Hiking Trails

Take a Hike You can’t come to the park without going on at least one hike! Favourite trails include the easy and rewarding Bertha Falls, the inspiring Crypt Lake Trail for thrill-seekers, the close to town Cameron Falls, and the favourite day hike Red Rock Canyon. These hikes are just the tip of the iceberg in the park, with so many more to keep even the most experienced hiker busy.

Rent a Kayak If you’re not into fishing, boating, or lounging on the beach, try a different water activity! Kayaks, paddleboards and canoe rentals are available right in town at Blakiston & Co. Being right in the water allows you to be fully immersed in the rugged and breathtaking landscapes of Waterton.

Visit the Red Chairs Parks Canada installed red Adirondack chairs across the whole country and they have quickly become a Canadian staple. Waterton has five of their very own chairs at Marina Point, Birder’s pull-out, Middle Lake boat launch, and 2 along the Lakeshore Trail. If you find a chair, snap a picture and use #sharethechair on your social media feeds.

Watch Some Wildlife From the trails to the sidewalks in town, wildlife is abundant in Waterton. Bighorn sheep, deer, and other small animals can be seen wandering close to town and among the trails, while elk and mule deer are more commonly seen in the grasslands. Rarer sights include black bears, cougars, bobcats, moose, or lynx! Please remember to maintain a respectful distance when viewing all wildlife.

Try a Parks Canada Activity Parks Canada offers free seasonal activities for all ages! These Activities include guided bird walks, campfire programs, after dark trail walks, photography lessons, discovery activities for children, and much more. Check out their website to see what they are offering when you’re in town! Visit pc.gc.ca

Remember to keep in mind that some areas of Waterton Lakes National Park remain closed due to the 2017 Kenow Wildfire, though the town remains unaffected. Always check to see what is open and available. Visit mywaterton.ca

You won’t find too many more towns in southern Alberta with a deeper connection to the beginning of white man settlement of The West and early ranching days than Pincher Creek.

Located about a 2.5 hr south of Calgary, the community sits on the open prairie just at the edge of foothills leading to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain range.

It was an area well used by clans of the Blackfoot, Peigan and Kootenai tribes long before white men “discovered” it in the late 1860s. It was named after an early member of the North West Mounted Police found a pair of rusty pinchers, a tool used for trimming horse’s feet, in the creek around 1874. It was believed that, prospectors years earlier, probably lost the tool.

The North West Mounted Police established a post and horse farm near a creek crossing in 1876. And when several of those constables completed their five years of service they essentially retired and remained in the area to try their hand at ranching. Thus, a settlement was started. Pincher Creek has somewhat of a bitter/sweet connection to the ranching industry. It was only because the vast herds of buffalo had virtually disappeared from the prairie landscape, that some of the early ranching interests - pushing north from the United States - ventured to bring cattle into Canada.

Finding good prairie grass and strong Chinook winds that kept the range open and free from snow, the area was regarded as good ranching country. By 1878 there were about 1,000 head of cattle in the Pincher Creek to the Fort Macleod area. The industry would continue to grow.

Today Pincher Creek is a vibrant community of about 3,600 people, with modern shopping facilities, hotels and restaurants. It’s a popular launch point for visitors heading further west for year-round recreation activities - including skiing at Castle Mountain ski resort in winter, along with camping, hiking and excellent fishing opportunities during the other three seasons.

By: Lee Hart

Learn more about services and recreational opportunities by visiting pinchercreek.ca