Completed infrastructure projects
Waterton Lakes National Park
Through infrastructure investment in Waterton Lakes National Park, Parks Canada is ensuring this treasured place will be enjoyed by Canadians and visitors from around the world for years to come.
Approximately $167 million has been invested in projects through the Federal Infrastructure Investment Program, supporting high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences and helping to protect the environment.
Impact assessments are used to manage the effects of infrastructure projects on the natural environment. The following are Parks Canada infrastructure projects that have been completed in Waterton Lakes National Park since 2015.
2023
Crypt Lake trail hand guide and ladder
Replacement of the decades-old anchors, cable (now a chain) and ladder near the top section of the trail was completed in summer of 2023. The new hardware will aid visitors hiking the popular trail for years to come.
Red Rock Canyon rehabilitation
The four bridges at the Red Rock Canyon day use area have been replaced or rehabilitated. Upgrades include improved railings, decking and bridge abutments. Trails surrounding the canyon were repaved and a new central plaza was built as well.
2022
Visitor Centre
The new Waterton Lakes Visitor Centre opened its doors to the public in 2022. The new facility is in the heart of Waterton village. The $25M dollar centre was made possible through the Federal Infrastructure Investment program. It features interpretive exhibits collaboratively designed with local Indigenous communities.
Day use areas
McNeely's, Little Prairie, Coppermine, Lost Horse, Hay Barn and Knight’s Lake day use areas reopened to the public in 2022. These facilities or their surrounding area were damaged or destroyed in the 2017 Kenow wildfire. The new day use areas have upgraded washrooms, picnic enclosures and improved parking access.
2021
Bison Jump viewing area
Bison Jump viewing lookout along the Red Rock Parkway was rebuilt with enhanced features. The new platform offers visitors safe and easy access for sightseeing and wildlife viewing.
Backcountry campgrounds - Goat Lake and Crandell Lake
Goat Lake and Crandell Lake backcountry campgrounds reopened with improved tent pads, new food storage lockers and upgraded backcountry toilets. The popular backcountry destinations were badly damaged in the Kenow wildfire.
Crandell Lake Trail
Drainage, rerouting and bridge rebuilding was completed on the Crandell Lake to townsite trail and the Crandell Lake loop trail. The upgrades help protect the popular hiking and cycling areas from erosion and enhance user experience. The trail was rebuilt with cyclists in mind and is a true multi-use trail, supporting hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Prince of Wales Hill and Linnet Lake trails
Extensive improvements have been made on the Prince of Wales Hill and Linnet Lake trail system. Enhancements include slope stability and drainage improvements on Prince of Wales Hill, as well as paving of Linnet lake trail and installation of new hand rails, benches and maps.
Hiking trail bridges, grading and drainage
New trail bridges have been installed on Bertha Falls, Akamina Pass, Snowshoe, Crandell Lake to townsite, along Dipper and Summit Lake trails. The new bridges replace aging bridges and others damaged or destroyed in the Kenow wildfire.
2020
Helipad
This new helipad was completed in 2020 and supports park operations, including rescues and wildfire patrols. The new helipad also accommodates multiple aircraft and includes a fueling station.
Backcountry toilets
Low impact urine diversion toilets have been installed at several popular visitor destinations including Bertha Lake, Boundary Bay, Goat Lake, Alderson Lake and Crandell Lake, as well as Marquis Hole. These toilets are designed for minimal environmental impact and are easier maintain than traditional backcountry toilets.
Park boundary fence
Approximately 44 kilometres of new barbed wire fencing was installed along the northern and eastern park boundaries. The new fence replaces sections that were destroyed by the Kenow wildfire and other sections that were in poor repair.
Akamina Parkway
The parkway is now safe for vehicles and reopened in October 2020, following repaving the road surface, improving parking areas, rock scaling, and installing new guardrails and new culverts.
Red Rock Parkway
Red Rock Parkway reopened to vehicles in 2020, following rock scaling, installing a rock-fall fence, new guardrails and road signage.
Work on the Red Rock Parkway in 2017 included pavement resurfacing, replacing culverts and rebuilding the lower Red Rock Canyon lot to optimize parking space.
Townsite infrastructure
Waterton Townsite’s roadways, parking, landscaping and utility infrastructure received extensive upgrades between 2015 and 2020. This included:
- New pavement and some new sidewalks on Bertha Lane and Trailhead parking lot, Cameron Falls Drive, Clematis Avenue, Evergreen Avenue, Fountain Avenue, Mount View Road, Vimy Avenue and portions of Windflower Avenue and Waterton Avenue, along with other alleys and lane-ways.
- Expanded and resurfaced parking lots and street parking in the Waterton townsite. Upon completion of the Visitor Centre, a total of 177 new parking stalls will have been added in town.
- Extensive utility replacement throughout the townsite, ensuring safe and reliable services for residents and visitors.
- Installation of dark sky-friendly street lighting
Townsite Campground
Extensive utility and surface upgrades were completed in the Townsite Campground from 2018 to 2020. Work on Loops B and H was completed in 2019, while work on the loops east of Cameron Creek was completed in 2020. This work added utility hookups to more sites, concrete pads, new trees and utility lines throughout the campground.
Bear's Hump trail
Bear’s Hump trail has been rehabilitated with a new surface. The trail reopened to the public in July 2020 after damage as a result of the 2017 Kenow Wildfire.
Cameron Falls area
New fencing, improved trails and viewpoints on both sides of the falls, and new sidewalks and fencing at the base area provide a safe and accessible visitor experience.
Alpine Stables
Alpine Stables has resumed operations. Construction on new residences, barn and stable facilities is now complete.
Marina Washroom
This washroom, located in the marina parking lot, is the park’s first inclusive washroom facility, featuring open common areas and private stalls.
2018-2019
Salamander fence replacement
Approximately 750 metres of guardrail fencing was installed just above the Entrance Road near Linnet Lake to replace a special wildlife road crossing damaged in the Kenow wildfire. The fence system protects the long-toed salamander by providing a safe route across the busy park entrance highway.
Dock replacement
Seasonal docks and permanent landings on upper and lower Waterton Lake have been replaced. New docks at Linnet Lake, Boundary Bay, Crypt Landing, Bertha Bay and Wishbone Landing offer lake users safe and secure access to popular trailheads and backcountry campgrounds.
Blakiston Falls viewing platforms and trails
The Blakiston Falls trail and viewing platforms have been rebuilt and are now open to visitors.
Peace Park Plaza / Marina Seawall and Parking Lot
The Peace Park Plaza has been redesigned and rebuilt with enhanced visitor opportunities to celebrate the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site as the world’s first International Peace Park
Community Kitchen washroom relocation
This washroom was relocated from the site of the new Visitor Centre to the Community Kitchen along Waterton Avenue.
Staff Housing
Staff housing has been built in the Waterton townsite to replace the aging bunkhouse units, formerly located at the Parks Canada compound.
2015-2017
Townsite campground, Cameron Bay and Cameron Falls washrooms
Four washroom buildings were completed in the Townsite campground, replacing ones in poor condition. The Cameron Bay and Cameron Falls washrooms have been redesigned and refurbished.
Townsite garbage bins and pads
New garbage bins and pads have been installed throughout the townsite.
Highway 5 and Highway 6
Highways 5 and 6 have been rehabilitated to ensure longevity and increase safety through resurfacing, guardrail replacement and drainage improvements.
Belly River crossing
A redesigned stream crossing provides reliable access to the group camp area by increasing the culvert size to eliminate washouts.
Cameron Lake Day Use Area
The Cameron Lake Day Use Area has new visitor facilities including shelter, interpretation, docks, washrooms and parking.
Related links
- Date modified :