Waterton is known for its amazing mountains and beautiful scenery. It straddles the Canadian/US border. Here you will find everything from lakes to waterfalls to rainbow-coloured streams. 

This park has been on our list to visit for years. While a large section of the park has been devastated by forest fire in 2017, it’s still beautiful to spend a few days taking it all in. We spent 5 nights here, 3 backcountry and 2 frontcountry camping and still didn’t see it all. 

While we did visit the more popular sites like Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Falls, the Prince of Wales Hotel, and the great playground in the heart of Waterton, we also managed to get two backcountry camping trips in as well.

‼️ Backcountry reservations are a must, and can be booked here.

When we booked our tenting spots reservations could only be made over the phone, so we made the call just the day prior and managed to get 3 nights in the backcountry at two different locations. One night was spent at Crandell Lake and the following two nights at Bertha Lake. This has since changed and online booking is now available.

Crandell Lake:

• 4.4 km out and back, trailhead accessed off the Akamina Parkway
• 100 metre elevation gain and loss to the lake
• 4 tent pads
• Outhouse
• Food caches (to keep animals out)
• 2 picnic table/designated fire pit areas
• Lake for drinking water (always treat/filter prior to consuming).

This lake is a great spot to day hike to and spend some time. With it being so close to town and a short day hike, it becomes quite busy during the day with all the day hikers. Into the evening it quiets down where you can relax by the lake and take in the beautiful surrounding mountains with minimal others around.

Once you reach the lake you take the fork to the left to find the four tent pads. The outhouse, food caches and eating area are the fork to the right. In the middle of these, you will find a beautiful beach to relax by.

Because this campground sits in the heart of the burned out forest you are very exposed. We did experience quite the winds while here.

This is the perfect backpacking trip if you have young kids. It’s a very easy hiking trail in and out. Also short enough you could make a few trips if you forgot something or needed something extra.

Bertha Lake:

• 11.7 km out and back, trailhead accessed right in town
• 596 metre elevation gain 
• 4 tent pads
• Outhouse
• Food caches (to keep animals out)
• There are no picnic tables to prepare your meals but there is a clearing along with a nice beach area to hang out at.
• There is a creek as well as lake for drinking water (always filter/treat prior to consuming).

With the 596 metre elevation gain it makes this hike sound pretty grueling, but there is so much beauty to this hike that it really doesn’t seem too bad. You start out walking along the lake with views up and down the valley. The trail then forks where you head right climbing up the valley, 1.4 km, till you reach Lower Bertha Falls. This is a great spot to relax and recharge a bit before continuing on the final push of 2.8 km and 325 metre elevation gain to Bertha Lake itself.

Once you reach the lake you take the right fork which takes you directly to the camping area. Here you will find four tent pads as well as an outhouse. Another 100 metres past this is where you will find the food caches as well as the perfect beach to eat, swim and relax.

There was a family of deer that graced us with their presence each day. They seemed quite tame and not bothered by the constant hikers coming and going. We of course kept our distance.

I would highly recommend both of these backpacking trips with kids.

Crandell Lake is a perfect beginner backcountry spot with the minimal elevation gain as well as 2.2 km one way along with all the amenities. 

Bertha Lake is a bit more challenging with the elevation gain as well as 5.2 km one way, but with many viewpoint stops it makes the hike broken up enough that it doesn’t seem so grueling. This area was not affected to dramatically by the fires so the views are still lush and green. I would highly recommend spending two nights here and taking your second day to take the 4.4km loop around the lake. You will meander through thick forests, stunning rocky outcrop viewpoints, lush wild flower sections with a cliff face back drop and have a chance to swim in the stunning red rock beaches.

There are also so many day hikes in the area you could easily spend a week here. There is a campsite right in town that you can book online that has all the amenities like clean bathrooms, showers, cook shelters, etc. We stayed a night here on either end of our backpacking trips so we could get organized, showered and relax a bit.