Heading to Glacier National Park and heard of Waterton Lakes, the Canadian side of Glacier? Or, you may be going to Banff and Jasper National Parks and are on a big Canadian Rockies road trip. Waterton Lakes National Park often takes a back seat to the better-known national parks nearby, but it is definitely worth a day to visit.
Waterton Lakes offers scenic boat cruises, great wildlife viewing, wonderful shopping and dining, biking and paddle boarding, a wonderful visitor center, waterfalls, easy hikes, and scenic drives. It is also home to the beautiful Prince of Wales Hotel where visitors can see the best views of Waterton and even enjoy afternoon tea. Waterton feels more like a lake town than a national park. It has less crowds and is a great addition to a Canadian Rockies road trip.
I’m Cheryl and my husband, Matt, and I have been writing travel guides since 2020. We love to visit the Canadian Rockies and have visited Waterton as a couple and with our kids and senior parents. We try new things every time we visit and believe that there is something for everyone in Waterton and that you can see a lot in just one day.
Read on to learn some of our favorite things and great places to eat. Plus, we’ll share some helpful tips we’ve learned through our experiences.
Visiting Glacier and need a game plan? Check out our itinerary.
Start your day with a wonderful view of Upper Waterton Lake at the International Peace Park. It has amazing views. On the hill in the distance, you’ll see the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel perched on the hill overlooking the town. You’ll also see red Adronidak chairs perfectly positioned to allow anyone who sits in them to see more beautiful views. It’s a 30-minute stop and wheelchair accessible ( I know because my mother-in-law was using one last time we visited!)
There are steps you can sit on and look at the water as well as a walking path and beach along the lake shore. This is also where the marina is and where you can catch a scenic cruise (more on that later!)
DID YOU KNOW: Glacier National Park of the United States and Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada are an international peace park? I’m still unsure exactly what that means, but I do know that they share a border and you have to pay a separate entrance fee to each park. You can find out more about the history of these two parks working together at the International Peace Park or at the NPS website.
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Unlike the national parks within the United States that prohibit cities and private businesses within the park, the Canadian parks of Banff, Jasper, and Waterton all include a townsite within the park.
Waterton Townsite is a delight. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to walk around the touristy part of town and there are two blocks that are pedestrian-only which really adds to the charm. There are great restaurants and cute locally-owned shops to explore. I’ll talk more about where to eat later, but you really should consider grabbing a Beaver Tail while you are shopping. It’s a Canadian treat that is a large piece of frybread with lots of toppings you can put on it, kind of like a donut- except my kids like them better!
There are also plenty of hotels and places to camp as well as grocery stores, gas stations, medical clinics, and even a post office.
We love checking out the natural beauty of a national park but feel that a little adventure really makes for an amazing trip. Waterton has great bike trails as well as lots of streets with minimum traffic which makes it perfect for biking. At Pat’s Waterton you can rent bikes, e-bikes (our favorite!), and surreys. If getting out on the water is more of your thing, paddle boards are also available to rent.
As you can see on the map below, several paths run along the water (awesome!) and the road (bummer!). These are shared-use paths for hikers and bikers. Ebikes are NOT allowed on these paths. One thing to know about Waterton is that there are bears everywhere, including along the bike path. For this reason, even though I think these are incredible bike paths, I prefer to bike within the townsite for safety. Take bear spray with you if you are heading to less populated areas.
What is great about these falls is that they are so easy to get to! If you can walk from the parking lot into the grocery store, you can get to the bottom of these falls.
When you visit, you can choose to walk from the International Peace Park along the walkway or just drive there. They have a big parking lot.
You can view the falls from the base or take a short walk up the path for a better view. This a quick 30-minute stop.
If you are into more extreme hikes, Crypt Lake is a world-renowned hike in Waterton. It requires crossing the lake via boat shuttle and hiking 11.7 miles roundtrip. Along the way, you’ll walk along a cliff edge while holding onto a cable, go through a rock tunnel, and ascend a ladder, all while climbing nearly 3,000 feet in elevation. Beautiful mountain views, a towering waterfall, and a crystal clear lake all await, but be sure to get back in time for the return boat shuttle! I haven’t done this hike yet, but it looks spectacular.
Waterton has one of the best visitor centers I have ever seen and it’s free with your park entry. It was built in 2022 and has many state-of-the-art exhibits. It’s bright, colorful, and great for kids. My kids loved the animal scat display that showed what the droppings of several species of animals look like. They also have an outdoor amphitheater and a walking path with things for kids to climb on.
As an adult, I appreciated the mini-movies available within the exhibits. They were only a couple of minutes long each and they covered some unique topics. My favorite was where it talked about destruction within the forests and how it’s a GOOD THING! Forest fires, earthquakes, and even the pine beetle all serve an important purpose.
My family usually spends about an hour here.
GOOD TO KNOW: The visitor center is close to Cameron Falls. You can easily park at the visitor center and walk to Cameron Falls.
This is the most prominent landmark within Waterton. It’s a beautiful hotel built by the railroad in the 1920s and looks like a fancy castle, perched on a hill overlooking Upper Waterton Lake and the Waterton Townsite. It offers the best views of Waterton– hands down!
You don’t need to be a guest to park here, check out the view from outside, or explore the lobby and shops. Last time we went, we were allowed to park for free for 30 minutes. The time before, we were charged $10. Either way, it is worth it. This is where you will be able to snap a perfect picture.
The lobby inside has huge glass windows and fancy, comfortable furniture to sit and take in the views. They also have a large gift shop selling classy tea sets, Canadian souvenirs like maple syrup, and other items you would expect to find in a shop like this. It’s a big store with lots to choose from.
The Royal Stewart Dining Room was the highlight of my first trip to Waterton. I’m an American with English ancestors so when I saw that they served afternoon tea, I had to try it out.
This is an upscale, fine-dining establishment with linen tablecloths, fresh flowers, piano music, and incredible views. Guests are not required to follow a dress code, however, I recommend changing out of your hiking clothes and putting on something nice. You’ll feel more comfortable and enjoy the experience more.
The tea presentation was great and we enjoyed our sandwiches, tea scones, and mini quiches. Even with the price tag of ~$59 per person, we highly recommend afternoon tea. You’ll need reservations for any meal at the Royal Stewart Dining Room.
GOOD TO KNOW: Matt and I actually stayed at this hotel and loved it. You can read about it here, Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes: My Honest Review.
Discover: Where to Stay in Glacier: Complete Guide (Inside & Outside the Park)
Red Rock Parkway is an almost 9-mile road that begins in grasslands and then makes its way through a dramatic valley. This is a narrow, winding road filled with wildlife, so DRIVE SLOW! Bears or other wildlife could pop out suddenly.
Head north on Highway 5 toward the park exit. Then turn left on Red Rock Parkway, about 2 miles from Waterton Townsite. The turnoff is located right after the river crossing.
At the end of the parkway, there is a parking lot. Park here and you can see the quaint Red Rock Canyon and even climb into it or walk on the bridge over it. You can also do a 1.2-mile round trip hike to Blakiston Falls. This is a nice short trail with yet another waterfall – it’s worth it but not an absolute must.
When you’re finished with Red Rock Parkway, consider driving to the Bison Paddock. This is a short loop in which you might see bison. Sometimes they’re around, sometimes they aren’t.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Canadian Parks allow dogs on their hiking trails. We always see people enjoying this area with their doggies.
Although lots of scenic cruises are available, we like to go on the last one of the day, the Wildlife Cruise, around 6:30 pm. There is no guarantee you will see wildlife, but it’s more likely that you will see deer, moose, and even bears.
It’s about 1 hour and 15 minutes and actually crosses into the United States during the ride. The Miss Waterton boat is much larger than the boats used for boat tours in Glacier and we appreciate the padded seats, smooth ride, and wonderful narration.
We think the price tag of ~$60 is a bit steep for what this is, but also think it’s a great experience. They only take reservations the day of and you have to go to the ticket stand at the marina. If you want to know more about what they offer, you can check out their website.
Check out: Glacier Park Boat Tours: An Expert’s Advice and Helpful Tips
There are three summer festivals in Waterton to be aware of:
There is no shortage of good food in Waterton! Because private businesses are allowed in the townsite, there is great variety and some really yummy things to eat. We haven’t eaten at every restaurant in town, but here are a few that we have tried and liked.
Not only is it fun to say Wieners of Waterton, but it’s an affordable and fun place to eat! The most expensive hotdog is ~$10, and fries are about $5. There are lots of fun toppings. They also serve the very Canadian, and gross, Poutiene- fries with gravy and squeaky cheese. I tried a falafel dog that was ok but everyone else in my family loved their meat dogs.
HOT TIP: Get your hot dog to go and then go eat it on the waterfront for amazing views.
Right next to the Wieners of Waterton is the Pizza of Waterton. The funny thing about this place is that pizza is not the best thing on the menu. If you are going in the morning, order their blueberry crumble. The waiter told me that it was their most popular and delicious breakfast food.
If you are having lunch or dinner, order their nachos. They were HUGE and so good. Matt and I shared and had tons left over. I’m guessing they would feed 4 people.
Also mentioned earlier, grab a BeaverTail, and if you can, make a reservation for Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel.
Don’t Miss: 9 Great Places to Eat in Glacier National Park
Although I think that a stop at Waterton is a must if you are in the area, I do want to make you aware of three important things to know before you go.
First, terrible wildfires have burned many of the trees in Waterton. The Sofa Mountain Wildfire (1998) and Kenow Wildfire (2017) were major wildfires in the park. This is all part of having a healthy forest, but you will be surprised by how much of this national park is burned.
Second, Waterton Lakes National Park is NOT as pretty as Glacier, Banff, or Jasper National Parks. Waterton is still worth a visit. It’s relaxing and has a very chill atmosphere. You’ll love how easy it is to visit because you don’t need reservations and it’s easy to find a parking spot. And… it’s still beautiful. Just keep in mind that it lacks the majestic views of the other three parks.
Third, there are bears everywhere. It’s common to see them just as you are driving through the park. Keep an eye out for all wildlife and drive slow enough that you can stop if one darts into the road. Also, carry bear spray with you if you go hiking.
To get to Waterton Lakes from Glacier, you can take the Chief Mountain Highway. It’s only about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive to Waterton from the Many Glacier area of Glacier.
If you are coming from Banff to Waterton, you can take the Cowboy Trail (we love it!) or Hwy 2. It’s about a 4-hour drive without stops.
In the summer of 2023, we did an epic Canadian Rockies road trip where we visited Glacier, Waterton, Banff, and Jasper (+ Calgary and Edmonton) in 11 days. It was amazing! We have guides for all these parks as well as blog posts and YouTube videos. Check them out if you are interested in doing some or all of this road trip.
![Epic 10-Day Road Trip Through the Canadian Rockies! [Banff, Jasper, Waterton, Calgary, Edmonton]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wvr1tdZjSzM/0.jpg)
Guide includes shuttle, bus, and tour options as well as reservation windows
Learn more about visiting Banff & Jasper National Parks
July and August are the most popular (and crowded) months to visit. This is because all the roads and trails are open. Because we often visit Waterton as part of a trip to Glacier, we like to visit July through September.
The Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier is one of the best attractions in the park and isn’t usually open until July.
Because there are more crowds during these months, you’ll have better luck if you visit during the week instead of on a weekend. However, we have never felt that Waterton was exceptionally crowded, which is one of the reasons we love it.
Waterton Lakes really is a wonderful place to spend a day. The amazing views, recreation opportunities, wildlife, great shopping and dining, the Prince of Wales Hotel, and boat cruises all make it worth a stop.
Planning a vacation shouldn’t be stressful. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.
Not only that, but we’ll tell you about the park while you drive with our audio guide! Stop planning and start having the vacation of your dreams now!
12 Things You Shouldn’t Miss When You Visit Glacier National Park
Where to Stay in Glacier: Complete Guide (Inside & Outside the Park)
What is the Best Entrance for Glacier National Park?
How to Visit Banff National Park: A Beginner’s Guide
How to Get to Banff (Airports, Roads, Shuttles)
Should You Stay in Banff or Canmore? A Local’s Advice
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