Top Things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park
Top Hotels in Waterton Lakes National Park
What to do and see in Waterton Lakes National Park, Canadian Rockies: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Discover the best top things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta including Crypt Lake Trail, Carthew - Alderson Trail, Bear's Hump, Blakiston & Co., Waterton River Trail Rides Ltd., Dark Sky Guides, Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co., Bertha Falls, Cameron Lake, Red Rock Canyon.
Restaurants in Waterton Lakes National Park
1. Crypt Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 281 reviews
Reviewed By Burkendah - Cold Lake, Canada
No trip to Waterton National Park would be complete without a hike to Crypt Lake. It is probably one of the most difficult hikes but it is well worth it. The landscapes are stunning, the views are amazing, the lake itself is one of the most beautiful I have ever soon (and I have traveled all over the world). The trail is full of plants, insects, birds and mammals (mule deer, squirrels, prairie dogs, marmots) The feeling of accomplishment when you complete the hike is genuine. It is a tough hike but anyone with enough determination can do it.
2. Carthew - Alderson Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By SandyJ158 - Cochrane, Canada
We debated the choice of Crypt Lake or the Carthew- Alderson trek. The C.A. pass won out and we had the pleasure of booking and riding the early shuttle bus to the Cameron Lake trailhead with the Waterton Outdoor Adventures service. Bookings for the morning trip (7:30 a.m.) were easily made the day before with a very pleasant and personable staff member at Tamarack Outfitters. We had a lovely and informative ride up to the starting point with our knowledgeable owner/driver and knew exactly where to begin as she walked the group right to the trailhead. This was a reasonably priced, extremely handy service, complete with complimentary tea/coffee and a great way to start the day. The hike itself was spectacular, with views of 5 different stunning lakes, a myriad of waterfalls and incredible 360 degree views from the summit. With bluebird skies and a rare day without any wind, this rates as a lifetime hike. It is a strenuous day hike but worthy every bit of effort to get to each new view. Go on a day with sunshine as the views are outstanding!
3. Bear's Hump
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By bienbonita - Calgary, Canada
Went with hubby and our niece over Labour Day weekend. We climbed late afternoon on a pretty chilly day. I’m not an expert hiker and I’ve only started hiking this year so every step for me was accompanied by huffing-and-puffing. I stayed about a few metres down and just enjoyed the unobstructed view of Prince of Wales Hotel while hubby and niece went all the way to the top.
4. Blakiston & Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 86 reviews
At Blakiston & Co. Adventure Rentals, we believe stand-up paddle boarding is one of the best ways to explore Waterton's hidden gems. If paddle boarding is not your thing we also rent, canoes, kayaks and other adventure vehicles. We are explorers and adventurers at heart, and we live and breathe outdoor living.
Reviewed By shawnsH5167GA
Easy online booking. Friendly staff. Quality equipment. Will definitely be back again and will recommend to others.
5. Waterton River Trail Rides Ltd.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Nestled adjacent to the Waterton Lakes National Park, on the UNESCO Waterton Biosphere Reserve is Waterton River Trail Rides LTD. Here at Waterton River Trail Rides LTD we offer guided horseback adventures for the entire family. Whether you are riding for your first time or are an experienced rider, we have the right horse for you. From the refreshing Waterton river to the sensational panoramic views from the Elk Ridge summit, you can experience a unique & isolated vista that most visitors miss when traveling to the hidden gem of the world, Waterton Lakes National Park. We cannot emphasize enough to remember to bring your camera - trust us, you will want it. We love this beautiful part of the world and what we do, and we cannot wait to share the adventure with you. We are located right outside the park boundary - a 15 minute drive east of Waterton village on hwy 5. Our exact location can be found on Google Maps and Apple Maps. All rides are by reservation only.
Reviewed By F5599ZKrobertp
Amazing ride! We took a 2 hr sunset ride with Royce. We got to do a lot more on this trail ride than other ones we've done, like taking the horses through water and trotting. ( Even cantering once but I wasn't supposed to ???? ) I can't say enough good things about this ride! We will for sure be back!
6. Dark Sky Guides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
Dark Sky Guides offers guided interpretive nighttime tours and stargazing opportunities in Waterton Lakes National Park, by providing tour participants with the chance to stargaze using quality telescopes, binoculars, and other stargazing equipment. The Dark Sky Guides are storytellers that deliver personable, memorable, interpretive tours that focus on showcasing the night sky, the moon and neighboring planets, deep sky objects like distant nebulae and star clusters, the Milky Way Galaxy, constellations, and even Aurora Borealis and nocturnal creatures. Ultimately, we encourage people to foster their own personal connection with both the night sky and Waterton Lakes National Park. Join us and Discovery your Universe!
7. Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 629 reviews
Waterton Shoreline Cruises is a small family-owned tour boat company in Waterton Lakes National Park that offers informative and entertaining sight-seeing tours of Upper Waterton Lake, as well as shuttle service to the remote Crypt Landing.
8. Bertha Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Greenlakereener - Vancouver, Canada
The Bertha Falls trail was one of the only trails open and accessible by car as the two main roads in the park are currently closed due to the forest fires of 2017. But because the trailhead for the falls hike was located close to the town, we were able to drive to the parking lot and access this trail. The hike began with a climb in elevation that took us high above the lake, through the burned out forest, with great views of the lake and town, until we reached a series of pretty waterfalls. It was steep in places but not too hard. You really get a good look at the devastation the fire caused as you hike past many burned trees. You reach a series of small waterfalls first and then you come to the big lower falls. At this point you can see the trail rising steeply above the falls so we chose to turn around at this point. It took us a little less than two hours roundtrip to complete this portion of the hike. Take lots of water as there is no shade and you do climb uphill a lot.
9. Cameron Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
The climax of a 16 km (10 mile) scenic highway known as the Akamina Parkway, is Cameron Lake. Nestled between the majestic mountain peaks of the Akamina Ridge, this sub-alpine lake is one of many serene bodies of water that makes up Waterton Lakes National Park. Beautiful Cameron lake is a great place to rent a canoe and grizzlies are often seen on the far slopes.
Reviewed By sandraburke9189 - Lacombe, Canada
Beautiful lake and inlet to Waterton Lake Townsite. Tour boats are on hand; canoeing and paddle boats are allowed. US border just across the way! Mountain backdrop awesome. Didnt take part in this activity, weather was too cold, rough and very windy but just imagine the locations; awesome. Visit in 2021 Spring.
10. Red Rock Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 859 reviews
Reviewed By GallantJ - Alberta, Canada
We visited Red Rock Canyon in July 2020. The drive along Red Rock Canyon was beautiful and scenic. We were disappointed that we didn't see any wildlife as others had mentioned, but the landscape is amazing and shows the devastation left by the fire. The wild flower ground cover is impressive, as it grows up where the trees were once super thick. There are two parking lots at the canyon, both of which fill up quickly by mid-day. There are also washrooms on site. We arrived at 9:30 on a Thursday, well before the crowds, and had the place almost to ourselves. I've seen pictures of the canyon crowded with hundreds of people, which is the way it was by the time we left a few hours later. Definitely go early for a more serene experience. One of the bridges was out, so it wasn't possible to do a complete loop around the canyon. The park is undergoing lots of repairs and upgrades since the fire. It's great to see the area coming back since the fire, so this is all part of the process. It's a super easy hike around the canyon, and we were able to safely venture down into it and explore. The kids liked playing the cold water. Some people sat and had a lunch. From the canyon, there are a number of hiking paths and horse trails of varying difficulty levels. We chose to hike up to Blackiston Falls (about 1 km), and while we turned around here, there is a much longer hike that continues past this point. The path is clear all the way and the scenery absolutely beautiful. At the falls, they have built two look-off platforms. It is an easy hike for all ages. I highly recommend going early in the day, or perhaps even later in the evening. By the time we left, people were circling the parking lot looking for spaces, the canyon was full of visitors, and the place just didn't feel as nice. Overall, a great experience. A beautiful spot!
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