COVID-19 and your visit to Waterton Lakes National Park

Openings and services differ across the country. Please check the Parks Canada national information portal dedicated to COVID-19 for regular updates.

Important information about your visit to Waterton Lakes National Park

On December 8, 2020 new mandatory measures were implemented by the Government of Alberta to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Please review these changes before visiting the park.

As Canadians do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19, it has been important to have access to national parks and national historic sites where people can get fresh air and exercise while also following the guidance of public health experts. Parks Canada is working hard to ensure a safe, clean, healthy and enjoyable experience and is making every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Information on what is open in Waterton Lakes National Park, what services, activities and facilities are available, what visitors can expect, and how to prepare for a visit is listed in the sections below. This is an evolving situation and information will be updated regularly.

What’s open (updated March 26, 2021)
Park gate
  • Staffed hours of service may vary. Entrance fees are in effect
Parks Canada visitor centre
  • Our visitor centre is currently operating as an information kiosk
  • Open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm, for enquiries by telephone and email, and limited in-person services
  • Located on Fountain Avenue in Waterton townsite

Telephone: 403-859-5133
Email: pc.watertoninfo.pc@canada.ca

Public washroom facilities
  • In Waterton townsite, the Fire Hall and Cameron Falls washrooms are open and heated throughout the winter
  • Primitive toilets are available at Little Prairie Day Use Area and Cameron Lake. Visitors should bring their own toilet tissue and hand sanitizer as these facilities are maintained infrequently
Roads
  • Entrance Road
  • Red Rock Parkway is available for hiking, biking and winter recreation. The road is closed to vehicles for the season
  • Akamina Parkway is open to Little Prairie Day Use Area. Access beyond Little Prairie and to Cameron Lake is pedestrian only for the winter
  • Chief Mountain Highway will be plowed to the Waterton Valley Viewpoint until the end of December. Be aware that vehicles may be present on this highway, and that the gate at Belly River remains closed
  • Bison Paddock Overlook to Bellevue / Horseshoe trailhead. This road is not maintained during winter months, use at your own risk

Check 511 Alberta for the latest road conditions and closures.

Day use/picnic areas
  • Most day use areas in the park are open but not maintained during the winter season
Hiking and trails
  • Most trails in the park are open
  • For a list of trails and trail descriptions, visit our Hiking section
  • For current trail conditions, visit our Trail Conditions page
  • For closures unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our Important Bulletins page
  • Backcountry travel always comes with inherent risks. Backcountry travellers are responsible for their own decisions and safety

Map: Map of hiking trails

Winter activities
  • Akamina Parkway is now open to vehicles following reconstruction after the 2017 Kenow Wildfire, restoring access to winter activities like hiking, snowshoeing and skiing
  • Parks Canada will set cross-country skiing tracks between Little Prairie and Cameron Lake as conditions allow
Commercial activities
What’s closed (updated March 26, 2021)
Roads
  • Red Rock Parkway is closed to vehicles for the season. The road remains available for hiking, biking and winter recreation
  • Chief Mountain Highway will be plowed to the Waterton Valley Viewpoint until the end of December. Be aware vehicles may be present on this highway, and that the gate at Belly River remains closed
  • Bison Paddock Loop Road

Check 511 Alberta for the latest road conditions and closures.

Day use/picnic areas
  • Little Prairie (parking available, facilities closed)
  • McNeely's
  • Coppermine Creek
  • Knight's Lake
Hiking and trails
  • The Lakeshore and Boundary Creek trails are closed at the United States border
  • The bridge at Lower Bertha Falls is not in service
Fishing
  • All waters at Waterton Lakes National Park are closed for fishing from November 1, 2020 to May 15, 2021
Camping during COVID-19

Open campgrounds

  • Visitors can use Pass Creek Day Use Area for winter camping (November 1 to April 1)
  • A backcountry permit is required for winter camping in the backcountry in Waterton Lakes National Park. Call the visitor centre for more information: 403-859-5133
  • Reservations for the 2021 season will open in April.
Your safety when visiting

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Parks Canada is putting appropriate measures in place to help Canadians stay safe, and visitors are expected to follow the recommendations of public health officials.

  • All visitors must wear a non-medical mask or face covering when visiting indoor public spaces at Waterton Lakes National Park. An indoor public space is any space with walls and a roof that can be accessed by the members of the public, e.g. public washrooms and picnic shelters.
  • Please be aware that mandatory public health measures remain in place across the province of Alberta. See Covid-19 info for Albertans for more information on how this may impact your visit.
  • Bring your own hand sanitizer. A reusable mask is recommended for areas where physical distance cannot be maintained. Outdoor surfaces like picnic tables and hand railings are not being regularly cleaned. Practice good hygiene like regular handwashing.
  • Items like disposable gloves and disinfectant wipes can be helpful, but please ensure these are being disposed of properly. More than ever, Parks Canada requires your help to keep trails and facilities free of garbage.
  • Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
  • Stick to all travel advisories and area closures.

Stay informed

For more information about Parks Canada, visit: