The Canadian Rockies: Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes National Park is a place "where the mountains meet the prairie," a unique juxtaposition of prairie flatlands and some of the most ancient mountains in the Canadian Rockies. Protecting 525 square kilometres (203 square miles) in the southwest corner of Alberta, the park is bordered by British Columbia on the west, Montana to the south and to the north and east by forest and private lands. A World Heritage Site, Waterton Lakes National Park and Montana's Glacier National Park are designated as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a symbol of peace and goodwill between Canada and the United States and a partnership of shared resources. The author grew up in the Canadian Rockies and has been exploring them since she was a child. The Canadian Rockies are one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, with four million visitors annually. Easily accessible adventures include walking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, horseback riding, skiing and wildlife viewing -- with some of the most spectacular animals in North America. Where else can you spend the morning hiking through spectacular wilderness and by afternoon enjoy high tea in one of the grand hotels? The guide is filled with inside information on how to avoid the tourist traps and where to find the special places off the beaten path that the tourists don't know about; the most worthwhile outdoor adventures and indoor activities; the hotels and restaurants at all price levels that are the very best; plus tips on places to avoid. Each chapter covers transportation to and around the park, where to stay and eat, attractions and shopping, plus adventures, from drives to day hikes, rafting to cycling. Competing guides focus on the standard tourist sites (where the crowds can ruin your experience), while we take you to the lesser-known spots (restaurants, lodges, hiking paths), which are often more rewarding.