Plan your next adventure: Download Alberta’s Public Land Trail Guide.
Public Land Recreation Areas
Public Land Recreation Areas (PLRAs) are small areas that help manage high recreational use. They are often located where people gather for recreation on public land, whether for random camping, day use or to access a trail. PLRAs may provide limited amenities such as information kiosks, interpretive signs or camping amenities. Most are located within Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ).
There are a number of PLRAs within the province. Explore these areas on the Recreation Map.
PLRAs
- Allison Day Use/Cross Country Ski Staging
- Barrier Lake
- Bison Flats
- Blackstone Gap
- Blackstone Viewpoint
- Brown Creek Viewpoint
- Bustard Island Remote
- Cadotte/Peace River Remote
- Calling River Water Access
- Cardinal River
- Cardinal River Divide
- Caribou Creek Remote
- Cascade Rapids Remote
- Christina River Remote
- Clausen's Landing Remote
- Crescent Falls
- Crow Lake Walk-in Tenting
- Cutoff Creek
- Cutoff Creek Equestrian Staging
- Dore Lake
- Eagle Creek
- Eccles Pond Day Use
- Economy Lake
- Engstrom Remote
- Greentree Remote
- Hilltop Lake
- Hornbeck Cross Country Skiing
- House River
- Hummingbird
- Jackknife Springs Day Use
- Jumpingpound Demonstration
- Little Sundance Creek Snowmobiling
- Mariana Lake
- Mason Creek Day Use
- Meander River
- Mile 18 Water Access
- Miseieutin Remote
- Musreau Lake Day Use
- Nose Lake Remote
- Panther
- Pearson Lake
- Pinto Lake
- Richardson River Remote
- Semo Lake Remote
- Siffleur Falls Staging
- Six Lakes Remote
- Steeper Water Access
- Struble Lake Water Access
- Syncline Cross-Country Skiing
- Upper Clearwater River Staging
- Wandering River
- Waskahigan
- Westview
- Whitemud Falls Remote
- Winefred Lake Remote
Provincial trails
A number of existing trails have been designated as provincial trails. As additional trails are designated, they will be identified on Provincial Trail Designation Maps.
Provincial trails are established to provide sustainable recreation opportunities for Albertans while also allowing for the protection and management of trails and recreation infrastructure. Provincial trails have general rules that are enforced under the Public Lands Administration Regulation to help ensure public safety and prevent loss or damage to public lands. They may also have trail or activity specific rules. Rules for a provincial trail are communicated using signs in the provincial trail or trail area, online, and in provincial resources such as Alberta’s Guide to Outdoor Recreation on Provincial Crown Land.
Know and follow the rules by planning ahead for your next trip on public land and obeying all posted signs and notices in the area.
General rules for provincial trails include:
- Follow and obey department publications, signs, notices and any instructions provided by Government of Alberta staff.
- Follow trail designations and permitted activities.
- Motorized users, except snow vehicle users, must stay on the trail tread.
- Keep pets under control. Some provincial trails may require pets to be leashed, or prohibit pets.
- Leave nothing behind. All waste including garbage, recycling, compost and human waste should be taken home or to a dump station for proper disposal.
- Discharging a firearm for recreational purposes is not allowed within 400 m of a provincial trail, unless hunting as defined under Wildlife Act.
- All vehicles, motorized or human powered (including bicycles, motor vehicles, camping units, etc.) must not be left unattended on the tread of a provincial trail.
- Parking your motor vehicle, off-highway vehicle or camping unit overnight can only occur in areas designated for that purpose.
Five public land recreation trails have been repealed from regulation. Ford Creek-Jumping Pound trail has been established as a provincial trail. The other 4 are under review for trail management planning.
Sustainable trail management
The Trails Act marks a new approach to managing trails on Alberta’s public lands to ensure sustainable use and enjoyment for all users.
The Trails Act provides guidance and structure for trail use in our province’s growing recreation and tourism sector, allowing for better trail experiences for Albertans by ensuring high quality, well managed and safe designated trails. For full details, see:
Enforcement
Familiarize yourself with current legislation and regulations for recreation on public land by visiting Public land enforcement.