Camping and overnight accomodations
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park is a popular destination. To avoid disappointment, always reserve accommodation in advance.
Parks Canada Reservation Service
Townsite Campground and all backcountry campgrounds reservations are now avaliable
Reserve your campsite!Townsite Campground – Offseason operation (October 10, 2023 – May 2024)
Sites are available by first come, first serve self-registration. Use of the Townsite Campground is weather-dependent, and the roads are not cleared of snow, making it inaccessible after periods of heavy snowfall. Electrical only and unserviced sites are available. There are no washrooms, showers or kiosk services in the campground during offseason.
Winter Camping is available at Pass Creek.
Additional information
Private accommodation
For information on private accommodation in and around the park, visit Waterton Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
General information
The weather in Waterton Lakes National Park is pleasant, but unpredictable. The average high temperature during the day in spring and summer ranges from 15° to 30° Celsius, though temperatures at night can drop below zero. It can also rain, snow or hail any time of year! To be prepared for your camping experience, ensure you have:
- Warm clothes (bring various layers to help you dress for the weather)
- Waterproof clothing (jackets and pants)
- Hats and mitts
- A groundsheet for your tent
- Sleeping mat
- Warm sleeping bag
- Extra blankets
- Camera (no drones)
In Canada, national parks enjoy special protections that may differ from other protected places. Please know what not to bring to a national park.
Campground etiquette
Ensure you are a good campground neighbour by respecting and adhering to the following guidelines:
- Washing Dishes: use the outdoor sink or a personal basin for washing dishes. Do not use the sinks inside the bathrooms. Dump dish water down outdoor sinks or at the sani-dump. Leave sinks in a better state than you found them. Do not dump dish water in bushes or on the ground.
- Washing Laundry: please use your own tub and dump water down the outdoor sink or sani-dump. Do not use the sinks inside the bathrooms. Laundry facilities are available in the townsite.
- Recycling: bottles and cans (refundable containers) are to be placed in designated containers.
- Children: to ensure the safety of your children, always supervise them. Children may become lost in the campground or may unknowingly trespass on a neighbouring campsite.
- Driving: respect the posted speed limits and remain alert while driving in the campground.
- Accessing Facilities: please use roadways and pathways to access campground facilities (picnic shelters, bathrooms, etc.) and your own campsite. Cutting through a neighbouring campsite will disturb other campers and may cause damage to fragile vegetation.
Campground host volunteer program
Volunteer as a host at the Belly River Campground! Greet campers and provide them with necessary information for their visit to Waterton Lakes National Park. Contact us for more information on this program.
Crandell Mountain Campground
This area remains closed due to extensive damage from the 2017 Kenow Wildfire. See the Infrastructure projects page for updates.
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