Contact information and access conditions for agricultural dispositions in Alberta are now available on the Recreation access on agricultural public lands web map. For more information call 310-LAND (5263).
Introduction
Alberta has about 100 million acres of Crown land, including over 5 million acres of land leased for agriculture and held under agricultural dispositions. Agricultural dispositions involve collaboration between the Government of Alberta and the disposition holder to ensure that agricultural land use sustains environmental, economic and social benefits for the people of Alberta. Disposition holders are stewards of the land, and as such, they manage our land resources in a way that benefits us all. In recent years, as Alberta’s population has grown, there has been increased public interest in accessing agricultural public land for recreational use.
Recreational Access Regulation
Recreational access to agricultural public land is managed under the Recreational Access Regulation, which came into effect in 2003 and was amended in March 2025. The regulation outlines reasonable access for recreation on agricultural dispositions issued under the Public Lands Act, including grazing leases and farm development leases. Agricultural leases provide environmental, social and economic benefits to Albertans, including food production, habitat for wildlife and space for multiple-use activities. The Recreation Access Regulation considers both the needs of the leaseholder to protect the land and their livestock, and the desire of the recreation users for reasonable access. The regulation facilitates communication, cooperation and respect, and clarifies rules and responsibilities for agricultural leaseholders and recreational users regarding recreational access on public lands that are leased for grazing and cultivation.
It is a recreational user’s responsibility to contact the leaseholder and discuss the current conditions of access before arriving at agricultural public land. It is a leaseholder’s responsibility to allow reasonable recreational access. Both parties must work together to respect the land and follow the Recreational Access Regulation.
You can find leaseholder contact information and access conditions for agricultural dispositions on the Recreation access on agricultural public lands web map.
Learn more about recreation on agricultural public land.
Learn more about agricultural leaseholders and recreation.
Recreational Access Regulation Updates
On March 26, 2025, the Recreational Access Regulation was amended to modernize the regulation, address the growing demand for access and ensure rules remain effective for agricultural leaseholders and recreational users. Please review the amended regulation and updated fact sheets for key information on recreational access on agricultural public land.
Key changes to know before accessing agricultural public land:
- Recreational activities in the regulation are expanded to include modern and common forms of recreation such as e-bicycling and target shooting. The safety and land disturbance risk of these activities is mitigated by leaseholders having the option to limit their access should they choose.
- To improve safety, the amended regulation allows leaseholders to deny access for target shooting across the entire lease area should they choose. Previously, the discharge of firearms could only be restricted when unreasonably close to livestock. This does not change access for hunting, which remains the same.
- Leaseholders are encouraged to provide recreational users reasonable guidance that supports the health and safety of persons, animals, vegetation or land.
- Select specified penalties in the Procedures Regulation related to offences in the Recreational Access Regulation have been increased to match the significance of the offence.
Recreational Access Regulation Updates
On March 26, 2025, the Recreational Access Regulation was amended to modernize the regulation, address the growing demand for access and ensure rules remain effective for agricultural lease holders and recreational users. Please review the amended regulation and updated fact sheets for key information on recreational access on agricultural public land.
Key changes to know before accessing agricultural public land:
- Recreational activities in the regulation are expanded to include modern and common forms of recreation such as e-biking and target shooting. The safety and land disturbance risk of these activities is mitigated by leaseholders having the option to limit their access should they choose.
- To improve safety, the amended regulation allows leaseholders to deny access for target shooting across the entire lease area should they choose. Previously, the discharge of firearms could only be restricted when unreasonably close to livestock. This does not change access for hunting, which remains the same.
- Leaseholders are encouraged to provide recreational users reasonable guidance that supports the health and safety of persons, animals, vegetation or land.
- Select specified penalties in the Procedures Regulation related to offences in the Recreational Access Regulation have been increased to match the significance of the offence.
Contact
To connect with one of our rangeland agrologists for further information about recreational access on agricultural public land in Alberta, see the contact list at: Land Management – Contacts.
If you have questions about access to agricultural public land for recreation, contact 310-LAND (5263).