Plan your next adventure: Download Alberta’s Public Land Trail Guide.
Public Lands Camping Pass required
A Public Lands Camping Pass is required to random camp on public land along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Overview
There are 18 Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs) in Alberta, covering approximately 11,200 square kilometres (4,324.34 square miles) of public land. Most PLUZs are found along the Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains between the US border and Grande Cache, while two are in the Upper Athabasca Region. Every PLUZ in Alberta has regulations in place to guide use that are specific to that land base.
General regulations and guidelines
All Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ) users are responsible for knowing and following the rules of the area they are visiting. It is important to become familiar with the laws under the Public Land Administration Regulation (PLAR).
All visitors to a PLUZ must:
- obey signs, posted notices, department publications and the instructions of any Government of Alberta staff
- leave the land in a clean and tidy condition
- know and follow PLUZ regulations
- Select a PLUZ from the list at the top of this page to learn more about recreation opportunities and regulations for that area.
Enforcement
Fish and Wildlife Officers, RCMP, Conservation Officers, Sheriffs and municipal enforcement officers routinely patrol PLUZs to monitor compliance and ensure public safety and responsible recreation throughout the province. This work is a collaborative effort involving all levels of government.
Violations may include:
- Driving an Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) off the designated trail in a PLUZ
- driving an OHV or motor vehicle in the bed or shore of waterbodies
- Camping in one spot for longer than 14 days or not moving camping unit 1km for at least 72 hours after 14 day stay.
- disobeying a sign and/or notice
Users who are not complying with rules on public land can be directed to leave public land, issued a violation ticket, issued a summons to appear in court, or have their personal property and vehicle.
Learn more about Public Land Enforcement.
Recreation in PLUZs
Anyone recreating within a PLUZ is responsible for protecting themselves, other users, the trails and the land.
Recreation management in PLUZs
Industrial Activity in PLUZ
Industry operates under the existing regulatory framework that applies to all public land, including PLUZs.
This means that proposals for industrial development and activities within PLUZs are evaluated through a review and approval processes that exist for all public land.
Where there is a provincial trail within a PLUZ, authorization is required to use motorized vehicles where the use is otherwise prohibited and there are regulatory requirements in the event of trail damage caused by commercial activity.
Contact
Connect with us if you wish to develop, take over the maintenance, or reclaim any recreation infrastructure or impacted areas on public lands:
Report unlawful activity or safety issues on public land or Provincial Parks: