Best time to visit

Waterton Lakes National Park gets busy in summer.

During the peak summer season - especially in July and August - Parks Canada encourages visitors to plan ahead, be patient and consider visiting on weekdays.

Here are some things you can do to make the most of your visit. We look forward to seeing you!

When is Waterton Lakes National Park busiest?

The park is busiest on weekends in July and August (peak hours are between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.), and especially long weekends.

If you choose to visit the park during peak hours, be prepared for wait times at the park gate, traffic delays, limited parking, busy trails and limited or no campsite availability.

What are the best days and times to visit?

Travel during the week to avoid the weekend rush. If you are planning a weekend trip, enjoy popular areas early in the day or in the evening.

Consider visiting the park in the shoulder seasons. Spring and fall are great times to experience Waterton Lakes National Park.

Traffic conditions

Make sure you keep informed!

Check current traffic conditions before you leave home or when you are on your way, using your mobile device. Consult the Alberta 511 road report and our Park gate and day use area parking page.

On weekends during the peak summer months, follow Waterton Lakes National Park on social media for updates.

Consult our list of current construction projects for potential impacts to your trip.

Park entrances and parking

In July and August, the park gate is busy and parking lots in the village, Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Lake, Crandell Lake and Bear’s Hump can fill up by 11 a.m.

If there is no parking at your chosen destination, consider visiting Waterton village and then go to your destination at a later time.

There are over 600 parking stalls in the village. Visitors can park anywhere in town and be a short walk away from attractions and services.

Please be patient. Safety is our top priority so be sure to follow all instructions when entering the park.

When a parking lot is full, please remember:

• No parking outside designated parking stalls
• No parking illegally along roadway shoulders or off road
• Do not wait for spots to open - move on and try again later
• Leave enough room for RVs and buses to manoeuvre
• Parking for oversized vehicles (RVs, trailers) is limited
• Do not overcrowd parking lots. Consider visiting another area of the park
• Follow instructions from Parks Canada and traffic control staff

On the roads

• Red Rock Parkway is closed for the season. Seasonal closure to motor vehicle use October 31 to May 1 (weather dependent)
• Akamina Parkway is open to vehicles to Little Prairie day use area.
• The Bison Paddock Loop Road is closed for the season. Seasonal closure October 31 to May 1 (weather dependent)
• Chief Mountain Highway is open, but is not maintained from January until springtime.
• Chief Mountain border crossing: Seasonal. Open May 15 to September 30, weather dependent. Border crossing location hours of operation may vary, please check Canadian Border Services and U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites for current opening/closing times.
• When driving, please obey all posted speed limits, signage and closures
• Note: In the winter months, the closest fuel stations are located in Pincher Creek and Mountain View.

On the trails

• The Bear's Hump trail and parking lot are crowded at peak periods.
• Bertha Falls/Lake, Crandell Lake, Blakiston Falls and Townsite Loop trails can also be crowded.
• With over 200 km of trails in Waterton Lakes National Park, consider taking a less popular trail to get away from the crowds.
• Consider hiking earlier or later in the day for a more tranquil experience.

On the water

• All non-motorized watercraft from outside of the park are prohibited from entering water bodies in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Pre-arrival checklist

• Reserve a place to stay. From late June through mid-September, most reservable campsites are booked well in advance. See our camping section for detailed information.
• Crandell Mountain Campground is closed.
• Camping is available nearby at Castle Provincial Park and Beauvais Lake Provincial Park (Alberta Parks).
• We recommend booking your hotel or B&B well in advance. There are also private campgrounds and other accommodation just outside the park. If you plan to stay overnight during a long weekend and don't have a reservation, you are likely to be disappointed.
• Check the weather forecast, current trail conditions, warnings and closures or visit a Parks Canada visitor centre (make a note of our visitor centre location and hours).
• Brush up on safety tips - natural hazards exist in national parks. Read our tips for drivers, hikers, campers and winter enthusiasts. Cell phone coverage is not reliable.

More tips to help you enjoy your visit to Waterton Lakes National Park

• Our Things to do section can help you plan the best experience.
• See our lists of travel tips and ideas for making the most of your visit in each season.
• Visit a quieter destination - many people find that quieter places in the park make the best memories.

Alternative attractions

If visitor levels are too high, consider visiting another attraction nearby, such as:

• Alberta Parks
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
• Find more suggestions on the Alberta SouthWest website

Trip-planning tools

Master your trip planning with these Parks Canada tools, including: Parks Canada website, Parks Canada newsletter, Parks Canada app, Parks Canada brochure, Regional Vacation Planners (Western Canada), social media.

Maps

Map: Map of Waterton Lakes National Park
Map: Map of Waterton village
Map: Map of Waterton region