The Best Small Town In Alberta For A 3-Day Weekend
If you want to escape into the Alberta wilderness for a three-day weekend, then Waterton (also known as Waterton Park), in the southwest corner of Alberta, where the Rocky Mountains merge with the Prairies, should be at the top of your list. Within minutes of downtown, you can access the trailhead for the Bear’s Hump and climb towards alpine viewpoints overlooking Upper Waterton Lake. Alternatively, you can indulge in afternoon tea at the historic Prince of Wales Hotel. Waterton Lakes National Park may be the smallest park in the Canadian Rockies, but it packs plenty into a long weekend.
Rustic Accommodation
Waterton can be accessed from two major Alberta cities: Calgary, which is 271 kilometers away, and Lethbridge, which is 132 kilometers away. There is also an international airport in Calgary for those who are arriving by air.
Regardless of how you get to Waterton, after the commute, you will no doubt need some refreshments. The Prince of Wales Hotel is the first thing you will see upon entering town, located on a bluff overlooking the lake, the surrounding mountains, and the rest of town. It is a hotel, historic landmark, and restaurant combined into one. Take in the craftsmanship of the building and period furnishings while you enjoy authentic afternoon tea, inspired by British tradition, serving a wide selection of teas, sandwiches, and pastries.
Rooms available vary between standard-sized rooms and large suites, all with views of the mountains or lakes. However, the hotel is open between mid-May and mid-September, and due to its landmark status, rooms tend to sell out quickly.
But there are many other accommodation options downtown that are open year-round, like Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort. The resort spans eleven buildings of guest rooms, suites, a restaurant, a lounge, a pool, and a spa.
Take in the Scenery
The Bear’s Hump trail starts at the parking area across from the Prince of Wales Hotel. From a distance, the mountain resembles the outline of a Grizzly Bear, which is how it earned its name. This short but steep 2.8-kilometer hike only takes an hour and rewards those who make it to the top with views of the valley and prairies to the north. There are benches dotted along the trail for resting if required. The best time to hike in Waterton Lakes National Park is between July and mid-September. Due to the popularity of Bear’s Hump, Parks Canada recommends hiking in the morning, late afternoon, or on weekdays.
Take the car down Bison Paddock Road to observe direct descendants from the original herd of Great Plains Bison in their natural habitat. The bison are regularly spotted close to the many natural springs in the paddock. The bison can only be seen during spring, summer, and fall as they are moved to a winter paddock in the colder months. The paddock is located on the north boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park. The loop through the paddock takes between 10 and 30 minutes to drive. You may also be lucky to have a bison wander close to the road; it is important to remain inside your car, as they can be dangerous.
Downtown Waterton
Waterton’s scenery is accessible from downtown, like Cameron Falls on the western edge of town. A viewing bridge lets you get so close to the falls that you can feel the mist on your face. While it is within walking distance of town, there is also a parking area by the falls. They are best visited between July and August. The water flows over ancient Precambrian rock, showcasing the diversity of the park’s geology.
There is a reason the Thirsty Bear Kitchen and Bar is one of southern Alberta’s oldest and most famous bars, and that is because of things like Waterton’s largest selection of Alberta craft beers on tap, local live music weekly, and its late kitchen.
Across the street, Gust Gallery is unlike any other gift shop. The pieces they have available appear in a broad range of media like jewelry, glassware, painting, and pottery, which embrace the landscape of Southern Alberta.
The Waterton Planetarium may be one of the newest attractions in Waterton Lakes, but as the only planetarium in the region, it is a must-visit at some point in your three-day weekend. It allows visitors to explore the night sky even if the weather isn’t on their side.
Akamina Highway
About 15 minutes outside of town, you will come to the First Oil Well in Western Canada National Historic Site. Western Canada’s first oil well was drilled in 1902, and it started Alberta’s petroleum exploration industry. The site was declared a site of national historical significance in 1965. Later, in 1968, a monument incorporating the embedded drilling tools was designed and placed on the site. Visitors can get close to it and touch the old casing that remains much the same as it was the day it stopped producing oil.
The site is located along the 16-kilometer-long Akamina Parkway. If you travel the length of it, you will arrive at Cameron Lake. Cameron Lake has a day-use area with interpretive exhibits, a trail along the lake’s western shore, and washrooms. The highway is open year-round, and is also good for wildlife viewing year-round. In the summer, you can see animals ranging from ground squirrels to black bears, and in the winter, you may see bighorn sheep and moose.
A Three-Day Weekend in Alberta
There is enough to do and see in Waterton to make a full and varied three-day weekend. Although places like the Prince of Wales Hotel and the Bison Paddock Road are open with the seasons, it is still a worthwhile location for a long weekend in Alberta to experience the Rockies. Whether you spend your time hiking trails overlooking Upper Waterton Lake, watching wildlife from your car, or simply relaxing with mountain views in every direction, Waterton makes it easy to slow down and enjoy the landscape over the course of a three-day weekend.
