The Best Backpacking in Waterton

The hike begins with a gradual climb through shaded forest, which thins as you progress into the hanging valley. Along the way, you will pass by three amazing waterfalls: Twin Falls at 3.5km (2 mi), Burnt Rock Falls at 5.6km (3.5 mi) and the 600ft Crypt Falls at 8km (5 mi). There is also a 1km (0...

Waterton Valley Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Babb, Montana.

Take the Akamina Parkway in Wateron Lakes National Park to its terminus at Cameron Lake. Your hike will start from here. If you’re through-hiking either drop another vehicle off at Cameron Falls in the town site, or be prepared to hitch a ride back to Cameron Lake, due to heavy traffic this is ...

Northern Traverse: Chieftan Mountain to Kintla Lake is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Babb, Montana.

The hike goes through different wooded areas, open fields, and passes by the ranger's ranch. In no time, you will be able to see the aqua blue colors of Cosley Lake, as you approach the campground for the night.The campground has pit toilets and a bear bag hanging station, along with a cooking ar...

Starting from the Chief Mountain Parking Area, take the trail to the left of the bathrooms at the end of the parking lot (left of the bathrooms if you are facing the bathrooms and the main road is to your right). You will quickly hike to a wooden kiosk. Read this kiosk for any pertinent informati...

Mokowanis River - Stoney Indian Pass is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Babb, Montana.

Planning & Preparations As amazing as this trek is, it's certainly not without its challenges, and the first one you will run into is obtaining a backcountry permit for camping.  As it absolutely should, backcountry camping is very regulated.  Essentially, you request permits and multiple da...

Our trip started on Thursday evening, spending the night at the Bowman Lake campground. You can park your car here and it's where the hike will start and end. I recommend staying here the night before because day 1 is a doozy, so you'll want an early start. Day 1 is the hardest day of the hike, ...

The trail to Quartz lake begins on southend of the Bowman Lake beach. I recommend going in a clockwise direction and getting the steep bit out of the way, but the ~13 mile loop can be done either way. Follow the Bowman Lake shore on the West Lakes Trail for about half a mile and then you will fi...

Ptarmigan Trail to Helen Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Cosley Lake, Stoney Indian Pass, and Waterton Valley Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Babb, Montana.

Continental Divide Trail to Fifty Mountain Shelter is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Siyeh Bend, Montana.

Granite Park to Flattop Mountain Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Lake Mc Donald, Montana.

The 6.1 mile (12.2 roundtrip), hike to Cracker Lake includes wooded forests, grand views of lakes and mountains, creek crossings, distant waterfalls, mining ruins, possible wildflowers and wildlife, and a swim in turquoise water. At 1400ft elevation gain, the trail never gets too taxing. The view...

Located in Many Glacier, the Red Gap Pass trail begins at the Apikuni Falls Trailhead located east of the Many Glacier Lodge (if you're looking to check out the falls before your hike, check out Hike to Apikuni Falls at Glacier National Park). The trail starts at a gradual incline and continue th...

Day 1: This gorgeous backpacking adventure begins at the Packer's Roost trailhead, which is almost halfway between West and East Glacier on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This trailhead is marked on the highway before you get to the "Loop." It's a quick left turn so keep your eyes peeled as you pass ...