6. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Not all of Alberta’s national parks focus solely on the Rockies — just look at Waterton Lakes National Park, nestled in the south end of the province and featuring the beautiful prairielands (of course, the Rocky Mountains looming in the background certainly paints a nice picture).
As the park’s name suggests, there are plenty of lakes in Waterton Lakes National Park begging to be enjoyed, whether on a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. If you’re feeling brave, you can jump in for a swim — but the water is pretty chilly, even in the summer. However, there’s no better way to cool down quickly after a strenuous hike.
Speaking of hiking, with over 200 kilometers of trails to choose from, there’s something for just about everyone, from beginner hikers to experienced pros. The best season to hike is in the summer, as the snow can start to fall in the autumn and tends to stick around well into the spring.
Across the Canada-USA border from Waterton Lakes National Park is Glacier National Park, Montana. Combined, these parks make up Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.