Plan your next adventure: Download Alberta’s Public Land Trail Guide.
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.
Maps of this area
Download current maps for the Coal Branch Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ):
Area and trail information
A seasonal off-highway vehicle (OHV) restriction is in effect for the Cardinal Headwaters Trail from October 15 to July 30. OHV access is only permitted from August 1 to October 14 on designated trails.
View information for Provincial Park Recreation Areas and other information on the region:
Activities
Know and understand the regulations and permitted activities for the area before your visit. For details, visit Recreation on Public Land – Overview.
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Camping
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.
- Random, no-service, camping is permitted.
- Campsites and fires must be a least one kilometre (0.6 miles) from a Recreation Area, Provincial Park or a roadway.
- Nearby, serviced camping is available at:
- Alberta Parks
- Brule Lake PLUZ for Camping
- Pembina Forks (in South Map)
- Watson Creek (in North Map)
- Whitehorse Wildland (in South Map)
- Whitehorse Creek (in South Map)
- Alberta Parks
- Review the regulations and best practices for camping on public land.
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Motorized
- Off-highway vehicles (OHV) permitted only on designated trails. Further information can be found at: Motorized Recreation on Public Land.
- For relevant clubs, trails and other information see: Alberta TrailNet and Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association.
- Snowmobiles permitted only on designated trails. For further information see: Know Before You Go: Snowmobiles.
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Non-motorized
- Hiking permitted.
- Equestrian permitted.
- Horse grazing or tethering must be 100 metres from a lakeshore.
- Cross-country skiing permitted.
- For further information see: Recreation on public land - Overview.
- For relevant clubs, trails and other information see, Alberta Cross-Country Skiing and Alberta Equestrian Federation.
Review the regulations and best practices for non-motorized recreation on public land.
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Hunting
- Alberta hunting regulations apply. For details on hunting regulations, visit the My Wild Alberta website at: Hunting: Regulations.
- Hunting is not permitted in Provincial Recreation Areas (PRAs).
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Fishing
- Alberta fishing regulations apply. For details on fishing regulations, visit the My Wild Alberta website at: Fishing: Regulations
About this area/PLUZ
This area was created in May 1999 to mitigate environmental impacts in sensitive areas and to protect, and properly manage reclaimed mine sites.
This area is 571 square kilometres (220.5 square miles).
Legislation, management, and planning
- Familiarize yourself with current legislation and regulations by visiting Public Land Enforcement.
- Upper Athabasca Regional Planning Process
Stewardship and biodiversity initiatives
Check out the Outdoor Recreation Channel for current information on stewardship projects and citizen science opportunities.
Contact
Connect with us:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Foothills Office – Hinton
Phone: 780-865-8267
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).
Address:
3rd Floor, 131 Civic Centre Road
Hinton, Alberta T7V 2E6