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Backcountry camping

A backcountry campground with ten wilderness sawdust tent pads, outhouse, and food cache is provided at Akamina Creek. This campground is located just off the main trail 0.9km from Akamina Pass and 2.4 km from the Akamina Pass Trailhead. Register a trip itinerary with friends and check in and check out. Winter camping is available year-round at Akamina Creek sites.

Backcountry camping fee: $5 per person per night (+6 years).


The BC Parks backcountry permit registration service allows you to purchase a backcountry camping permit before leaving home. Although this does not reserve a campsite, it provides the convenience of prepaying for your trip and not having to carry cash. We encourage all visitors to register online so we can reduce the need to collect fees in the field.

Winter camping

A backcountry campground with ten wilderness sawdust tent pads, outhouse and food cache is provided at Akamina Creek. This campground is located just off the main trail 0.9km from Akamina Pass and 2.4 km from the Akamina Pass Trailhead. Register a trip itinerary with friends and check in and check out. Winter camping is available year-round at Akamina Creek sites. 

Backcountry camping fee: $5 per person per night for all persons 6 years of age or older.

The BC Parks backcountry permit registration service allows you to purchase a backcountry camping permit before leaving home. Although this does not reserve a campsite, it provides the convenience of prepaying for your trip and not having to carry cash. We encourage all visitors to register online so we can reduce the need to collect fees in the field.
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Campfires

Fires in the developed area of the park are restricted to a communal fire ring in the Akamina Creek campground. Fires in the backcountry areas must be kept small, contained and a source of water to extinguish the fire must be readily available. Visitors must check with forest services or at park trailheads to see if fires bans are in effect.

To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite when staying in the developed area of the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared by bringing a portable stove for cooking.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

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Hiking

The park offers hiking opportunities for beginners as well as experienced backcountry travellers:

  • Akamina Pass: This old road built in the 1920s transects the park from Akamina Pass through the Kishinena Creeks to eventually reach the Flathead River valley. Cyclists use this route for day excursions from Waterton Lakes.
  • Forum Lake and Falls: From the Ranger Station, it is 200 m to the falls and 2 km to the lake. The hike to Forum Lake takes about 45 minutes with a climb of 200 m.
  • Wall Lake: From the Akamina Road (200 m) from the Ranger Station it is 2 km to Wall Lake, 50 m elevation gain.

For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. Only experienced hikers with orienteering experience should consider following routes and unmarked trails in the park.

Fishing

Anglers fish for rainbow trout in Forum and Wall Lakes. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate license. BC fishing licenses are no longer available in Waterton. Refer to the ministry website for the nearest vendor.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Dogs in backcountry parks must be on a leash at all times. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Cycling

Mountain biking is permitted on designated trails only. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

For details on e-biking within Akamina-Kishinena Park, see the e-biking section.

E-Biking

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Akamina-Kishinena Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.

Horseback riding

If planning to horseback ride in the park, we recommend you read the Akamina Kishinena Horse Use Policy [PDF]. As horseback riders are required to obtain and carry with them a letter of permission from BC Parks please use our online form to generate and print your letter of permission, no less than seven days before entering the park. 

More specific information on using horses in the park can be obtained by contacting the Kootenay BC Parks office at 250-489-8540.

There is no horse use allowed to Forum Lake, and riders travelling to Wall Lake must use the horse trail.

Hunting

Hunting is only permitted in the park during open hunting seasons. Firearms may be carried by persons with a valid BC hunting licence during an open hunting season. Horse assisted hunting trips are allowed during open seasons, but only with a Letter of Permission.

Winter recreation
There are opportunities for ice fishing in the park.