Water activities
Waterton Lakes National Park
Beginning April 1, 2024: all non-motorized watercraft from outside of the park are prohibited from entering water bodies in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Getting out on the water is an excellent way to explore Waterton Lakes National Park.
Home to a string of pristine mountain lakes, the park is a paradise for anyone who enjoys being on, in or near the water.
In town, Upper and Middle Waterton lakes are the park’s biggest and busiest bodies of water. The calm waters of Emerald Bay are perfect for swimming and paddleboarding and divers can even explore the wreckage of a sunken ship.
Visit AdventureSmart: Water for extra tips on safety on or in the water.
Quarantine sealing program for motorized and trailered watercraft
Parks Canada has authorized motorized and trailered watercraft to operate on Upper and Middle Waterton Lake, once the watercraft have completed a 90-day quarantine seal program.
Parks Canada is confident this program will protect the ecological integrity of Waterton Lakes National Park while also returning an excellent recreational boating experience to park users.
Parks Canada continues to take the threat of invasive mussels very seriously. A 90-day quarantine is longer than most current sealing programs and is considered sufficient to prevent the introduction of live mussels to Upper or Middle Waterton Lake.
For more information on this program and obtaining your seal, visit:
Canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
The park offers some excellent opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding - particularly on hot, calm summer days.
Extreme caution should be used on any of the Waterton lakes due to frequent high winds and rough water conditions. Weather and water conditions can change quickly in Waterton's mountain valleys. All park waters are very cold.
More experienced paddlers can head to the south end of Upper Waterton Lake and cross the international boundary into Glacier National Park.
A kayak is a good choice for exploring the lakes and rivers of Waterton. A spray skirt is recommended on the main Waterton Lakes.
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is an increasingly popular way of getting out on the water in Waterton. SUPs are generally used as an alternative to canoeing or kayaking, called flat water paddling, where a rider paddles across calmer waters.
SUP is a good way to test your balance and core strength. You could even get out early, enjoy the sunrise and try yoga on a paddleboard!
Boaters planning to stay overnight at a backcountry campsite accessible by water (Bertha Bay and Boundary Bay) require a backcountry use permit. Please refer to backcountry camping. Overnight camping or sleeping on boats is not permitted.
Stand up paddleboard safetyScuba diving
You must complete a mandatory self-inspection of your scuba gear.
Most scuba divers choose to dive in the Emerald Bay portion of Upper Waterton Lake. Cameron Bay is another good spot for divers.
An old paddle wheeler, the "Gertrude", built in the early 1900's, lies on the bottom of Emerald Bay at a depth of 20 metres. The best visibility is often in early spring or during the fall. Please do not use the Gertrude as a rest spot and remember it is illegal to remove anything you may find on your dive.
The Emerald Bay picnic area is a popular and often crowded place. For safety reasons, and as a courtesy to other users of this site, scuba divers are requested not to use generators and air compressors at the picnic site but to refill tanks at the upper parking lot of the Parks Canada compound.
Beaches and swimming
You must complete a mandatory self-inspection for all floatation devices and water toys.
On hot summer days, people swim in Upper Waterton Lake. Keep in mind that the lake is very cold, drops off quickly and is subject to strong winds. Emerald Bay (in the community) is the most popular spot for swimming. The beach near the Townsite campground is also used but tends to be windier. The Hay Barn day use area along the Waterton River is also a popular spot for swimming.
Be aware that "swimmer's itch", a small parasite that causes itching and irritation, is present in some smaller water bodies, particularly Linnet Lake.
Driftwood Beach
Explore the natural wonders of Middle Waterton Lake while wandering through the driftwood piles on the shoreline, deposited by the prevailing winds from the south.
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