How to Visit the Bison Paddock in Waterton

Just outside the Waterton Lakes National Park gates, the Bison Paddock is a quick stop that’s worth adding to your Waterton itinerary, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

This short self-guided driving loop offers a chance to spot plains bison roaming in a protected enclosure. You stay in your car the entire time, which makes it an easy activity even on a rainy day or after a long hike.

The paddock is only a few minutes from the park entrance, so it’s easy to visit on your way in or out of Waterton. You do not need a Park Pass to visit the Bison Paddock enclosure.

While sightings aren’t guaranteed, you’ve got a good chance of spotting these massive animals if you keep your eyes peeled.

Let's get going!

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What is the Bison Paddock in Waterton?

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Remember: you must stay safely inside your vehicle at all times

The Bison Paddock near the north entrance of Waterton Lakes National Park has offered visitors the chance to see plains bison roaming the prairie since the early 1950s.

This fenced area was established to support conservation and to give people a closer look at an animal that holds deep cultural significance for Indigenous communities across North America. That connection remains strong today.

During the Kenow wildfire in 2017, the herd was relocated to Saskatchewan. Rather than bring those animals back, six bison were transferred from Elk Island National Park in 2021 and have called Waterton home ever since. The herd has continued to grow, and several young calves can now be seen in the paddock.

The bison are part of a managed program and rotate between a smaller winter enclosure and a larger summer pasture. Their grazing helps keep the fescue grasslands healthy and supports the overall balance of the prairie ecosystem.

A scenic driving loop winds through the paddock, passing native grasslands and glacial landforms known as eskers. There are also a few natural grazing ponds, where the bison often congregate.

Visitors are asked to remain in their vehicles and respect all signage, as the bison are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Even from the car, it’s a unique way to observe these powerful creatures in a landscape they’ve helped shape for thousands of years.

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Our Experience at the Bison Paddock

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We had so much fun visiting the bison paddock.... although that probably had more to do with our goofy family than anything else!

Before we went, I gave the kids a disclaimer: “Sometimes you don’t see any bison at all, or they’re so far away you can barely spot them - or they might walk right past the vehicle. It really just depends.”

We started driving through the paddock, and just as we rounded a corner and dropped down a hill, two bison were standing right in the middle of the road.

While I scrambled to get my camera out (why wasn’t it ready, you might ask?), Susie (as the driver) decided this was the perfect time to panic and forget what to do! The girls thought this was hilarious and were in absolute stitches.

The bison eventually wandered past and we carried on, at which point the girls insisted we loop around again, to try and get another viewing.

The second time, the bison weren’t quite as close as they’d moved into a different paddock behind a fence, but the girls were too busy giggling and making jokes to care! It was definitely one of our kids favourite things that we have done in Waterton.

The next morning, we drove the loop again and this time saw the whole herd near one of the dry watering holes. So they definitely move around the paddock throughout the day.

Here are a few photos from our visit(s).

Stunning views as the sun was setting over the mountains

One of the bison that passed right in front of our car

Beautiful and imposing animals!

The bison herd (including calves) at the dried up watering hole

A lone bison

The bison herd as viewed from my car

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Other Things to do in Waterton Lakes

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We've written a comprehensive blog post that covers all the Best Things to Do in Waterton, including our favourite family-friendly activities, suggestions on where to stay, and the best places to eat in town.

We also have an itinerary post to help you plan your time in Waterton Lakes, whether you’re visiting for 1, 2, or 3 days.

If you are looking for kid-friendly hikes to do in the area, consider these hikes:

1. The Bear's Hump

2. Lower Bertha Falls

3. Townsite Loop

4. Blakiston Falls

5. Crandell Lake

6. Cameron Lakeshore

Or if you are looking for an even bigger adventure, read our most popular post: 2 Week Canadian Rockies National Parks Itinerary: Banff, Waterton, Kootenay, Yoho & Jasper for plenty of ideas to plan an epic road trip through the Canadian Rockies.