![Canadian Flag](graphics/canada_flag2_55.gif)
National Park
Created in 1895, Waterton Lakes National Park, located in southwestern Alberta on the U.S./Canadian border, is a meeting of rolling prairie and lofty mountains that provides a contrast unique in the Canadian National Parks system. This juxtaposition creates a richer variety of flowers and animals than is found in most national parks.
![Waterton Town & Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel Waterton Town & Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1154watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
Waterton Town & Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel
About 55% of Alberta's total wildflower species can be found in Waterton, including many plants considered rare in Canada.
Wapiti, mule deer and bighorn sheep are commonly seen and both grizzly and black bears are found in the Park.
![Waterton Lakes National Park Map Waterton Lakes National Park Map](waterton_lake_national_park/waterton_lake_national_park_map456s.jpg)
Waterton's 525 square kilometres (203 square miles) have a unique geologic history, including some of the oldest exposed bedrock in the Canadian Rockies.
Glacial landforms, abundant lakes, streams and waterfalls also add interest to a landscape which today provides many recreational opportunities.
Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park in Montana were joined together by the governments of Canada and the United States in 1932 as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first park of its kind in the world.
Both parks have been designated Biosphere Reserves. In December of 1995 they were jointly designated the "Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site."
For current information visit the Waterton Lakes National Park website.
I visited Waterton Lakes National Park in August 1997.
![Waterton Town & Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel Waterton Town & Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1154watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
Waterton Town & Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel
![Redrock Canyon Redrock Canyon](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1148watterton_national_parkspfw450hq.jpg)
Redrock Canyon
![Redrock Canyon Redrock Canyon](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1149watterton_national_parkspfw450hq.jpg)
Redrock Canyon
![Anderson Peak Anderson Peak](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1150watterton_national_parkspfw450hq.jpg)
Anderson Peak
![View over Prince of Wales Hotel and Waterton Lake at nearby mountains View over Prince of Wales Hotel and Waterton Lake at nearby mountains](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1153watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
View over Prince of Wales Hotel and Waterton Lake at nearby mountains
![Citadel Peak and Porqupine Ridge in the U.S. Citadel Peak and Porqupine Ridge in the U.S.](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1152watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
Citadel Peak and Porqupine Ridge in the U.S.
![Citadel Peak and Porqupine Ridge in the U.S. Citadel Peak and Porqupine Ridge in the U.S.](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1151watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
Citadel Peak and Porqupine Ridge in the U.S.
![Cameron Lake and Mt. Custer Cameron Lake and Mt. Custer](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1157watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
Cameron Lake and Mt. Custer
![Cameron Lake and Mt. Custer Cameron Lake and Mt. Custer](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1156watterton_national_parkspfspfw450hq.jpg)
Cameron Lake and Mt. Custer
![Prince of Wales Hotel Prince of Wales Hotel](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1155watterton_national_parkspfw450hq.jpg)
Prince of Wales Hotel
![Cameron Falls - Oldest Rocks in the Rocky Mountains Cameron Falls - Oldest Rocks in the Rocky Mountains](waterton_lake_national_park/IDMT101-1158watterton_national_parkspfw450hq.jpg)
Cameron Falls - Oldest Rocks in the Rocky Mountains