Parking
Mount Shark Trailhead parking, reached from Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road via the signed Mount Shark access road, about 7 km past the Shark Mountain turnoff. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for the parked vehicle.
Overview
About Marvel Lake Campground Trail
Why go
- A clear backcountry campground turnaround along the Bryant Creek corridor.
Heads up
- The 16-mile return ends at BR13 before the lake shoreline.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,712–1,834 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Marvel Lake Campground Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Banff audio tour- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Marvel Lake Campground Trail
The walk to BR13Marvel Lake Campground Trail is a 16-mile out-and-back from Mount Shark Trailhead to the…
Marvel Lake Campground Trail is a 16-mile out-and-back from Mount Shark Trailhead to the backcountry campground BR13. The early miles use a broad, road-like track through the Mount Shark ski area; the route then climbs over a low ridge, drops into forest, and follows the Bryant Creek valley through several creek crossings. The climb is modest for the distance, but allow about 6–8 hours for the full return.
Stay on the Bryant Creek routeAt the early Watridge Lake and Karst Springs junction, stay with the Bryant Creek approach.
At the early Watridge Lake and Karst Springs junction, stay with the Bryant Creek approach. Continue past Big Springs and the Owl Lake junction to BR13. Most of the approach is forested; the campground is the route’s clear turnaround.
What the endpoint isBR13 is a backcountry campground, not the Marvel Lake shoreline.
BR13 is a backcountry campground, not the Marvel Lake shoreline. Reaching the lake itself or continuing over Wonder Pass means taking a much longer backcountry route. Don’t set out expecting a lakeside day hike from Mount Shark.
Access and rulesStart at the Mount Shark parking area, reached from Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road by the…
Start at the Mount Shark parking area, reached from Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Road by the signed Mount Shark access road. The lot is about 7 km past the Shark Mountain turnoff, and vehicles parked in Kananaskis require a Conservation Pass. Overnight stays at BR13 require a Parks Canada backcountry reservation or permit. Pets are allowed; keep dogs leashed while in Banff National Park.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
