Camping at Waterton National Park: Everything You Need to Know!
Need for some help to plan your camping at Waterton National Park trip? Look no further as I have put together this straight-forward, easy to follow guide to campgrounds in Waterton whether it’s in tent, RV or rented camper van!
Contents: Camping Waterton Lake National Park Canada
In one sentence: Waterton National Park campgrounds are open May to September. You need to book camping in Waterton Park in the January before this.
About Waterton National Park
Waterton Lake National Park is an outstanding example of a breath-taking, quaint and fun mountain town in the Canadian Rockies. Found within Glacier National Park on the border of Alberta, Canada and Montana, USA.
Waterton is part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world’s first ‘peace park’ and a world heritage site.
Getting to Waterton National Park?
The only way to get to Waterton is by driving or as part of a guided tour because there is no public transport taking you to the park and the nearest airport is a 3 hour drive away.
Map of Waterton Lakes National Park:
Calgary to Waterton National Park distance is 259km taking 3 hours by car.
Banff to Waterton distance is 390km and takes 4/4.5 hours by car.
Whitefish to Waterton distance is 167km and takes 3 hours by car.
Full Guide to Camping in Waterton National Park
So you want to go camping camping in Waterton Lakes National Park? Of course you do! It’s beautiful, fun, budget-friendly and once-in-a-lifetime! But the planning may not be as obvious as you think; booking is essential, timing is imperative and where to stay in Waterton National Park is key.
Have no fear – I got you!
How to Book Camping at Waterton National Park in 2025
You can reserve your camping spot on the Parks Canada website in the January prior to your trip. The spots sell out fast but it is possible to get a place later (if you’re lucky and someone cancels), you have to keep checking.
2025 Camping reservation launch date: I will update this as soon as it is announced for January 2025. This is specifically for Waterton Lake National Park camping as each location in Canada has its own launch date.
Booking Waterton Lakes National Park Camping Online
Firstly, you need to create an account with Parks Canada.
If you moved to Canada on a working holiday visa then you can use your GCKey information or your banking information to verify yourself.
Then, use this reservation website to select the area (Waterton Lakes), dates, type of camping equipment and party size. Then, using the coloured legend, select an available site and click through until you have to sign in to your account and pay. Voila.
You’re camping Waterton Park!
Create notifications – A new alert system has been added to the Parks Canada website so you can create reservation notifications for specific times/campgrounds and Parks Canada will notify you when it becomes available (for example, if someone cancels). It looks like this:
This is EXACTLY how I booked my Waterton trip so late in the year.
Now you know how to book Waterton Lakes National Park campgrounds, read on to figure out which campsite to choose from, all the facilities in each site as well as what to do in Waterton.
Things You Should Know About Waterton Camping
Dates for Camping Waterton AB: May – September
Can I camp in winter? The town is pretty much closed outside of May-Sep and the campsite is weather-dependant. Snow is not cleared. Sites are available first come, first served via self-registration. There are no washrooms, showers or kiosk services in the campground. Backcountry or Pass Creek are great option for winter Waterton National Park camping.
Types of Camping at Waterton National Park: Tent, RV/Caravan, Backcountry
Where to Camp in Waterton? There are 3 campgrounds in Waterton that are front country, meaning, they are traditional campsites that you can drive/walk to. There are also 9 backcountry campsites, meaning, you need to hike to reach the grounds. I’ve also listed 6 campgrounds near Waterton National Park.
- Check in is from 2pm and check out is 11am.
- You need a pass to enter the parks. For a family/group it was $22 daily, $109 annually or $151.25 for an annual Canada Parks pass. Correct at time of writing.
- Quiet time in the campgrounds is between 10pm and 7am. It was peaceful the entire time we were there though!
- You must check fire regulations for the park.
- Ensure all food and toiletries are locked in your car overnight. There’s wildlife here – we saw two deer chasing each other around our campsite!
3 Waterton Lakes National Park Campgrounds
1) Townsite of Waterton National Park Campground
This is the best option for camping at Waterton because it’s cheap, fun, well-kept, right in the centre of the town, reservable in advance and of course, beautiful!
We stayed here in late August and had G46 site where we pitched our tent, parked our car, had our own picnic bench and grass area while surrounded by the gorgeous mountains, clear blue sky and just a few minutes walk from the town and the beautiful Upper Waterton Lakes Beach which we practically had to ourselves!
We were right next to one of the cook shelters (we didn’t need this but if a storm rolled in it would have been useful), and right next to the washroom/showers, dish-washing sinks and bins.
I loved everything about camping in Waterton townsite, it was a small mountain town than I’m used to and felt like the perfect getaway, disconnected from the world yet enjoying some of the best free things this world offers: nature, scenery, hot weather, sunsets, star-filled nights and calm waters. I think it’s the best place to stay in Waterton National Park.
Facilities: Flushing toilets, showers, sinks to wash-up, running tap water, electrical outlets, picnic benches per site, shelters with built-in stoves, bear-proof bins.
Types of camping here: Tent right next to your car, walk-in and pitch your tent, RV/trailers with full-service like electricity, sewer hookups and potable water.
Can I book? Yes. This is the only front country camp you can book online here or phone 1-877-737-3783.
Waterton Campground Map:
2) Belly River Campground
Belly River is a drive-up, front country campground but not technically in Waterton Park but just outside on Highway 6. This is the best option for camping in a more secluded area and away from the hustle and bustle of the main town (calling it a hustle and bustle is a bit of a stretch).
Facilities: Flushing toilets, fire pit, picnic shelters, bear-proof bins. Note: there is no potable water here.
Types of camping here: Tent right next to your car, walk-in and pitch your tent, RV/trailers.
Can I book? No. This is a first-come, first-serve campground in Waterton National Park and there are only 25 spots.
3) Crandell Mountain Campground
Note: Currently closed due to the camp being destroyed by the 2017 Kenow wildfire.
Located on Red Rock Parkway so just outside the Waterton townsite, Crandell Mountain Campground is the third front country campground Waterton National Park has.
Facilities: Outdoor and flush toilets, running tap water, fire pits, picnic benches, bear-proof bins.
Types of camping here: Tent right next to your car, walk-in and pitch your tent, RV/trailers, and teepees.
Can I book? No. This is also first-come, first-serve camping in Waterton Lakes but there are over 120 sites available.
Camping Near Waterton Alberta
If you don’t want campgrounds Waterton Lakes National Park owns then you can stay just outside at these sites:
Crooked Creek – The closest campground near Waterton National Park at just 5km away. Serviced grounds suitable for tents and RVs. Recommended to reserve in advance.
Fort Heritage – Only 15km from Waterton Lakes. Serviced sites suitable for tents and RVs.
Payne Lake – 18km from Waterton, unserviced campgrounds on a first-come first-serve basis. Payne Lake is the only camping near Waterton National Park open during winter. Suitable for tents and RVs.
Prairie Peaks – 50km from Waterton, perfect for RV camping Waterton Alberta but not suitable for tent camping.
Police Outpost – 52km from Waterton, unserviced campsites for both tents and RVs.
Waterton Reservoir Campground – 52km from Waterton, unserviced on first-come first-serve. The cheapest campgrounds near Waterton Lakes National park.
Backcountry Campsites Waterton National Park
Or if you prefer to find Waterton backcountry camping (meaning you have to hike to the campsite and hike back with your gear) then these are your 9 options:
- Alderson Lake
- Bertha Bay
- Bertha Lake
- Boundary Bay
- Crandell Lake
- Goat Lake
- Lone Lake
- Snowshoe
- Twin Lakes
All backcountry camping in Waterton Alberta requires reservations online and is the same process as booking the front country Waterton Lakes campgrounds.
Easy Things to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park
There’s so many fun activities to do while camping Waterton National Park Alberta including:
- Seeing a Bison Paddock
- Driving to Cameron Lake
- Finding the best hikes in Waterton National Park
- Taking a Boat to Hike Crypt Lake
- Afternoon Tea at The Prince of Wales (The Best Hotel in Waterton National Park)
- Seeing Red Rock Canyon Waterton National Park
- Doing Water Sports on Waterton Lake
- Exploring downtown Waterton (get ice cream and spot wildlife)
And there you have it. The total handbook for visiting and camping Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada.
Don’t forget to save this Camping Waterton National Park Guide!
