Nature/Hiking

Waterton Lakes National Park

A Canadian national park with a walkable village at its heart, a visitor centre built for children to explore, and a plaza designed to shelter you from Waterton's wind.

Typical visit
Ages
Booking
Entry fees
Regular daily visitor fees apply to enter the park.
Youth
Youth get free admission, though other fees still apply.
Opening hours
The park is open year round.
Visitor centre
Waterton Lakes Visitor Centre is open daily 9 am-5 pm and closed December 25.
Winter
From November to April most facilities in the townsite are closed.
Toilets
Heated washrooms with running water are at Cameron Falls and inside the visitor centre.
Food
Waterton village has many places to eat, from casual spots to fine dining.
Avoid crowds
Busiest on July and August weekends from 10 am to 4 pm; arrive before 10 am, after 4 pm or on a weekday.
OUR FAMILY ASSESSMENT

Family Intelligence

Start at the Waterton Lakes Visitor Centre. Its grounds are accessible to all ages and abilities, the interactive exhibits cover the species and places that define the park, and children can explore a miniature Red Rock Canyon before visiting the real one. The plaza outside is designed as a shelter from the wind, and the park lists a playground among its facilities. The village itself is walkable, so once you have parked you can reach most things in minutes. The trade-off is the popular day use areas: at peak hours the lots at Cameron Lake, Red Rock Canyon, Bear’s Hump and Emerald Bay can be nearly full or at capacity. Red Rock Canyon is reachable while Red Rock Parkway is open, roughly early May to November, with exact dates not given. In winter, Akamina Parkway runs only to Little Prairie Day Use Area, and the last 3 km to Cameron Lake become a cross-country ski or snowshoe trip.

Family FAQ

How much does Waterton Lakes National Park cost?

Regular daily visitor fees apply to enter the park.

What are the opening hours of Waterton Lakes National Park?

The park is open year round.

Where are the toilets at Waterton Lakes National Park?

Heated washrooms with running water are at Cameron Falls and inside the visitor centre.

Why kids will love it

Children get a hands-on preview before the trails: interactive exhibits on the park’s wildlife and places, and a miniature Red Rock Canyon to explore before seeing the real thing.

Plan your visit

Also compare: Waterton Lakes National Park tickets on Tiqets (affiliate link)

EXPLORE

More things to do nearby

SLEEP

Family hotels nearby

PLAN

Guides that mention this

The Enchanted Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disneyland
Paris, California, Florida, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai side by side for families with small children1 day
Legoland Billund in Billund, Denmark
Billund, Günzburg, Windsor, Florida, California, New York, Malaysia, Japan and Dubai side by side1 day
San Diego Zoo in San Diego, United States
From San Diego to the Bronx and Vancouver: ten zoos and aquariums that plan for young childrenTop List

We use cookies to measure how the site is used and to track bookings made through our partners, such as GetYourGuide. Accept Cookie policy