A section of Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, which borders the U.S. state of Montana, has been temporarily closed to the public due to bear management operations, Parks Canada announced.
The closure impacts several key areas within the park, including the Cameron Lake region. Specifically, access is restricted along the Akamina Parkway from the Little Prairie day-use area to Cameron Lake, as well as the Akamina Pass Trail leading from the parkway to the British Columbia border. Additional closures include the Carthew-Alderson Trail from the Cameron Lake day-use area to Carthew Pass, the Boundary Creek Trail from Summit Lake to the United States border, and the surrounding land that connects these zones.
The decision to restrict access falls under Section 36(1) of the National Parks General Regulations, authorized by the Canada National Parks Act. This provision grants park superintendents the authority to close areas deemed hazardous to public safety or the park’s ecological integrity due to seasonal or temporary conditions.
Officials warn that failure to comply with the closure could result in prosecution under the Canada National Parks Act, with potential penalties reaching up to $25,000.
Parks Canada has not provided a timeline for when the affected areas will reopen, stating the closure will remain in effect as long as necessary to ensure the safety of both the public and the region’s wildlife.
