Waterton Lakes National Park, in southern Alberta, Canada, shares a border with Glacier National Park in Montana. Waterton has stunning mountain vistas, clear glacial lakes and abundant wildlife, so it is certainly worth the trip for active visitors looking to hike, picnic or boat among the Rocky Mountains scenery. There are a number of campgrounds to choose from in the park, or you can backcountry camp to escape the crowds.
Townsite Campground
The national park runs four developed campgrounds within its borders. The best way to choose where to stay is to decide ahead of time when you want to go and what you want to do. Some campgrounds open later than others in the spring and close earlier in the fall, while each offers unique access to trails and other attractions. The Townsite Campground, open mid-April through mid-October, is in the south end of the Waterton townsite, meaning it is a good place for those who want to be within walking distance of stores and eateries. Its open nature also makes it a good bet for those with larger RVs. Reservations are accepted.
Crandell Campground
Crandell Campground, open from mid-May to Labour Day (like Labor Day in the U.S., the first Monday in September), does not take reservations, so arrive early to secure a site. It is in a bucolic forest setting in the Blakiston Valley, but you can also walk 1.25 miles to Crandell Lake for water activities like canoeing or fishing. However, because it has smaller sites, you shouldn't try to stay here if you have an RV or trailer more than 30 feet long.
Belly River Campgrounds
Belly River Campground, in the southeast of the park along Chief Mountain Highway, is the most primitive of the campgrounds, and you will have to bring your own water supply. However, the secluded location is good for those who want to wildlife watch. Hiking is also available in the area, and the campground lies right along the Belly River. There are no reservations for this site. The Belly River Group Campground is the only one in the park for groups. Reservations are needed, and you must have 25 or more people in your party. Both campgrounds are open mid-May to mid-September.
Wilderness Camping
If you're a more experienced camper, you may want to leave the campgrounds behind for the solitude of the backcountry. This will give you a chance to hike longer trails that can't be done in a day and sleep under the stars. You can camp only at designated wilderness camping sites, but you can make reservations for these in advance.
Winter Camping
Active visitors may also want to consider coming to Waterton in the winter, when you can cross-country ski, snowshoe and ice climb. The Pass Creek picnic site, five miles from the Waterton Townsite, offers the only overnight camping accommodations in the park during winter.
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