A Public Lands Camping Pass is required to random camp on public land along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Overview
Where you have been camping for years, or heading out on your first overnight trip, Alberta’s public land is a great place to spend a night in the great outdoors.
Public land offers different types of camping:
- Serviced campground
There are some established campgrounds in Provincial Recreation Areas (PRAs) within Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs). Established campgrounds may have reservable or first-come first served sites and offer amenities and facilities for campers. Visitors are encouraged to use campsites to reduce the risk of environmental impact to public land caused by increased recreational pressure. In campgrounds where campers pay a nightly fee, they do not require a Public Lands Camping Pass. - Camping nodes and Public Land Recreation Areas
Some PLUZs have camping nodes, which have first come, first serve camping sites that offer basic amenities such as outhouses, fire rings and/or waste receptables. Camping nodes may be established Public Land Recreation Areas. Campers do not have to pay campgrounds fees to stay in a camping node, but do require a Public Lands Camping Pass.- Find camping nodes in the Ghost and Livingstone PLUZs.
- Random camping (car camping and backpacking)
There are many opportunities to random camp outside of designated campgrounds within Public Land Use Zones and on vacant public land. Random camping areas are often found in remote areas with access along rural, gravel roads or down multi-use recreational trails, and offer no hook up services or facilities for campers. All random camping spots are first-come, first-served and require a Public Lands Camping Pass within the pass boundary.
Use the resources below to start planning your next public land camping trip.
Plan your trip
Contact
For information or to report any public safety incidents, illegal activity or enforcement concerns during your trip, call 310-LAND (5263).
Hours: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Toll free: 310-LAND
Toll free (outside of Alberta): 1-833-310-5869