Camping & Hiking · Scenic Views · Alberta
A quiet, basic first-come campground in Waterton Lakes National Park, AB, near the Belly River, with mountain views and good bear-watching nearby; bring your own water and be fully self-sufficient.
Belly River Campground sits in the quieter eastern corner of Waterton Lakes National Park, off Highway 6 toward the Montana border. Campers describe well-kept grassy areas, a mix of sites tucked into the trees or looking across a meadow by the creek, and a group area with big mountain views. A short trail leads a few minutes down to the cold river.
Amenities are basic. There's no electricity, no cell signal and no sink or drinking water, though reviewers were pleased to find clean flush toilets. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit, registration is self-serve, and firewood is included if you buy the fire permit, which one camper put at about $11 a night. Tent pads are fairly flat.
It suits families and groups who are comfortable camping self-contained, and wildlife lovers in particular. One visitor who drove the road in the evenings saw black bears almost every time, including a cinnamon-coloured bear near the campground entrance. Parks staff and hosts have been praised for checking in on campers.
Sites can't be reserved, and in summer they were nearly full even midweek, which makes planning hard for out-of-province travellers. A long-time visitor who camped in July 2026 found that season's hosts unwelcoming and missed the usual bear-safety talk, a contrast with earlier reviews that praised the hosts. Arrive early, carry plenty of water, and brush up on bear safety yourself.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 52 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Belly River Campground - Waterton Lakes National Park directly.
