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Waterton Lakes National Park Offers a Unique Experience You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
A couple enjoy a beautiful view of the Upper Waterton Lake from the Prince of Wales Hotel hill, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Waterton by sitting on a rock by a creek at a picnic area; drive through two scenic parkways — the Akamina and the Red Rock Canyon — during the daytime with a chance to encounter bears, especially along the Red Rock. Then, drive on the same two parkways — each approximately 15 kilometres long — deep in the night and gaze at the starry sky filled with millions of stars, satellites and other fascinating flying objects. See the Milky Way stretching out across the cosmos 100,000 light-years. Take a walk through Waterton town, first by visiting a very beautiful and educational visitors centre — outside and inside — then brace yourself for a two-hour-plus round trip through Upper Waterton Lake in the historic M.V. Internationalcruise boat. It takes you past the Canada-USA border crossing and then, at the end of the lake, disembark in the USA for a 30-minute walk around by the shores of the Lake — and yes, without a passport unless you want to hike into Grizzly Country in Glacier National Park past a tightly controlled Border Crossing with a vital warning sign! Remember, it’s crucial to obey the rules!
The historic Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
On the boat ride back, take in the breathtaking views of the mountains and their reflections in the water; pass a cliff where divers plunge into the water, and as the ship reaches the docking area, behold the majesty of the Prince of Wales! Keep your eyes peeled, you might just spot a bear, just as we did!
In the charming town, savour the delicious food, desserts, coffee, and Waterton memorabilia; learn about the history of this joint UNESCO Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park; wander through the sandy/rocky beach area along the Lake and watch swimmers, kayakers, and sunbathers enjoy the sunshine and calmness of the Lake.
Start your day with an early breakfast at the historic Prince of Wales. But first, step outside, and before sunrise, immerse yourself in the moment’s tranquillity as you watch an eagle gracefully soar above your head. Be enchanted by the iconic mountains. To the east, witness the vibrant orange sunrise twilight, with jet planes leaving long white streaks behind them, creating a picturesque scene.
Every national park in Canada is uniquely different. Enjoy the photographs of Waterton, which reflect this story. It is where the prairies and the Rockies converge, offering a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else!
Bears descend a steep cliff to swim across Pass Creek near the entrance of the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bears swim through Pass Creek, near the entrance of the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Wind Turbines approaching Pincher Creek en route to Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Prairies meeting the Rockies, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison herd in a paddock, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A bridge off the Red Rock Canyon Parkway leading to Crandell Lake trailhead; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful view of horseback riders on a trail by the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Picnic benches at the Lost Horse Day use area on the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of Red Rock Canyon at the end of Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Red Rock Canyon with the forest around it, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Blakiston Falls is an an easy 1-kilometre walk from the Red Rock Canyon, and has fantastic lookout points. Note the burnt-out trees from the Kenow wildfire in 2017, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Mountain scenery around Red Rock Canyon, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Mountain scenery in setting sun, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Prairies meeting the mountains, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Chipmunk at Cameron Lake on the Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The author finds a relaxing pullout area overlooking Cameron Creek on the Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Beautiful rocks in the crystal clear waters of Cameron Creek flowing by McNeely’s day-use picnic area on the Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Rocky Cliff on Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Visitors view the Rockies from the edge of the Prince of Wales Hotel hill overlooking the Upper Waterton Lake (see next picture), Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view from the Prince of Wales Hotel hill as a cruise boat departs Waterton for a tour along the Upper Waterton Lake to the Goat Haunt Ranger Station in Montana, USA, to see a snippet of Glacier National Park; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A two-hour-plus cruise on the Upper Waterton Lake, which the author took, offers stunning views of the Rockies in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, and Glacier National Park in Montana, USA; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Cruise boat on Upper Waterton Lake passes white posts marking the border separation between Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, and Glacier National Park in Montana, USA; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The historic M.V. International cruise boat docks in Goat Haunt in Montana, where passengers are allowed 30 minutes to wander around the area with stringent warning not to cross beyond a gate area without proper documentation; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Calm waters of Upper Waterton Lake reflect the Rockies in Glacier National Park during the cruise stop at Goat Haunt in Montana; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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During the return cruise boat ride to Waterton, visitors are shown the stunning cliff from which divers jump into the Lake from various heights; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Approaching Waterton, cruise boat passengers watch a bear and her two cubs walking down the Prince of Wales Hotel hill; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The beach at Upper Waterton Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A stunning view from the Prince of Wales Hotel of climbers at the top of Bear’s Hump, a short but steep 1-hour climb that starts adjacent to the Hotel. It offers majestic views of the village, the Waterton Valley and Mount Cleveland (the highest peak of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park); Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The iconic Vimy Peak (2,388m/7,835ft) viewed from the Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful view of canoeists in the calm waters of Upper Waterton Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Black bears emerge from a forest by the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Black bears graze by the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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After feeding, bears leave the feeding ground and walk across the Red Rock Canyon Parkway (see following photos); Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The first of two bears walks across the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The second bear crosses the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, as the first bear stands up to scan the area; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An eagle flies over Upper Waterton Lake, near the Prince of Wales Hotel hill; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Jets fly over the Rockies, leaving white smoke trails (contrails) behind them, as the sun rises above the mountains; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Prince of Wales Hotel from the Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Visitors take a risk as they step outside their cars to view and take close-up pictures of a black bear descending on a hill near Bellevue Prairie Trail on the Red Rock Canyon Parkway. A few moments earlier (photo not taken), while the bear had stopped his descent, two visitors started ascending the hill towards the bear before retreating in panic as the bear resumed his descent, The animal however avoided the bystanders by walking in a different direction; Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. The author’s letter about his concern appeared in the Calgary Herald, Wednesday, September 18, under the title Blame people not bears. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A stop at The Grumpy Goat in Twin Butte on Hwy 6 for an ice cream to cool down my excitement from a thrilling trip to Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada; September 3-6, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: September 19, 2024. Last updated: January 5, 2025 (formatting).
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Wonderful place. Beautiful photos. Excellent photography.