WATERTON
LAKES NATIONAL PARK
This
region, where the rolling prairie meets the mountains, is
a one of a kind Canadian National Parks system. This partnership
generates a great variety of flowers, plants and animals,
that all intertwine with the lakes, streams, waterfalls
and glacial formations.
The
Park, has some of the oldest exposed bedrock in the Canadian
Rockies and the more than 200 archaeological sites prove
aboriginal peoples history dates back some 11,000 years.
In
1895, 525 square kilometers (203 square miles) were set
aside to form Waterton Lakes National Park, protecting the
land formations, the wildlife, history and archeology in
this region.
In
1932, Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier
National Park, in the US, became the world's first International
Peace Park. UNESCO, in 1955 designated the Waterton/Glacier
Peace Park as a World Heritage Site.
In order to understand how people and the environment go
hand in hand and the development of this relationship, both
Parks have been designated Biosphere Reserves.
Visit
Waterton and get close to nature, go hiking, horseback riding,
scuba diving or boating and fishing.
LOCATION
Waterton Lakes National Park, is located in the southeast
corner of BC, bordering British Columbia and Alberta in
Canada and Montana in The US. From Cranbrook in B.C. take
Hwy. # 3, from Calgary, Alberta take Hwys #2 and # 3 and
from Pincher Creek, head south on Hwy.# 6.
PARK
FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES
- Camping
- Campgrounds include:
- 1.
Belly River Campground has 24 sites that are semi-serviced
with washrooms, sewage disposal and camp kitchen. No
showers and no reservations.
- 2.
Belly River Group Camp, with only 2 sites is semi-serviced.
Reservations are needed.
- 3.
Crandell Mountains has 129 semi-serviced sites. No reservations.
- 4.
Pass Creek Winter Camp has 8 semi-serviced sites.
- 5.
Waterton Townsite has 238 fully-serviced and semi-serviced
sites. No reservations.
- 6.
Great Canadian Family Resort, privately-owned offers
serviced RV sites and tent sites.
- Wilderness
Camping
- Waterton
has 13 wilderness campgrounds with dry toilets and surface
water supply. Some feature shelters and horse facilities.
An overnight wilderness pass is mandatory and can be
obtained from the Visitors Reception Centre
- Hiking
& Trails
- The
Park has 255 km (191 miles) of trails, ranging from
short walks to steep treks that will take several days
to hike. There are trails for hikers, horse riders and
cyclists. In winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
are popular activities in the park.
