by Watershed Stewardship Assistant, Rachel Morris.
As a recent newcomer to Alberta, I’m itching to get outside and explore the many unique and interesting places the Oldman Watershed has to offer. But first, I need to find my bearings! Follow along as I learn how to responsibly and safely make the most of the great Alberta outdoors.
Getting the Lay of the Land
Alberta has a whole slew of nationally and provincially designated recreation areas. National parks are managed by Parks Canada . They feature designated trails and typically have front-country (with car access) and backcountry (no car access) campsites. National parks provide educational content through kiosks, visitor centres, and interpretive programs. A day pass is usually required for entry. We have one national park in the Oldman watershed: Waterton Lakes National Park.
Waterton Lakes National Park. Photo by Connie Simmons (OWC Flickr)
Alberta Parks manages several types of provincial parks and recreation areas: Provincial Parks, Wildland Provincial Parks, and Provincial Recreation Areas (read up on the differences here). They provide access to a wide array of activities including hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting, although permitted activities are specific to each park. In our watershed, these parks are free to enter, and some allow camping in designated front-country and backcountry sites . Many provincial parks offer educational programs.
Castle Provincial Park. Photo by Randy Paquette (OWC Flickr)
Public Land Use Zones, (PLUZ) offer access to many recreation activities, both motorized and non-motorized, although like in parks, permitted activities are also specific to each PLUZ. They are free to access. PLUZs offer designated campsites and allow random camping under specific circumstances. There are two PLUZs in the Oldman watershed: Porcupine Hills and Livingstone. I’ll be using the Alberta Public Land Trail Guide to find my way around!
Livingstone River, Livingstone Public Land Use Zone (OWC Flickr)
I’m also using the Alberta Interactive recreation viewer to see all of my options in one place.
The Next Step: Know Before You Go
The day after I arrived in the Oldman watershed, I drove to Waterton Lakes National Park with my best friend. We were beyond eager to see the Rockies after a five-day drive. Although it had been sunny and 20°C in Lethbridge, we were surprised to find the parkways still closed and snowed in, and the trails under deep snow. We weren’t quite dressed for the weather! I’ll blame jet lag (car lag?), but I hope you can all learn from my mistake.
Rachel in Waterton Lakes National Park in April 2024. Pro tip: the snow in the mountains doesn’t melt until summer!
When I visit a new park or recreation area this weekend, I will likely not have cell coverage on the trail, or even in the parking lot. This time, I am going to make sure I ‘know before I go’, and download or print my maps, write down the trails I plan on taking, and plan where I’m going to camp. And of course, I’ll check the weather in the place I’m going, not the place I leave from.
Rule #1: Be Safe
Back in Ontario, there were no grizzly bears, so I’m a little preoccupied with bear safety. I’ve already checked out the Alberta Parks bear safety page, but before I leave I will check for advisories in the park I’m traveling to.
I’ll want to have a fire—can I burn anything at all? As it turns out, there is an interactive map of active fire bans and advisories in Alberta at albertafirebans.ca.
Before I leave, I’m going to check the Alberta know before you go page to make sure I know all the rules specific to the activities I have planned.
Leaving It Better Than I Found It
No trace was left at this beautiful campsite in Maycroft Provincial Recreation Area, May 2023. Photo by Shannon Hart.
Part of the joy of going outside is escaping from it all. No traffic noises, no crowds (unless you pick a popular spot for May long weekend!), and no garbage… pure bliss. However, enjoying the outdoors, especially shared spaces, means doing my part to let others enjoy them, too. This means leaving places clean and undisturbed for other people, as well as keeping habitat healthy and safe for wildlife.
Did you know that tossing compostable litter like apple cores can attract bears? Leave No Trace Canada is a great place to learn about the seven principles of Leaving No Trace, allowing people and wildlife to continue to enjoy natural spaces for many years. I’m going to bring a designated plastic bag with me to carry all of my waste home.
More to Explore!
Planning and researching my trip has me excited to publish this blog and go enjoy some spring weather. I’m feeling more oriented now that I know where to look for information about Alberta parks and public land. I’m going to know before I go this weekend, and as I explore our beautiful watershed, I’ll leave it just as I found it, so you can enjoy it too. Whether it’s your first time exploring a new place or you’re coming back for another adventure, I wish you an exciting and safe recreation experience. See you on the trails!
