Crypt Lake

Crypt Lake is an alpine lake tucked beneath steep cliffs in Waterton’s backcountry. It’s best known as the destination of a signature park hike, not as an easy lakeside stop: the usual visit begins with a boat crossing, then a demanding walk. Go for the changing mountain scenery and the lake at the end; choose another outing if long climbs or exposed heights are a poor fit.

The usual route starts with a boat to Crypt Landing. From there, expect 17.2 km round trip and about 675 m of climbing; the hike is rated difficult and takes roughly six hours on foot, before boat time and stops. The boat’s return sailings set your day’s deadline, so check the current schedule before you go. A much longer approach from Wishbone is possible.

There’s no food service at the lake or reliable water refill along the way. Bring food and enough water for a full day.

The route passes waterfalls, then crosses a narrow ledge on a steep cliff face, climbs a ladder and squeezes through a short natural tunnel. Chains help on the ledge, but the exposure is still real. These obstacles are a big part of the appeal for some hikers and a reason to skip it for anyone uneasy with heights or tight passages. Expect the narrow section to slow people down.

The lake comes after a string of falls rather than a single long climb through forest. Hell Roaring Falls, Twin Falls and Burnt Rock Falls break up the approach, with Crypt Falls—about 600 feet high—near the lake. The route keeps changing from wooded slopes to open mountain views before you reach the basin.

Crypt Lake is a sink lake: it has no stream flowing out of it. Water drains underground through the karst rock, a hidden route beneath the cliffs that helps make this lake geologically unusual.

The international boundary runs through Crypt Lake, which lies in both Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park. It’s a striking bit of geography to notice from shore; the hike’s ordinary access is from the Canadian side.

At the lake, include some of the surrounding cliffs and the treeline in your view of the water. That gives the photo a sense of how completely the lake sits inside its mountain basin. The route takes most of a day, so leave time to enjoy the shore before heading back to meet the boat.