WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 431

The only access is on foot from one of two trailheads. The longer option is from the
end of an unsealed road that leaves Highway 3 at 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Fernie,
British Columbia. The road leads 110 kilometers (68 miles) into the Flathead River Valley,
where trails climb along Kishinena then Akamina Creek into the park.
Access from Waterton Lakes National Park
The most popular and easiest access to the park is by hiking trail from the Akamina Park-
way in Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta). The signposted trailhead is 15 kilometers
(9.3 miles) along this road from Waterton town site. From the parkway, the trail gains 110
meters (360 feet) of elevation in 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mile) before reaching the boundary
of the park high atop the Continental Divide. After a further 700 meters (0.4 mile), the
trail divides. The closest of two subalpine bodies of water, Forum Lake, is 2.2 kilometers
(1.4 miles) to the left up a tedious ascent of Forum Creek. Colorful meadows surround the
lake's outlet, while a layered headwall provides a stunning backdrop. Allow 1.5 hours for
this 4.4-kilometer (2.7-mile) hike. Nestled below Akamina Ridge, Wall Lake is straight
ahead from the junction, 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles). This trail gains only minimal elevation
and passes Akamina Creek Campground.
Campgrounds
The park's only facility is Akamina Creek Campground, accessible on foot 2.4 kilomet-
ers (1.5 miles) from the Akamina Parkway along the trail to Wall Lake. In a forest of En-
gelmann spruce, each of 10 sites has a picnic table and fire pit; $6 per night.
BEAUVAIS LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
Located just north of Waterton (access is via a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) road heading
southwest from Pincher Creek, Beauvais Lake Provincial Park is a wilderness area with
a rich history of early settlement. Foundations of buildings are all that remain of the first
homesteaders' efforts to survive in what was then a remote location. The park's most fam-
ous settler was James Whitford, one of General Custer's scouts at the famous Battle of
Little Bighorn. He is buried at Scott's Point, accessed from the end of the road along the
lake's north side. Most of the 18-kilometer (11.2-mile) network of hiking trails are at the
other end of the lake, including a short walk to a beaver pond. The lake is also good for
boating and is stocked annually with rainbow and brown trout. The main campground
(403/382-4097, $17-23 per site), at the lake's western end, is open year-round. It's fairly
primitive (pit toilets, no showers), with just a few powered sites. If you're tent camping,
continue beyond the summer cabins to a group of roadside walk-in sites.