Water activities
Waterton Lakes National Park
All non-motorized watercraft from outside of the park are prohibited from launching in water bodies in Waterton Lakes National Park. View 2025 regulations
Paddling: Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding
Restrictions are currently in place
All non-motorized watercraft from outside of the park are prohibited from launching in water bodies in Waterton Lakes National Park. View 2025 regulations
Water activity quick reference guide
We are taking action to protect park and regional waters from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). This includes invasive freshwater mussels, whirling disease, and other harmful species. Due to the places that visitors and their watercraft travel from, the park represents a place of high risk for AIS introduction. Learn more about AIS.
How can I paddle in Waterton in 2025?
Watercraft rentals are available from local businesses. Visit Waterton Tourism to learn more.
Use extreme caution on any of the water bodies in the park. Expect frequent high winds and rough waters. Conditions change quickly in Waterton's valleys, and all park waters are very cold.
Seasonal permits and exemptions
Seasonal permit program
Non-motorized watercraft that do not leave park boundaries may qualify for the Seasonal Permit Program to legally launch in park waters. Watercraft owners must take a course on aquatic invasive species and the watercraft must be inspected by Parks Canada staff to qualify for the permit. All watercraft stored in-park will require an attestation form signed by both the watercraft owner and the property leaseholder prior to issuance of the permit.
If you would like to receive information about the 2025 Seasonal Permit Program, please contact wlfuaisprevention-eaiprevention@pc.gc.ca.
Exemption for adaptive equipment
Users who require adaptive equipment due to a disability: Parks Canada is committed to accessibility and your adapted watercraft and equipment could be accommodated if you can meet the following requirements:
- You are arriving from the low-risk provinces of B.C., Alberta or Saskatchewan and your watercraft has not been used outside of these provinces this year.
- Your watercraft is cleaned, drained and dried prior to arrival.
- You provide 24 hours notice of your arrival on weekdays so a pre-trip inspection can be scheduled.
Please contact wlfuaisprevention-eaiprevention@pc.gc.ca in advance of your visit for more details.
Mandatory permits for inflatables, toys, fishing equipment and scuba gear
All water equipment requires a self-certification permit.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Fishing equipment
- Scuba gear
- Inflatable toys and floats (inner tubes, children’s toys)
- Lifejackets and personal floatation devices (PFDs)
- Towed watersport equipment (tubes, wakeboards, water skis etc.)
Inflatable or packable watercraft like kayaks, paddleboards, hydrofoils, and canoes are all classified as non-motorized watercraft in Waterton Lakes National Park. View 2025 regulations
Scuba diving
A paddle wheeler boat built in the early 1900s, the Gertrude, lies on the bottom of Emerald Bay at a depth of 20 metres. Visit the ship in early spring or during the fall for the best visibility. Please do not use the Gertrude as a rest spot. Parks Canada Regulations state that it is prohibited to remove anything you may find on your dive.
The Emerald Bay Day Use Area is a popular and often crowded place. As a courtesy to other users, please do not use generators and air compressors at the picnic site. We ask that you fill tanks at the parking lot of the Parks Canada compound.
All scuba gear requires a mandatory self-certification permit.
Where to find self-certification permits
Location details
| Name | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Bay | 49°02'41.7"N 113°54'50.1"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Cameron Lake | 49°01'10.7"N 114°02'42.2"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Driftwood Beach | 49°03'57.7"N 113°53'44.6"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Emerald Bay North | 49°03'24.7"N 113°54'31.5"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Emerald Bay North 2 | 49°03'24.2"N 113°54'27.4"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Emerald Bay North 3 | 49°03'30.1"N 113°54'14.7"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Emerald Bay South | 49°03'20.8"N 113°54'37.7"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Farmer's Bay | 49°05'40.6"N 113°90'81.8"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Hay Barn | 49°04'48.0"N 113°51'03.1"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Knight Lake | 49°06'12.7"N 113°51'05.2"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Linnet Docks | 49°03'48.5"N 113°54'12.2"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Marina | 49°03'15.2"N 113°54'27.6"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Maskinonge | 49°06'37.2"N 113°50'28.7"W | Self-certification permit location |
| Park gate | 49°06'34.4"N 113°50'57.3"W | Information |
| Townsite campground kiosk | 49°02'54.9"N 113°54'33.6"W | Information |
| Visitor centre | 404 Cameron Falls Drive | Information |
Clean, drain, dry, and certify
Clean, drain, dry, and certify all water-related gear before entering park water bodies to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Clean
all mud, sand, plant, and animal materials from inflatables, toys, gear, and fishing equipment. Clean on dry land, away from waterbodies, storm drains, or ditches.
Drain
all inflatables, toys, gear, and fishing equipment before leaving the waterbody. Diseases, young invasive mussels and spiny water flea can be transported in standing water, undetectable by the naked eye.
Dry
for at least 48 hours when last used within AB, BC, NWT, or YT; and at least 30 days when last used outside of AB, BC, NWT, or YT. Many invasive species can survive in small amounts of water or moist conditions for long periods of time.
Certify
inflatables, toys, gear, and fishing equipment by filling out a mandatory Parks Canada self-certification permit.
Water activity quick reference guide
Measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species are in place in Waterton Lakes National Park. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in fines of up to $25,000.
What's NOT permitted
- Non-motorized watercraft from outside the park are prohibited from launching in park waters.
- This includes canoes, kayaks, rafts, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, paddle boats, belly boats, drift boats, windsurfing equipment, kite boards, inflatable watercraft, pedal-assist kayaks and catamarans.
- Review Waterton's fishing regulations for closed waters, seasons and possession limits. Barbed hooked and felt-soled waders are prohibited.
With a permit
- Inflatable lake and water toys, fishing gear, diving gear and other water equipment (excluding watercraft) can be used once self-certified. Inspection forms are available at the Visitor Centre and popular beaches.
- Fishing in certain water bodies is allowed with a national park fishing permit.
- Motorized or trailered boat on Upper and Middle Waterton Lakes only if it has completed the 90-day quarantine program.
Permitted activities
- Certified canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available from local retailers.
- You can also enjoy a variety of boat tours on Upper Waterton Lake; visit Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. for details.
FAQs: Water activities and restrictions
What authority does Parks Canada have to make the decision to prohibit outside watercraft from launching?
Parks Canada manages Waterton Lakes National Park consistent with the expectations of Canadians as reflected in the Waterton Lakes National Park Management Plan and the Canada National Parks Act.
As identified in the Canada National Parks Act’s General Regulations section 7(1), the Superintendent may, where it is necessary for the proper management of the park to do so, designate certain activities, uses or entry and travel in areas in a Park as restricted or prohibited.
Is there a penalty for launching prohibited watercraft in Waterton Lakes National Park?
All incoming non-motorized watercraft will be considered a prohibited boat. Under the Canada National Parks Act the maximum penalty for a launching a prohibited boat in the park is $25,000. The offender can be arrested, their boat seized, and the offender will be compelled to attend court. If found guilty, in addition to the fine imposed by the court, the crown can seek forfeiture of the seized boat.
Parks Canada recognizes that some visitors on longer trips may have non-motorized watercraft with them for use elsewhere. It’s important to note that outside watercraft are permitted to enter the national park boundary but cannot launch in park waters. Please leave them stored on or in your vehicle.
What counts as a non-motorized boat?
Non-motorized watercraft means: any boat or vessel that is not motorized. This includes canoe, kayak, raft, stand up paddle (SUP) board, sailboat, paddle boat, belly boat, drift boat, windsurfing, kite boarding, inflatable watercraft, pedal assist kayaks, catamarans, car toppers, hydrofoil, cataraft, and any other amphibious craft.
Why did Waterton Lakes National Park move away from a mandatory inspection program?
A mandatory inspection program ran from 2021 to 2023, but Parks Canada continued to see low compliance and willful non-compliance with this program year over year. Parks Canada has taken decisive action to ensure that the ecological integrity of the park and downstream aquatic communities remains intact.
What other restrictions may be implemented in the future? Is this change permanent?
Parks Canada will continue to evaluate the program and monitor waterbodies for the presence of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in park waters. Any new detection of AIS in the region will require swift and decisive action, as well as an immediate re-evaluation of the non-motorized boating program.
Waterton Lakes staff will continue discussions with regional partners, interested parties and staff in other Parks Canada-administered places to explore collective solutions for water recreation while maintaining the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
I had my boat inspected elsewhere, isn't that good enough?
No. Inspections completed elsewhere will not allow you to launch your watercraft in the park. With whirling disease present in neighbouring waterbodies, outside boats pose a risk of aquatic invasive species introduction regardless of their origin.
Are water toys still allowed?
Yes, but they must be cleaned, drained, dried and certified. You must complete a self-certification permit for every water toy prior to use.
Water toys/floaties are considered non-watercraft aquatic equipment. Aquatic equipment also includes waders, wading boots, fishing gear, scuba gear, snorkeling equipment, personal flotation devices (PFD), floats (inner tubes, children’s toys), research equipment and any other recreational equipment intended for use in waterbodies.
Non-motorized watercraft are more likely to spread and introduce aquatic invasive species as they have more places for species to hide.
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