Overview
Participating in outdoor recreation is a shared value throughout the province and the demand on public land for recreation varies from region to region. The Land-use Framework Regional Plans support long-term management of our province's land and natural resources (including recreation) with the intent of balancing economic, environmental and social goals.
Regional plans
For details of each regional plan (draft or final), public consultation opportunities, updates, and maps see Land-use Framework and Land-use Framework Maps and Shape files.
Lower Athabasca Region (LAR)
The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan was approved and effective as of September 1, 2012. Implementation of strategies under the regional plan is underway and some management frameworks are approved.
Highlights for outdoor enthusiasts include:
- establishing six new conservation areas, adding 1.5 million hectares bringing the total conserved land in the region to 2 million hectares, or 22% of the region
- making the Dillon River Conservation Area into a Wildland Provincial Park and increasing the size by 27,245 hectares to 191,544 hectares
- providing year-round nature-based tourism and outdoor recreational opportunities through the creation of nine new provincial recreation areas, which will have access to campsites, trails and boat docks
- committing to a regional trail system plan and five Public Land Areas for Recreation and Tourism
To view a map of the conservation areas, Provincial Recreation Areas and Public Land Areas for Recreation and Tourism in the region, see:
South Saskatchewan Region (SSR)
The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan was approved and effective as of September 1, 2014. Implementation of strategies under the regional plan is underway and some management frameworks are approved.
Highlights for outdoor enthusiasts include:
- creating eight new and expanded conservation areas adding 136,225 hectares of legislatively protected lands including the 54,588 hectares Castle Wildland Provincial Park
- recognizing the importance of outdoor recreation and providing a wide range of outdoor recreation experiences and nature-based tourism opportunities
- committing to recreation management planning with stakeholders for key areas beginning in Fall of 2014
While recreation management planning is underway, the current plans, mapping, signage, and other tools will continue to be used to manage recreation and provide clarity about access to public land. Find the first approved recreation management plan in the region at:
The regional plan includes:
Find the conservation areas, and the new and expanded recreation and parks areas in the region at:
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: