Winter Activities in Waterton

Note: Winter activities off designated trails can be hazardous due to avalanches. Voluntary self-registration is available at the Warden Office. Avalanche information is available through the Warden's Office, phone 859-2224 or the Canadian Avalanche Association, phone 1-800-667-1105, get their avalanche report. This list of activities is not adequate to guide you to difficult and dangerous backcountry adventure.

Sightseeing

Scenic drives include the road into the park, highway 5, and the road to Cameron Lake, the Akamina Parkway. The parkway is closed at Little Prairie Picnic Shelter, about 3 km before Cameron Lake, during the winter. It begins at highway 5 between the visitor information centre and the townsite. Along the way you'll find several scenic viewpoint pull-outs and:

Crandell Lake Trailhead at 6.4 km leads to the lake .8 km away.
Discovery Well at 7.7 km, a National Historic site marking the first producing oil well in Western Canada, drilled in 1902.
The Lineham Trailhead at 8.8 km leads to a cliff over a hanging valley, waterfalls and several lakes. An 8.4 km round trip.
Oil City at 9 km marks the beginnings of a town planned around the anticipated oil boom.
Rowe Creek/Tamarack Trail at 10.2 km leads to the Lower and Upper Rowe Lakes, a 10.2 km round trip.
Little Prairie Picnic Area at 12 km has a shelter and toilet. This is where the winter gate is located.
Akamina Pass Trailhead at 14.4 km. Trail leads to British Columbia and on to Wall Lake and Forum Lake.
Cameron Lake at 15.4 km. Caution is advised when traveling on the ice covered lake. During the summer the info centre, toilets, and boat rental facilities are open. During the winter it is a starkly beautiful glacier carved lake.

The Red Rock Canyon and Buffalo Paddock are closed during the winter.

Photography

Wildlife, including mule deer in town, elk and mountain goats up in the mountains and several varieties of jays make for exciting photo opportunities. All around are attractive, stark and beautiful winter scenes.

Walking and Hiking

Tour the townsite. A walk along the lakeshore, through the deserted streets or to the Cameron Falls provides a unique view. Time seems to be suspended as most of the people are gone, leaving you free to explore and admire the rustic charms of the townsite.

Weather permitting, you can hike along deserted roads. Climb .9 km to the Bear's Hump, a rock outcrop overlooking the townsite. The trailhead is next to Cameron Falls.

Skating

When the ice forms on Emerald Bay of Upper Waterton Lake, you can lace up and let your spirit soar as you glide across the wide open expanse of ice. Weather permitting, you can also skate on Middle or Lower Waterton Lake. There are several other small lakes around the area.

Snowshoeing

The park normally gets buried in deep snow through the winter. This makes for good to excellent snowshoeing throughout the area.

Cross Country Skiing

Cameron Ski Trail - 5 km round trip (designated)

Park at the Little Prairie Picnic Area. The wide and mostly flat trail begins behind the shelter. The trail continues on the closed road about halfway to the lake at the Akamina Pass trailhead. Cameron Lake is a beautiful Cirque Basin carved out of the surrounding mountains.

Dipper Ski Trail - 5.5 km round trip (designated)

Park at the Rowe Trailhead 10.2 km down the Akamina Parkway. Cross the road to the moderately difficult trail that follows Cameron Creek. Ski through wooded slopes over knolls and dips to the Little Prairie Picnic Shelter.

Golf Course - unlimited

During the off-season you can practice your cross-country ski technique on the golf course. Easy

The trails below are natural trails. Skiers are advised to wear PIEPS avalanche beacons and check avalanche conditions. Please get more information about these trails before using them.

Crandell Lake - 1.6 km round trip (undesignated)

Park at the Crandell Lake Trailhead

Rowe Trail - 10.4 km round trip (undesignated)

Park at the Rowe Trailhead

Akamina Pass to British Columbia - 3.2 km round trip (undesignated)

Park at the Little Prairie Picnic Area, ski 1.4 km on the Cameron Lake Trail to the Akamina Pass Trailhead

Summit Lake - 8 km round trip (undesignated)

Park at Little Prairie and ski 2.5 km to Cameron Lake

Ice Climbing

More than 10 climbs have been identified and graded in Waterton Park. From 1 or 2 pitch climbs near parking to long climbs requiring a high level of competence.