Did you know that there are a number of other places to take your RV that aren’t in official campgrounds?
Random Camping on Public Lands
Random camping, which is sometimes called rustic camping, is when you set up your RV in undeveloped Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs) outside of traditional campgrounds. Some people refer to this as camping on Crown land. The Government of Alberta has a few rules and regulations for random camping, but it is generally quite simple and easy to enjoy the beauty of Alberta without fighting the crowds at the campgrounds.
Random camping in the eastern slopes of the Rockies between Grand Prairie and Waterton Lakes National Park requires an Alberta Public Lands Camping Pass, which is available online. These passes are for campers who are over 18 years old and cost $20 per person for three days or $30 per person for an annual pass. When random camping on Alberta public lands, you can stay in one spot for up to 14 days.
There are a few things that you should remember before setting up camp in a PLUZ:
- Check to make sure that you’re allowed to be there. You may need to get permission from a leaseholder. If you are unsure, call 310-LAND for more information.
- You can’t book your spot on PLUZs so arrive early and have a backup plan in case your preferred area is busy.
- Most PLUZs are accessible by unpaved or gravel backroads. Be ready to take some time driving in.
- Be prepared. There are usually no services, including water, bathrooms, and cell phone service, in PLUZs.
- Leave nothing behind. You must take all garbage and human waste with you when you leave.
- Choose the spot that you park your RV on carefully. Try to avoid damaging plants, avoid wildlife and hiking trails, and make sure the ground is hard. There have been many stories of people waking up after an overnight rain to find their RVs have sunk deep into the mud. Finding someone to tow you out when you’re off the beaten track can be tricky (and expensive).
- Be very careful with your campfire. Use a portable firepit and make sure it is properly extinguished.
Random camping is a great way to save some money on site fees. It also allows you to explore areas off of the beaten path that you might not be able to visit otherwise. Many people love to meet up with friends at their favourite PLUZ and enjoy the privacy and serenity of these more remote areas
Private Property Camping
Camping on private property can give you access to some incredible spots but finding camper-friendly owners can be difficult. Booking sites like Campertunity make it easy. These sites are a lot like AirBNB for camping. They allow property owners to list their camping opportunities which can then be booked online.
Private property camping gives you access to a number of different camping experiences. Find a serene spot along a sleepy river, book a family trip to a hobby farm, or enjoy the sunrise over the vineyards near Kelowna. There are some incredible opportunities for interesting experiences when you find a great private property that is open to campers. Rates through Campertunity are usually between $25 and $65 a night.
Let Adventure Take You
Even if you love the reliability of traditional full-service campgrounds, it might be a fun to try something new this summer. Gather a group of friends to check out a beautiful PLUZ or book a family camping holiday at a private hobby farm. You never know – your next destination might be your new favourite.
This story was made possible by our Community Partners Program. Thank you High River Autoplex for helping to expand local news coverage in Alberta. Learn more.
