Waterton Lakes National Park was created in 1895 in the southwestern corner of Alberta Canada.
Since this is only an hour away from our campsite at Glacier National Park, it’s a no-brainer for a day trip across the border!
Happy To Be Here
Colette is happy to have snuck across the border to see Waterton Lakes National Park!
Welcome to Alberta
This is the first time either of us have been to Alberta.
The 195 square-mile Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated for its outstanding natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, and unique geological formations. After visiting, we definitely agree. We love our Rockies in Colorado, but the rugged peaks here are something worth seeing.
Waterton Lake itself is the obvious centerpiece with it’s deep blue glacial water and a backdrop of rugged mountains. The minute you turn into the park you see it stretching out in front of you, and the Prince of Wales Hotel perched on a bluff overlooking the lake.
Comfy Chairs
Taking a seat to enjoy the view from the aptly-named Driftwood Beach area of Upper Waterton Lake.
Alpen Hotel
The Prince of Wales Hotel would look right at home in the German or Swiss Alps.
Built in 1927, the hotel showcases an unmistakable blend of Swiss chalet and American West architectural styles. I’m not well-versed in architecture, but I do love the Swiss/German look as it makes for great photos!
We had looked to see if a room was available but they book out months in advance, and half of the 500k visitors that hit the park every year come in July and August – silly us.
Lovely Architecture
I really do like this style of architecture.
We originally planned on doing a few short hikes here in Waterton Lakes, but since we got a little later start than planned and with higher temps we scrapped that idea and decided to rent a kayak on Cameron Lake instead.
Cameron Lake
Cameron Lake sits below a stunning amphitheatre.
Sub-alpine Cameron Lake is surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Akamina Ridge, and is a perfect place to get out to do a little paddling. The price is right, and the scenery is gorgeous. As you paddle down the lake, the entire ridgeline on your right is the border to British Columbia, and if you continue to the southern end of the lake you end up in the US.
And of course the wind kicked up in our face on our return trip – it never fails!
The good thing about all the paddling is working up a hunger – so back to Waterton to find something to fill our bellies.
Heading Out
Paddling out onto Cameron Lake
Kicking Back
Chilling out while somebody else does the hard work!
The town of Waterton reminds us of a small island town like Mackinac Island in Michigan.
Small with only a few shops and restaurants, but still bustling with tourists. We ended our day here with a burger and a beer at Zum’s while watching the entertainment around us before heading back to Glacier.
If you’re going to visit Glacier – Waterton Lakes is absolutely a must-do!!! Just remember to bring your passports, we forgot ours at home and had to get Shelby to UPS them to our campground.
Zoom In
A panorama of Upper Waterton Lake stitched together from 7 photographs.
Upper Waterton Lake
The view of Upper Waterton Lake from the Prince of Wales hotel is absolutely stunning.
International
The tour boat International sits ready to entertain tourists.
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
Mandatory geodetic marker photo
It Is a Beautiful Day
This. Is. Amazing.
Friendly Fauna
The deer here don’t mind humans as they chow down on tasty clover buds.
Cameron Lake Video
A 360 view of Cameron Lake
Driving Miss Daisy
Somebody is slacking…
