Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park is located in the southeast corner of British Columbia and encompasses 10,921 hectares. This wilderness area along with Waterton Lakes National Park and US Glacier National Park, preserves the Crown of the Continent UNESCO World Heritage site at the narrowest point of the Rocky Mountains.
The high spacious alpine ridges, deep secluded valleys and windswept passes of Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park provide habitat and connectivity to the last self-sustaining grizzly bear population in the United States. Exposed alpine ridges, southern latitude and southern exposure provide winter range for goats and big horn sheep. Protected plant species include the rare Mimulus luteus (yellow monkey flower) and the rare Papaver pygmaeum (pigmy poppy) that are found nowhere else in BC.
The trails and passes of the Akamina-Kishinena were established and used for many years by the early people’s and wildlife travelling between the Flathead Basin and the abundant Great Plains. The Kootenai aboriginal people travelled through South Kootenay Pass to reach the plains for trading and buffalo hunting.
To reach Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park turn south off Hwy 3 at Pincher Creek onto Hwy 6. Waterton Lakes National Park is 48 km. From the park gate travel the Cameron Lake park road to the Akamina Pass trailhead (16 km). A 30 minute, 1.5 km uphill walk reaches the boundary between Alberta and BC and the eastern border of Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park. The closest communities are Waterton Lakes National Park community and Sparwood.
The park offers hiking opportunities for beginners as well as experienced backcountry travellers. Anglers fish for rainbow trout in Forum & Wall Lakes. Mountain biking is permitted on designated trails only.
A backcountry campground, with 10 wilderness sawdust tent pads, outhouse and food cache is provided at Akamina Creek. This campground is located just off the main trail 1.5 km from Akamina Pass, 3 km from the trailhead at Cameron Lake. A backcountry camping fee applies.
