Public Lands Camping Pass Order

(Consolidated up to 158/2025) ALBERTA REGULATION 137/2024 Public Lands Act Public Lands Administration Regulation PUBLIC LANDS CAMPING PASS ORDER Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Camping Pass Area 3 Application Part 1 Camping Pass 4 Requirement for camping pass 5 Obtaining camping pass 6 Validity of camping pass 7 Revocation of camping pass 8 Other requirements unaffected Part 2 Exemptions 9 Exempt persons Part 3 Transitional Provision, Repeal and Expiry 10 Transitional 11 Repeal 12 Expiry Schedule Definitions 1 In this Order, (a) “camping” means an overnight stay, including camping undertaken for a commercial purpose; (b) “camping pass” means a type of activity pass issued under section 5 for the purposes of camping in the Camping Pass Area; (c) “Camping Pass Area” means the area of land designated as the Camping Pass Area under section 2; (d) “Department” means the Department of Forestry and Parks; (e) “exemption” means an exemption referred to in Part 2 from requiring a camping pass; (f) “public land” means land under the administration of the Minister under section 2 of the Public Lands Act . Camping Pass Area 2 (1) The public land identified as the Pass Area on the map in the Schedule is designated as the Camping Pass Area. (2) For greater certainty, the Camping Pass Area includes the Porcupine Hills Public Land Use Zone as described in the Public Lands Administration Regulation (AR 187/2011). (3) For greater certainty, the Camping Pass Area includes the Willmore Wilderness Park as described in the Willmore Wilderness Park Act . (4) For greater certainty, land described as the Kananaskis Conservation Pass Area in the Kananaskis Conservation Pass Order, made by the Minister of Forestry and Parks, as amended or replaced from time to time, is not included in the Camping Pass Area. Application 3 (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Order applies to public lands within the Camping Pass Area. (2) This Order does not apply to land that is subject to the Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act . (3) Despite subsection (1), this Order does not apply to a person who is an employee or contractor of the Government of Alberta while the person is engaged in work‑related activities in the Camping Pass Area. Part 1 Camping Pass Requirement for camping pass 4 Unless exempted under Part 2, every person who enters on or occupies public lands for the purpose of camping within the Camping Pass Area must (a) obtain a valid camping pass, (b) carry the camping pass while in the Camping Pass Area, and (c) if requested by an officer, produce the camping pass for inspection. Obtaining camping pass 5 (1) To obtain a camping pass, a person must (a) acknowledge that the person willingly accepts the risks of camping on public lands, and (b) pay the applicable fee set out in subsection (2), GST and any other fee listed on the website maintained by the Department to publish information about camping passes. (2) The camping pass fees are as follows: (a) for an annual camping pass, $30 per person; (b) for a 3‑day camping pass, $20 per person. Validity of camping pass 6 (1) An annual camping pass is valid immediately on issue for one year from the date of issue. (2) A 3‑day camping pass is valid for 3 consecutive days, with the first day beginning at 2:00 p.m. on the date selected and ending at 2:00 p.m. on the 3rd day. (3) A camping pass is not refundable and cannot be transferred or assigned. Revocation of camping pass 7 A director or officer may revoke a camping pass at any time if the holder fails to comply with (a) this Order, or (b) any requirement under the Public Lands Act or the Public Lands Administration Regulation (AR 187/2011). Other requirements unaffected 8 The requirements in section 4 do not affect any other duty or obligation in connection with the entry on or the use of public land within the Camping Pass Area for camping purposes, including any duty or obligation under the Public Lands Act , the regulations under that Act or any Orders made under that Act or the regulations. Part 2 Exemptions Exempt persons 9 (1) The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain a camping pass: (a) an Indian within the meaning of the Indian Act (Canada); (b) a person under the age of 18; (c) a person who is a recipient of one of the following programs administered by the Department of Assisted Living and Social Services: (i) Income Support; (ii) Alberta Adult Health Benefit program; (d) a person who is a recipient of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped and up to 2 people who are accompanying the recipient while camping in the Camping Pass Area; (e) for that portion of the Camping Pass Area that is north of the Red Deer River, (i) a person who is a recognized Metis harvester under the document entitled Métis Harvesting in Alberta Policy issued by the Department and accessible on the Department’s website, as amended or replaced from time to time; (ii) a person who is a settlement member as defined in the Metis Settlements Act ; (iii) a person who is a member of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada; (f) a person camping for the purpose of engaging in activities authorized by a disposition that is not an access permit; (g) a person camping for the purpose of engaging in guiding or instructing activities authorized by an access permit; (h) a person camping for the purpose of engaging in activities authorized by a timber disposition issued under the Forests Act ; (i) a person camping for the purpose of engaging in activities authorized by any exploration approval issued under the Exploration Regulation (AR 284/2006) or the Metallic and Industrial Minerals Exploration Regulation (AR 213/98); (j) a person who is an outfitter or is employed by an outfitter as defined in the Wildlife Regulation (AR 143/97) while the person is camping for the purpose of engaging in activities as an outfitter; (k) a person who is the holder of a registered fur management licence under the Wildlife Regulation (AR 143/97) and is camping for the purpose of engaging in activities authorized by the licence within the associated registered fur management area; (l) a person camping on public lands under a disposition not held by the Department if the disposition is for camping purposes; (m) a person who is an employee or contractor for an Alberta municipality or the Government of Canada while engaged in work‑related activities. (2) When requested by an officer, a person claiming an exemption from the requirement to obtain a camping pass must provide documentation or other evidence satisfactory to the officer that the exemption applies. AR 137/2024 s9;158/2025 Part 3 Transitional Provision, Repeal and Expiry Transitional 10 A subsisting camping pass issued in accordance with Ministerial Order No. 86/2021 made by the Minister of Environment and Parks is considered to be a camping pass under this Order. Repeal 11 Ministerial Order No. 86/2021 made by the Minister of Environment and Parks is repealed. Expiry 12 For the purpose of ensuring that this Order is reviewed for ongoing relevancy and necessity, with the option that it may be repassed in its present or an amended form following a review, this Order expires on October 31, 2029. Schedule Camping Pass Area