Waterton National Park

[Kswiss]

So I have decided....because of all of those commercials I want to travel within Alberta this Summer....


Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on where the best place to stay is...that is hotel....(good price and good location) and also cool things to do around there......


Thanks....

[WilsonFourTwo]

Can't help you on hotels, sorry. There is a lot of great camping, if you change your mind.

While in Waterton, don't forget to climb Bear's Hump. Overlooking the township from way up high is actually worth it. Pleasantly surprising.

[Rjcsjc62]

Smile! You're a tourist attraction.

[Slava]

The only hotel I know is the Kilmorey Lodge....assuming it's still open?

Great choice to go to Waterton though. It's beautiful there and you'll not regret it!

[VladtheImpaler]

I wouldn't spend too much on hotels - there is not much going on in the town, so you just want a reasonable place to sleep. You go down there for the hiking, and the scenery, which are both great. Remember to bring warm clothing and don't forget about the bears.

[Wormius]

Crypt Lake! Just get to ferry early so you have lots of time to enjoy it.

[Rhettzky]

Second Crypt Lake, it's a truly rewarding hike. Remember to make lots of noise during any hike in the park though, lots of bears roaming around. Check the information/ranger station right before you hit the town for warnings and trail maps.

Also, in the park is red rock canyon. If you are there on a hot day then I highly recommend checking this out. Once you get there just go down into the creek bed and hike up the creek, some amazing natural water slides carved out of the red rock to cool off in and a very scenic hike.

Emerald bay has a nice path that you can stroll around and it ends at the docks where the "International" boat picks up and drops off. Just past that is a neat little outdoor muesuem that has some park history.

Cameron falls is a must see and there is a trail that takes you up the side of the falls, a short one to the right lets you see the top of the falls and a longer trail to the left let's you get way in behind them.

When you leave check out the Bison paddock. It's just outside the gates to the north west a bit. You can drive right in and check out the herd from your car.

[Derek Sutton]

The Kilmory lodge burned down a couple of years ago and hasn't been rebuilt yet.

The Crandell Mountain Lodge and the Bayshore Inn are the best options, neither is that great and both are overpriced IMO but that's Waterton. Also don't be to disappointed in the restaurants,you are not in Banff, it's a small town with small town amenities, that's why I like it. The hiking is fantastic and there's wildlife everywhere.

There's numerous short hikes (Froum Falls, Wall Lake, Forum Lake, Crandell Lake, Bertha Falls) my favourite afternoon hike is Upper Bertha Lake. If you've got all day either Crypt Lake or Alderson Carthew trail (you need two cars for this one though).

You could also check out hotels in Pincher Creek (Ramada, Super 8, Heritage Inn) and if you golf, try to get a round in at Cardston.

[Jimmy Stang]

One place to skip is the Prince of Wales hotel. Despite its iconic location and interesting architecture, unless things have changed in the past few years, the place is tired, worn down, and generally a disappointment.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Slava

The only hotel I know is the Kilmorey Lodge....assuming it's still open?

Great choice to go to Waterton though. It's beautiful there and you'll not regret it!

The Kilmorey burned to the ground about 2 years ago. There is still the Waterton Glacier Suites, the Bayshore Inn, the Waterton Lakes Lodge, the Aspen Village, and the Bear Mountain Motel right in town. If you're looking for something a little more rustic, the Crandell Mountain Lodge is right across the street from where the Kilmorey used to be, and the Prince of Wales Hotel is on the hill across the bay. It's kind of the Banff Springs Hotel equivalent - old, small rooms, and expensive, but a really neat building and probably worth the experience for one or two nights. It's haunted too.

Waterton is an amazing place. As others have said, the Crypt Lake hike is a must-do. I think it was voted one of the top ten hikes in Canada a few years back. Check out Red Rock Canyon as well. If you're into fishing, there's lots of it. Cameron Lake, Wall Lake, and Goat Lake are all awesome. If you're a mountain biker your options are limited but there are some good trails. Akamina Pass, Snowshoe trail, Wishbone, and Crandell Lake are the only trails currently open to bikes. None of them are super difficult, and all but Wishbone are heavily used so watch out for hikers when you're blasting back down.

Waterton used to be huge with the windsurfing crowd. You see less of them now but the lake is awesome. If you have a boat there's plenty of room for waterskiing or wakeboarding, but wear a wetsuit - it's freaking freezing.

[JiriHrdina]

I love Waterton - it is far less developed which makes it way better than Banff IMHO.

When we go down we stay at the Crandell Mountain Lodge. It is over priced but everything in Waterton is. But its charming and the staff is very nice. They quite often have deals you can take advantage of as well.

Have fun - Waterton is such a great place.

[Kswiss]

Wow Great Stuff! This is all gold...so thanks!

Yeah I want to do a lot more stuff in Alberta this summer so Waterton would be an awesome start it seems....

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

One place to skip is the Prince of Wales hotel. Despite its iconic location and interesting architecture, unless things have changed in the past few years, the place is tired, worn down, and generally a disappointment.

Renovated in 2006 according to Wikipedia. No details on how extensive the renovations were.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

Renovated in 2006 according to Wikipedia. No details on how extensive the renovations were.

Still a dump at least in terms of the rooms. It's cool to go visit or maybe have a meal at - but awful to stay at.

[D to the iddy]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Also, in the park is red rock canyon. If you are there on a hot day then I highly recommend checking this out. Once you get there just go down into the creek bed and hike up the creek, some amazing natural water slides carved out of the red rock to cool off in and a very scenic hike.

I got lucky a couple of years ago (+26 day in September, creek was low) and was able to wander up the creek. Probably one of the coolest hiking experiences I've ever had. It was just so interesting hiking up a dry creek bed and seeing how the water carved the canyon over the years. I made it as far as I could go without having to rope up for safety. I keep trying to find another day to get up there but haven't found one yet.

As far as Waterton goes, I love it. Tons of hikes and great scenery. Crypt Lake is on the list for this year. Unfortunately with the late Spring/Summer, there's still snow everywhere down there. Hopefully it stays warm late into the year so hiking season can extend into October.

[Rathji]

Crypt lake is what I am doing next Saturday (one ferry in and one ferry out unless it is July/Aug). Redrock Canyon and Blackiston Falls are pretty good and short hikes.

Last time I was there, I camped up towards horseshoe. Had a couple of non-hikers and we took it easy, but is a one day hike if you want it to be.

[GGG]

If you are okay with a short scrambly portion the best hike in Waterton is the Forum and Wall lake hikes connected by Akamina Ridge. You hike out to Forum lake then climb up the saddle and scramble up onto the Ridgeline from there you hike along the relatively wide (for a ridgelne) and hike down near Wall lake. The only difficult part is a short maybe 15-20 foot steep section which while not a true scramble you do need to use your hands for support. I wouldn't say it is exposed but you would hurt yourself if you fell. It is non-committing though so if you decide it is too steep or exposed for your liking you can turn around and any point and the hike would still be worthwhile just not the best.

[Buff]

If you like campfires when you camp, don't camp at the town site. No fires down there. My wife and I used to camp at Crandell campground, which is on the way to Red Rock Canyon. Bears regularily wander through the campground so you have to keep things neat, tidy and packed away. One morning I woke up, got out of the tent and just down a trail was a park ranger and some guy talking. They were obviously watching something so I went to check it out. As I approached I overheard the ranger saying that the bear was wandering straight up this pathway and pointed at the path that went straight to my tent. I'm glad the ranger was around to shoo the bear away.

There are many good hikes at Waterton. Bear's Hump is a short hike, but relatively steep. The view of the townsite and lake is well worth it.

I've always enjoyed going to Red Rock Canyon, there are a few trailheads at Red Rock Canyon, including a decent mountain biking trail.

Somebody mentioned a hike from Cameron Falls. It actually takes you up to a summit, and if you kept going down the other side, you would wind up at Cameron Lake. Speaking of which, Cameron Lake is another popular destination in Waterton. If you walk along the right side of the lake you'll get to a point where it warns you that you are entering into Grizzly Bear territory. I've never seen one up there, but I know people who have encountered bears there.

If you want to see wildlife go to Waterton. Seeing wildlife is a guarantee. You'll have been extremely unlucky and should never EVER buy a lottery ticket if you go to Waterton in the summer and don't see wildlife.

Every year on Canada Day we go to Waterton with my wife's family and have a picnic. We go to the same place (a nice creek just off the road), and see the same people at the other picnic locations. Then we go get ice cream...

... I can't believe nobody has mentioned the ice cream. I don't know of anybody who goes to Waterton and doesn't get ice cream (except for the lactose intolerant sissies ). You can't miss the place, it is the one with a lineup extending out the door (and sometimes down the street a bit). The place is called The Big Scoop.

[Regulator75]

Waterton is my favorite spot in Southern Alberta.

Here are a few pictures of mine that still don't do it justice.


Prince of Wales Hotel by Witty nickname, on Flickr


Waterton Lake by Witty nickname, on Flickr


Mount Crandell Panorama by Witty nickname, on Flickr


View from the top by Witty nickname, on Flickr


Towards the USA by Witty nickname, on Flickr


Along the Water by Witty nickname, on Flickr


The Approaching Storm by Witty nickname, on Flickr

[Jimmy Stang]

One thing that you may want to consider is a quick (as in a full-day trip) jaunt into Montana and drive the Going to the Sun road through Glacier National Park. That road has no business going where it does, and there are some truly spectacular views.

It may be a bit out of the way for you, but if you like driving, it is one of those great mountain roads. Slow, but awesome.