Getting here: Driving to Waterton Lakes

A road trip is the best way to get to Waterton Lakes National Park. All major roads in the park are paved, and all highways leading here are as well. Once you’re here, there are plenty of other scenic drives to explore.

Plan your drive

• Weekends in summertime are exceptionally busy in Waterton Lakes National Park. Consider planning your visit here in the shoulder season or on a weekday.
• Check road conditions before you travel. Visit 511 Alberta and Drive BC.
• During the summer, gasoline is available in the Waterton townsite. The gas station does not carry diesel fuel.
• The closest fuel stations outside the park are in Pincher Creek and Mountain View, and are open year-round.
• Five EV charging stations are available in the townsite year-round. Four are in the marina parking lot, and the other can be found nearby in the public parking lot across Mount View Road.
• There are several car rental agencies in Calgary and Lethbridge.

Driving distances to the Waterton townsite

• Lethbridge: 132 km (82 mi)
• Calgary: 271 km (168 mi)
• Banff: 371 km (231 mi)
• Edmonton: 562 km (349 mi)

Stop along the way at Bar U Ranch! If you’re travelling south from Edmonton or Calgary, stop and spend a few hours at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Explore the history of cattle ranching in southern Alberta.

International ports of entry

Chief Mountain: 30 km (19 mi) from Waterton Village via the Chief Mountain Highway. Seasonal. Open May 15 to September 30, weather dependent

Carway/Peigan: Highway 2, south of Cardston, Alberta. Open year round

Roosville: Highway 93, south of Fernie, B.C. 24-hour, open year round

By air

The nearest airport is in Lethbridge, but offers only domestic flights via Calgary International Airport.

Calgary and Edmonton have international airports that are serviced by major national and international carriers.

Nearest U.S.A. airports: Glacier Park near Kalispell (195 km, 121 mi) and Great Falls (323 km, 201 mi), Montana.