Background
In 1932 Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta was combined with Glacier National Park in Montana to form the world's first International Peace Park. UNESCO says the park on the border offers outstanding scenery and is exceptionally rich in plant and mammal species, with prairie, forest, alpine and glacial features.
The union grew from a joint meeting of the Cardston and Montana Rotary Clubs at the Prince of Wales Hotel in July 1931; Congress passed its act that December, Canada gave royal assent on 26 May 1932, and the dedication followed at Glacier Park Lodge on 18 June. Wikivoyage says both parks became biosphere reserves in 1976, and that while Canadians and Americans can hike across the border with a passport, other nationalities must use an official crossing such as Chief Mountain on the Waterton to Babb road.
- 1931Rotary clubs from both sides meet at the Prince of Wales Hotel
- 1932The two parks are joined as the first International Peace Park
- 1936The delayed Canadian ceremony is held
- 1976Both parks become biosphere reserves
- 1995Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Waterton LakesThe Canadian park, where the prairie meets the mountains.
- 2Prince of Wales HotelWhere the Peace Park was first proposed in 1931.
- 3Glacier National ParkThe Montana side, with its alpine and glacial country.
- 4The 49th ParallelThe border runs straight through the park, crossed by trail, boat and road.
- 5Chief Mountain CrossingThe most convenient border post, on the Waterton to Babb road.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
The Waterton Side
Not yet in a GoGo guide
- 09:00Waterton Lakes4 hrsLakes, trails and the mountain front.
- 14:00Prince of Wales Hotel1 hrThe hotel where the Peace Park began.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Jul–Aug. Freezing days in Nov–Apr.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
