Waterton Lakes National Park

This site, where prairie meets mountains abruptly, has the greatest density and variety of wildlife of any Rocky Mountain destination. Twenty-two of Alberta's 26 orchid species occur here—the greatest concentration of species in the province.

Golden eagles soar above the mountains, and bald eagles are common during migration.

At the Waterton townsite, look for American dippers, violet-green swallows, MacGillivray's warblers, and rufous and calliope hummingbirds, as well as mule deer and bighorn sheep. Wolverine and cougar are occasionally observed.

At Cameron Lake, listen for the songs of Swainson's, hermit and varied thrushes in the evening. Scan the snowslide areas of the mountain slopes across Cameron Lake with binoculars for the best chance of seeing grizzly bears anywhere in Alberta. Bears are always unpredictable, so observe the caution signs and keep your distance.

Pause at the active osprey nest near the park entrance gate, and look for the cliff swallow colony at the bridge.