Home > Facts > National Parks Facts > Waterton Lakes National Park Facts

Waterton Lakes National Park Facts

Waterton Lakes National Park Facts
Waterton Lakes National Park is a 195 square mile park located in Alberta, Canada, in the southwest region of the province bordering Montana's Glacier National Park in the United States. The park was established in 1895, making it the fourth national park in the country. It was named after Waterton Lake which was named after Charles Waterton - an English conservationist and naturalist. Made up of wilderness and rugged mountains, Waterton Lakes National Park was designated a biosphere reserve in 1979 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, along with Montana's Glacier National Park. Together they form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Interesting Waterton Lakes National Park Facts:
The park was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in order to help protect its ecosystems, mountains, habitats, wildlife, and landscape.
The highlight of Waterton Lakes National Park is considered to be Waterton Lakes which can be seen from Prince of Wales Hotel National Historical Site. These are the deepest lakes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Wildlife that can be found living in Waterton Lakes National Park includes black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, wolverines, mountain goats, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, cougars, bobcats, Canadian lynxes, river otters, beavers, moose, elk, bald eagles, pika, hoary marmots, foxes, and snowshoe hares.
In total there are more than 250 bird species found within Waterton Lakes National Park, along with 60 mammal species, 24 fish species, and ten amphibian and reptile species.
Waterton Lakes National Park is one of western Canada's most popular national parks.
National Historic Sites in Waterton Lakes National Park include the First Oil Well in Western Canada, and Bar U Ranch.
Over half of the plants species growing in Alberta are found in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Some of the regions oldest exposed rock can be found in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Most of the hiking trails are open all year long, making it a winter destination for outdoor enthusiasts as well.
Visitors to Waterton Lakes National Park can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, biking, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, ice climbing, tobogganing, skiing, and a variety of other outdoor activities.
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was the first international Peace Park created. Since then the number of such parks has grown to 170.
People have inhabited the area of Waterton Lakes for at least 12,000 years.
Within the park are a variety of habitats including coniferous forests, deciduous forests, lower subalpine forests, aspen grove forests, prairie grassland, and tundra/high meadows.
Waterton Lakes National Park is the smallest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Short trails in the park include Cameron Lake-shore Trail (3.2km), Prince of Wales Loop (2km), Linnet Lake (1km), Akamina Lake (1km), Crandell Lake (2.4km), and Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls (2km).
Some trails pass by waterfalls including Lower Bertha Falls, Cameron Falls, and Lineham Falls.
Waterton Lake National Park also has playgrounds, picnic areas, bike rentals, scenic drives, and food concessions.
In 2011 a short film was created called National Park's Project. It featured Waterton Lakes National Park as a subject.


Related Links:
Facts
National Parks Facts
Animals Facts