Use caution when travelling in the Bighorn Backcountry
Due to extreme weather events and natural occurrences such as fire, flood and heavy snowfall that can take place in the region, travellers in the Bighorn Backcountry Public Land Use Zones should exercise caution. For details, see:
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
Alberta's Bighorn Backcountry covers 5,000 square kilometres (1.2 million acres) of public lands east of the Banff and Jasper National Parks. To facilitate area management, the Bighorn Backcountry is subdivided into 6 Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs), land areas subject to legislative controls under the authority of Alberta’s Forests Act and Public Lands Administration Regulation. Recreational activities allowed in each PLUZ can vary greatly depending on local conditions.
Current management of the Bighorn Backcountry will continue while government consults on the Bighorn Country proposal.
Plan your visit
Brochure and maps
Trail and area updates
Effective December 1, 2023
Trail or area | Public Land Use Zone | Details |
---|---|---|
|
| Trails denoted in dark green are open to OHV use until February 1, 2024 and snow vehicle use until April 30, 2024. |
|
| Trails denoted in magenta are open to OHV and snow vehicle use until April 30, 2024. |
|
| Random sledding areas are open to snow vehicle use until April 30, 2024. |
|
| Trails denoted in purple on the brochure are open to OHV use until Feb 1, 2024 and snow vehicle use until April 30, 2024. |
|
| Trails denoted in orange on the brochure are open to OHV use until Feb 1, 2024 and snow vehicle use until April 30, 2024. |
Effective October 1, 2023
Trail or area | Public Land Use Zone | Details |
---|---|---|
|
| Trails open for equestrian use. These trails will remain open for equestrian use until May 31, 2024. |
Effective July 19, 2010
Trail or area | Public Land Use Zone | Details |
---|---|---|
|
| Wapiabi Cave is CLOSED to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome to bats. Ensure you take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome to local bat populations. |
Contact
Connect with the nearest Clearwater Area Provincial Office to obtain a paper copy of the Bighorn Backcountry brochure, or for additional information about the area:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Rocky Mountain House
Phone: 403-845-8250
Toll free: 310-LAND (5263) (in Alberta)
Drayton Valley
Phone: 780-542-6616
Toll free: 310-LAND (5263) (in Alberta)
Call 310-LAND anytime to report illegal activity, public safety issues, and enforcement concerns on Crown land (public land, provincial parks and protected areas).
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