Waterton Lakes National Park Off The Beaten Path

Most park visitors never see the true wilderness that the Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park was created to preserve. To experience the raw beauty of the park I suggest at least a few summits. The Carthew summit is the one of the easiest I attempted that summer and would be a good starting point for a first summit experience. It is very difficult to get lost since you always have the view of the trail below you.
Take the trail beginning at Cameron Lake for about 4 miles. As you approach the pass between Alderson & Carthew peaks, you will se about a mile ahead the trail switchbacking up a large scree field. Before you begin the descent toward the scree field, leave the trail and climb up through the small trees to the ridge. Then procede westward toward the summit along the ridge. The drop off to the right is very large and affords impressive views. The ridgewalk is quite gradual. Once on the summit it is a short scree run down to the pass to rejoin the trail again. I recommend continuing toward Waterton rather than return to Cameron Lake. The little lakes along the trail are spectacular and it is all down hill. =)

This is an old-fashioned barn dance in a big red barn. It is a great family activity. The dinner and dance package comes with a carved roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, horse-drawn hay rides, dance lessons & of course the dance. This runs from May through September each year.

Prices are: Adults $19.50, Youth $16.00 and children under 9 are $6.50.

They also have some live performances, which include dinner, throughout the summer. And from what I understand there is also a special Cowboy Christmas live performance in December, which includes dinner as well.

There is an RV & tenting campground onsite, as well as a cabin for rent and a B&B.

They are located about 25 miles northeast of Waterton park - here's the exact directions:

>>>>>>>>From Waterton Park - 11 miles East on Hwy.#5, 13 miles North on Hwy. #800 then 1 mile East on Hwy. #505 and 1.5 miles North on Wynder (gravel) road.

Kimball River Sports near Cardston offers beginner and intermediate whitewater rafting, guided fishing tours and fun tubing. They also rent equipment.

They are located just south of Cardston, about a 45 minute drive from Waterton park. They are about the same distance from St Mary's, at Glacier National Park.

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In the early morning of April 29, 1903, the side of Turtle Mountain collapsed, partially burying the tiny town of Frank, as its inhabitants lay sleeping. About 70 people were killed. In about a minute and a half, the rockslide covered just over one square mile of ground about 500 feet deep.

The interpretive centre discusses the slide, how and why it happened, and also teaches an understanding of the coal-mining way of life. A trail outside allows you to walk around the slide area. From the observation deck outside, you can view Turtle Mountain and observe the part of the mountain that fell.

Frank is located in the historic Crowsnest Pass, about a 45 minute drive north and west of Waterton, on highway #3

Hours of Operation:

Open year-round
May 15 - September 14
9:00am - 6:00pm

September 15 - May 14
10:00am - 5:00pm

Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day & Easter Sunday.

Rates
Adults $6.50
Seniors $5.50
Family (2 adults accompanying youth) $15.00
Youth 7-17 $3.00
Under 7 Free

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The Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a testimony to a custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for thousands of years, prior to the white man's coming to this continent. It is a spot where aboriginals ran buffalo over a cliff to their deaths. The dead buffalo were carved up for food and hides after the kill.

This site has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, putting it in the same designation as Stonehenge and the Pyramids.

There is an interpretive centre here which explains the life of the native people and how they prepared for their annual buffalo kill. A short video demonstrates their rituals. After you have worked your way through the five levels of the interpretive centre, a trail outside leads to the site where the buffalo were run over the cliff. You can also tour the grounds below the cliff.

It is a great place to increase your awareness of aboriginal people and their way of life. A gift shop offers gifts and souvenirs of aboriginal design.

You should plan to spend two to four hours here. Just watch out for the cafeteria: their prices are outrageous! When we go there, we bring a lunch and eat at the picnic tables, in front of the building.

This museum is located in Cardston, Alberta, about a 30 minute drive east of Waterton. The museum houses the largest collection of horse-drawn carts in North America. They have over 250 carts on display. The facility features video displays, a fire hall, a carriage factory, a restoration shop, a working stable, carriage rides, carriage rentals, a restaurant and a gift shop.

There are hundreds of walking paths around Waterton, and they are all beautiful! You can find trails by following the maps located at all the day use area locations. Most of them give a difficulty level too.

If you pick up a Waterton tour book at any of the stores in town, it will show you where to go to start your hike.

There are some lovely beaches at Waterton, but none that have sand. (Its in the mountains people!). If you walk along the edge of the water, there is so much to see and take in. Considering how close you are to town, its so peaceful. You can lay on the beach all night and look at the stars and skip rocks!