Buy your pass before heading out

The Public Lands Camping Pass is required year-round to random camp on public land along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains within the pass area, from Grande Prairie to Waterton Lakes National Park.

A pass is required to random camp:

  • on public lands along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains from Grande Prairie to Waterton Lakes National Park, west of Highway 43 and Highway 22
  • within the Porcupine Hills Public Land Use Zone
  • within the Willmore Wilderness Park
  • on Agricultural Crown land within the pass area, with permission from the leaseholder

Cost

Passes cost:

  • $20 per person for a 3-day pass
  • $30 per person for an annual pass

When purchasing your pass, there is a $3.25 system-processing fee plus GST per transaction. You will also be required to purchase a one-time Wildlife Identification Number (WIN) for $8 to access the AlbertaRELM’s licensing system.

Where to buy

Get your pass:

What random camping is

Random camping refers to no-service or limited-service camping, outside established campgrounds. Random camping includes overnight stays in the frontcountry and the backcountry.  Campers, backpackers and horse packers require a pass for overnight stays within the pass area. For more information, visit Camping on public land. 

How it is enforced

Campers are required to show proof of payment (printed pass or mobile app) to enforcement officers when requested. Non-compliance may result in a fine.

  • Pass conditions

    • Passes are non-refundable and non-transferrable
    • Passes are sold per person, not per vehicle or camping unit
    • The same rate applies to residents and non-residents of Alberta
    • Annual passes are valid for 365 days (one year) from the date of purchase
      3-day pass is valid:
      • for 72 hours from the selected date
      • from 2 pm and expires at 2 pm on the third day, allowing for 3 nights of random camping
    • All acts and regulations will continue to apply:
      • individuals are responsible to know where random camping is allowed on public land
      • there is 14-day maximum stay in the same camping spot
    • Some public land within the pass area is held under agricultural dispositions. For these lands, the Recreational Access Regulation applies:
      • in addition to requiring a Public Lands Camping Pass, always contact the leaseholder for permission before accessing these lands and follow any access conditions
      • agricultural leaseholders have the ability to deny recreational access under certain conditions
      • individuals are responsible for knowing when permission is required
    • Current regulations regarding camping on public land are available at:

  • Pass exemptions

    This pass is not required for:

    • children and youth under 18
    • camping on public land outside of the camping pass area or in an established campground where camping fees are already charged
    • using public land for the day for other recreational activities
    • accessing public land for authorized work or volunteer duties
    • clients of disposition holders where the holder’s disposition is for the purpose of camping (Note: Hunters that are clients of commercial outfitters do require a camping pass)

    The following groups are exempt:

    • First Nations peoples with Status card
    • North of the Red Deer River, it does not apply to:
      • Metis Settlement members
      • recognized Métis harvesters
      • members of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation
    • Persons receiving benefits from any of the following programs:
      • Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
      • Adult Health Benefit
      • Income Support

  • Where passes do not apply

    Passes do not apply:

    • on private, municipal or federally-owned lands
    • within designated campgrounds on public land that charge a camping fee
    • within the Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
    • on lands under:
      • Provincial Parks Act (Provincial Parks, Wildland Provincial Parks, Provincial Recreation Areas)
      • WAERHRNA Act (Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Heritage Rangelands, Natural Areas)
         

Your fees support conservation

Since it was introduced in 2021, Public Lands Camping Pass sales have generated more than $3.6 million. These funds are being reinvested in the region to improve recreation experiences and help conserve these beautiful landscapes so they can be enjoyed now and for generations to come.

Specifically, revenues from pass sales have supported:

  • Upgrades to public land trails and recreation infrastructure:
    • Hiring field operations staff.
    • Assessment of existing trails and infrastructure, including trails in the Highwood area of Kananaskis.
    • Maintenance and repairs to trails, bridges, fences and gates, information kiosks and outhouses.
    • Construction of new trail and recreation infrastructure.
    • Contracted services for maintenance and grading of McKinnon Flats Road.
  • Improved experiences for public land users:
    • Replacement of wayfinding, regulatory and educational signs on public land trails.
    • Waste management.
    • Contracted services for maintenance of outhouses and garbage receptacles.
  • Improved access to information and education of public land users:
    • Hiring seasonal recreation engagement officers to share educational materials and information with public land users.
    • Printing and distribution of PLUZ maps.
  • Enhanced enforcement efforts and promoting public safety through regular uniformed patrols.
  • Conservation initiatives and sustainable use of public land.