Talk to me about Waterton

[killer_carlson]

The wife and I are thinking about going to Waterton this summer. Neither of us have ever been but it looks beautiful. We also have our baby who we will be taking with us.

1) Where should we stay?

2) What should we do?

3) How long is the drive from Calgary?

4) Can we bring our dogs (pugs)?



The wife is looking at the AMA travel agency but I told her that CP would far outweigh anything she would learn there, plus we have some travel agents here on the site.

Let me know.

[Azure]

Its about a half hour from here....and I'm two hours from Calgary, so I'd say about 3 to 3-1/2 hours from Calgary to Waterton.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Azure

Its about a half hour from here....and I'm two hours from Calgary, so I'd say about 3 to 3-1/2 hours from Calgary to Waterton.

2+1/2=3 or 3 1/2


263 km – about 3 hours 1 min, according to Google maps

[GreatWhiteEbola]

dp

[gildo]

Same sort of deal as Banff but smaller, lots of nice scenery, good hiking spots, camping, there is a swimming pool your kid would love. To tell you the truth the last couple of times we've gone with the kids we've avoided the camping and just checked into a hotel....great place to go, worth checking out it's kind of a hidden treasure.

[sclitheroe]

If you aren't camping, I recommend Crandell Mountain Lodge. If you book early, you can get a room that will accommodate you and the kiddies just fine.

[MelBridgeman]

windy as hell

[killer_carlson]

thanks guys.

the baby is literally just a baby (5 months) and will be under a year when we go. Lets not kid ourselves - she wouldn't know a deer from a turnip at this point in time. It's more of her getting more time with her mom and dad that she will enjoy.

My wife is not a camper so we'll be looking at hotels or lodges. Crandell eh? We'll look it out.

Anyone know of any good hikes in particular stroller friendly hikes?

[Ro]

I've only ever backpacked there, but it looks like this book, if you could track a copy down, would be a cheap way to discover some easier, family-friendly hikes.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Hikes-Gla.../dp/156044651X

[Jagger]

We've been to Waterton many times and it is a nice place to visit. It's much quieter than Banff and that's a good thing imo.

We always camp so cannot give you any recommendations regarding accomodation.

As for walks you could check out the lakeside walk at Cameron Lake. We did the walk with our three kids, at the time, last year. It's a beautiful lake nestled between the mountain peaks. It's a fairly easy stroll and you could easily backpack the baby through there. The stroller could get you a little way but not too far. Buy a baby backpack or sling the baby. It's definitely worth it.

After thinking about it there are very little accessible stroller walks in the area IIRC. I believe that there might be a small walk quite close to the Prince of Wales hotel. Speaking of which go inside the hotel for an amazing view of the lake.

Not sure if you have time but if you do take a quick trip down to the states and visit Glacier National Park. The drive on the "Going to the Sun" highway is quite incredible. The scenery is outstanding. There are hotels at the entrance to the park too. It's well worth a visit.

If I think of anything else I'll post again.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

thanks guys.

the baby is literally just a baby (5 months) and will be under a year when we go. Lets not kid ourselves - she wouldn't know a deer from a turnip at this point in time. It's more of her getting more time with her mom and dad that she will enjoy.

My wife is not a camper so we'll be looking at hotels or lodges. Crandell eh? We'll look it out.

Anyone know of any good hikes in particular stroller friendly hikes?

Go to Red Rock Canyon. From there you'll find a hike to Blackiston Falls. I believe you can take a stroller on that hike.

You can go to Cameron Lake. There is a short trail around the lake that, again, I think you may be able to take a stroller. It doesn't go right around the lake as it stops right at prime Grizzly Bear country. Don't worry, there will be signs up to warn you if a bear was recently spotted in the area.

You'll find tonnes of deer in the townsight. Right on main street even.

Don't forget to get the ice cream there. Its ice cream that you can get at any ol' ice cream shop, but its just seems so much better.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Buff

Go to Red Rock Canyon. From there you'll find a hike to Blackiston Falls. I believe you can take a stroller on that hike.

Good call. That's a nice little hike.

edit: My wife's not sure about a stroller there though. She recommended a baby sling/carrier too! (With 4 kids now we have had a lot of experience with carting little ones around)

[To_be_Quite_Honest]

the town is empty most of the winter through spring... it is so windy people board up their cabins while they are out of town as huge rocks end up whipping right through town.

i guess this time of the year (march/april) is unique as lots of the animals are in town wandering around looking to mate. can be dangerous but it is cool to see rams and elk and whatever strolling in a small residental setting.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Buff

Go to Red Rock Canyon. From there you'll find a hike to Blackiston Falls. I believe you can take a stroller on that hike.

+1

My 70 year old grandparents can do that hikem and I don't think any trip to Waterton would be complete without it

[Flames89]

Funny - I read the title as "Walkerton". Was really mystified why someone would want to go to Walkerton on their vacation ... from Alberta to boot!

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by To_be_Quite_Honest

the town is empty most of the winter through spring... it is so windy people board up their cabins while they are out of town as huge rocks end up whipping right through town.

i guess this time of the year (march/april) is unique as lots of the animals are in town wandering around looking to mate. can be dangerous but it is cool to see rams and elk and whatever strolling in a small residental setting.

We've had a family cabin there for three generations and I have never seen large rocks blowing through town. The reason people board up their cabins is because the snow drifts in the winter go right up to the roof. If they collapse it would end up shattering your windows. Also because they don't plan on going to their cabin for six months and put it on lock down for the winter.

A few suggestions:

-Definitely check out Red Rock Canyon. Even the drive up there is cool and there is a mini-hike around that is a pretty easy go. But as one poster mentioned the backpack or front carry pack for your kid would make things way easier.

-Walk around town. You can literally spend hours just walking around town on paved paths. If you start at the docks which have an outdoor history museum on the East side you can head east from there along the shore all the way through the camp ground and to Cameron creek. Follow the creek toward Cameron Falls. About half way to the falls on the East side of the creek is a small theatre the plays nature flicks (they have the times posted outside usually). Once you get to the falls there is a hike on either side. Right one just goes to the top of the falls (great view). Left one is a bit longer and takes you up the falls and beyond. Also check out the pool, not as cool as the outdoor one they used to have but it's still fun.

-Main Street. Lots of little shops, ice cream parlours and candy stores.

-Prince of Whales Hotel. Make sure to take a drive up there and check out the hotel. If you go to the backside the view of the town, mountains and Waterton lake is incredible. Take a camera for sure.

-The International. It's the touristy boat that takes you on a tour of the lake and down into the United States area of the lake. Fun to check out if you have never been.

-Bison Paddock. This one is just out of the park and we usually check it out as we're heading back to Calgary. You can't really miss it, as you are leaving and heading back towards Pincher Creek you go out of the park gates and turn left at the T-intersection. A few minutes up the road you should see signs indicating where it is. It's just a big fenced field with rolling hills and a crap load of Buffaloes. You don't have to get out of your car you just enter and follow the paved road around. My daughter loves it.

[ZDogg]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

snip/
-Prince of Wales Hotel. Make sure to take a drive up there and check out the hotel. If you go to the backside the view of the town, mountains and Waterton lake is incredible. Take a camera for sure.

That place remindes me of the Overlook Hotel on "The Shining"... especially when I went there a couple months ago and it was closed for the winter. Pretty sure I saw Jack Nicholson in there.... REDRUM!!

[Ranchlander]

Was there last year. Did the Crypt Lake hike (fairly difficult) but amazing scenery. You take the boat across the lake and then hike from the beach up.

If camping is your thing I would recommend the little campsite just outside of town instead of the main provincial camp area (busy and little shade/cover). Can't remember the name of it. Might be Waterton Springs..

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Ranchlander

Was there last year. Did the Crypt Lake hike (fairly difficult) but amazing scenery. You take the boat across the lake and then hike from the beach up.

If camping is your thing I would recommend the little campsite just outside of town instead of the main provincial camp area (busy and little shade/cover). Can't remember the name of it. Might be Waterton Springs..

That's an amazing hike. The water in Crypt lake is so clean you can almost see the bottom of the middle of the lake from the shore. Bring a bear bell or some noise maker though, lots of bears.

[jolinar of malkshor]

If you are there for the weekend maybe plan on driving the going to the sun road. Depending on what time of year you go will depend on if it is open or not.

You can drive up to Cameron lake and rent a canoe for the day if you wish. Other than that, not sure what else to do when you have a 5 month old baby.