Nature and science

Waterton Lakes National Park

Conservation

Conserving and restoring ecological integrity is our first priority

Environment

Forests, prairies, mountains and lakes all meet in Waterton Lakes National Park

Animals

No other national park in Canada protects so much wildlife within such a small area

Remote camera images

Cameras offer a unique view into the world of wild animals

Waterton Lakes National Park is tucked away in the corner of southwest Alberta. The park covers an area of 505 square kilometres (195 square miles).

The park is part of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem – a 73,000 square kilometre area that includes southwest Alberta, southeast British Columbia, and northern Montana. One of the narrowest parts of the Rocky Mountain chain, this ecosystem contains unusually diverse physical, biological and cultural resources. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is surrounded by Indigenous land, national forests and biosphere reserves, contributing to the outstanding natural beauty and diversity of the area.

More than half of Alberta’s plant species are found in Waterton.

Waterton is home for more than 60 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, 24 species of fish and 10 species of reptiles and amphibians.

Conservation

Maintaining the ecological integrity of Waterton Lakes National Park is our highest priority. A variety of initiatives aim to reduce our impact on the park's natural environment.

Conservation

Environment

Fragrant evergreen forests, wind-swept prairies, steep mountains and deep lakes meet in Waterton Lakes National Park. No protected area of similar size in the Rocky Mountains has as much ecological diversity as Waterton Lakes.

Environment

Animals

No other national park in Canada protects so much wildlife within such a small area. In just 505 sq. kilometres (195 sq. miles), Waterton Lakes National Park has over 250 species of birds, more than 60 species of mammals, 24 species of fish, ten species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as thousands of species of insects, arthropods and other invertebrates.

Animals

Plants

With its merging landforms, connected ecoregions and its mild, moist, windy climate, Waterton Lakes National Park is an amazing meeting place for an abundant and diverse collection of vegetation.

Plants

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