# Skip the Glacier Crowds for Waterton Lakes National Park Discover a quieter, cross-border alternative to Glacier National Park in the Canadian Rockies. - **Source:** [Outside](https://www.outsideonline.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/dbd37476-5b99-48c3-9a11-3d5a3bf9f4b2 ## A Quieter Mountain Alternative Waterton Lakes National Park offers a serene alternative to the heavily visited Glacier National Park across the border. While Glacier saw over three million visitors in 2025, Waterton hosted only half a million. This allows travelers to enjoy rugged landscapes, scenic parkways, and backcountry trails without the congestion, shuttle requirements, or long wait times. ## Symbol of International Cooperation Established in 1932, Waterton-Glacier was the world’s first International Peace Park, symbolizing cooperation between Canada and the United States. This shared wilderness serves as a model for conservation, where wildlife moves freely across the border. Hikers can traverse between the two nations, provided they follow customs reporting requirements using the CBP ROAM app. ## Resilience After the Fire In 2027, the park marks the tenth anniversary of the 2017 Kenow Wildfire, which burned nearly 20,000 hectares. Today, the landscape showcases remarkable ecological resilience. Visitors can observe forest regeneration, vibrant fireweed blooms, and wildlife such as grizzlies and wolverines returning to the area, proving the importance of allowing natural ecosystems space to recover. ## Historic Prince of Wales Hotel The iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, turning 100 in 2027, was built to attract Americans during the Prohibition era. Perched above Upper Waterton Lake, it remains a heritage landmark. Guests can enjoy panoramic views and traditional high tea, though lakeview rooms during the peak summer season typically cost between $425 and $495 USD per night. ## Demanding Wilderness Expeditions For adventurous hikers, the Crypt Lake trail is a premier destination, requiring a $25 USD boat ride to access. The route features a narrow ledge, a 60-foot ladder, and a mountain tunnel. Other challenging options include the Akamina Ridge scramble and the Carthew-Alderson traverse, both offering expansive views of the rugged Alberta-British Columbia border. ## Diverse Recreational Water Activities Beyond hiking, Waterton offers unique water-based activities. Scuba divers can explore the 65-foot-deep wreck of the Gertrude, a 20th-century paddle wheeler in Emerald Bay. For those preferring the surface, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular, provided equipment is rented from authorized local providers like Blakiston Company or Cameron Lake Boat Rentals to ensure environmental safety. ## Dark Sky Conservation Efforts Designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2021, Waterton has implemented custom amber streetlights to minimize light pollution. These fixtures consume one-third the power of standard city lighting. This commitment creates an ideal environment for stargazing and aurora spotting, making it one of the most southerly locations to consistently view the northern lights. ## Winter’s Harsh, Quiet Beauty Winter in Waterton is intense, with freezing temperatures and heavy snow, as seen in the filming of The Last of Us. The park transforms into a snowy playground for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors can book backcountry cabins via the Alpine Club of Canada, though they must arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. ## Essential Winter Travel Logistics During the winter season, most park businesses close, and there are no operational grocery stores or gas stations within the townsite. Visitors must arrive with full tanks and sufficient provisions. The Parks Canada visitor center remains open daily to provide essential safety advice, trail maps, and weather updates for those exploring the frozen landscape. ## The Value of Borderless Nature Waterton Lakes National Park demonstrates that international boundaries are often just lines on a map when it comes to nature. By offering solitude and a model for cross-border conservation, it provides a meaningful experience for those seeking to connect with the Rockies. It remains a vital destination for travelers prioritizing wilderness over convenience. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/national-parks/waterton-lakes-national-park-glacier-alternative/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._