Is Any Part of Glacier National Park in Canada?
Is any part of Glacier National Park in Canada is a great question! With a slightly not straightforward answer. The answer is yes and no (sorry it’s a bit confusing!)
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The short answer: While Glacier National Park, USA does connect with Waterton National Park in Canada, that park isn’t called Glacier National Park. The part that makes it even more confusing is that Glacier National Park does exist in Canada, but it’s a completely separate park in British Columbia, not Alberta. I’ll explain more below!
What is the Difference Between Glacier National Park, USA and Glacier National Park, Canada?
Okay there are actually three parks in question here that might help clarify the answer to this question.
1. Glacier National Park, USA
This park is located in the state of Montana in the United States. It’s a huge park with ton of beautiful mountains and hiking and you guessed it – glaciers! Glacier National Park, USA goes all the way up to the Canadian border and connects to a Canadian National Park – Waterton National Park.
If you’re talking about Glacier National Park, you’re most likely talking about Glacier National Park in the US. That is definitely the most popular of these parks.
2. Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada
Waterton Lakes National Park is a National Park in Canada that goes straight to the border between USA and Canada. This park gets confused with Glacier National Park because they do connect, but they are separate National Parks with separate names. They are similar in that they have epic mountain and lake views, and great hiking.
3. Glacier National Park, Canada
Glacier National Park, Canada is what makes this a bit confusing. It’s a completely separate park that is NOT connected to Glacier National Park, USA. They do share the same name, and even search results get mixed up between the two parks so be careful when you’re planning your trip.
Another similarity is that Glacier National Park, Canada also has amazing mountain views, glaciers, and incredible hiking. It’s easy to see why people get confused!
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Part of the reason this question is a bit confusing is because Waterton-Glacier has a distinction of being an international peace park. The parks are still managed separately and are technically two different parks. However, the animals roam freely between the two countries and the rugged nature is continuous from one park to another. Both countries are invested in preserving this beautiful and important piece of nature.
Can you Walk into Canada from Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park, USA and Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada combined in 1932 to become the world’s first International Peace Park. This allows backpackers to walk through the section of Glacier called Goat Haunt from the USA to Canada. You can get more information about that route here!
Map Comparison
This map highlights the general area of the three parks (definitely not exact boundaries) compared to each other.
- Glacier National Park Canada: Blue
- Waterton Lakes National Park: Green
- Glacier National Park USA: Red
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the difference between Glacier National Park, USA and Glacier National Park Canada! We have several resources to help you plan your trip to both (both Glacier National Parks are incredible)
