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Fall hikes in Waterton are a perfect way to experience the park’s golden colours, crisp mountain air, and peaceful trails without the summer crowds. Autumn transforms Waterton Lakes National Park into a quieter, colourful escape perfect for hiking and sightseeing. Over two days, you’ll explore hikes like Blakiston Falls and Rowe Lakes – while also enjoying other highlights such as kayaking on Waterton Lakes and strolling through Red Rock Canyon. This scenic itinerary showcases the park’s unique charm.
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Why Visit Waterton in the Fall
The golden leaves whistling in the wind against Red Rock Canyon create stunning pictures. The greenery against the burnt wood on the Blakiston Falls trail is a nice contrast of what used to be and the new life popping up. The colourful mountain views are breathtaking this time of year.
Crisp Weather and Fewer Crowds
The crisp weather in the morning, while wearing a light Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan to stay warm, is the perfect way to start a morning hike. By the afternoon or early evening, it’s considerably warmer, reminding you of the not-so-long-ago summer days. The trails are quiet, while only spotting a few hikers. It’s a lot more peaceful to enjoy the scenery without crowds of tourists in your pictures.
Golden Larches and Aspen Colours
The golden larches and the leaves changing colour on the trees pop in every direction.
Day 1: Scenic Fall Hikes and Iconic View
Start your first day with the beautiful Rowe Lakes trail hike. Go for a short walk to the first lake or hike further up for stunning larch and lake views.
Rowe Lakes Trail – Moderate Fall Hike with Stunning Fall Colours
Directions: Take Akamina Parkway Road to Cameron Lake. The turn-off is to the left, right after leaving the town of Waterton.
Parking: There are lots of parking spaces available.
Washrooms: There are no washrooms at the Rowe Lake trailhead, but if you continue to the Little Prairie picnic area, you’ll find clean and well-maintained outhouses.
Distance: The 8-kilometre hike to Lower Rowe Lake is gorgeous. It has an elevation of 350 metres and takes approximately two to three hours. If you go further to Upper Rowe Lake, it’s a 14-kilometre return trail from the parking lot with a 671-metre elevation gain. Going up to the second lake and back will take approximately five hours. The second part of the trail is considered more challenging, with a steeper route to reach the upper lake, but it has a stunning view you don’t want to miss.
Lower Trail
The trail to Lower Rowe Lake starts with a moderate uphill. The fall leaves and scenery created a beautiful environment, even with the burnt trees.
Tip: It can get cold quickly when it’s windy with no wind protection from the trees. Make sure to bring warm layers in case the weather changes.
The trail gets steeper at times. Healthy trees will surround you, having not been affected by the fire higher up.
The views get more breathtaking the further up you go. This was our stunning scenery as we walked along the mountainside. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture this view.
This area is also perfect for seeing bears. Be bear aware in September and October, as they will be foraging in preparation for the winter season. We were happy to see many vehicles in the parking lot. It provided us with some comfort knowing the trail would be busy with chatty hikers to help keep the bears away.
Lower Rowe Lake
Lower Rowe Lake, the first lake, provided us with Waterton’s fall colours along the lake.
Tip: It can be very windy near the lake. For protection, have a snack or lunch behind trees, so you don’t get blown away.
We were fortunate enough to see a weasel hiding in and out of rocks while we ate our lunch. It made for the perfect lunch spot. Please don’t leave any food lying around or feed them. We don’t want wild animals to rely on human food and be unable to fend for themselves.
This eight-kilometre trail up to this point is nice. I highly recommend heading up the steep trail towards the second lake. It’s strenuous, but the views are amazing!
Upper Trail
The trail leads to the steep switchbacks towards the golden larches on the far left. You can refuel or drink water before hiking up. It’s hard work, but the views are worth it!
Upper Rowe Lake
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
This is the breathtaking Upper Rowe Lake! The sun shimmering on the bright golden larches captures a beautiful picture. The lake changed from turquoise to blue depending on the sun’s rays.
You’ll likely need to put on a warmer layer to protect yourself from the wind when reaching this destination. My Osprey Tempest 24 Pack was perfect to carry everything with me, including my lunch, water in my Camelbak Crux 2L Reservoir, snacks, and extra layers.
If you prefer, you can also book this hike with a guide to go with a small group of people.
After your excellent hike, head to Red Rock Trattoria for supper.
Cozy Restaurant After Rowe Lakes Trail Hike
Red Rock Trattoria has comfort food, which is perfect after a five-hour hike. Pair it with a glass of wine to relax after a day of fresh air.
Day 2 – Kayaking Waterton Lakes & Exploring Red Rock Canyon
Start your morning on day two feeling the breeze at your back, kayaking on Waterton Lakes for an hour. Give your legs a break and feel the momentum as you move your arms back and forth with the kayak moving forward. After spending some time on the lake, head to Red Rock Canyon to explore this popular destination.
Kayaking On Waterton Lakes in Fall
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
Enjoy a kayaking adventure while admiring Waterton’s beautiful landscape. An hour of paddling will give you a feel for the activity without overwhelming you. It can be windy, and you might experience rough water. Be prepared with a windbreaker and warm layers. If it’s your first time on the water, it’s typically calmer in the morning. Stick to kayaking in the bay for a good experience. Leaving the area could lead to lots more wind with the potential to flip your boat on the open water. Blakiston and Company is nearby, where you can rent kayaks and walk them over with two people to your launch point. If you have more time, book your kayaks for the day to go on a longer adventure!
- Parking: Park on the street.
- Washrooms: There are no washrooms on site; however, Marina public washrooms are available at 224 Mt. View Road.
- Rentals: Rent the single kayaks online from Blakiston and Company for $35 an hour. If you prefer, head down to the shop to see what’s available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Where to Launch: Walk five minutes with your kayaks from the rental location to Emerald Bay to launch. They also offer a cart option if you’d like help bringing them to your destination.
- The best time to go: They are open until the end of September. September hours are from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Many townsite facilities and services close in mid-October. If you plan to go kayaking in Waterton in the fall, be sure to check what’s open.
After you’re done kayaking, drive down Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon.
Hiking Red Rock Canyon in Fall
Washrooms: They can be found at each of the two parking lots, although the one up top is nicer, providing multiple stalls compared to only one at the second parking lot.
Parking: There is plenty of space to park your vehicle.
Distance: It’s a short and easy hike. This 0.8-kilometre loop offers several viewpoints into the canyon.
Take advantage of low water volumes to walk into the canyon for photos. Depending on the time of day, you’ll get full sun or shade.
Tip: You might have to walk to a specific spot in the canyon to avoid the shadow in your pictures.
Going earlier in the day helps to avoid the crowds, and you’ll be able to take pictures of the rocks instead of people walking on them.
Tip: It can be slippery when crossing the rocks, so make sure you have a good grip to prevent slips before jumping over to the other side.
After spending some time walking above the canyon and on the rocks, hike to Blakiston Falls.
Blakiston Falls
Directions: The Blakiston Falls trailhead starts by crossing the bridge and taking the path to the left of Red Rock Canyon.
Washrooms: Red Rock Canyon provides the washrooms at the trailhead.
Parking: The parking lot is shared with Red Rock Canyon.
Distance: This hike is 2.4 kilometres long and has an 86-metre elevation gain.
There are burnt trees in this area, but the different coloured leaves make the area pop.
Blakiston Falls is an easy trail. It starts in the trees and opens up to this beautiful view.
As you approach the area, observation decks are provided for further close-ups of the falls.
Tip: If you’re scared of heights, don’t look down. The structure is stable, but you can see right through to the bottom, which can make some weak in the knees, like it did for me. Look ahead towards your partner and enjoy the beauty of the water flowing beside you.
Time for a delicious meal followed by dessert at one of the best restaurants in town.
Indulge in Delicious Food After Your Fall Hikes in Waterton
Fireside Lounge & Wine Bar has unbelievably delicious options with various tastes in every bite. They have a variety of food to satisfy different palates.
Finish off the evening with a sweet dessert like To Die for 15 chocolate cake.
Other Things to Do in Waterton in the Fall
There are many other things you can do in Waterton. Walk along the beach, camp, and do other hikes like Bear’s Hump Trailhead that overlooks Waterton.
Walk along Waterton Lakes
Photo credit: Kelsey Stephenson
The rocky walk along the beach is beautiful. It is often very windy here. Make sure you’re wearing your windbreaker so you don’t get blown away.
From the beach, you can take the Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. It ”offers informative and entertaining sight-seeing tours of Upper Waterton Lake”.
Practical Tips for a Waterton Fall Itinerary
Here are things to keep in mind for your Fall hikes in Waterton itinerary. When to see the peak colours, essential items to pack and ideas of where to stay in Waterton while vacationing there.
When to Visit for Peak Colours
Prime time to visit is the last two weeks in September. You might be lucky to find fall colours until Thanksgiving, but note that many accommodations and restaurants are closed by this time, so you might have limited options from which to pick.
What to Pack for Fall Hiking
Where to Stay in Waterton in Autumn
After your fall hikes in Waterton, head to Bear Country Inn and Suites for a good night’s rest. Enjoy a delicious complimentary breakfast the next morning to get you started for the day.
Final Thoughts – The Perfect 2-Day Fall Getaway in Waterton
Spending just two days in Waterton during the fall is a reminder of how magical this season can be in the mountains. The combination of vibrant foliage, peaceful trails, and breathtaking viewpoints makes every hike rewarding. With this itinerary, you’ll discover some of the best fall hikes Waterton offers while still having time to enjoy the town’s charm and the park’s quiet beauty. A short trip here proves you don’t need weeks to create lasting memories—just the right trails, a touch of autumn colour, and a willingness to explore. Don’t forget to download the Waterton hiking and kayaking freebie to get you prepared for your trip!
Additional Links
- 4 Best Larch Hikes
- Fall Hikes in Banff and Yoho
- Where Can I Find Spectacular Waterton Fall Hikes?
- 4 Spectacular Drumheller Hikes
- Kayak Alberta: Paddle These Stunning Lakes!
Trip Resources
- Book your flights with Expedia
- Book your Waterton hotel with Booking.com or Hotels.com
- Book your Waterton vacation rental with Vrbo
- Book your Waterton Upper Rowe Lakes Hike tour through TripAdvisor
- Book Upper Rowe Lakes Guided Hike with Get Your Guide
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