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| The
Prince of Wales Hotel Looks Out Over the Glacier-Fed Waterton Lake From
Its Expansive Grounds.1 |
A trip to Waterton
Lakes National Park can be many things. Some may be looking for an upscale
retreat at a classy hotel in the heart of the village and a chance to partake
in fine dining at cultured restaurants,
to relax with an aromatic coffee at an intimate cafe
and to browse leisurely through elegant boutiques and quaint shops,
all the while taking in the pristine surroundings. A diverse ecology not found
anywhere else in Canada, the park encompasses the warmest area of Alberta, and
protects a rare chain of clear lakes created by melting glaciers from high atop
the Rocky Mountains.
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A
View From Inside the Prince of Wales Hotel.2 |
For others, the trip may be made to delve into the park's 505 sq km (203 sq
mi) of wilderness, cut through by 225 km (191 mi) of trails leading past the
Waterton lakes,
canyons, waterfalls and mountains. Seemingly boundless, it's easy to disappear
into the wilderness for days without seeing another person for the duration.
Instead, moose, bighorn sheep, several species of deer, elk and bears are commonly
sighted, and spring is the optimum time for spotting mothers with their brand-new
offspring, who wobble endearingly on unsure legs while introducing themselves
to the park. Several campsites
are located throughout Waterton, some with few amenities, immersing adventurers
in the surrounds, while others located both in and out of the park have spots
for RVers to pull their rigs in for a night or two, serviced with water and
electricity. Tenting only lots are also available for the more traditional,
and guided tours
help everyone get the most possible from their Waterton experience.
There's something for everyone at Waterton, and the trip need not break the
bank, as several lodges,
bed
and breakfasts, hotels
and hostels
located in and out of the park offer a range of accommodations to suit the needs
of everyone. A year-round vacation destination, during the winter guests may
often take advantage of reduced rates. In the information below, WorldWeb.com
offers tips and details on places to stay in Waterton, as well as vacancy rates
and easy, online booking options.
USEFUL ACCOMMODATION LINKS FOR WATERTON
THE VILLAGE
The Village of Waterton is easily walkable, and is reached by bus
or by private vehicle via Highway 5 from Lethbridge,
Highway 6 from Pincher Creek
and Highway 2 to Highway 5 from Calgary.
Located in the heart of the park on the shores of Upper Waterton Lake, the deepest
lake in the Rockies, the village has every convenience those on outdoor excursions
may need, whether it be an arduous journey lasting several days or a pleasant
stroll of a few hours. Once entering the park, visitors are asked to leave behind
absolutely no evidence of their excursions, meaning all refuse must be carried
out, and to do their best to maintain the park's present condition. Even a wayward
tromp off the trails could decimate an entire tiny ecosystem. Part of the Waterton-Glacier
International Peace Park, Waterton Lakes was designated for a UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve in 1979 and a World Heritage Site in 1995.
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Waterton Lakes to... |
Distance |
Est.
Time* |
| Banff |
471
km (280 mi) |
4
hr 45 min |
| Bar
U Ranch |
176
km (100 mi) |
1
hr 40 min |
| Calgary |
264
km (159 mi) |
2
hr 40 min |
| Crowsnest
Pass |
66
km (40 mi) |
40
min |
| Drumheller |
416
km (245 mi) |
4
hr 30min |
| Fort
MacLeod |
105
km (62 mi) |
1
hr |
| Medicine
Hat |
292
km (180 mi) |
3
hr |
|
Pincher Creek |
45
km (30 mi) |
30
min |
|
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Waterton
Lakes Distance Table
(*Estimated driving time) |
Because Waterton Lakes is a national park, protected by the federal government,
there are strict regulations against permanent residences, and absolutely none
of the land will ever be sold to a private buyer. Developments lease the land,
and are regulated by building codes and firm guidelines set forth by the government.
Because of this, some accommodations are located outside of the park, but are
within an easy drive or walking distance to the hiking paths.
ACCOMMODATIONS INSIDE THE PARK
Hotels and Conference Facilities
Hotels are usually thoughtfully located, and are equipped with a number of amenities
including parking, spa and fitness facilities, fine restaurants, atmospheric
pubs, room service and conference rooms for meetings, seminars and social gatherings.
As with most accommodation choices in the park, room rates vary according to
the season.
The Prince
of Wales Hotel sits high atop its own hill outside the north of the
village, and is one of the area's most venerated choice of stays. Built in 1927
by wealthy industrialist Louis Hill of the Great Northern Railway, the hotel
is one of Waterton's most photographed attractions. The hotel overlooks the
attractive Emerald
Bay, popular with scuba divers who submerge in search of the remains
of an old paddle wheeler named “Gertrude”, which dates to the early 1900s and
rests at about 20 m (66 ft) deep. Steeply pitched roofs and gabled windows denote
an Alpine feel, wrap-around balconies offer 360-degree views, and all 88 rooms
are decorated with wainscoting of rich woods, over-stuffed chairs and down duvets.
A favourite feature for guests and a respectul nod towards the Commonwealth,
bathrooms are equipped with European-style footed tubs and high tea is served
every day from 2 to 5 pm.
Located right in the village, Kilmorey
Lodge is one of Waterton's premiere buildings, and began receiving guests
from around the world as soon as construction completed in the 1920s. The proprietors
have carefully amassed a collection of antiques and memorabilia from the past
80 years of business, on display throughout the hotel. Rooms have sloped and
beamed ceilings and are individually decorated in the light, refreshing style
of a country cottage. Cushy couches in the library demand to be snuggled in,
and several books are available to borrow and peruse.
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The
Honeymoon Suite of the Bayshore Inn.3 |
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South down Mountainview Road is Crandell
Mountain Lodge, where paneled windows with wooden frames accent the
building's facade, and comfortable quilts cover the beds in the rooms, most
of which have their own cosy fireplace. A street-level patio is perfect for
people-watching, and evokes a truly European feel. Waterton
Glacier Suites and Waterton
Lakes Lodge share full-service conference
facilities, able to cater to 250 people for conventions, seminars or,
their specialty, weddings. Three smaller meeting rooms serve the needs of more
intimate gatherings.
As a special treat for those planning a first, or even second, honeymoon, the
Bayshore
Inn has suites with huge, heart-shaped jet baths.
Hostels
Hostels offer low-cost accommodations suitable for backpackers and those who
are satisfied with just the necessities. Rooms range from dormitories sleeping
any number of bodies to private singles. For those who are on their own, hostels
are generally a great way to meet other travellers, and the social atmosphere
convinces many to become fast friends.
Hostelling International (HI) is an international travel company that endorses
thousands of hostels worldwide. The Waterton
HI is modern and handsomely designed, with a wooden facade and an attractive
setting that makes these digs hardly seem “budget” at all—until it's time
to pay the bill. Guests have use of a large indoor pool and fitness facilities,
and the welcoming pub has seen many a spirited discussion and good-humoured
argument. Reservations are recommended.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds can vary drastically from one another in terms of convenience, amenities
and location. Some are located on picturesque plots of land and require a short
hike to be accessed, while others are seconds from major access routes. Some
offer water and electricity for those with camper trailers and RVs, while others
only accommodate tents. Research is recommended, and reservations are often
required during peak travel seasons.
In the village, the Waterton
Townsite Campground has a huge number of spots for campers to temporarily
make their home. Two hundred and thirty six lots are open seasonally, and amenities
include tap water, flush toilets, showers, sewage disposal and electricity.
Open fires are absolutely prohibited in the parched park, which has seen constant
periods of drought throughout its 10,000 years of existence. Campgrounds outside
the park are more likely to allow fires, but also demand due care and diligence.
ACCOMMODATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE PARK
Bed and Breakfasts
For personal surroundings and a more intimate experience, bed and breakfasts
are always a popular choice. Generally, B&Bs are family-run and located in a
private home, allowing for the personal tastes and personalities of the owners
to shine through. Bed and breakfasts always include, of course, a hearty breakfast,
and must not have more than 20 rooms.
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Shintangle
Spring Bed and Breakfast.4 |
Shintangle
Spring Bed & Breakfast is located on Highway 6, just a short drive from
Waterton Village. Four rooms house two, three or four guests, with the Cottonwood
Room, having disabled access. Also on Highway 6 is the Storey
Brook Farm Bed & Breakfast, a working farm with plenty of space to wander
and discover the inner-workings of raising crops and livestock. Rocky
Ridge Country Resort and Mountain
View Inn are both found on Highway 5, and are large and modern homes
with huge windows offering breathtaking views of the mountains. Rocky Ridge
features a sauna, hot tub and billiards room, and Mountain View's chandeliered
entrance is almost as impressive as the surrounding scenery.
Lodges
Lodges are individual buildings constructed for the purpose of housing several
people at one time, and are conducive for group activities and retreats. They
are usually located in fairly remote areas, and must not reach more than three
storeys in height.
The Northland
Lodge dates to 1929, when Louis Hill, already known for designing the
Prince of Wales hotel, built the house as his personal abode. Located away from
the village, the lodge is family-owned and features a wide veranda offering
unparalleled views of the mountains. Eight rooms are individually decorated
with a lean towards the fashion and function of the early 20th century.
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One
of Waterton Springs Campground's Many Lots.5 |
Campgrounds
Waterton
Springs Campground is located on the edge of Waterton Lakes on Highway
6, and is well-equipped with more than 60 full-service sites and 73 tenting
sites all set on 31 hectares (77 acres) of Alberta's most beautiful protected
lands. The campground has a bountiful number of services, including several
high-powered showers, a laundry, a convenience store, Internet access, playgrounds
and a common room for trading stories about adventures in the park.
PHOTO
COURTESY
- c/o Wikipedia;
The Prince of Wales Hotel Looks Out Over the Glacier-Fed Waterton Lake
From Atop Its Expansive Grounds.; Waterton, AB., Canada
- A View From
Inside the Prince of Wales Hotel.
- c/o Bayshore
Inn; The Honeymoon Suite of the Bayshore Inn.; Waterton, AB., Canada
- Tom Gafni; c/o
Shintangle Bed and Breakfast; Shintangle Spring Bed and Breakfast.;
Waterton, AB., Canada
- c/o Waterton
Springs Campground; One of Waterton Springs Campground's Many Lots.;
Waterton, AB., Canada
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