Wildflower Viewing

Red Rock Canyon Parkway

Take a scenic drive to Red Rock Canyon and be treated with many wildflowers growing along the roadside. Stop at the Bellevue Prairie trailhead pull out (you will see the little bear sign) and walk out on the trail to see blooms such as Prairie Crocus and Sticky Purple Geranium. This is an approx. 7 km in and back trail, but you can easily walk a smaller section before returning to your vehicle. Make sure you stay on trail to avoid trampling any plants. Many other pull-outs along the parkway give you the chance to stop and take in the colorful blooms dotted along the landscape.

Akamina Parkway

Driving up this parkway gives visitors a chance to see Wildflowers that grow at higher elevations, and is usually a perfect place to see the Beargrass blooms along the roadside. Later in the season you can see Fireweed scattered through the burnt forest with its vibrant pink petals. Take advantage of the many day-use areas and trailheads along the road to stop for better viewing. Watch out for traffic and always stay on designated pathways. If you drive the parkway all the way to Cameron Lake,you can park and take the short 3 km walk along the lakeshore to view these more of the blooms up close.

Hay Barn Road

Along the entrance road, take the turn off at the sign for Hay Barn. You can also bike or walk along the paved Kootanai Brown trail from the townsite. This large open area is called the Blakiston Fan, it is an alluvial fan, a result of erosion and glaciation. It is also a protected habitat. It hosts a variety of wildflowers such as Silky Lupin which is a favorite among many wildflower enthusiasts. The Lupin is also essential in the Half-moon Hairstreak butterfly’s life cycle. This butterfly is a critically endangered species and Waterton is the only place in Alberta it is found! Make sure to stay on the roadway and the paved Kootanai Brown path to avoid damaging any delicate vegetation that this butterfly depends on.

Bertha Falls Trail

Hikers are treated to an ever-changing array of wildflowers, with each season bringing forth a new selection of blooms on this easy 5km round trip trail. Wild Bergamot, Scorpionweed (rare in Canada!) and Striped Coralroot can all be found on different sections of this trail. This is a family friendly trail and perfect for those that want to hike but are not looking for long distances.

Crandell Lake Trail

Start at the trailhead along the Akaimina parkway or at the Red Rock Canyon Parkway trailhead. Enjoy this shorter hike that boasts a variety of wildflowers to be seen on your way to this beautiful Alpine Lake. Penstemon, Balsam Root and Wildrose (the official flower of Alberta) grow along the trail and make for many stops along the way. This trail is just under 4 km (5 km from the Red Rock side) and is a perfect place to spend your morning taking photos and checking off your flower list.

If you are looking to make your Waterton Wildflower experience more memorable, there are many activities that you can join as well as volunteer opportunities.

Catch a Guided horseback ride with Alpine Stables and experience the magic of wildflowers while being led through forests of aspen trees and flower-filled meadows. Tours range from 1-5 Hours and there are also Full Day trips available. Visit www.alpinestables.com to book or stop in while you are in the Park. The stables are located along the entrance road across from the Golf Course road.

Join a Wildflower Hike with Tamarack Outdoors and learn about the flowers of Waterton while hiking along one of Waterton’s premier trails. Trips travel through varying ecosystems so you can see and identify different species of Wildflowers. Hikes are 2-3 Hours & located on easy to moderate trails. Book your hike online at www.hikewaterton.com or stop in the Tamarack while you are in the Park. They are located at 214 Mount View Road in the Waterton townsite.

If you would like to Volunteer your time, Parks Canada offers a chance to help give back to the Wildflowers of the park. In May through to October, you can join the Adopt-a-patch program. Help manage invasive plants along an adopted section of trail in Waterton. Support the Parks Canada restoration crew by weeding out invasive plant species. This helps keep the ecosystem healthy, keeps wildflowers blooming and also supports many species that depend on wildflowers. You can register on the Parks Canada website, or email them at wlnp-volunteer@pc.gc.ca