General information

Waterton Lakes National Park

Busy season

Demand is heaviest from mid-June through September, with July and August being the busiest. Sites in Townsite Campground are reservable. Reservations are advisable if you want to be sure of a site.

Permits

A camping permit and park pass, valid for the length of stay, are required. Please display your camping permit in a visible location. Campers must register (at kiosk or self-registration) with their camping unit prior to setting up camp.

A fire permit is required for each night you have a fire.

Fees

Check-out

Check-out time is 11 am in our campgrounds. Please leave your permit with the attendant or deposit it in the box at the kiosk.

Fires

In Townsite Campground, fires are permitted in kitchen shelters only. There are no fire boxes on individual campsites. All sites at Belly River Campground have campfire grills.

  • Please do not monopolize the common kitchen shelters located throughout the campgrounds
  • Never store food or equipment in these shelters
  • Camping in kitchen shelters is not permited
  • Pets are not allowed within the shelters.
  • Alcohol is not permitted in kitchen shelters. It may be consumed on your campsite.
  • Please refrain from using kitchen shelters during quiet hours.

A fire permit for each night you have a fire must be purchased at the self-registration booths at the campground.

Quiet hours

Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. Excessive noise is not permitted at any time of the day. Any disturbance should be reported to Park Wardens or park staff.

Generator use is limited to 7 am to 9 am, 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm.

Pets

Please keep pets on a leash at all times. Don't leave them unattended outside, especially at night, as they can attract carnivores such as bears, cougars, wolves, or coyotes, and may be attacked. If they must be left out, confine them in a kennel with a secure top. In consideration of other campers, please clean up after your pet.

Be cautious when walking your dog. The mule deer may have fawns and will aggressively defend them, especially in spring. They may attack without provocation, and can seriously injure or kill a dog. If you see a deer, leave the area immediately.

Wildlife

Animals rely on every part of this landscape for their survival. Their travel routes, natural food sources, mating grounds, and resting sites don't necessarily stop at the campground boundary. This means you may encounter wildlife at any time. Be aware of your surroundings, especially at dusk and dawn, or in densely vegetated areas.

Wildlife safety

Campgrounds in Waterton Lakes National Park have a "Bare" Campsite Program in place. A special effort is being made by park staff and campers to ensure that no wildlife attractants are left unattended at any sites in these campgrounds. The Bare Campsite Program is in place for your safety, and to help keep the wildlife in our national parks alive and wild.

Anything that has an odour or could be considered food may attract wildlife to your site. Place garbage in bins, avoid cooking inside tents and tent trailers, and store all food supplies, including coolers, in your vehicle.

When people leave their food out, bears and other animals attracted to it can lose their fear of humans. Once an animal gets used to human food, it becomes a risk to public safety, and may be destroyed. By keeping a bare campsite, you're playing an important part in preventing the creation of problem animals.

Dump stations

Townsite campground offers dumping stations.

Showers

Showers are available at Townsite Campground only, but may be used by those registered at Belly River and Crandell Mountain campgrounds.

Accessibility

There are serviced and electrical wheelchair accessible sites and washrooms available in Townsite Campground.

Learning opportunities

Interpretive programs are available in Waterton townsite during the summer months. These programs are included with your park fee and everyone is welcome.

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