Table of contents

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. For more information, visit:

Important notices

Notice: Starting May 1, 2021 - Bighorn Dam Restricted off-highway vehicle (OHV) area

Areas on and around the Bighorn Dam are being closed to OHV use to address public safety and dam safety concerns and to implement erosion control. OHV use will not be permitted in the entire area May 1 to June 30, to align with seasonal designated trail timing restrictions. Random camping is still permitted in the area. While closures are in place around the Bighorn Dam, OHVs should remain loaded. You are able to haul your OHVs for use at other designated trails that are open during that time. For alternative areas, visit Public Land Use Zones.

See: Signage and Map of Restricted OHV Usage Area effective May 1, 2021 (PDF) and image below showing erosion in the Bighorn Dam area.

Image showing erosion in the area of Bighorn Dam OHV restriction effective May 1, 2021

Pilot Project - Designated Sections of Highway 734 (Forestry Trunk Road) Permitting OHV Usage

Through a collaboration with Alberta Transportation, portions of Highway 734 deemed appropriate for OHV trail connectivity have been designated to allow for OHV use.  These portions are reflected on the 2021 Bighorn Backcountry brochure along the road in yellow.

  • Operation is for recreational purposes only and must take place during daylight hours.
  • Maximum speed limit is 50 km/hour.
  • OHV shall be operated as close as practicable to the right edge of the roadway, unless passing another OHV travelling in the same direction or preparing for a left turn.
  • Except when passing, OHVs may not be operated adjacent to one another.  They must be operated directly in line when travelling in the same direction.

Change to Trail Usage Timing - Tershishner Trail Highway 11 – T1 – T3 Only

Due to severe damage to portions of this section of trail, it has been temporarily designated with a new timing restriction for OHV use and snow vehicle use until a reroute can be assessed and implemented. This trail from Highway 11 through T1-T3 is only open to OHV use December 1 – April 30, as reflected in the color magenta on the 2021 Bighorn Backcountry brochure.

Abraham Lake Vehicle Restriction: April 1 to December 1, 2021

No motorized vehicles April 1 to December 1 below 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).

Red truck and large RV on Abraham Lake bottom
Black truck on Abraham Lake bottom
White truck and red SUV on Abraham Lake bottom

Other notices related to Bighorn Backcountry

Many areas within the Bighorn Backcountry do not have cell phone service. During an emergency the ability to reach and receive a response by emergency services may be delayed. Be prepared to adequately respond to situations that arise, regardless of your activity or location.

Be aware of your surroundings. There may be unmarked trail damage and stream crossings that have been compromised.

Exercise caution and be equipped for excursions to take longer than anticipated. Whether recreating over land or by water, know before you go, be responsible and encourage others to do the same.

Regular timing restrictions for trails can be found below and on the 2021 Bighorn Backcountry PLUZ brochure located at:

For other trail or area closures located outside of the Bighorn Backcountry PLUZ, visit:

Trail and area updates

Effective June 1, 2021
Trail or Area Public Land Use Zone Details
  • Allstones Lake Trail
  • Waterfalls Creek Trail
  • Trails to Landslide Lake and Lake of the Falls
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Job/Cline
 Trails closed for equestrian use. These trails will remain closed for equestrian use until October 1, 2021.
Effective May 1, 2021
Trail or Area Public Land Use Zone Details
  • Tershishner Area (Crescent Falls) Trails T4 – T9
  • Bighorn Dam Area
  • Eagle Lake Trail
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram
 Trails denoted in light purple on the brochure are closed to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use and snow vehicle use until July 1, 2021.
  • Brazeau River Trail
  • Hummingbird Creek Trail
  • Onion Creek Trail
  • Job/Cline
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram
 Trails denoted in orange on the brochure are closed to OHV use and snow vehicle use until July 1, 2021.
  • (NEW)Tershishner Hwy11-T1-T3
  • Peppers Lake Trails
  • Kiska/Willson
 Trails denoted in magenta are closed to OHV use and snow vehicle use until December 1, 2021.
  • Sugarbowl Random Sledding Area
  • Onion Lake Random Sledding Area
  • Ranger Creek Random Sledding Area
  • Scalp Creek Random Sledding Area
  • Job/Cline
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram
 Random sledding areas are closed to snow vehicle use until December 1, 2021.
  • Whitegoat Trail
  • Joyce Creek
  • Clearwater Trail/Skeleton Creek Trail
  • Canary Creek Trail
  • Ranger Creek Trail
  • Job/Cline
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram
 Trails denoted in dark green are closed to OHV and snow vehicle use until December 1, 2021.
Effective July 19, 2010
Trail or Area Public Land Use Zone Details
  • Wapiabi Cave
  • Blackstone/Wapiabi

Wapiabi Cave is CLOSED to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome to bats.

Please ensure that you take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome to local bat populations.

Area information for Bighorn Backcountry

Find general information, maps and brochures for Alberta’s Public Land Use Zones both within and beyond the Bighorn Backcountry.

Bighorn Backcountry information kiosks

The Bighorn Backcountry map and brochure are available at information kiosks located in the following areas:

  • Allstones Lake Staging Area (north of creek)
  • Allstones Random Camping (south of creek)
  • Bighorn Dam
  • Coliseum Trail Staging Area
  • Coral Creek Staging Area
  • Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area
  • Cutoff Creek Staging Area
  • Eagle Creek Public Land Recreation Area
  • Eagle Lake Trail / Scalp Creek Trail
  • Hummingbird Staging Area (Canary Creek and Ranger Creek)
  • Landslide Lake Staging Area
  • Nordegg Rail Trail Connector Staging Area
  • Nordegg Ranger Station Staging Area
  • North Ram River
  • Panther Corners Public Land Recreation Area
  • Panther River Trail near Panther Patrol Cabin
  • Pinto Lake Staging Area
  • Preachers Point River Access
  • Wapiabi Trail Staging Area

Contact

Connect with Alberta Environment and Parks Resource and Approvals staff for any questions about safety and enjoyment or management of the area:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Laura Raivio
Email: [email protected]

Wayne Crocker
Email: [email protected]

Don Livingston
Email: [email protected]