Scenic Views · Alberta
A short gravel loop road through fescue grassland in Waterton Lakes National Park where you can watch a plains bison herd from your vehicle. Sightings depend on luck, and the road is rough.
The Bison Paddock Loop Road is just inside Waterton's north boundary off Highway 6, looping through rolling grassland with the mountains behind. The draw is a herd of plains bison, and visitors who find them describe it as a moving experience, including one who saw calves running with the herd.
It's a drive-through, not a walk. Parks Canada requires you to stay in your vehicle, and pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists aren't allowed on the loop. The route is short and quick to drive. One visitor suggested parking outside and scanning the paddock from higher ground, though the animals can be hard to see from there.
Sightings aren't guaranteed. The paddock is large, and on some visits the bison are over a hill or far off. When they're close to the road, it's one of the more memorable free stops in the area. There's no water access on the loop, so fishing isn't part of the visit.
The road is gravel with large potholes. Most reviewers say to drive slowly, and one thought it better suited to trucks and SUVs than low cars. The loop closes for the winter season.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 125 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
