Waterton Lakes National Park

Park Interpretation

Interpretive Theatre Programs, Guided Hikes & Activities

How long are you staying in Waterton? A few hours? A whole day? How about overnight or a couple of days? Waterton's team of interpreters offer a variety of visitor programs during July and August. Theatre programs, guided hikes, roves and point duties - they are all free with your park entrance fee. Check the schedule below for days, times and locations of the programs.

What is Interpretation?
Tips From Our Team
Evening Theatre Programs
Guided Hikes
Activities

	Dee Take a short stroll around Red Rock Canyon or walk to Blakiston Falls. Have a picnic and don't forget your camera: gorgeous wildflowers and intriguing birds abound. Look for beargrass, the unofficial flower of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Watch the stream for American dippers and harlequin ducks. And, of course, enjoy the beautiful red and green rock that Waterton is famous for!
	Frances Check out the beaver ponds beside the Red Rock Canyon road. I've seen moose and deer there, but it also has a great beaver dam at one end, and it's a nice spot. I'm a big fan of little marshes, they are full of wild mint and other sweet-smelling plants. It's stunning there on a sunny summer evening, but also on a foggy October day, that's when I see the most moose there.
	Karen I'm a big fan of the prairie trail, along the front of the Bellevue hill. It is often overlooked by many hikers because it lacks a stunning conclusion, but for me, this trail is about the journey. Actually, it's about the flowers! Looking across the prairie from a vehicle, one often just sees a sea of uniform green. Stepping out of the car reveals the amazing diversity of flowers - of shapes and colours you couldn't even imagine - poking out between the bunches of fescue grasses. It's better than any cultivated garden I've ever seen, and I'm continually coming across species I haven't seen before. Check it out!
	Cate The look-out point over the Maskinonge is a beautiful place to watch a sunrise (or sunset) in the park. If it's a calm day, you may be lucky enough to catch the reflection of the mountains in the lake.
	Lauren Walk up to lower Bertha Falls and be refreshed by the mist of this ‘bridal veil’ waterfall. The trail has gorgeous views out across Upper Waterton Lake and a great array of plants along the way. Don’t forget to check out the lookout on your way up and marvel at the spires on Porcupine ridge down the valley in Montana! If you are looking for a longer hike, continue from the falls to Bertha Lake for a picnic. It’s been a favourite spot since I was 10!
	Matt Take a canoe and go for a paddle down the Dardanelles. This one-way stretch of the Waterton River, between Middle Waterton Lake and Knight's Lake, is a great place to see birds and wildlife. The current is relaxed to the point where it is not frightening and fast enough that paddling is a small effort. It is also lined with many small pools of water that are slightly warmer than our big lakes, allowing you to take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day. You can access this area at the Driftwood Beach parking lot, just before the Parks Canada compound.

Evening Theatre Programs

Join us at the Falls Theatre near Cameron Falls and the Townsite Campground, or the Crandell Theatre in the Crandell Campground, at 8pm (schedule below) and see a 45-minute program. The programs - for adults and kids alike - highlight some of the latest research and information about your favourite plants and animals. They will tickle your funny bone, touch your heart and fire your imagination.

Programs begin Tuesday June 28 and run until Sunday September 4 (unless otherwise noted).

Program Schedule:

Staying Safe in Bear Country, Falls Theatre, Tuesday 8pm.
Where the Wild Things Are, Falls Theatre, Thursday 8pm.
Things That (Don't) Go Bump in the Night, Falls Theatre, Saturday 8pm.
So, You Think You Know Your National Parks, Falls Theatre, Friday 8pm; Crandell Theatre, Sunday 8pm.
"Ai kii ta pi aa tsi kii wa" Native Storyteller Program, Crandell Theatre, Monday 8pm.

Guided Hikes

Through Ancient Eyes: Bison, Bunchgrass & Burning - Adults & Older Children

Difficulty: Easy.
Distance: 7km (4.3miles) return.
Where: Meet at 9am at the pullout on the north side of Red Rock Parkway below Mt. Bellevue.
When: 9am to 12pm, Wednesday & Friday.

What was it like to live in Waterton 10,000 years ago? Where did people camp and what did they do here? Explore these questions as you walk along the side of Mt. Bellevue, through the grasslands to the Bison Paddock. Bring extra layers of clothing, sturdy footwear, water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat. And don't forget a snack!

Summit Lake Hike - Adults & Older Children

Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 8km (5 miles) return.
Where: Meet at 10am at Cameron Lake.
When: (Begins Sunday July 10) 10am to 3pm, Thursday & Sunday.

Hike this moderately-strenuous trail up to Summit Lake in the sub-alpine. Come and see what Park staff and volunteers are doing to save the endangered Whitebark Pine tree. Moose are frequently seen on this trail that takes you through huge, shady old Engelmann spruce stands and past cool waterfalls with clusters of monkey flowers.

Rowe Lake Hike - Adults & Older Children

Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult.
Distance: 12.8km (8 miles) return.
Where: Meet at 9am at Rowe Trail head on Akamina Parkway.
When: (Begins Monday July 11) 9am to 4pm, Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Imagine yourself in the bottom of a rock bowl filled with wildflowers, with the sides towering 400m (1300ft.) above you. That is what awaits you in Rowe Meadow. This trail leads you through a cool conifer forest to an alpine meadow at the foot of a cirque. Take a break, admire the view, and then take the short but steep trail up to a beautiful, painted turquoise lake. Have lunch and explore the Whitebark Pine forest. Park staff and volunteers planted hundreds of Whitebark Pine saplings last fall in this area in an effort to conserve this endangered species. The views are incredible!

The International Peace Park Hike - Adults & Older Children

Difficulty: Moderate.
Distance: 13km (8 miles) one-way.
Where: Meet at 10am at Bertha Trail head in Waterton.
When: (Begins Wednesday June 29) 10am to 6.30pm, Wednesday & Saturday. 

Did you know that Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park formed the world's first International Peace Park? For over 30 years, visitors have hiked across the Canada / U.S. boundary on foot, accompanied by both a Glacier Park Ranger and a Waterton Park Interpreter.

The International Peace Park Hike
© Parks Canada

Hike along the shore of Upper Waterton Lake and hear stories of what the two parks share - an ecosystem with over 1,200 species of plants, over 60 species of wildlife, and the various ways we work together.

The hike ends in the United States at the Goat Haunt Ranger Station, where you can receive a special U.S. entry stamp in your passport before boarding a boat to return to the Waterton townsite.

Spaces are limited so please pre-register, either in person or by phoning the Waterton Visitor Centre (403-859-5133), or the St. Mary Information Center (406-732-7750).

Cost: The hike is free with your park entry fee, but there is a charge for the boat ride back. Please purchase your boat tickets in advance at Waterton Inter-National Shoreline Cruise Co. at the marina in Waterton.

Identification: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires Canadian and American citizens to carry a passport or passport card. All visitors from countries other than Canada or the United States need their passports and have to have been documented at another U.S. port of entry.

The IPP Hike Checklist (PDF, 146 Kb).

Activities

Geocache 101 - Family Friendly

Geocaching © Parks Canada

If you want to try geocaching, a Park interpreter will show you how to use the GPS unit. Sign out one of ours, or bring your own if you have one.

Once you feel comfortable with the GPS unit, there is a geocache located near you to find. Return to the interpreter for other geocaches, or help if you need it. They are there to explain this new, fun and adventurous outdoor activity. Meet the park interpreter and sign out your free GPS unit at the Waterton Heritage Centre.

When: 10am to 11.30am, Tuesday & Saturday.

S.O.S. Butterfly Distress! - Family Friendly / Children Aged 4-12

We need you! Kids, grab your research assistants (a.k.a. your parents) and help us protect one of only two homes in Canada of the endangered halfmoon-hairstreak butterfly. Threatened by the deadly plant knapweed, the butterflies are struggling to survive. Your research teams will explore this habitat to discover how we can help save the butterflies' home. Meet at the Marquis Hole Road just past the Alpine Stables. Look for a Park vehicle and interpreter.

Blackfoot Crafts & Stories
© Parks Canada

When: 2pm to 4pm, Tuesday & Saturday.

Blackfoot Crafts & Stories - Family Friendly

Join our Blackfoot interpreters. Listen to stories, hang out by the fire, and make a small craft to take home with you. Meet in the Crandell Theatre Tipi at Crandell Campground.

When: 10am to 12pm, Tuesday & Thursday.