Willis Wall

Visitation in the park has increased substantially since I did my original series on the Wonderland Trail backcountry camps in 2012. It has become increasingly common for hikers to select camps that are off the Wonderland Trail in order to complete a circuit. Therefore I am mapping all the other backcountry camps in the park so hikers can view the alternatives. This will be an ongoing process through 2025, and I will add the camps here as they become available. I am listing them here in the same heading and order found on the NPS website. Happy Hiking!

LONGMIRE/PARADISE AREA CAMPS

• LAKE GEORGE (placeholder)

• SNOW LAKE Snow lake camp is located on the south side of the Stevens Canyon road near Lake Louise. It can be accessed from the Wonderland Trail where it brushes against the road; the hiker has to walk the road to the Snow Lake trailhead, approximately one half mile. From there it is 1 mile on trail to the turnoff for the camp. Filmed in 4K, run time 6:52.

EASTSIDE CAMPS

• BERKELEY PARK. Berkeley Park Camp is one of the camps along the Northern Loop Trail. It is fairly close to Sunrise so is convenient if getting a late start. Its proximity to the Wonderland Trail makes it a viable option if unable to secure a spot at Sunrise Camp. Filmed in 4K, run time 6:02,

DEER CREEK (placeholder)

DICK’S LAKE (placeholder)

• FIRE CREEK Fire Creek is only viable if the hiker is incorporating the Northern Loop Trail (fairly common) into their Wonderland itinerary. It’s a half mile hike into the camp, and the camp is spread out, great for privacy but those in site #3 are close to a mile in from the NLT. Also of note, Fire Creek is the only fresh water readily available between Berkeley Park and James Camps, so plan accordingly. Filmed in 4K, run time 8:42

FOREST LAKE (placeholder)

• GLACIER BASIN Glacier Basin camp is just over 3 miles up the trail from White River. There has been significant bear activity at the camp in past years so there are no bear poles, screw top bear barrels are provided for food storage. The sites are clustered together so don’t expect privacy. Of note, the group site is sizeable. It’s a walk to the privy so don’t delay if you have the urge. Filmed in 4k, run time 8:04.

• JAMES James Camp is on the Northern Loop Trail, between Fire Creek and Yellowstone Cliffs. With Lake James being on the boggy side, the area is notorious for bugs. Filmed in 4K, run time 10:49.

LAKE ELEANOR (placeholder)

LOWER CRYSTAL LAKE (placeholder)

OLLALIE CREEK (placeholder)

SHRINER PEAK (placeholder)

TAMANOS CREEK (placeholder)

THREE LAKES (placeholder)

UPPER CRYSTAL LAKE (placeholder)

UPPER PALISADES LAKE (placeholder)

YELLOWSTONE CLIFFS (placeholder)