Welcome to the Park of the Week Newsletter for October 26, 2023. This week we’re featuring one half of the world’s first International Peace Park.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Location
Alberta, Canada, North of Glacier National Park
Claim to fame
Waterton Lakes National Park sits along the US border, adjacent to Glacier National Park. In the early days of both parks, their rangers collaborated and became friends. The parks share the same ecosystem, mountain range, and waters. For decades, it was the dream of those on either side of the border to combine the parks into one.
In 1932 that dream became a reality, when the parks were joined to create Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The park’s designation conveys the peace and goodwill between the two nations.
Today Waterton Lakes visitors can take a historic boat–the MV International–to the US/Canadian border, where a hike and traditional handshake ceremony is still conducted between rangers representing both parks and nations.
Reason to visit
Waterton Lakes is a little quieter and more remote than its sometimes overly congested sister-park Glacier, but with the same stunning lakes and mountains. The park has hiking trails, boat tours, and abundant wildlife.
Summer is the busiest time to visit, but the shoulder seasons are special here. In spring the wildflowers bloom, and in fall the elk and bighorn sheep mate and migrant birds wing through on their journey south.
Wild Fact
Constructed in 1927, the Prince of Wales Hotel is the most iconic landmark in Waterton Lakes National Park. The hotel was designed to resemble an alpine chalet and is perfectly situated for stunning lake and mountain views. Like many of Glacier National Park’s lodges to the south, the Prince of Wales was built to cater to travelers arriving by train. Today’s park guests can still stay and dine under its beautiful gables.
Want to learn more about Waterton Lakes National Park? Visit the park’s website here.
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