In Northern Alberta, communities are few and far between, and the backroads seem to go on forever. Outdoor adventurers can follow them into boreal forest, along remote rivers and toward quiet lakes for overlanding, ATV riding, hiking, canoeing and fishing. When it is time to stop for the night, Crown land and many of Alberta’s Wildland Parks offer opportunities for free dispersed camping. Here are a few of our favourite places to explore and stay awhile.
Dillon River Wildland Park
Dillon River is a great option for those who enjoy a rugged winter drive as much as the destination. Southeast of Fort McMurray, there is only one route leading into this expansive boreal country where fishing, wildlife watching and backcountry exploring can fill the day. The Loche Ice Road leads east from Christina Crossing to Garson Lake on the Saskatchewan border at the north edge of the park. With its challenging access and wide-open feel, Dillon River delivers a true rugged backcountry destination for hardy winter adventurers.
Forestry Trunk Road
The Forestry Trunk Road is made for travellers who love seeing where a gravel road leads. Follow it through forested foothills, pause beside a river, head out for a hike or cast a line before finding a quiet place to spend the evening. With changing scenery and countless opportunities to turn a short drive into a longer adventure, it captures the freedom that draws people to Crown Land camping. Only a small portion of Highway 734 is found in Northern Alberta but there are several wild campsites along the road including stops at Economy Lake and the Simonette River with side trips off the Corp and Canfor 2000 Road to Bison Flats and McLeod Flats.
Northern Alberta Backroad Mapbook - map page 17
Fox Creek – Little Smoky
The forests around Fox Creek and Little Smoky are a natural starting point for a northern Alberta backcountry camping trip. Leaving the highway behind, the landscape opens into a broad network of gravel roads, wooded clearings and quiet boreal forest, prime habitat for the Little Smoky woodland caribou herd. With four rivers, the Smoky, Wasskahigan, Simonette and Latornell crossing it, the Canfor Road, running west from Highway 43 makes a great starting point. It also connects to the Forestry Trunk Road, opening up even more possibilities.
Hubert Lake Wildland Park
Hubert Lake Wildland Park brings ATV riding and wild camping together in the boreal forest north of Westlock. Ride the park’s designated trails through a sand dune complex interspersed with several small lakes and jack pine forest. With no developed campsites or facilities, the trip has the feel of a self-directed adventure. Pack what you need, follow the trails into the forest, watch for the caribou herd that wanders in and out of the park and make it a full weekend trip. Details on this riding area can be found in the ATV Adventures section of the Northern Alberta Backroad Mapbook.
Northern Alberta Backroad Mapbook
Lakeland Provincial Park
Launch a canoe, follow a chain of lakes and let each portage carry you farther into Lakeland’s quiet forest. The reward at day’s end is a backcountry campsite beside the water, where supper tastes better after a full day of paddling. Watch for waterbirds, fish along the way or simply enjoy the rhythm of travelling under your own power. Lakeland’s many free designated campsites make it an inviting introduction to a multi-day northern Alberta canoe trip. For more information on canoe roues within the park, check out the Paddling Adventures in the new Northern Alberta Mapbook.
Lakeland Provincial Park
Lesser Slave Lake Wildland Park
On the north shore of Lesser Slave Lake, open water and boreal forest set the scene for a memorable wilderness camp. Watch birds along the lakeshore, explore the surrounding woods and settle in for wide northern sunsets over one of Alberta’s largest lakes. The appeal here is space with room to slow down, listen to the water and enjoy a quieter side of Lesser Slave Lake.
Otter-Orloff Lakes Wildland Park
Located north of Athabasca, reaching Orloff Lake takes a little effort, and that is part of its charm. Travel the final 4 km (2.5 mile) trail on foot or by OHV to the Rock Island Forestry Tower, then settle into a quiet lake country shaped by forest, wetlands and wildlife. Spend the day fishing, watching waterfowl or exploring the shoreline before returning to a simple backcountry camp. Otter–Orloff is especially appealing when you want a destination that feels remote without heading to the far northern edge of the province. Be aware, the access road in not maintained and is a fair trail at best when dry but expect it to be slick and muddy when wet.
Peace River Wildland Park
Camp among the forested slopes of the Peace and Smoky river valleys and make the rivers the centre of your trip. A day here might mean paddling, fishing, watching for birds or exploring the valley on foot before returning to camp as the light changes across the water. The meeting of two great northern rivers gives Peace River Wildland Park a scale and character that stand apart from Alberta’s lake country.
Peace River
Rainbow Lake-Zama City Corridor
Between Rainbow Lake and Zama City, northern Alberta opens into a broad landscape of boreal forest, lakes and wetlands made for an unhurried backroad trip. Highway 58 leads west from High Level, with side roads inviting travellers to explore the forest south of Rainbow Lake. Farther toward Zama City, the landscape gives way to the Hay–Zama Lakes, where birdlife and the possibility of seeing wood bison add another reason to linger. Spend a day exploring the backroads, make a fishing or paddling detour to Rainbow Lake, then find a quiet place to camp beneath the northern sky.
Richardson Wildland Park
The long journey north of Fort McMurray is part of Richardson’s appeal. Beyond the familiar boreal forest lies remarkable sand dune country south of Lake Athabasca, with a sense of distance that makes every stop feel like a discovery. Explore the dunes on foot, look for wildlife and spend the night beneath an enormous northern sky. For travellers drawn to remote landscapes, Richardson offers one of Alberta’s most distinctive wild camping adventures. Full details on this area and the many great backcountry campsites spread throughout can be found on the Backroad Maps app. Be sure to download the maps for offline use once you leave cell service coverage.
Stony Mountain Wildland Park
Stony Mountain turns a camping trip into a backcountry journey. After reaching the staging area south of Fort McMurray, continue along an 8 km (5 mile) trail leading into a landscape of boreal forest and quiet wetland country. The trail is accessible by ATV or snowmobile and ideally suited for a winter adventure when the wetlands are frozen. Ride in then trade the sound of the engine for an evening at camp and a chance to watch the northern lights come alive. This is a rewarding choice for those who enjoy travelling beyond the end of the road.
Northern Alberta Backcountry Camping: Know Before You Go
Camping rules depend on where you stop. Vacant Crown land, Wildland Provincial Parks and Provincial Parks are managed differently, so check the designation of your intended campsite before setting out. Random camping is generally permitted in Wildland Provincial Parks, subject to local restrictions, but Provincial Parks usually require you to use designated campsites. For example, Lakeland Provincial Park offers free backcountry campsites, but random camping is not permitted there. Check the individual park page at albertaparks.ca.
If you are camping on public land along the Eastern Slopes, check whether your location falls within the Public Lands Camping Pass boundary. The pass area extends north to Grande Prairie and may include stops along the Forestry Trunk Road. Boundary maps, camping rules and Public Land Use Zone information are available at alberta.ca/public-lands-camping-pass, alberta.ca/camping-on-public-land and alberta.ca/public-land-use-zones.
Before leaving, check albertafirebans.ca for fire bans and OHV restrictions, alberta.ca/public-land-closures for public land closures, and albertaparks.ca for park advisories. If fishing is part of your trip, consult the current Alberta sportfishing regulations through alberta.ca.
Northern backroads may have limited services and no cell coverage. Download the Backroad Maps app for offline use, carry safe drinking water or a way to treat it, and let someone know your route and expected return time. Keep food and garbage secure from wildlife, use existing campsites where possible, and pack out everything you bring in.
Ready to hit the road and enjoy a night under the stars in the Northern Alberta backcountry. Pick up a copy of the new Northern Alberta Backroad Mapbook, download our Backroad Maps app for both IOS and Android or check out our GPS maps for Garmin products.
Adventure awaits, enjoy the backcountry and be sure to share and tag us #brmblife.
