COVID-19 and your visit to Waterton Lakes National Park
The health and safety of Canadians, visitors and Parks Canada team members is our top priority. We are only opening places and activities where risks can be managed, according to the advice of public health experts. For your safety, at all times, avoid all places, green spaces, day use areas and trails that are closed.
Please check the Parks Canada national information portal dedicated to COVID-19 for regular updates.
Update for June 1, 2020 - Gradual reopening of Parks Canada places
As of June 1, some Parks Canada places began a safe, gradual reopening of some outdoor areas at national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Openings will differ across the country.
This means:
- As of June 1, you may be able to access certain Parks Canada places near you.
- Access to some trails, day use areas, and green spaces at some locations will be permitted.
- Group activities and public events are suspended until further notice.
- Highways and roadways which pass through Parks Canada places will remain open.
We will continue to deliver services critical for Canadians, including highway maintenance, fire response, dam operations and water management on historic waterways, avalanche control, among others.
You are encouraged to purchase a Discovery Pass online before your visit as admission fees may be collected at the Parks Canada place you plan to visit.
Update for June 17, 2020 - Camping resumption
Starting June 22, 2020, Parks Canada will begin to offer some camping services at select national parks and national historic sites across the country. Initially, camping will be available only to visitors with existing reservations. Parks Canada will gradually begin to accept new online reservations for some campgrounds over the coming weeks.
As of June 1, Waterton Lakes National Park began a gradual reopening of some outdoor areas, facilities and services. Please check our website regularly for the current status of this location and others.
Important information about your visit to Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park is offering visitor access and basic services.
Information on what is open, what services, activities and facilities are available, what visitors can expect, and how to prepare for your visit is listed in the sections below.
Information will be updated regularly.
Visiting Waterton Lakes National Park will be different than it has been in the past. Your cooperation is required to ensure a safe experience for yourself and others.
For the health and safety of all visitors, Parks Canada may monitor traffic at peak periods. When traffic volumes affect the ability of the park to operate safely, Parks Canada may temporarily divert traffic.
What is open and what is closed in Waterton Lakes National Park
What’s open (updated July 1, 2020)
Parks Canada information
- Park Gate - entrance fees are in effect, staffed hours of service may vary
- Information kiosk - open daily 9 am to 5 pm, for enquiries by telephone and email and limited in-person services. Kiosk located on Fountain Avenue
- Telephone: 403-859-5133
- Email: pc.watertoninfo.pc@canada.ca
Roads
- Entrance Road
- Chief Mountain Highway as far as Belly River Bridge
- Chief Mountain Border crossing is closed until further notice
- Red Rock Parkway
- Bison Paddock Overlook to Bellevue / Horseshoe trailhead
Day use/picnic areas
- Cameron Falls, including washroom
- Cameron Bay, including washroom and picnic tables. Picnic shelters will remain closed
- Community Kitchen, picnic tables only. Picnic shelter and washroom will remain closed
- Lakeshore, picnic tables only. Picnic shelter and washroom will remain closed
- Emerald Bay, picnic tables only. Picnic shelter and washrooms will remain closed
- Driftwood Beach
- Lost Horse Creek
- Red Rock Canyon, including upper and lower parking lot washrooms
- Linnet Lake
- Maskinonge, picnic tables and washroom only. Picnic shelter will remain closed
- Pass Creek
The Firehall washroom in the Waterton townsite is open.
Hiking and trails
- Many trails in the park are open for day use only
- Bear’s Hump trail is now open
- Crypt Lake trail can be accessed via Wishbone trail or non-motorized watercraft
- 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
Map: Map of hiking trails
Water activities
- Upper, Middle and Lower Waterton Lakes are accessible for non-motorized water recreation
- National park fishing permits can be obtained by phoning or going to the Visitor Centre. Permits must be picked up in person
Commercial activities
- For information on commercial activities and services in Waterton Lakes National Park, contact the Waterton Chamber of Commerce
What’s closed (updated July 1, 2020)
Roads
- Akamina Parkway is closed to all traffic, including non-motorized use, for major reconstruction. An Area Closure is in effect. This closure is expected to continue into late 2020
- Motor vehicle traffic is restricted on Waterton Avenue from Mount View Road to Cameron Falls Drive until further notice to provide additional space for physical distancing in the Waterton Village
- Bison Paddock Loop Road
Day use/picnic areas
- Cameron Lake
- Little Prairie
- McNeely's
- Hay Barn
- Coppermine Creek
- Knight's Lake
Hiking and trails
- The Lakeshore trail is closed at the U.S. border
- The bridge at Lower Bertha Falls is not in service
The Akamina Parkway is closed for construction. All trails along this road are closed, including:
- Carthew-Alderson, closed between Carthew Summit and Cameron Lake
- Crandell Lake, trailhead on Akamina Parkway closed
- Akamina Lake
- Cameron Lakeshore
- Rowe Lakes
- Summit Lake
- Lineham
- Akamina Pass
Interpretive programs and special events
- In-person interpretation, group activities and events are suspended until further notice
Volunteering
- The volunteering program in Waterton Lakes National Park is suspended. Some individual activities may resume at a later date
Suspended visitor services
- Park Administration building on Mount View Road
- Parks Canada Operations Compound on the Entrance Road, including:
- The Operations Building
- The Warden’s Office
Camping during COVID-19
Waterton Lakes National Park is offering limited camping services.
- Loops B and H of the Townsite Campground are open for existing reservation holders
- Reservations for the remainder of the 2020 season for Townsite Campground (loops B and H only) will re-open on Wednesday July 8, 2020 at 8 am MDT
- Construction continues in loops A, C, D, E, F and G
- Reservations for backcountry (wilderness) camping are available by calling the visitor centre at 403-859-5133
- Belly River Campground will remain closed until further notice
- Crandell Mountain Campground remains closed due to damage sustained in the Kenow Wildfire and will remain so for 2020
Visit our camping page for more information on camping services available in Waterton Lakes National Park during COVID-19.
Frequently asked questions
What is Parks Canada doing to help limit the spread of COVID-19?
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Parks Canada will put appropriate measures in place to help Canadians stay safe, and visitors are expected to follow the recommendations of public health officials.
Parks Canada will be following the advice of public health authorities and implementing measures for cleaning, hygiene, and physical distancing at all places open for visitation. In Waterton Lakes National Park, this includes cleaning washrooms at least twice each day.
What should I bring to protect myself and help limit the spread of COVID-19 during my 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 hand-washing.
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.
Visitors should follow the advice of public health experts and to practice physical distancing and hygiene measures, limit public gatherings and respect travel restrictions and closures.
Will Parks Canada limit the number of visitors/vehicles in Waterton Lakes National Park this year?
Parks Canada’s goal is to provide the safest possible experience for visitors, wildlife and staff. When traffic volumes affect the ability of the park to operate safely, Parks Canada will temporarily divert traffic.
Visitors can follow us on social media or visit our website for live park information on busy weekends. Parks Canada encourages everyone to plan ahead and check these resources prior to their arrival to have the best possible experience.
What if a parking lot is full? What options do I have?
Visitors have a responsibility to maintain physical distance. If a parking lot is full, it is best to go elsewhere. There are over 500 parking stalls in the Waterton village, which is very walkable. Visitors can park anywhere in town and be a short walk away from attractions and services.
Do not overcrowd parking lots, park illegally along roadway shoulders or off-road.
Will Parks Canada limit access to busy trails in Waterton Lakes National Park?
Maintaining physical distance on trails is your responsibility. Some trails in the park, specifically Bertha Falls/Lake and Townsite loop can be crowded on busy days. Consider hiking earlier or later in the day to avoid crowds.