Summer is looking good for visiting Cameron Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park/Kurt Repanshek

Sure, the calendar says early May, but Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada is ready for the summer season. While the September 2017 Kenow Wildfire affected the park, there still are many recreational opportunities and a full range of special events, volunteer activities, and interpretation programs available this year.

The park's entrance road and adjacent facilities, the townsite, and the Waterton Lakes, and Chief Mountain Highway are open this year. The Red Rock Parkway is available for non-motorized use (hiking and biking) from the entrance road to the Bellevue Prairie Trail. You can find a full list of what is available in the park, along with information on recreation opportunities, on the Waterton Lakes website. 

Visitor safety is a top priority for Parks Canada. As a result, many areas affected by the Kenow Wildfire in September 2017 will remain closed this summer due to such hazards as unstable trees, slope instability, and damaged infrastructure. The entire Akamina Parkway and the Red Rock Parkway from Bellevue Prairie Trail to Red Rock Canyon - along with associated recreation opportunities in these areas - will remain closed in 2018. It is too early to provide a timeline for when these areas will re-open.

While delivering visitor services and experiences in 2018, Parks Canada is also undertaking the necessary assessments to develop a long-term plan for Waterton Lakes. The agency is working to restore the national park experience in a manner that is safe for the thousands of Canadian and international visitors who enjoy the park each year while advancing ecological objectives for the park.

There is potential for high levels of visitation this summer in Waterton Lakes National Park. Parks Canada encourages visitors to plan their trip ahead of time, and to consider visiting in the spring or fall, weekdays in the summer, or early morning or evening to ensure the best opportunity for easier access and less crowding.