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Southwest Alberta
Waterton Lakes National Park
A small mountain park where the prairies end: the Prince of Wales Hotel on its hill, a cruise down Upper Waterton Lake to Montana, Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Falls in the townsite and the climb up Bear's Hump.
Photo: Prince of Wales lodge Waterton Lakes, Matthias Süßen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Waterton Lakes National Park joins Glacier National Park in Montana as the world's first International Peace Park, and Upper Waterton Lake crosses the border.
The townsite sits on the lake below the Prince of Wales Hotel, and Cameron Falls drops right beside the streets.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Prince of Wales Hotel
A 1927 hotel on a hill over the lake.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Waterton townsite
A small village of shops, cafés and lodges on the lake.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Waterton Shoreline Cruise
Boat tours on Upper Waterton Lake.
Season Runs roughly early May–early Oct (check before you go).
Part of our Canadian Rockies guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Small and walkable, with deer in the streets.
- Sunset from the hotel's hill.
- Crypt Lake by boat is a big day hike.
Nearby and worth the drive
Banffabout 4 h 30 · Guide ↗
The Rockies' busiest park.
Glacier National Park, MTabout 1 h 30
Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Ready-made trips with Waterton Lakes National Park
Good to know
- Park: Passes, road status and wildlife notes: Parks Canada.
- Border: The boat to Goat Haunt crosses into the US; check current entry rules.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Prince of Wales lodge Waterton Lakes, Matthias Süßen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Waterton Lakes from Bears's Hump, Wilson Hui from Calgary, Canada, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Red Rock Canyon in Waterton Lakes National Park, R. Sieben, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Cameron Lake, Mike from Vancouver, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0