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WATERTON LAKES
NATIONAL PARK
ALBERTA
Canadian Section,
International
GENERAL
Waterton-Glacier
Peace Park.
INFORMATION
DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND RESOURCES
LANDS, PARKS AND FORESTS BRANCH
NATIONAL PARKS BUREAU
OTTAWA, CANADA
B o a t i n g . — B o a t i n g on U p p e r W a t e r t o n L a k e is a f a v o u r i t e
p a s t i m e . R o w b o a t s m a y be hired near the dock a t W a t e r t o n
P a r k village.
T h e p o w e r - b o a t International
m a k e s trips
t h r e e t i m e s d a i l y from W a t e r t o n P a r k village u p t h e l a k e
t o G o a t h a u n t L a n d i n g , in G l a c i e r N a t i o n a l P a r k , a t a r e t u r n
fare of $ 1 . 5 0 . L a u n c h e s a r e also o p e r a t e d b y p r i v a t e e n t e r prise.
F i s h i n g . — G o o d fishing is a v a i l a b l e i n m a n y of t h e l a k e s
a n d s t r e a m s of t h e p a r k . A s special fishing r e g u l a t i o n s a r e in
force from t i m e t o t i m e , v i s i t o r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o c o n s u l t p a r k
officers c o n c e r n i n g o p e n w a t e r s , s e a s o n s a n d c a t c h l i m i t s .
P o i n t s w h e r e fishing m a y b e e n j o y e d a n d t h e species a v a i l a b l e
follow:—
Cameron
Bertha
trout.
Lake.—Rainbow
Lake,
Twin
Lakes
and eastern brook trout.
a n d Crandell
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
" K o o t e n a i " B r o w n M e m o r i a l . — A cairn a n d bronze
t a b l e t e r e c t e d t o t h e m e m o r y of J o h n G e o r g e B r o w n , first
white settler in t h e p a r k w h o later b e c a m e acting Superi n t e n d e n t , is l o c a t e d i n t o w n s i t e a t e a s t e n d of C a m e r o n F a l l s
Drive.
C a m e r o n F a l l s . — W i t h i n a few m i n u t e s ' w a l k o r d r i v e of
t o w n s i t e . O n e of t h e finest c a s c a d e s in t h e p a r k . A c c e s s i b l e
b y Cameron Falls Drive.
F i s h P o n d s . — S i x fish r e a r i n g p o n d s l o c a t e d n e a r C a m e r o n
F a l l s , s t o c k e d from t h e fish h a t c h e r y w i t h fry, w h i c h , after
r e a c h i n g fingerling s t a g e , will b e d i s t r i b u t e d in p a r k w a t e r s .
Accessible from C a m e r o n F a l l s D r i v e .
Lake.—Rainbow
FAUNA AND FLORA
Alderson,
Carlhew,
Cutthroat trout.
Rowe,
Goat,
and
Crypt
Upper, Middle a n d Lower Waterton Lakes.—Lake
R o c k y M o u n t a i n whitefish a n d c u t t h r o a t t r o u t .
Pass Creek, Waterton a n d Belly
cutthroat and rainbow trout.
Rivers.—Dolly
Lakes.—
trout,
Varden,
H i k i n g a n d C l i m b i n g . — S e v e r a l well-marked trails in t h e
v i c i n i t y of W a t e r t o n P a r k offer fine o u t i n g s o n foot. T h e s e
i n c l u d e : Lake Linnet Trail—half
a m i l e from t o w n s i t e ; Golf
Links—two
m i l e s ; a n d Bear's Hump
(Mount
Crandell)
one
m i l e . P e a k s in t h e v i c i n i t y w h i c h m a y b e c l i m b e d i n c l u d e
M o u n t C r a n d e l l , 7,812 feet; B e r t h a P e a k , 7,613 feet; V i m y
P e a k , 7,825 f e e t ; Sofa M o u n t a i n . 8,268 feet.
R i d i n g . — M o r e t h a n 2 3 0 miles of b r o a d a n d w e l l - m a d e
t r a i l s a r e o p e n t o t h e v i s i t o r s w h o d e s i r e t o ride.
Saddle
h o r s e s m a y b e h i r e d from t w o o u t f i t t e r s i n t h e t o w n s i t e a t
r e a s o n a b l e r a t e s . H i t c h r a c k s a r e l o c a t e d o n t h e flat i n t h e
t o w n s i t e . F o l l o w i n g a r e a few of t h e m o s t p o p u l a r rides,
with the distance one w a y : —
B e r t h a Lake, 5 miles; C a r t h e w Lakes, 7 miles; International B o u n d a r y (Lake Shore), 5 miles; G o a t h a u n t C a m p
(Glacier P a r k ) , 9 miles; C a m e r o n L a k e ( A k a m i n a H i g h w a y ) ,
10 m i l e s ; H e l l R o a r i n g C a n y o n ( v i a D a r d e n e l l e s ) , 1 O-J m i l e s ;
C r y p t Lake (from Hell Roaring C a b i n ) , 5 miles; R e d Rock
C a n y o n , 1 11 miles.
MOTOR DRIVES IN T H E PARK
T h e r e a r e m o r e t h a n 40 miles of all w e a t h e r m o t o r h i g h w a y s
in t h e p a r k w h i c h p r o v i d e s e v e r a l fine d r i v e s for v i s i t o r s .
T h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g p o i n t s accessible f o l l o w : —
C h i e f M o u n t a i n I n t e r n a t i o n a l H i g h w a y . — 1 5 miles
from P a r k R e g i s t r a t i o n Office t o I n t e r n a t i o n a l B o u n d a r y a n d
Glacier N a t i o n a l P a r k , via Belly River Valley.
C a m e r o n L a k e . — 1 0 miles v i a A k a m i n a R o a d a l o n g t h e
v a l l e y of C a m e r o n C r e e k to C a m e r o n L a k e . M o t o r c a m p ground with shelters, a c o m m u n i t y shelter, a n d other conveniences a t Cameron Lake.
R e d R o c k C a n y o n — 1 1 § miles. R e a c h e d b y following
p a r k h i g h w a y 2 § m i l e s from W a t e r t o n P a r k v i l l a g e t o B l a k i s t o n
B r o o k B r i d g e , t u r n i n g left a n d following B l a k i s t o n B r o o k
V a l l e y . C a m p - g r o u n d w i t h k i t c h e n s h e l t e r s a n d o t h e r conveniences a t R e d Rock Canyon.
F i s h H a t c h e r y . — 6 miles. S i t u a t e d o n P i n c h e r H i g h w a y ,
half a m i l e n o r t h w e s t of t h e P a r k R e g i s t r a t i o n Office. O p e r a t e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t t o s u p p l y t h e fry a n d
fingerlings
used to stock p a r k a n d provincial waters.
A n i m a l s a n d B i r d s . — W i l d life f o r m s o n e of t h e a t t r a c tions of t h e p a r k . A m o n g t h e species of b i g g a m e w h i c h m a y
b e seen a r e m u l e a n d w h i t e - t a i l e d d e e r , grizzly a n d b l a c k
bear, R o c k y M o u n t a i n (Bighorn) sheep, R o c k y M o u n t a i n
g o a t , a n d w a p i t i or elk. T h e w h i s t l e r o r h o a r y m a r m o t ,
p o r c u p i n e , c o u g a r , b e a v e r , a n d s e v e r a l species of s q u i r r e l a r e
also c o m m o n . B i r d life is also a b u n d a n t a n d i n t e r e s t i n g .
N o h u n t i n g is p e r m i t t e d w i t h i n p a r k b o u n d a r i e s , a n d all
firearms
m u s t b e sealed o n e n t r y . G u n s will b e sealed a t
t h e office of t h e P a r k S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o r b y t h e p a r k w a r d e n s
w i t h o u t c h a r g e . W i l d b i r d s , t h e i r n e s t s a n d eggs, a s well a s
all wild a n i m a l s , a r e p r o t e c t e d .
T r e e s a n d F l o w e r s . — T h e p a r k c o n t a i n s m a n y species
w h i c h m a y i n t e r e s t t h e b o t a n i s t a n d n a t u r e lover, for w i t h i n
t h e p a r k , t h e p r a i r i e flora a n d m o u n t a i n flora m e e t . A m o n g
t h e species of t r e e s f o u n d a r e t h e l o d g e p o l e p i n e , E n g e l m a n n
spruce, western white spruce, aspen, Cottonwood, m o u n t a i n
maple a n d Lyall's or Alpine larch.
Shrubs include the
d i a m o n d willow, s a s k a t o o n , elder, wild c u r r a n t , a n d b l u e berry.
W i l d flowers a r e f o u n d i n t h e v a l l e y s a n d a l o n g t h e m o u n t a i n slopes in large n u m b e r s .
Among the best known
v a r i e t i e s a r e t h e p r a i r i e rose, b r o w n - e y e d S u s a n , a s t e r ,
I n d i a n p a i n t b r u s h , l a r k s p u r , w i l d g e r a n i u m , p a s q u e flower,
p u r p l e windflower, hellebore, yellow c o l u m b i n e , a v a l a n c h e
lilies, saxifrage, h e a t h e r s , a n d J a c o b ' s l a d d e r .
Vistors a r e
r e q u e s t e d t o p r o t e c t t h e w i l d flowers a n d h e l p k e e p t h e
park beautiful.
FIRE
PREVENTION
V i s i t o r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o c o - o p e r a t e w i t h p a r k officers in
t h e p r e v e n t i o n of fires. M a t c h e s , c i g a r e t t e b u t t s , p i p e a s h e s ,
and other smoking materials should be completely exting u i s h e d before b e i n g t h r o w n a w a y , a n d t h e n d r o p p e d o n l y
o n b a r e soil.
C a m p - f i r e s m a y b e k i n d l e d o n l y a t p i a c e s p r o v i d e d for t h e
p u r p o s e , a n d m u s t b e c o m p l e t e l y e x t i n g u i s h e d before l e a v i n g .
Persons using t h e p a r k trails u n a c c o m p a n i e d b y a licensed
guide should acquaint themselves with t h e parks regulations,
a n d secure particulars concerning suitable camp-sites a n d other
related information.
Parties making extended trips a n d
c a m p i n g o u t overnight a r e required to register with a p a r k
w a r d e n o r a t t h e P a r k S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s office.
A n y fire o b s e r v e d b y a p a r k v i s i t o r s h o u l d b e e x t i n g u i s h e d
if possible, or t h e n e a r e s t p a r k officer notified a t o n c e . A fire
in a national p a r k m a y cause d a m a g e which c a n n o t be
replaced in a h u n d r e d years.
F o r e s t fires a r e a m o n g t h e
g r e a t e s t e n e m i e s of t h e p a r k s .
INDEX TO
BUILDINGS AND ATTRACTIONS
IN WATERTON PARK
VILLAGE
WATERTON LAKES
NATIONAL PARK
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND
ATTRACTIONS—
Administration Building
Government Information Bureau
Park Superintendent's Residence
Cameron Falls
Camp-ground Community Building
Children's Playground
Fish Rearing Ponds
"Kootenai" Brown Memorial
Picnic Grounds
Post Office and Telephone Service
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Barracks. .
Recreation Grounds
Telephone Office
Tennis Courts
ALBERTA
3
3
2
14
19
16
20
10
22
5
18
12
4
15
Canadian Section, Waterton-Glacier
International Peace Park.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ATTRACTIONS—
Crystal Swimming Pool
Dance Hall
Motion Picture Theatre
Public School
17
9
11
13
HOTELS AND BUNGALOW CAMP—
Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Lakes Hotel and Chalets
Waterton Lakes Auto Bungalow Camp. . . .
1
8
21
CHURCHES—
Church of England (Anglican)
Roman Catholic Church
6
7
Additional information, maps, and literature
concerning the National Parks of Canada,
may be obtained without charge from t h e
Government Information Bureau at Waterton
Park, Alberta, or from t h e National Parks
Bureau, Department of Mines and Resources,
Ottawa, Canada.
Printed by J. O. PATENAUDE. I.S.O.. Kinr-'s Printer
Ottawa. 1939
Reqn. 8785
DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND RESOURCES
LANDS, PARKS AND FORESTS BRANCH
NATIONAL PARKS BUREAU
OTTAWA, CANADA
WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK
ALBERTA
(Canadian Section, Waterton-Glacier
International Peace Park,)
PURPOSE OF NATIONAL PARKS
The National Parks of Canada are areas of outstanding
beauty and interest which have been dedicated to the people of
Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment, to be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired for the
pleasure of future generations. The co-operation of visitors is
requested in the observance of park regulations so that the parks
may continue to serve as natural playgrounds and to provide
perpetual opportunities for the enjoyment of outdoor life and
recreation.
LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Waterton Lakes National Park, situated in the southwestern portion of Alberta on the east slope of the Rocky
Mountains, contains an area of 220 square miles. It was
set aside in 1895 for the use and enjoyment of the people,
and as a sanctuary for wild life. On the south, the park
adjoins the United States Glacier National Park in Montana,
and the two parks form a great international playground.
As the result of legislation enacted by the Parliament of
Canada and the Congress of the United States in 1932,
Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park
were proclaimed the Waterton-Glacier International Peace
Park. This action, originally sponsored by Rotary International was taken to commemorate the friendship and goodwill which has prevailed between the people of the two
countries for more than one hundred years. The Canadian
and United States sections of the International Park, however,
retain their individuality and separate administrative rights.
Waterton Lakes National Park contains many remarkable
scenic features. The mountains in Waterton Lakes Park
rise almost abruptly from the plain, and the visitor shortly
after crossing the park boundaries will find himself in a truly
delightful region. One of the characteristics of the park is
the beautiful tinting of the mountains, which give to the
whole region a warm and colourful appearance. An outstanding topographical feature is Upper Waterton Lake,
one of the famed bodies of water from which the park takes
its name. The lake is eight miles long, nearly a mile wide,
and in one place reaches a depth of 405 feet. It lies within
the trough of two great mountain ranges, and is crossed by
the International Boundary, so that its beauties are shared
by the people of both countries. Evidences of the Ice Age
are prominent in the park, where the mountains have been
hollowed out by ancient glaciers leaving basins or cirques
which in many cases now contain small lakes.
T h e tourist season extends from M a y 1 to September 30.
HOW TO REACH THE PARK
From C a n a d a . — W a t e r t o n Lakes National Park is
reached by the Provincial Highway system which links up
with the park highways. The nearest rail points are Cardston
and Pincher Station. Cardston, on the Canadian Pacific line,
is 35 miles from Waterton Park village, the administrative
headquarters of the park, and is served by a tri-weekly
train service from Lethbridge on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday, returning to Lethbridge, Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday. There is also the Greyhound bus service from
Cardston over Highway No. 5 to the park daily. Pincher
Station, also on the Canadian Pacific railway, is 40 miles
from the park headquarters, by way of Highway No. 6
(hard-surfaced), and has a daily train service. Pincher
Station is also served daily by bus service, connecting with
the Greyhound line at Pincher Creek. From British Columbia
the park may be reached via the Crowsnest Pass and Pincher
Creek over Highways 3 and 6.
From t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . — T h e most direct approach to
Waterton Lakes Park from the United States is over the
Chief Mountain International Highway from Glacier National
Park. This highway connects with United States Highway
No. 89 a few miles north of Babb, Montana, crosses the
northeast corner of Glacier Park and enters Waterton Lakes
Park at the customs port of Chief Mountain. The distance
from Chief Mountain Port to Waterton Park village is 20J
miles. The park may also be reached from the United States
via Carway and Cardston, over Provincial Highways 1 and 5.
T h e Chief Mountain International Highway also forms a
link in the new hard-surfaced route between Glacier National
Park and Banff National Park. From Waterton Lakes Park
the route follows Provincial Highways 6, 3, 1, and 2, via
Pincher, Macleod, and Calgary. The distance from Chief
Mountain Customs Port to the town of Banff is 270 miles.
REGISTRATION AND MOTOR LICENCES
All motorists entering Waterton Lakes National Park
must register and obtain a transient motor licence as provided
for in the regulations governing the use of motor roads in
the National Parks. Licences are issued for motor vehicles
not used for commercial purposes on the following basis :—
(1) Single trip licence, good for a period not exceeding
30 days, provided automobile is not taken out of the park
during such period: Automobile, 2 5 c ; auto with trailer
attached, 50c.
(2) Licence good for entire season, which also will be
honoured in Elk Island, Prince Albert, Riding Mountain,
and Point Pelee National Parks: Automobile, $ 1 ; auto
with trailer attached, $2.
(3) Special licence good for entire season, which also will
be honoured in all national parks where a transient motor
licence is required: Automobile, $2; auto with trail
attached, $3.
Distinctive licence plates are issued with seasonal licences.
Special licences may be obtained for motor vehicles used
for commercial purposes.
T h e Park Registration Office is situated at the junction of
the Pincher, Cardston, and Chief Mountain International
highways, about 5§ miles north of Waterton Park village.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PARK
A resident superintendent supervises the administration
of Waterton Lakes Park. The Administration Building,
located in Waterton Park village, contains offices of the
superintendent and resident engineer, as well as the Government Information Bureau. The Bureau is open daily, and
information concerning accommodation, travel, recreation,
and points of interest may be obtained, as well as literature
and maps of the parks. The park regulations are enforced
by the park warden service, assisted by the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police. Land in the park is not sold, but lots in
the townsite may be leased for residence or business purposes.
PARK TOWNSITE
The village of Waterton Park forms the park headquarters.
Electric light and water services are maintained by the
Department of Mines and Resources, which administers
all National Parks in Canada. In the business section of the
village are four restaurants, four general stores, two butcher
shops, a beauty parlour, and four garages and service stations.
A motion picture theatre and a dance pavilion are operated
throughout the summer season. The Post Office is open
daily except Sunday. Long distance telephone connections
may be made at the office of the Park Transport Company.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is provided by two hotels, an auto bungalow camp, several boarding and apartment houses, and the
Government motor camp-ground. There are also a number
of cottages for rent. A list of accommodations and rates
follow:—
Prince of Wales Hotel (American Plan—90 rooms).—Single,
$8 to $10 per day; two persons, $7 to $9 per day each; three
persons, $6 to $8 per day each.
The Waterton Lakes Hotel and Chalets (European Plan—16
hotel rooms).—Single, $2 per day; double, $3 per day; 16
chalets—$4 per day, $20 perweek; one chalet—$8 per day,
$40 per week.
Rooming houses offer accommodation at $1.50 per person
per day and up. Apartments may be rented at the rate of
$2 for two persons per day, and up.
A u t o B u n g a l o w C a m p . — W a t e r t o n Lakes Auto Bungalow
Camp, containing 16 well-equipped cabins with running
water, is located near the public camp-ground. Rates vary
from $1.50 to $2.50 per day, according to size of cabin, with
an extra charge for bedding.
P u b l i c C a m p - g r o u n d s . — T h e public camp-ground at the
southern end of Waterton Park village covers 35 acres.
Rustic shelters, provided with camp-stoves, benches and
tables, electricity and running water, are available, as are
also a community building and a community shelter. Campsites, with kitchen shelters, are also located at Bertha Lake,
Cameron Lake, Red Rock Canyon, Alderson Lake, and
Crandell Lake.
The fees for camping permits are $1 for ordinary tents
for each period of two weeks or less, and $2 for automobile
trailers for each period of two weeks or less. Permits may be
obtained from the camp attendants or at the office of the
park superintendent.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
A large open area in the centre of the townsite is used for
baseball and other summer sports. An equipped playground
for children is also available nearby, adjoining the tennis
courts.
T e n n i s . — F o u r tennis courts, situated near the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police Barracks and owned and operated
by the Government, are available for public use.
B a t h i n g . — L a k e Linnet provides an ideal pool for swimming and bathing, and bath-houses are at the disposal of
visitors. The Crystal Swimming Pool, opposite the children's
playground, is privately owned and is open to visitors on
payment of a nominal charge.
Golf.—The golf course, situated on the rolling slopes a t
the base of Mount Crandell, has a fine scenic setting and is
operated by the Government. It has eighteen holes, and
a small but attractive club-house which is open to visitors.
Rates for the use of the course follow:—
One round (1 8 holes, continuous)
One day
One week
One month
Season (lady)
Season (gentleman)
$ 0.75
1.25
5 . 00
1 5.00
15.00
25 . 00