Calgary 
With so many ways to camp in Alberta, the simplest way could be the best. The simplest, least fussy way to camp in Alberta is on the province’s abundance of beautiful crown lands.
What is Crown or Public Land Camping:
In Alberta (and Canada), you can camp on public or “crown” land, in addition to Parks Canada, Alberta (provincial) Parks and private campsites.
Crown land in Alberta is managed by the provincial government and makes up about 60% of the province’s land base, including public land, parks, and protected areas overseen by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP). It is essential to understand the specific rules that apply to each type of land. The Public Lands Act designates various types of land, such as Public Land Use Zones, Public Land Recreation Areas, and Public Land Recreation Trails, as well as agricultural and vacant public land.
If you plan to access agricultural Crown land, you must first check if it is leased to an agriculture producer, as different rules apply. In such cases, you must contact the leaseholder, as access can be denied.
Random or rustic camping is allowed in Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs), Public Land Recreation Areas (PLRAs), and on vacant public land.
Camping on Public Land Use Zones
There are no marked campsites in Public Land Use Zones. There are 19 official PLUZs in Alberta. Some crown and public land campsites can be accessed with a vehicle, while others require hiking, biking, or off-highway vehicles. Not all PLUZ trails permit the use of OHVs.
You don’t need to reserve any crown land camping. Though Crown camping is free in most areas, you’ll need to purchase a Public Lands Camping Pass ($20 per person for a 3-day pass/$30 per person for an annual pass) for camping on public land along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Credit: Government of Alberta
Important Reminders for Crown Camping:
- There are no onsite services, but you may have access to facilities at nearby parks.
- The areas can be outside cell phone service areas.
- Limit your stay to no more than 14 days in the same location. After 14 days, you must move a distance of at least 1km away for 72 hours.
- Camp at least 30 metres (100 feet) from lakes and streams.
- LEAVE WITH WHAT YOU BRING CAMPING. This includes ALL garbage, recycling, and food waste, camping equipment, etc. Each of these areas are near bear-safe garbage cans (highway rest stops, Provincial Parks).
- Always keep food and drink coolers locked, and in a secure location like an RV or vehicle. Never leave food or coolers unattended. This can easily attract large wildlife.
- Be mindful of Provincial Fire Hazard warnings. If open fires are not permitted by the province, this will include Crown Land.
- Each zone between North, Central, and South PLUZs has separate lists for permissible activities and rules.
Details on rules and regulations
Where can you go for Crown Camping in Alberta?
Explore Alberta’s Public Land Use Zones to find some incredible and often undisturbed scenery. Alberta has 19 Public Land Use Zones divided into North, Central, and South sections.
Permitted activities in the SOUTH PLUZs
Permitted Activities in the NORTH PLUZs
Permitted Activities in the CENTRAL PLUZs
These activities enable you to explore all year round and in various ways: some allow for OHV access and riding, non-motorized boating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or equestrian riding. Each of the 19 PLUZs in Alberta has its own maps so you can see precisely where crown camping is allowed.
There are campsites you can use OHVs to get to a little faster, and a few that can be accessed with a vehicle from main highways. Other crown land campsites require a hike to find the best camping areas. Below are a few ideas that can get your crown camping adventures started.
NORTH
The northern PLUZs include Athabasca Ranch, Holmes Crossing, Bule Lake, Whitecourt Sandhills, and the Coal Branch. It includes the foothills south of Grande Prairie, east of Jasper National Park, and north of Banff National Park.
Credit: Government of Alberta
Brule Lake
The Bule Lake PLUZ borders the east side of Jasper National Park and can be accessed near the Wildhorse Lake PRA. There is an established area for camping that you can reach from the Wildhorse Lake Campground, or the Brule Sand Dunes Staging Area for OHV riders. This beautiful foothill setting borders a wide section of the Athabasca River and provides mountain and foothill scenery.
Coal Branch
Alberta’s Coal Branch PLUZs are on the west side of Highway 40, south of Highway 16. There are a few different OHV trails leading from the Cadomin area, and Gravel Flats Road. These trails lead to waterfalls, lakes, creeks, and up mountainsides. Most of the camping areas are south of Cadomin, so you can also access these camping areas from Highway 11 in the south.
CENTRAL
Central PLUZs include Bighorn Backcountry, Blackstone/Wapiabi, Dormer/Sheep, Job/Cline, Kiska/Willson, Panther Corners, Upper Clearwater/Ram. This includes the foothills east of Banff National Park, and south of Hinton.
Credit: Government of Alberta
Kiska/Wilson
Many know of the Bighorn backcountry camping opportunities around Abraham Lake. This is an exceptionally beautiful place to camp, soak in the sun, and stargaze next to a fire. This area is also known as the Kiska/Wilson PLUZ. The awesome campsites include areas like Allstones Lake, the Abraham Slabs, and Preacher’s Point.
The Kiska/Wilson PLUZ also covers the Ram Falls area with trails that can lead you into another Central PLUZ: Upper Clearwater/Ram.
Upper Clearwater/Ram
There are a couple of staging areas for the backcountry trails within the Upper Clearwater/Ram PLUZ. They are most easily accessed from the Forest Trunk Road west of Caroline. While here you can explore the Ram Falls and River or explore further north near Lake Abraham.
SOUTH
The south PLUZs include Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle, Ghost, Kananaskis, Livingstone, McLean Creek Off Highway Vehicle, Porcupine Hills, and Sibbald Snow Vehicle. These are the foothills between Calgary and Rockies. Some of the South PLUZs require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass instead of the Public Lands Camping Pass.
Credit: Government of Alberta
Ghost PLUZ
On the map there are specific areas designated for camping this PLUZ northwest of Calgary. The Ghost area map has marked ‘camping node’ locations, and locations in which camping is not allowed. These camping nodes are on the northeast side of the Ghost area, and can be accessed from the Forestry Trunk Road. Enjoy gorgeous camping in the foothills near creeks, views, and several different types of trails.
Livingstone PLUZ
Livingstone’s PLUZs have designated camping ‘nodes’ indicated on the map as Popular Random Camping Areas. Access these random camping areas from Highway 22 between Blairmore and Cataract Creek. Some of those more established camping areas are around the Livingstone Falls, Caesar Flats, or near the Chinook PRA.
For more information see:
Alberta’s guide to outdoor recreation on provincial Crown land
Crown Land Camping Alberta Facebook Page
My question. I have Kananaskis season pass. Do I need Crown land camping pass. If I will stay at the private camping ground do I need Crown land camping pass. If I book campsite at the fish lake campground do I need a Crown land camping pass if I already pay for the camping spot on the line. Could you please answer me. Thank you Joe.