Sell Your Waterton Property

Waterton Park is the small townsite inside Waterton Lakes National Park, where the prairie meets the Rockies at the end of Highway 5. Properties here rarely come up for sale and work differently from anywhere else in southern Alberta because the land is leased from Parks Canada. 2% Realty can list your Waterton cabin or home on the MLS® System with full service from local REALTORS®, for a 2% total commission.*

Waterton at a glance

• Population: 158 year-round residents in 2021 (Improvement District No. 4 Waterton), yet 209 private dwellings. Most homes are seasonal cabins and cottages.
• Location: about 54 km west of Cardston and 55 km south of Pincher Creek, roughly 130 km from Lethbridge by road
• The park: established in 1895 as Canada's fourth national park. It borders Glacier National Park in Montana.
• Property types: mostly cabins and single-family homes, plus a small number of condominiums

What's different about selling in Waterton

You sell the lease and the building, not the land. The land in the townsite belongs to the Crown and is administered by Parks Canada. A seller transfers their lease and the improvements on it, and the transfer needs Parks Canada's approval.

Each lease has its own terms. Remaining term, ground rent, renewal rights and occupancy rules vary. Under federal regulations, some residential leases in the townsite only allow occupancy from April 1 to October 31. Buyers will want to see the lease early.

Changes to buildings need approval. Renovations and new construction require Parks Canada approval, so buyers often ask what work has been approved and done.

None of this is legal advice. We recommend sellers confirm their lease details with Parks Canada and a real estate lawyer before listing.

Tips for Waterton sellers

• Have your lease ready. A copy of the lease, any amendments and recent ground rent notices let buyers and their lawyers move quickly.
• List in time for the season. Most buyers visit in late spring and summer, when the park is busiest.
• Show the setting. Professional photography that captures the mountains, the lake and the townsite is included.

How 2% Realty helps

Your REALTOR® researches comparable sales, arranges professional photos, lists your property on the MLS® System and REALTOR.ca, coordinates showings and negotiates offers with you, working with Parks Canada's process and your lawyer through closing. See how selling with 2% Realty works.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell my Waterton cabin through the MLS® System?

Yes. Leasehold properties are listed and marketed like other homes. The listing and the sale must reflect the lease terms and Parks Canada's approval process.

Who buys Waterton properties?

Mostly people with a strong tie to the park, from southern Alberta, Calgary and further afield. The MLS® System and REALTOR.ca reach all of them.

Do you also sell properties just outside the park?

Yes. Homes, acreages and recreational land near Waterton in the MD of Pincher Creek and Cardston County are freehold and sell like any rural property.

Is your commission negotiable?

Yes. All commissions are negotiable, and your listing agreement sets out the rate and services.

Nearby communities

We also help sellers in Pincher Creek, Cardston, Glenwood and Hill Spring and the Crowsnest Pass. See all communities we serve, or call 403-360-2842, answered 24/7.

*2% total commission. All commissions are negotiable. Community data: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, and the public sources listed in our notes. 2 Percent Realty Inc. o/a 2% Realty, 469 40 St S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4M1 · 403-360-2842. MLS® and REALTOR® are trademarks controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).