Driftwood Beach

What visitors say

Driftwood Beach lines the shore of the Waterton Lakes just before you reach the Waterton Park townsite. As the name says, bleached driftwood is scattered along the beach, and the shoreline is covered in smooth stones in a wide range of colours. Visitors describe looking down the lake toward the mountains of Montana, with the Prince of Wales Hotel up on its hill.

It's a place to walk, sit and take photos rather than a developed beach. Several reviewers mention sunrise and sunset as the best times, and families say kids love looking at the colourful stones. One summer visitor found the water warm enough to wade.

The Waterton Lakes are open to angling in summer with a Parks Canada fishing permit, and the park has rules on watercraft to keep out aquatic invasive species, so check current restrictions before bringing a boat or paddleboard. Townsite Campground and the village are minutes away.

The wind is the main caveat. Waterton is known for it, and one visitor said standing on the beach for more than a minute or two was hard. Parking is limited and there are no washrooms. The stones are lovely, but taking rocks or driftwood out of a national park isn't allowed, so leave them for the next visitor.

Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 178 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.