There are certain places in this world that are simply lovely. Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada is just such a destination. There is a special vibe that courses through its beautiful streams, lakes, mountainsides, and friendly rangers. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring it on a recent RV trip through the area and hope you have a chance to do the same.

About the Park

Waterton isn’t one of the largest National Parks in Canada, but it is one of the most thoughtfully planned out and is designed to be highly accessible and interactive, making it small but mighty when it comes to visitor experience. As part of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, Waterton has a striking amount of diversity in its landscapes and wildlife. Additionally, the Kenow Wildfire in 2017 impacted the terrain, providing an opportunity to witness the process of nature’s rejuvenation and recovery as you explore the park.

What to Do

With nearly 40 trails, 80 lakes and waterways, beaches, prairies, peaks, and shale beds to explore, Waterton is a recreatist’s dreamland. We’d recommend planning one day for water activities via kayak, canoe, SUP, or ferry, and another on land hiking through the wildflower fields, biking the roadways, enjoying one of the 16 developed picnic areas, or throwing on your water shoes and exploring the beautiful red and green iron-oxidized shale creek beds.

If you are up for a full-day hike, we highly recommend the Crypt Lake Trail. Frequently described as the best trail in all of Canada and named one of the “World’s 20 Most Thrilling Trails” by National Geographic, Crypt Lake offers views, adventure, wildflowers, and a beautiful lake to cold plunge your legs after the steeps. With a section requiring a 60-ft ladder climb and cables, this 10-mile hike is not for the faint-of-heart, but it is definitely rewarding for the adventurous-at-heart.

T&T Travel Tip The Crypt Lake trailhead is accessible by a 15 minute ferry ride. Be sure to arrive early for tickets as it can sell out in the high season, and leave plenty of time to get back from your hike to catch the last ferry of the day.

Wildlife to See

Waterton Lakes has a healthy ecosystem of furry and feathered residents who happily share their home with visitors (from a safe distance of course). According to Parks Canada, “no other national park in Canada protects so much wildlife within such a small area…Waterton has over 250 species of birds, more than 60 species of mammals, 24 species of fish, ten species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as thousands of species of insects.” 

From our experience traveling here, this isn’t surprising. On just one of our days here we ran into deer, bighorn sheep, a black bear, and a moose! 

T&T Travel Tip for anyone traveling in the North, it’s good to know your moose-safety tips.

What is that Historic Building in Waterton?

The Prince of Wales Hotel National Historic Site is now an iconic element of the Waterton Lakes landscape. Built in the late 1920s, this classic alpine chalet has more character in every corner than many modern buildings do in their entirety. Built by the Great Northern Railway, the Hotel was designed to be a final stop where visitors to Glacier National Park could hop aboard the MV International at Goat Haunt and ride up to Waterton. While the hotel was named after The Prince of Wales in a bid to get him to stay, no Prince of Wales has ever stayed there. The hotel is still operating and hosts visitors from all over the world who come to contemplate the unbeatable park views from its floor-to-ceiling windows. 

T&T Travel Tip You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to partake in their time-honored tradition of high tea. Whether you’re driving through or staying at one of the park’s campgrounds, we recommend you take a short break from camp life and make a reservation at the Royal Stewart Dining Room. Tea and pastries in the grandeur of this setting are an uncommon opportunity in America. And, if you’re looking for unique souvenirs for the kids, swing by Princess Gifts on your way out.

Border Hopping from Waterton to Glacier

One of the unique aspects of Waterton is that it is a part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a World Heritage Site that straddles the border of Canada and the United States in the Rocky Mountains. Goat Haunt is the remote northern area of Montana’s Glacier National Park that is closest to Waterton and is accessible from Waterton by boat or hiking. There is a simple app to use when traveling between the two. Check out Parks Canada for specific logistics on international travel between the parks. 

T&T Travel Tip if you have the time and stamina for an 8.5-mile (13.5-kilometer) hike, we highly recommend taking the Lakeshore Trail to Goat Haunt, then booking passage back on the ferry. That way you get to experience the trek from land and water — a beautiful way to spend a day exploring.