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Are you wondering what are all the fun things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park with the family?
Waterton Lakes is one of the best kept secret in the Canadian Rockies. It’s the fifth national park to constitute the Canadian Rockies. It’s also the Canadian side of the famous Glacier National Park, sharing its border with Montana.
While it’s not situated next to the four other Canadian Rockies national parks, it’s still worth this extra drive to discover all the things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Where is Waterton Lakes National Park and how to get there?
Waterton Lakes National Park is located in Southern Alberta. The closest cities to Waterton is Pincher Creek which is 56 km away or Cardston which is 55 km away.
If you are coming from Canada, it will take a little less than 3 hours (271 km) to drive from Calgary to Waterton Lakes National Park. Calgary has an international airport.
If you are driving from the States, there are two borders to reach Waterton. The main border is the Carway border crossing. Wait times vary depending on the time of year and of the day. The Carway border crossing is 80 km away from Waterton National Park.
There is also the Chief Mountain border crossing. But this border is open only during the summertime. You’ll want to make sure you check the border crossing status before making your way there.
Now, let’s look at all the things to do and the places to visit in Waterton Lakes National Park
Things to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park With Kids
Note that a Parks Canada pass is required for your entire stay.
Waterton Lakes National Park is the smallest of the Canadian Rockies national park, but it’s its best kept secret.
Discover all the fun things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park with your family. For a unique way of exploring Waterton Lakes National Park, make sure to download the self-guided tour of Waterton Lakes offered by Gypsy Guide.
1. Walk around Waterton Village
Like Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park is home to a cute little town. Waterton Village is a fun and vibrant town in the center of the national park. During the summer time, there are a little more than 100 residents, but only 30 residents stays through the entire year.
It’s important to know that many businesses are closing after the summer busy season. So if you are planning a trip to Waterton after September, it’s important to come prepare full of gas and food.
Of course, there is still a convenience store that is open and a few restaurants and stores, but most of them are closed.
We visited mid-October and half the businesses were closed for the season. BUT we knew about it, came prepared and had a wonderful stay exploring Waterton Lakes National Park.
2. Find the 4 sets of Red Chairs across the park
They are four (4) sets of Red Chairs across the park of Waterton:
- Middle Lake boat launch
- Marina Point
- Lakeshore Trail
- Cameron Creek
It’s a fun way to get to kids engage in a sort of Red Chairs scavenger hunt.
3. Go search for the herd of bison
Waterton Lakes National Park had a herd of bison of its bison paddock since 1952. Sadly, after the devastating Kenow Wildfire of August 2017, the park had to relocate the bison.
But they were able to bring them back a few years later and we can now see them on a drive on the Bison Paddock Loop Road.
This short scenic route is just at the north boundary of the park off Highway 6. It’s well marked.
Bison roam *freely* within the fenced enclosure.
There are between 5 and 20 plains bison and three (3) little bison calves were born in the spring 2022.
Remember to never leave your car. Bison can be unpredictable and they are strong animals. It’s important to stay in your car at all time.
4. Have a picnic with a perfect view
There are many breathtaking viewpoints in Waterton as well as many picnic spots.
One of our favorite spot is a little outside the park on Highway 6. It’s the Waterton Scenic Spot. Direction and location can be found here.
This viewpoint is Wow! You’ll see the perfect mix between the Prairies, the mountains and the Waterton valley.
They are a nice little grassy area with a picnic table and some interpretive signs.
We are our first dinner there on our way to the park. And we make sure to stop by again on our way out.
5. Admire Cameron Falls
The Cameron Falls are situated in Waterton Village. It’s an easy stroll from downtown or the campground. The falls is really special since after a rain storm it can run pink.
But why does this waterfall turns pink?
There are some sediments called agrolite that are released into the water making the river looks pink or red when the lights hits it. It’s pretty impressive.
The Cameron Falls Lookout offers great views over the falls. There is a short paved path on the right hand side of the waterfalls. Walking up the path will give you a new perspective of the waterfalls.
At the lookout, there are lots of parking spaces as well as a restroom. There is also a grassed area with picnic tables.
6. Look at the Valley from the Bear’s Hump Trail Summit
There are many trails in Waterton that are suitable for kids (and all ages). But Bear’s Hump is an EPIC hike leading to beautiful views over the valley and Waterton Village.
The Bear’s Hump Trail is a 2.8 km out-and-back trail, but it’s considered as moderate due to its steep incline. It is an elevation gain of 255 m. The hike is still feasable with young children.
On the way up, you may be as lucky as we were and see a few big horn sheep.
At the top, you’ll have a breathaking 360° view of Glacier and Waterton parks, of the Prince of Wales hotel and the Waterton Valley and Upper Waterton Lake.
Plus, there are lots of space of the kids to have fun. My boys played with other kids hiding in little rock houses.
It is 100% one of the best trails in Waterton Lakes for its effort to view ratio.
7. Walk in the Red Rock Canyon
The Red Rock Canyon is another wonderful place to explore with kids. The Red Rock Canyon is located at the end of the Red Rock Parkway. The Red Rock Parkway is a 15-km long scenic drive. During your drive, you’ll drive through beautiful spot and other Waterton hikes opportunities such as:
- Bellevue Trailhead
- Crandell Lake Trailhead
There are also a few viewpoints and picnic areas.
The red rock canyon is a unique canyon to see and walk in. With its red color (due to the argillite rocks), it brings us to a surreal place.
There is a nice and easy path, the Red Rock Canyon Loop, that goes around the main section of the canyon. The trail is only 0.6 km.
Note that there were some construction in 2022, so the loop was not all accessible.
8. Enjoy one of the lakeshore
There are about 80 lakes/ponds in Waterton Lakes National Park, so there are quite a few places where you can enjoy the water.
But remember that the water is really cool in most Waterton’s lake, even in the summer.
Upper Waterton Lake
Upper Waterton Lake is probably one of the best lake to enjoy the water. It’s a big lake and its access is really easy from Waterton Village.
Emerald Bay is a great place to go. There is a parking lot pretty close to the water where you can launch your paddle board and simply look at all the colorful pebbles on the beach. There are a few picnic table as well.
There is also a nice beach access at the opposite end of Cameron Falls Drive. There is a parking lot and some picnic tables right on the beach. We had a picnic dinner at this exact location on one of our evening in Waterton.
Cameron Lake
Then, the drive to Cameron Lake is also really worth it. Cameron Lake is a subalpine lake at the end of the scenic Akamina Parkway. It’s a 16 km drive. Once at Cameron Lake, you can enjoy the water, take a dip (be warn the water is FREEZING) or walk around the lake.
The Cameron Lake trail is an easy 3.4-km out-and-back trail on the right hand side of the Lake.
There, you’ll have views of Glacier National Park, US.
You can also do the Akamina Lake trail from the Cameron Lake parking lot. It’s only a 1-km long out-and-back trail.
Also, during the summertime, you can rent water equipment from Cameron Lake to enjoy the water even more.
9. Capture the Prince of Wales Hotel
The Prince of Wales Hotel is in the heart of Waterton Lakes National Park. It sits on top of the gill overlooking the Upper Waterton Lake.
This iconic luxury hotel opened in 1927, and became of National Historic Site of Canada in 1992.
From May to September, it’s possible to stay overnight at the hotel or enjoy an afternoon tea.
There are a few trails right outside the Prince of Wales Hotel making it the perfect stroll of a capturing the beauty of Waterton.
10. Complete the XPlorer program
All Parks Canada national parks offer a program for kids to stay engaged during their visit and also to learn more about the park they are visiting.
The Xplorer program is the Canadian’s Junior Ranger program offered in national parks of the United States.
Xplorer booklets can be found at the Visitor Center. They target kids from 6 to 11 years old. But there also have a booklet with Parka the Parks Canada mascot available for younger kids.
Your kids can complete their Xplorer booklet has they explore the park. Then, once they completed it, they can go back to Visitor Center to receive their collectable souvenir from the park.
11. Add a few extra days to visit Glacier National Park (the UD side of Waterton Lakes National Park)
Waterton Lakes National Park is the Canadian side of Glacier National Park. Together, they make the Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park.
To access the National Park Service-operated area, you’ll have to exit Waterton Lakes National Park and drive a little south. The Chief Mountain border crossing is the closest border crossing, but is only opened in the summer.
Otherwise, you’ll have to drive through the Carway border crossing and follow the direction to Glacier National Park National Park. You’ll be entered from the St. Mary’s entrance.
Note that during the summer months, a timed entry ticket is required to enter the park.
Glacier National Park is a great place to admire wildflowers and glacier. It also has a beautiful lake with colorful pebbles (Lake McDonald) and many hiking trails. The Going-to-the-Sun road will bring you on an epic day road trip with breathtaking viewpoints and hikes along the way.
Other Fun Activities (We Didn’t Have Time to Do)
- Hike to Bertha Falls
- Hike to Blackiston Falls
- Go on an inter-nation boat tour on board of the Waterton Shoreline Cruise.
- Do some horseback riding in the Waterton Valley.
- Do a self-guided day trip with Gypsy Guide Glacier National Park and Waterton National Park.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park
After our visit to Waterton Lakes National Park, my first thought was:
Why is no one talking more about Waterton Lakes National Park.
We loved our fall weekend getaway in Waterton and we can’t wait to visit again in the spring to see all the wild flowers.
There are a so many places to visit in Waterton that a single visit is not enough.
Will you be visiting Waterton Lakes National Park? Let us know in the comment section below.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.