Pack out all your garbage when hiking and backcountry camping, and store coolers in your locked vehicle or trailer when you’re not using them.
Watch for deer in the town. A family of 5 deer frequented our campground while we stayed there this August. Keep an eye out, especially while driving or walking dogs. Dogs should be on leash at all times in the park, including at your campsite to avoid any friction with the local wildlife.
While hiking, carry bear spray and stay in groups. Typically, 4 or more is recommended as Waterton is a high-traffic area for bears. Talk loudly or give a periodic “Hey-Oh!” while hiking to alert any nearby animals of your presence and ideally encourage them to move away.
Following recommended bear safety protocol does more than keep you safe. It also helps keep our parks safe for the animals and people who call Waterton (or Banff, or Jasper, etc.) home.
Recommended 3-Day Itineraries for Waterton
3-Day No-Hike Itinerary
Day 1
2:00-3:00 PM – Check-in to campground/hotel and set up camp
4:00 PM – Walk by the lakeshore, purchase boat cruise tickets, explore the town
6:30 PM – Dinner in town
8:00 PM – Return to campground/hotel for the night
Day 2
9:45 AM – Arrive at marina to wait for 10:00 AM boat tour
11:15 AM/12:15 PM* – Take boat cruise.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Wieners of Waterton
2:00 PM – Drive the Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon. Explore the canyon, maybe hike 2 km to Blakiston Falls.
4:30 PM – Drive back to town
5:30 PM – Walk to Cameron Falls
6:00 PM – Dinner in town
11:30 PM – Go stargazing
Day 3
9:00-11:00 AM – Check out of accommodations
11:30 AM – Picnic at Cameron Lake, boat rentals available
3:00 PM – Drive home
3-Day Family-Friendly Hike Itinerary
Day 1
2:00-3:00 PM – Check-in to campground/hotel and set up camp
3:00 PM – Drive to Red Rock Canyon. Hike to Blakiston Falls.
5:30 PM – Dinner in town
7:00 PM – Walk around the town and explore the lakeshore. Walk to Cameron Falls.
9:00 PM – Return to campground/hotel for the night
Day 2
9:00 AM – Drive down Akamina Parkway
9:30 AM – Hike to Wall Lake from Akamina Pass Trailhead
1:30 PM – Drive to Cameron Lake (5 minutes). Have a picnic, rent boats, walk the lakeshore, or just relax here.
5:00 PM – Drive back to town
6:00 PM – Dinner in town
11:30 PM – Go stargazing
Day 3
9:00-11:00 AM – Check out of accommodations
10:30 AM – Relax at Driftwood Beach or rent canoes/kayaks from Blakiston & Co. in Emerald Bay
12:30 PM – Lunch at Wieners of Waterton
1:30 PM – Drive home
3-Day Crypt Lake-Focused Itinerary
Day 1
2:00-4:00 PM – Check-in to campground/hotel and set up camp
4:00 PM – Walk by the lakeshore, purchase boat shuttle tickets to Crypt Lake (office closes at 6:30 pm)
5:30 PM – Dinner in town
8:00 PM – Hike Bear’s Hump**
9:00 PM – Return to campground/hotel for the night
Day 2
8:00 AM – Arrive at marina to wait for 8:30 AM shuttle
8:45 AM – Arrive at Crypt Lake Trailhead, hike 18.5 km to the lake and back
3:30 PM – Take shuttle back to Waterton Marina
3:45 PM – Return to campsite/hotel to change and rest
5:30 PM – Walk to Cameron Falls
6:00 PM – Dinner in town
11:30 PM – Go stargazing
Day 3
9:00-11:00 AM – Check out of accommodations
11:30 AM – Picnic at Cameron Lake. Rent a boat or walk the lakeshore trail
3:00 PM – Drive home
*There are two boat cruise options. Non-landing which is 1 hour and 15 minutes, or landing which is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
**I recommend trying to hike Bear’s Hump at sunset. Time will vary depending on when you visit.
Map of Waterton Locations
Use this map to plan your trip to Waterton. You can star the map to save it to your own Google account for planning.