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Part of Public land use

Public land closures and advisories

Current trail, area and road closures in effect on public land.

Overview

Public land and natural resources within these areas are managed under the Public Lands Act and the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Under this legislation, temporary or long-term closures of public land trails, areas and roads can be used to address public safety concerns and conservation objectives.

Trail and area closures and advisories

Be aware of your surroundings. There may be damage to trails and stream crossings that are unmarked.

Select an area or trail below to view full closure details.

  • Thompson Creek Falls Trailhead – Temporary construction closure

    Closure statusTemporary
    Effective datesOctober 28, 2024 to May 1, 2025
    DetailsAccess to the trailhead for Thompson Creek Falls will be closed during the construction time period.
    ResourcesMap – Notice of Closure: Thompson Creek Falls Trailhead

  • Rail Trail – Phase 3 construction area

    Closure statusTemporary – varied locations
    Area affectedRail Trail – Baker Road to Chambers Creek
    Effective datesOctober 2024 to November 2025
    DetailsConstruction for Phase 3 of the Rail Trail will be commencing in October 2024. As work progresses through the area, you may encounter temporary trail closures. Please be aware that access may be limited, and you may need to find alternate routes.
    ResourcesMap – Rail Trail - Phase 3 Construction

  • TransAlta Road/Ghost River – Temporary firearms use restriction

    Closure statusTemporary
    Effective datesAugust 29, 2024, until further notice
    DetailsSuspended within the restriction area due to unsafe use of firearms. Hunting as defined in the Wildlife Act is permitted.
    ResourcesMap – Temporary Firearms Use Restriction – TransAltaRoad/Ghost River

  • Bighorn Backcountry – Riparian restoration areas

    Closure statusRestricted use
    Area affected

    Three riparian restoration sites have been identified:

    1. Non-designated trail on public land, travelling over the unnamed tributary to Shunda Creek
    2. Radiant Creek
    3. Teepee Pole Creek
    Effective datesMay 28, 2024 to May 28, 2026
    Details

    Restricted use is in effect for the areas shown on the below maps. All access apart from foot access is now prohibited to restore federally protected riparian habitat in the critical habitat zone for bull trout. If necessary, hunting as defined in the Wildlife Act and fishing as defined in the Fisheries (Alberta) Act are permitted (foot access only). Wheeled or tracked vehicles, equestrian traffic and other recreational vehicles access is prohibited to these sites.

    Restricted use is in place to prevent further impacts to bull trout habitat at this site due to recreational use of the area, and to prevent damage to the riparian restoration area, including riparian plantings that need time to establish.

    Entry points will be blocked with boulders and/or signage.

    ResourcesFor more information, call the Alberta Parks – Rocky Mountain House District House: 403-845-8349

    Conservation officers will be enforcing the area closure under the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Violations are subject to a penalty of a minimum $300 fine under the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Do not cross the boulder barriers and follow all signage.

  • McLean Creek PLUZ – Trail closure

    Closure statusTemporary
    Area affectedMcLean Creek PLUZ
    Effective datesJuly 2 to 19, 2024
    DetailsClosed July 2 to 19 for tread repairs.
    ResourcesMcLean Creek PLUZ - Trail Closure

  • Agricultural dispositions GRL38838

    Closure statusTemporary
    Area affectedGRL38838
    Effective datesFebruary 22 to April 30, 2025
    Details

    The temporary closure of agricultural disposition GRL38838 for pest management control has been extended to April 30, 2025.  No person shall access the GRL lands for recreational purposes while the temporary closure is in effect.

    ResourcesThis area is closed under the Recreational Access Regulation and the Public Lands Act.

  • Agricultural dispositions GRL32636 and GRL40602

    Closure statusTemporary
    Area affectedGRL32636 and GRL40602
    Effective datesDecember 1, 2023 to April 30, 2025
    Details

    The temporary closures of agricultural dispositions GRL32636 and GRL40602 for pest management control has been extended to April 30, 2025.. No person shall access the GRL lands for recreational purposes while the temporary closure is in effect.

    ResourcesThis area is closed under the Recreational Access Regulation and the Public Lands Act.

  • Bighorn Backcountry – Abraham Lake vehicle restriction

    Closure statusTemporary
    Area affectedAbraham Lake
    Effective datesApril 30 to December 1, annually
    Details

    No motorized vehicles April 30 to December 1 below the high water mark or on lake bottom.

    Abraham Lake is a reservoir formed by the Bighorn Dam – water levels in the area fluctuate dramatically throughout the year as the dam helps regulate flows in the North Saskatchewan River.

    It is dangerous to drive onto the lake bottom as water levels can change quickly, leading to vehicles getting stuck, being trapped and flooded over. Fluids and contaminants from abandoned vehicles, as well as garbage and human waste from camping, can impact water quality when lake levels rise, which is a concern for downstream drinking water and fish habitat.

    Stay above the high water mark (where the vegetation starts/stops growing on the bank) to avoid facing a fine ($300) and getting stuck (tow bills average $1,500).

    ResourcesThis is enforceable under the Public Lands Administration Regulation.

  • Bighorn Backcountry – OHV use on sections of Highway 734 (Forestry Trunk Road)

    Area affectedHighway 734 (Forestry Trunk Road)
    Effective datesFebruary 15, 2024 to present
    Details

    Operation of an OHV on Highway 734 (Forestry Trunk Road) is allowed for portions of the road indicated as Shared Use Road only.  You must adhere to the following rules of operation:

    • 50 km/hr max speed limit.
    • Must be operated only during daylight hours.
    • Must be equipped with a whip mast and a safety flag.
    • Must travel in single file.
    • Must travel as close to the edge of the roadway as possible.
    • Must not stop on the roadway or highway shoulder.

  • Bighorn Backcountry – Wapiabi Cave

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedThe Wapiabi Cave is located north of Nordegg.
    Effective datesJuly 16, 2010 to present
    Details

    Wapiabi Cave is currently closed to reduce the risk of white-nose syndrome (WNS) infection in bats.

    Bats in these caves are susceptible to WNS, a fungus that has caused the mortality of large numbers of hibernating bats at caves in Eastern Canada and the United States.

    Public exploring the caves are suspected of introducing the fungus and infecting the bats.

    ResourcesFact Sheet – White-Nose Syndrome in Alberta

    Advisories and news releases

Road closures and advisories

Select a road below to view full details.

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 770462 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedLicence of Occupation (LOC) 770462 Access Road
    Effective datesFebruary 15, 2018 to present
    DetailsSee Director’s Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    Resources

    Director's Order

    Road Closure Map

  • Licences of Occupation (LOC) 111519, 111600 and 111712 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedThe LOC road is located northwest of MacKay River in Alberta’s Northeeast Region.
    Effective datesJanuary 14, 2013 to present
    DetailsSee Director’s Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesDirector’s Order 01/2013
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 100202 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affected

    The LOC road is located south of Wolf Lake in Alberta’s Northeast Region.

    Legal land description: NW-21 and NE-20-065-07-W4

    Effective datesJune 26, 2012 to present
    DetailsSee Director’s Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesDirector's Order 01/2012
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 3803 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedLegal land description: SW-35-87-11-W6
    Effective datesAugust 30, 1995 to present
    DetailsSee Ministerial Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesMinisterial Order
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 005466 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedLegal land description: NW-17–96–06–W6
    Effective datesJuly 27, 1994 to present
    DetailsSee Ministerial Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesMinisterial Order
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 920770 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedLegal land description: LSD 7–23–90–20–W5
    Effective datesJanuary 13, 1994 to present
    DetailsSee Ministerial Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesMinisterial Order
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 930882 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedLegal land description: LSD 3–13–93–01–W6
    Effective datesJanuary 5, 1994 to present
    DetailsSee Ministerial Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesMinisterial Order
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

  • Licence of Occupation (LOC) 840059 Access Road

    Closure statusClosed until further notice
    Area affectedLegal land description: LSD 12–15–95–02–W6
    Effective datesNovember 1, 1991 to present
    DetailsSee Ministerial Order in the Resources section below for full details.
    ResourcesMinisterial Order
    ContactDistrict Offices – Northeast Region

Legislation

The provisions in the Public Lands Act and the Public lands Administration Regulation incorporate the best practices of what the department has always done when there was a need to close an area that includes:

  • Section 48 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation: Provides the reasons and the process to be followed for closure of vacant public land for periods of up to 28 days.
  • Sections 96 and 97 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation: Provide for the process by which roads authorized under Licence of Occupation (LOC) may be closed by an order of a director. A director’s order that authorizes the closure of a road under an LOC is to be registered and a copy of the order is to be made available to the public.

  • Section 71.2 of the Public Lands Act and Section 184 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation authorizes a director to issue an order to prohibit or restrict entry into an area.

    Closure of Area 184

    (1) The director may, by order, restrict or prohibit, for any specified period of time, entry into all or any part of the lands within a public land use zone.

    (2) An order of the director under this section is in effect from the time it is posted publicly by the  Department.

    (3) A person shall comply with any order made and posted pursuant to this section.

Contact

For more information about public land trail and area closures, call 310-LAND.

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 310-LAND (5263)
Email: [email protected]