Waterton Lakes Park, in southern Alberta, is notable chiefly for its
glacier lakes. Although one of the smallest, it is one of the most
beautiful of the Canadian scenic reservations. Since sixteen square
miles were set aside in 1895, it has been enlarged to four hundred and
twenty-three square miles.
For about twenty miles this Dominion playground adjoins the Glacier
National Park of the United States. The two will be linked by a motor
road, so that visitors to one may also enjoy the other. An enlargement
of the Waterton River forms the main chain of lakes. The upper one,
nine and a half miles long, extends three miles into the United
States.
Prehistoric glaciers gouged out the main valleys, leaving them carved
in massive proportions. Beautiful streams rush down cañons, plunge in
shining cascades, or remain dammed up as superb lakes. The lower
valleys are clothed with forests. Columnar peaks, fantastic rock
formations, and unscalable precipices complete the imposing effects.
Fishing is a leading attraction. The Park contains many Rocky
Mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Grizzly and black bears and mountain
lions also are frequently found.