Walking Bear’s Hump Trail: Waterton National Park

Bear’s Hump Trail is a perfect introduction to the beauty that Waterton National Park can offer. This short 3km hike gains over 200m in elevation but is suitable for all fitness levels, including small children.

Located in southern Alberta, Waterton is by far one of the more beautiful national parks of Canada and sees far less visitors than the more popular parks like Banff and Jasper.  It shares its border with Glacier National Park in Montana, contributing to its unique landscape. This guide will provide you with everything from park information, trail overview and places to stay around the area.

Bear’s Hump Trail Information

• Distance: 3km roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 200m
• Trail Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilities: None on route

Best Time to Visit Bear’s Hump

Bear’s Hump trail is accessible year-round. Most visitors plan their visit to Waterton during the late spring to autumn, when the temperatures are warm and water activities are open. The trail, while a little steep, is in great condition and can be accessed during the winter.

 I would recommend perhaps using micro-spikes or poles, to help with traction in the event of ice. The rocky terrain at the top has the potential of being dangerous during any season, so proceed with caution.

I visited Bear’s Hump during June and was surprised to see little visitors on the trail and in the park. The trail was opened (having previously been closed due to flooding/landslides) and the weather hot.

Tip: Waterton National Parks has a different climate than the rest of southern Alberta and its mountainous regions like Banff. Instead of dry, arid environment, expect humid conditions. This will be a drastic change for any Albertan who is not used to humidity. While it can make for a less enjoyable hike, the landscape is lush, green, and uniquely different from the rest of Alberta.

Safety in the Park

Before entering Waterton National Park, always check the safety bulletins for notifications regarding fire dangers, restricted areas and trails and wildlife encounters.

Bears, aggressive deer and elk, mountain goats and big horned sheep are some of the common wildlife found in and around the park.

On the drive to Waterton, I watched (from the safety of my vehicle) a giant black bear walk along the hills, unbothered by the tourists. Ensure you have your bear spray and be safe while out in the wilderness.

Waterton National Park Entry Fees

There is a daily entrance fee to visit Waterton National Park. If you own a Discovery Pass, your visit to the park will be covered. Discovery Passes give access to over 80 destinations and parks in Canada and are valid for 12 months.

Alternatively, day passes can be purchased at the entrance gates.

• Adult: $10.50
• Children (under 17 years old): Free
• Senior (65 years +): $9.00
• Family/Group: $21.00

How to Reach Waterton National Park

Waterton is in the southwest corner of Alberta. The nearest major cities to Waterton are Calgary and Lethbridge. Calgary is over 270km (3 hours) and Lethbridge 125km (1.5 hours). In short, making this trek in one day can be tiring, but not impossible.

Having your own car is essential to getting to Waterton.

Find the driving route from Calgary here

Find the driving route from Lethbridge here

Where to find Bear’s Hump Trailhead/Parking

The car park for Bear’s Hump is located just off Hwy 5, directly across from the Prince of Wales Hotel. The parking lot is small, so I would advise you to get there early, to avoid disappointment.

Find parking here

The trail begins at the car park and has an information board at the start. One important thing to note is the shoe cleaning area, just past the trailhead. Invasive plant species are often transported via our shoes and can cause environmental concerns. It’s advised to brush off your shoes before and after using the trail.

Bear’s Hump Route Overview

From the shoe cleaning station, proceed up the gravel trail into the thin forest. The route was once through a lush, thick forest but with recent wildfires, the trees and trail has been transformed into something a bit barren. The upside is that the absence of foliage provides excellent views of the nearby lakes and mountains.

The initial trail is relatively flat, with ample space to maneuver. Throughout the journey, the trail will change from flat to rocky stairs and some loose gravel. It’s best to take this section slow, especially on the descent. Even the best of hikers can lose their footing on the gravel, especially if it’s dry.

The trail zigzags back and forth while proceeding up the mountainside. There are plenty of well-maintained rest stops with benches all along the way up, and the trail boundaries and steps are well defined.

Local chipmunks seem very used to having people around, and will approach hikers on the trail in the hopes of getting fed.

The final push to the top will leave you potentially breathless, but it’s worth every step. The views are stunning, especially for such a short hike.

From the Hump, The Prince of Wales Hotel can be seen, along with the entire townsite of Waterton and the Canadian side of Upper Waterton Lakes. If you look closely enough, you can spot hiking trails winding through the trees in the distance leading towards Bertha Falls and Cameron Falls.

Waterton Park Accommodations

Because of its remoteness to larger towns, most people opt to stay in and around Waterton for a few days or weekend to truly enjoy the beauty of the park.

There are a variety of different accommodations available in Waterton including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites for both tent and RV camping.

Prince of Wales Hotel: CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort: CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

Aspen Village: CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

Waterton does tend to sell out some of the more popular accommodations, including the famous Prince of Wales, during the busier months of July and August. Much like the other national parks, hotels are on the pricey side and can range around $180-$350/night.

Camping on the other hand is affordable, costing around $35/night for a simple camp site.

Anytime I visit Waterton, I opt to stay in Pincher Creek. Located 56km away from Waterton, this small town has a good selection of cheaper hotels and various stores to buy supplies/food. Pincher Creek is also a great area to stay as it’s closer to some other gorgeous hikes in the area, including Table Mountain.

Heritage Inn & Convention Centre: CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

Stardust Inns and Chalets: CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

Further Exploring

If you have extra time in Waterton, I’d recommend visiting Berta Lakes and Red Rock Canyon.

Bertha Lakes Trail is a 12km moderate hike to a hidden mountainside lake. This hike passes through a lush forest, waterfalls and ends at the lake.

Red Rock Canyon is a short 1km loop hike that showcases the unique scenery of the area. This canyon, as the name suggests, is red. Make sure to check trail reports, as it’s been partially closed for construction.