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Waterton Lakes National Park Reporting Increased Visitation

Sep 17, 2016 | 7:24 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Waterton Lakes National Park enjoyed another successful summer season.

According to Lock Marshall, Waterton Visitor Experience Manager, despite heavy construction and several road closures, visitors took advantage of a temporary shuttle system, to view the park’s spectacular scenery and wildlife.

“In 2015, Waterton was lucky enough to receive an investment of over $107 million over five years to support visitor experience and conservation. Those investments come with inconvenience such as the closures on the road to Cameron Lake. To offset the closure, we used a shuttle system that took them visitors the popular hikes along that roadway such as Carthew-Alderson, Akamina Lake, Rowe Lakes and Lineham Falls.”

Marshall noted that popular trails such as Bears Hump and trails to Bertha Falls exploded in visitation numbers as well as backcountry camping trails such as Lone Lake and Twin Lakes.

While construction continues on the road to Cameron Lakes, Blakiston Falls Viewing Platforms is scheduled to open this month, after receiving a significant face-lift.

With the province seeing a spike in the number of bear siting in national and provincial parks, Waterton Lakes

“We geared up for it this summer more than others. We had a crew of ‘Wildlife Guardians’ who dealt with the public in close proximity to bears. They approached the ‘wildlife jams’ for visitors at a standstill watching wildlife and spoke with those people on how to safely view wildlife.”

Waterton’s website boasts several publications on wildlife interaction in the park and tips on what visitors should expect.

With Canada’s 150th anniversary quickly approaching in 2017, the park has launched a new Explora App which guides visitors along the iconic Bear’s Hump trail. This  App includes pictures, text, maps, audio, video and quizzes.

Marshall encouraged visitors to check the park’s website often for educational events leading up to the 150th anniversary that will speak towards the localized history of the park and the surrounding area.