Waterton Lakes National Park is one of my favourite spots to explore in Alberta. That’s because there’s so much to do and see. So if you’re planning a visit, hiking at Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls is a great choice if you enjoy the great outdoors. Red Rock is a popular place for family picnics and afternoon walks.
Last Updated: March 22, 2024
Have you ever visited Waterton Lakes National Park? My first visit to Waterton was after the 2017 Kenow Wildfire. While the fire brought much destruction, it’s incredible to see how life follows the blaze. Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls are full of Waterton’s natural beauty and resilience.
While you’re driving along Red Rock Canyon Parkway, you’ll definitely see signs of the wildfire. This particular fire burnt 35,000 hectares, including over 19,300 hectares in Waterton Park. Wildfires often occur naturally to bring necessary ecological change and usually the benefits outweigh the destruction. However, over 80 percent of hiking trails and many pieces of park infrastructure were impacted by this fire.
This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
About Red Rock Canyon
Location: Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Distance: 3 km out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 70 m elevation gain
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs must remain on-leash.
Features: Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls have well-groomed trails with minimal elevation gain. Therefore, these short hikes provide interesting and diverse landscape with relatively minimal effort. Solo adventurers or larger groups will enjoy exploring the area, but keep an eye out for bears. You might also see woodpeckers and American Dippers from the trail.
Finding the Trailhead
Red Rock Canyon is very easy to find. Once you arrive in Waterton, follow the Red Rock Canyon Parkway for 15 km through the Blakiston Valley over rolling grasslands. Remember, there are often black bears near this road, so drive slowly and watch for wildlife. Further, you’ll also see burnt trees standing as signs of the Kenow Wildfire along this stretch. Prepare to take about 30 minutes to reach the canyon from Waterton town. And don’t forget your Parks Canada Discovery Pass or day pass for parking.
You might also appreciate knowing that there are toilets available at the Red Rock Canyon parking area. However, these outhouses do not have indoor plumbing to conserve water for vulnerable aquatic species—like the bull trout. As the sign reads: “This no-flush latrine saves up to 60,000 litres of water per day.” Yes, please!
Read more: Crypt Lake Hike in Waterton Lakes National Park
Hiking at Red Rock Canyon
There’s something for everyone in Waterton Lakes National Park. Did you know that Waterton is one of Alberta’s five spectacular national parks? And you really can’t visit Waterton without visiting Red Rock Canyon! It’s worth adding to any itinerary. Walking around the canyon and then hiking to Blakiston Falls are easily combined in a morning or afternoon.
I quite enjoyed the jaunt around Red Rock Canyon, but the short loop above the canyon is hardly a “hike.” The scenic walk is under 1 km and takes 15 minutes or so. Needless to say, I was thrilled to find more trails nearby. We spent some time inside the canyon and then continued on to Blakiston Falls.
Read more: 5 Easy Hikes for Rocky Mountain Rookies (Plus a Bonus!)
Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls Map
Have you visiting Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls? What’s your favourite outdoor thing to do in Waterton Park? Leave a comment below.
Save this for later? Hover over the image to add to Pinterest!
Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
