(Eight Fun Things To Do

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta, Amanda Dias @aminniedee

It’s breezy atop Prince of Wales hill, but the bighorn sheep don’t seem to mind. The herd grazes placidly as lambs chase and headbutt each other. Far below, the M.V. International sails across Upper Waterton Lake, stand-up paddleboarders ply the calmer waters of Emerald Bay, and deer roam the streets. It’s a typical summer afternoon in Waterton Lakes National Park, but the experiences to be enjoyed are far from ordinary. Check out these eight fun things to do in Waterton this year.

1. Waterton Shoreline Cruise & Crypt Lake Trail

From Crypt Landing, it is a moderately strenuous 8.6 km hike, with a 675 m of elevation gain to Crypt Lake. If time allows, make a side trip to Hell Roaring Falls. Full story on pg 18

For a more leisurely exploration of the area, take a sightseeing cruise on the historic M.V. International. Waterton Shoreline Cruise Company’s crew are as knowledgeable as they are engaging. They’ll give you the scoop on local history, geography, and where to view wildlife. Some tours include a short stop at Goat Haunt ranger station, Montana so you can get out and stretch your legs. Cruises are offered multiple times a day from early May through early October.

2. Canoe or Kayak on Lower Waterton Lake

Lower Waterton Lake, is known locally as Knight’s Lake. In honour of Herbert Knight who was Waterton’s park superintendent from 1932-1939. Smaller than Middle and Upper Waterton Lakes, Lower Waterton Lake is 2 km long and tends to have calmer water for paddling. Put in at Hay Barn Day Use Area – a fun wading spot – then paddle down the Waterton River to Lower Waterton Lake. Prevailing winds are from the southwest, so going north is easy. For a longer paddle (add 1 km one way), take a side trip to the Maskinonge, a reed-lined lake that is prime bird habitat.

A shallow stretch of river connects the lakes. If you set up a car shuttle, you can pull out at Maskinonge Day Use Area and avoid paddling upriver and into the wind on the return. Listen for the bugling calls of Sandhill Cranes as you picnic at the picnic shelter. (Mandatory clean drain dry) Rent your kayak from either Pat’s Waterton or Blakiston & Co.

3. Hike Bears Hump Trail

Distance: 2.8 km/1.8 miles, Elevation: 225 m/738 feet Rating: Moderate, Timing: 1 hour

It’s a local favourite and visitors love it, too. Delivers Waterton’s most famous view from an outcropping on Crandell Mountain. It’s known as “Bear Mountain” by the Blackfoot Indigenous peoples, because it looks like the outline of a grizzly bear. The trail starts at the parking area across from the Prince of Wales Hotel. The path is a short, steep climb up a rocky trail. Benches are provided if you need a break. Near the top is a final set of steps that lead up to the flat “hump”. This vantage point delivers amazing vistas of the mountain peaks, the townsite, and prairie views. Enjoy the landscape that makes Waterton unique.

Photo Courtesy of Robin Laurenson

4. Biking Around Waterton

Explore Waterton at your own pace - by bike! Pat’s of Waterton and Blakiston & Co. are your places to rent a mountain bike, Surrey bike (like a pedal-powered golf cart), or an e-bike. The single-speed Surrey bike is perfect for touring the townsite as a family, while an e-bike will get you miles out of town without

much effort. (Continued on pg 16)

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(Continued from pg 15) Take the paved Kootenai Brown Trail to Red Rock Parkway, through to Coppermine Creek Day Use Area - 12 km one way. The winding and rolling road is super scenic and fun to ride. Wishbone Trail is a popular mountain bike trail on the east side of Waterton.

5. Go Horseback Riding with Alpine Stables

If you’d like a taste of what life was like when Waterton was first settled, go on a trail ride! Alpine Stables offers hour-long to full-day trail rides for new and experienced riders aged 5 and up. The Barrus and Watson families have lots to share: their local knowledge and their great love of this land “where the mountains meet the prairies.”

6. Relax, Rejuvenate, & Revitalize at Waterton’s Premier Day Spa

Spoil yourself and visit the Serenity Spa. Their treatments are designed to restore energy, promote well-being and enhance your time here. Whether you have come to to play hard, hike our Rocky Mountain trails, stroll around the village or take in a tour, when you come to Serenity Spa, we shift your focus – relax, revitalize and reconnect with yourself.

7. Discover the Night Sky with a Dark Sky Tour

Waterton is an amazing place for spectacular stargazing and astrophotography thanks to its Dark Sky status. Not sure where to go or what to look for? Why not attend a Parks Canada theater program? Or sign up for a guided interpretive stargazing tour with Dark Sky Guides. Your friendly, local guides will bring the telescopes and cocoa.

8. Golf

Waterton Lakes Golf Course is a beautiful and challenging Stanley Thompson-inspired course. In addition to panoramic mountain views and great wildlife viewing opportunities, the course offers club and cart rentals, a pro shop, practice green, and licensed clubhouse. This is perhaps one of Waterton’s best kept secrets (affordable lunch spot with great patio).

Bonus, put that wind to good use and fly a kite! Hay Barn Day Use Area has wide, open spaces to run about. Whether you come for the weekend or a week, Waterton’s scenery and friendly locals – of the human and furry variety – will have you yearning to come back soon.

By: Karen Ung