Top Hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park to Add to Your Itinerary
If you’re headed up to Glacier National Park in Montana, you should consider visiting Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton Lakes National Park shares a border with Glacier National Park and offers some of the same wonderful vistas that Glacier does but without the crowds. Let’s take a look at the top hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park to help you prepare for your trip!
3 Top Hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park
If you’re anything like me, upon arrival you want to find a trail and get hiking! With about half of the park closed from previous fires, the hiking trails are slightly limited, but don’t let that discourage you. There are plenty of good ones open. Here are the top 3 hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park.
1. Lower Bertha Falls or Bertha Lake Trail
The hike to Lower Bertha Falls is 5.2 km (3.2 mile) round-trip with only 175 m (574 ft) elevation gain. It starts with a gradual uphill slope that takes you to an excellent viewpoint over the lakes. It then flattens out for the majority of the way to the cascading falls. For many, this is the end of the trail, but if you are feeling up to it, you can keep going to Bertha Lake.
Continuing to Bertha Lake will make the hike a total of 10.4 km (6.5 mile) round-trip with 460 m (1509 ft) elevation gain. From Lower Bertha Falls you start uphill, and continue up a number of switch backs until you pass Upper Bertha Falls and eventually arrive at Bertha Lake. You can walk around the whole lake or take a dip before heading back down.
2. Crypt Lake Trail
Crypt Lake is a 17.2 km (10.7 mile) hike with 675 m (2214 ft) elevation gain. This hike requires a boat shuttle from the marina to get to the starting point. Shuttles only run three times in the morning, so check with the Visitor Centre upon arrival. From the boat, you will start the hike.
This hike offer hills, waterfalls, natural tunnels, and a cliff traverse. In fact, it is referred to as an “adventure hike” due to some of the obstacles you will encounter along the way. Remember to make it back down in time to take the boat shuttle back to the marina. Once again, I suggest checking with the Visitor Centre to see what time the boats are running before selecting this hike.
3. Crandell Lake via Red Rock Parkway Trail
While there are generally two roads and paths to take to Crandell Lake, the wildfire changed that. Right now, the Red Rock Parkway road is closed to vehicles, but you are able to walk up the road to the starting point of the hike.
Walking up the road will add about an hour to the overall hike which is traditionally 4 km (2.4 mile) with a 125 m (410 ft) elevation gain. The hike itself has a steady uphill climb through montane forest which will bring you to Crandell Lake.
Know what to pack for a day hike: The Essential Hiking Packing List
5 Helpful Things to Know When Visiting Waterton Lakes National Park
- Waterton Lakes National Park sits on the Canadian side of the US/Canada border, so you will need to pass through immigration and customs to visit. Fortunately, it is very common for people to pass back and forth, and it is a pretty easy border crossing. Please note: You will need a passport to cross the border. I have heard of people crossing recently with just a license, but I would not suggest trying this.
- In September 2017, the Kenow Wildfire ravaged about half of the park. Today, many parts remain closed. You can check the latest updates online here.
- As mentioned before, Waterton Lakes is a Canadian National Park. Therefore, it is not covered under the US Interagency Annual Pass. It is however covered under the Discovery Pass from Parks Canada which can be purchased at the front gate for $67.70/adult. If you are continuing north into Banff and Jasper, the pass is likely the right choice. If not, there’s some good news, the entrance fees are currently cut in half to be $7.80 CAD for an adult as only half of the park is currently open.
- While it does share a border with Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park does not draw nearly the same crowds. You will have many of the hiking trails almost to yourself.
- Waterton Lakes has a small village in the middle of it. It includes a few restaurants, coffee shops, a campground, and a beautiful hotel.
Visiting Waterton Lakes National Park and the Surrounding Areas
Whatever you choose to do when visiting Waterton Lakes National Park, there is one thing for sure – you will love it! The views of the lakes and mountains are fantastic. And the top hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park rival many in the neighboring, and more famous, United States National Parks!
While I only had one day to spend there due to an unfortunate incident with my car tires which took up some of my precious hiking time…. I thoroughly enjoyed and advise anyone going to Glacier National Park to take a day or two to explore the top hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park. After all, you’re literally right there! There are even warning signs about accidentally hiking across the border. Happy travels!
Add Glacier National Park to Your Plans
Headed to Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park on the same trip? Now that you know about the top hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park, you should take a look at the top 5 hikes in Glacier National Park. Or, plan your road trip to this region all the way from Denver or Yellowstone National Park!
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