Park Wildlife
In Waterton National Park, the prime viewing time for wildlife is early morning or late evening. Fall and spring, which tend to be the slow seasons for visitors, are the best time of year to see animals.
Elk: Waterton has a healthy elk population that tends to frequent the low-lying prairie sections more than the mountainous areas of the park. The Entrance Road and the Chief Mountain Highway are both good venues for seeing and photographing elk.
Moose: Moose are found throughout the park, but are not abundant in any one area. Watch along the Akamina Parkway and in the Cameron Lakes area, or along the meadows and ponds found on Chief Mountain Highway. Cows and calves often frequent the Red Rock Parkway in the spring, while bulls are occasionally seen along the Chief Mountain Highway in late autumn.
Deer: Waterton Lakes is home to healthy populations of both whitetail and mule deer, with mule deer in particular being abundant throughout the park. The Waterton area is renowned for its spectacular photographic opportunities, and the large mule bucks that cruise the park environs in late summer and fall are often very photogenic.
Bighorn Sheep: Bighorn sheep are abundant throughout the park, and are most commonly seen in the town site, or along either the Red Rock Parkway or the Akamina Parkway.
Mountain Goats: These can be spotted high on cliffs and crags in the south end of the park, but are rarely seen along the roadsides.
Wolf: Wolves have recently returned to the area, but are rarely seen because of their low numbers and secretive nature.
Coyote: Coyotes are widespread in Waterton, particularly in the prairie areas with wide open meadows interspersed with brushy gullies and draws. The Entrance Road and the Red Rock Parkway are all excellent places for viewing and photographing coyotes year-round, and visitors traveling through the park in the spring may be fortunate enough to observe coyote pups.
Mountain Lion: The park supports a large, healthy population of mountain lions, and is one of the most likely spots in Alberta to see these big cats. However, because of the cougar's nocturnal habits and secretive nature, sightings are still rare.
Black Bear: Black bears are common in Waterton, and can be spotted just about anywhere in the park. Watch for them on all of the park's roads and trails, particularly around the town site. Black bears in Waterton Lakes come in a variety of colors, including black, brown and cream, and eat everything from ants to dandelions to buffalo berries. They go into hibernation in early November and usually don't emerge from their slumber until April.
Grizzly Bear: Much of Waterton National Park is roamed by grizzly bears, although the population is considered to be unstable due to human pressures. Grizzlies can be distinguished from black bears by the large hump of muscle on their shoulders and from the shape of their face: grizzlies have very broad round faces, while black bears have narrow profiles much like a dog's face.
