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Chief Mountain port of entry in Alberta closes for the season

Canada Border Services Agency
Wednesday at 12:56pm ADT · September 23, 2026 2 min read

CALGARY, AB, Sept. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — The Chief Mountain port of entry at the Canada-United States land border between Alberta and Washington is closing for the season on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). It will reopen in the spring of 2027.

Chief Mountain port of entry

Due to its high elevation and harsh winters, the Chief Mountain port of entry only operates from May to September, annually.

During the winter closure, travellers can use the Carway port of entry, Del Bonita port of entry or Coutts port of entry as an alternative.

Chief Mountain is located south of Calgary along Alberta’s Highway 6 on the boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park. At 1,722 meters, it has the highest elevation of all border crossings in Canada and has long been considered one of Canada’s most scenic ports of entry.

For additional information, visit the Border Information Services online or call 1-800-461-9999.

Quick Facts

  • As of September 7, the Chief Mountain port of entry welcomed 53,993 travellers into Canada during the 2026 season, an increase of nearly 5,000 travellers from the previous year.
  • The Chief Mountain port of entry first opened in 1936, when the Chief Mountain International Highway between Canada and the United States first opened. The Canadian port of entry operated out of a tent for its first year, until a facility was constructed in 1937.
  • Before heading to the land border, travellers are encouraged to check the Canada Border Services Agency’s border wait times web pages for estimated wait times at select ports of entry.
  • All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada. For returning residents, have your receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while outside of Canada. You are encouraged not to travel with firearms, but if you choose to do so, be sure to check the CBSA website for the rules on importing firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods.

Associated Links

Directory of CBSA Offices and Services 

Cross the Canadian border

Parks Canada – Waterton Lakes National Park website

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SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency

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