By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Additional areas opened for the winter season at Waterton Lakes National Park

Nov 25, 2018 | 9:23 AM

WATERTON – Winter is one of the more popular times of the year for visitors to experience the outdoors at Waterton Lakes National Park, and now they’ll have more areas to do so.

Waterton is open year-round, and winter typically runs from November to April, and officials are asking you to remember how the Kenow Wildfire of 2017 has affected the park when planning your visit.

Newly Opened Areas:
– The Akamina Parkway is open to Cameron Lake for non-motorised use this winter (e.g. snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, biking).
– Trails accessible from the Parkway, including Lineham, Rowe (only to the top of Lineham Ridge), Cameron Lakeshore, Akamina Pass (only to the B.C. border), and Summit Lake are also open.

This is approximately 35 kilometres of reopened trails in addition to areas reopened earlier this year.

The parkway will not be plowed and should be treated as backcountry terrain, and to ensure emergency access there’s no parking in the entry to the Akamina Parkway.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Previously Opened Areas:
– The Red Rock Parkway is open for non-motorised use from the Entrance Road to Coppermine Creek.
– The Entrance Road and adjacent facilities, and Waterton townsite are also open.

Areas and trails reopened earlier this year remain available.

Parks Canada is plowing the Chief Mountain Highway to the Chief Mountain Overlook until the end of December.

After that date, it is unmaintained until spring.

Closed Areas:
– The McNeely’s and Little Prairie Day Use Areas, Tamarack Trail and Carthew-Alderson Trail (beyond the height of land past Summit Lake – see map) remain closed due to wildfire damage.
– The Akamina Pass Trail is only open to the public until the B.C. border.
– The Red Rock Parkway from Coppermine Creek to Red Rock Canyon, Bear’s Hump Trail, Crandell Mountain Campground, and recreational opportunities associated with these areas remain closed at this time.

Parks Canada is assessing and developing rehabilitation plans for these areas before they can reopen and ask you respect all area closures to ensure your safety.

by Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Additional areas opened for the winter season at Waterton Lakes National Park

What's Happening