View Full Version : Camping on lakes
bowness
12-07-2021, 08:41 PM
Anybody know the rules regarding camping on Alberta lakes. I have seen some long term groups camping on Newell. Wondering about other lakes.
Of course this would be when it’s safe🙄
Also does a provincial parks jurisdiction go over a water body such as Beauvais or Beaver mines? Can you camp on them for extended periods?( week or two)
Lakes are all crown land....I've never had an issue camping on any lake. As for the Provincial park rules....they do not extend onto the lake. Example....at cold lake pp you can't unload/ride an atv or snowmobile on land as there are no atvs allowed in the pp area...you have to drive onto the lake...unload your machine and then park your truck.
Anybody know the rules regarding camping on Alberta lakes. I have seen some long term groups camping on Newell. Wondering about other lakes.
Of course this would be when it’s safe🙄
Also does a provincial parks jurisdiction go over a water body such as Beauvais or Beaver mines? Can you camp on them for extended periods?( week or two)
Lakes are all crown land....I've never had an issue camping on any lake. As for the Provincial park rules....they do not extend onto the lake. Example....at cold lake pp you can't unload/ride an atv or snowmobile on land as there are no atvs allowed in the pp area...you have to drive onto the lake...unload your machine and then park your truck.
Not all lakes that are found within Prov Parks permit use of OHV's. You cannot use an OHV (ATV or sled) on Beaver Mines Lake. You can take an OHV onto Beauvais Lake.
TroutingOuting
12-10-2021, 04:12 PM
I don't believe the Navigable Waters Act has any laws or regulations written specifically to camping on the lake/ice. In contrast to camping on Crownland in Alberta, where you must not occupy the same site for more than 14 days, have temporary facilities (bathroom), not cut down any live trees/veg, there really isn't as much room for abuse when camping on the ice. Perhaps, as it grows in popularity and issues of litter, and depositing of deleterious substances (fecal matter/urine, gasoline, etc.) become increasingly common in a cumulative effects type of way, we may see regulations/restrictions come into place.
I believe there may be some exceptions that I would be cautious of; if a lake falls completely within a park boundary (Kananaskis for example), than the Provincial government can enforce laws that you may not see elsewhere. I know you are not permitted to operate OHV's on K lakes, despite it likely falling under the Navigable Waters Act jurisdiction. The safe bet would, of course, be to implement the 'leave no trace' principal. Defecate into a bag/bucket if you need to and carry out, or bury it onshore at least 100 meters from a water course or waterbody, and take your trash with you. As long as you stick to those things, by law I believe you could live on the lake all winter in one spot without technically breaking the law.
JDK71
12-10-2021, 04:19 PM
I don't believe the Navigable Waters Act has any laws or regulations written specifically to camping on the lake/ice. In contrast to camping on Crownland in Alberta, where you must not occupy the same site for more than 14 days, have temporary facilities (bathroom), not cut down any live trees/veg, there really isn't as much room for abuse when camping on the ice. Perhaps, as it grows in popularity and issues of litter, and depositing of deleterious substances (fecal matter/urine, gasoline, etc.) become increasingly common in a cumulative effects type of way, we may see regulations/restrictions come into place.
I believe there may be some exceptions that I would be cautious of; if a lake falls completely within a park boundary (Kananaskis for example), than the Provincial government can enforce laws that you may not see elsewhere. I know you are not permitted to operate OHV's on K lakes, despite it likely falling under the Navigable Waters Act jurisdiction. The safe bet would, of course, be to implement the 'leave no trace' principal. Defecate into a bag/bucket if you need to and carry out, or bury it onshore at least 100 meters from a water course or waterbody, and take your trash with you. As long as you stick to those things, by law I believe you could live on the lake all winter in one spot without technically breaking the law.
Take your fecal matter with you digging a hole in the snow and leaving it will only make a mess for someone else to clean up in the spring.
Jims83cj5
12-10-2021, 05:19 PM
Read the regs, there are some lakes you can’t fish on at night
Just remember to bring garbage bags to clean up any messes. And if on a heavy traveled area maybe put a beacon of some kind on your tent so no one runs into you, it does happen, enjoy 🐟
raw outdoors
12-10-2021, 06:01 PM
Take a portable toilet( 5 gallon bucket toilet lid ) and pack out your garbage and leave no trace. Don’t ruin it for other guys by leaving a mess and forcing lawmakers to make more laws on things you can’t do.
AlbertanGP
12-10-2021, 08:20 PM
Are we really having a discussion on how to take a crap in the woods. JFC…
P.S. - This is where I’m posting from. On a lake…and how I’m gonna take a dump when the time comes isn’t really a big concern tbh.
crazynewf
12-12-2021, 06:23 PM
Are we really having a discussion on how to take a crap in the woods. JFC…
P.S. - This is where I’m posting from. On a lake…and how I’m gonna take a dump when the time comes isn’t really a big concern tbh.
That's a nice setup. What kind of tent?
AlbertanGP
12-12-2021, 06:39 PM
That's a nice setup. What kind of tent?
The tent is an Otter Resort hub. This was my first trip out in it, so I’m still working out a few bugs. Overall though, it worked out really well.
FearNoFish
12-13-2021, 10:49 AM
You are not allowed to camp on the ice in Lakeland provincial park. We learned this hard lesson two years ago on Seibert. You can setup camp in the designated spots at the campground only.
Don't forget your CO detector.
You are not allowed to camp on the ice in Lakeland provincial park. We learned this hard lesson two years ago on Seibert. You can setup camp in the designated spots at the campground only.
Don't forget your CO detector.
Weird cause I know lots of guys camp on the ice at Jackson or kinard.
AlbertanGP
12-13-2021, 12:14 PM
Probably has something to do with the lake lying entirely within the park boundaries.
TroutingOuting
12-14-2021, 10:18 AM
Take your fecal matter with you digging a hole in the snow and leaving it will only make a mess for someone else to clean up in the spring.
I was suggesting to bury it under the ground, not the snow, in case that wasn't clear. Although, this might be hard when the ground is frozen, so poopin in a bag is likely the best option.
JDK71
12-14-2021, 11:11 AM
nice to hear you would pack it out i have a cabin on BSL and come spring there is all kinds on thing around when the snow melts
Buck9
12-16-2021, 06:17 PM
Probably has something to do with the lake lying entirely within the park boundaries.
This is true. Went through the same discussion with a CO last year after camping on the ice at Blackett. Was actually having a beer in the tent when he pulled up. He asked for the beer and poured it out. I said I am camping overnight and he proceeded to check other tent which had all our gear set up. He said oh you are camping. Then did you know you are not allowed to camp on the ice in the provincial park, and you can only camp in designated spots. I mentioned thought that would only apply to summer as understand might not want garbage camp sites everywhere in bush. He said nope applies year round. He proceeded to show me the rules. Think it was a $180 fine for not complying. He was very good about it told us to just ensure we didn’t spend the night on ice and move to a designated spot. Further asked him to explain. So any lake that is surrounded or located in a provincial park you have to camp in designated spots. ie Lakeland provincial park. Others like Cold Lake where park is just along lake you are good to camp on ice. Further got into discussion about fires on ice. He said that’s not allowed either but can be done on the shore. He preferred on the ice by the shore just due to chance of catching bush on fire. Great discussion in the end got a good explanation with the rule book shown to me
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