As visitors to the area, we respectfully recognize that Waterton Lakes National Park is in Treaty 7 territory and has long been a place of significance for the region's Indigenous peoples.
Waterton Lakes National Park is located in Southern Alberta and straddles the border between Canada and the United States.
We chose to explore Waterton Lakes National Park as one of three stops on our trip through Southern Alberta, and we chose this park specifically for its expansive views & diverse wildlife.
With only two full days to explore, we made sure to do as much research as possible ahead of time and saved locations on google maps ahead of time in case we found ourselves without cell signal (which, of course, we did).
Although there are certainly campgrounds & accommodations available inside of Waterton Lakes (Prince of Wales Hotel being arguably the most famous) we chose to stay just outside of the park at Crooked Creek Campground with our CanaDream Maxi Travel Camper.
Knowing that we would probably spend a great deal of time filming video & shooting landscape photography (which can quickly turn 1 hour into 4) our game plan was to check out a few easily accessible viewpoints and shorter trails (less than 2 hours round-trip) so each recommendation listed below is easily accessible from a designated parking area.
Note: Short trails don’t necessarily mean that you should visit unprepared, so please plan to have proper footwear & a bear bell / bear spray with you no matter which trails you choose for your trip.
DRIFTWOOD BEACH
Located fairly close to the entry of Waterton Lakes National Park you will find the turn off and parking area for Driftwood Beach.
Although fairly windy with choppy waters (at least when we were there) Driftwood Beach is a great spot to sit & enjoy an afternoon picnic, partake in some water-sports (we spent a great deal of time watching the wind surfers) and enjoy picture perfect views of Prince of Wales Hotel perched on the opposite bank & overlooking the water.
Tip: Prince of Wales Hotel also offers an afternoon tea service from Tuesday - Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm for anyone interested in spending some time there & introducing some whimsy to your trip.
RED ROCK CANYON
Certainly one of the easiest locations to access (literally within view of the Red Rock Parking Area) this is a beautiful spot to visit & explore.
The road to Red Rock is an adventure all its own with winding roads & beautiful views of the Blakiston Valley. When you arrive to the parking lot you will find a trail map posted for your reference & can choose to follow a short path to view the canyon from above, or drop down to the canyon floor below where you can better view the multi-color layers of argillite that make up the canyon walls.
Tip: Visit Red Rock Canyon earlier in the day & on a weekday to best avoid crowds.
BLAKISTON FALLS
If you are visiting the Red Rock Canyon loop, Blakiston Falls is just a short & easy hike from that same parking area.
Follow the canyon’s edge over the river & enjoy a short walk through towering trees to the entry & viewing platforms for Blakiston Falls.
During the short 2 km hike to Blakiston Falls, we encountered hikers of all ages & fitness levels as well as families with young children, so this really did seem to be a hike suitable for nearly anyone.
We certainly enjoyed the views (especially from the furthest platform) but we also took the time to walk further past the falls to enjoy views of the river & quiet of nature beyond.
Tip: The viewing platforms at Blakiston Falls are fairly heavy duty … and for good reason. Although we did notice many visitors climbing over the railings for uninterrupted photos of the falls below, we highly advise against this behavior for your safety.
RED CHAIRS WATERTON LAKES
If you have traveled at all in Canada’s more popular parks, you have probably noticed at least one set of red chairs. Well (fun fact) Canada actually has more than 100 red Adirondack chairs set up across the country at many of the country’s national parks & historical sites.
Starting with just 18 chairs in 2014, it was said their purpose was to “Connect with nature in the country’s most unique and treasured places. Whether it’s a place to rest after a leisurely stroll or to cheer your successful completion of a strenuous hike”
Waterton Lakes National Park actually has five different sets of red chairs set up in scenic locations throughout the Park; one set being on the boardwalk in the town of Waterton.
To find all five locations, use the map & information found here.
Whether you prefer to spend your time walking through the town of Waterton and enjoying tea time at Prince of Wales Hotel, or hiking park trails to hidden waterfalls & river canyons, Waterton Lakes National Park has something spectacular for everyone. So while we absolutely recommend each of the locations listed above, we also acknowledge that there are many more sites to be seen & we hope that you will add to this list as you plan & explore in Waterton Lakes.
This trip through Southern Alberta was sponsored by CanaDream RV Sales & Rentals. If you are planning a road trip for 2021, be sure to check out CanaDream and the variety of vehicle options that they offer. We chose to travel in their Maxi Travel Truck Camper & it was the perfect combination of comfort & use of space.