Waterton village is the laid-back gateway to Waterton Lakes National Park

Make no mistake, Waterton Lakes National Park is as fine a park as any in the Canadian Rockies, yet it remains relatively uncrowded.

This is the result of its isolated position well to the south of the other Rockies parks, in limbo on the US border where it adjoins Montana's Glacier National Park.

Waterton is particularly excellent for its many day-hikes across wildflower meadows to high-mountain lakes since most conveniently begin at the laid-back village of Waterton, the park's hub.