Backcountry Camping in Alberta Canada Livingstone PLUZ (Public Land Use Zone)
A late-night drive from Calgary to Montana turned into a quick backcountry camping adventure in the Livingstone Public Land Use Zone in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
I picked this area on purpose. Besides knowing the Crown land around Crowsnest...
I picked this area on purpose. Besides knowing the Crown land around Crowsnest...
A late-night drive from Calgary to Montana turned into a quick backcountry camping adventure in the Livingstone Public Land Use Zone in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
I picked this area on purpose. Besides knowing the Crown land around Crowsnest Pass fairly well, camping here meant we could wake up in the mountains and make Crowsnest Creek Falls our first adventure stop of the day before continuing toward British Columbia and Montana.
We left Calgary around 9 p.m. and rolled into the Crowsnest Pass area close to midnight. Even arriving in the dark, I knew there were places along these backroads where we could find somewhere suitable to stop for the night. I didn't want to leave Alberta in the dark, I am less familiar with British Columbia's Crown land locations.
The first spot I considered came with one very convincing reason to keep moving: an active grizzly bear research live trap ahead. Nope! We continued farther down the road, past Crowsnest Creek Falls, and found an open area that felt much better for our overnight camp.
By about 1:30 a.m., two little tents were up, the lights were on and we were tucked in for the night. After a slightly chilly but amazingly good sleep surrounded by the mountains and forest, we woke up, packed camp and headed back toward Crowsnest Creek Falls for our first stop of the morning.
Waterfall checked off, we continued west toward the Roosville, British Columbia border crossing to Montana.
It wasn't a campground reservation or a carefully planned overnight stay. It was a convenient patch of Alberta Crown land, two tents, mountain air and a waterfall waiting for us in the morning. Which is a pretty great way to break up a road trip.
Livingstone PLUZ Camping FAQ
Where is Livingstone PLUZ?
Livingstone Public Land Use Zone is located along Alberta's southern Eastern Slopes, including areas near Crowsnest Pass and the Alberta/British Columbia border.
Can you backcountry camp in Livingstone PLUZ?
Random camping is permitted in parts of the Livingstone PLUZ, but campers need to follow current access rules, closures and posted restrictions.
Do you need a camping pass?
Yes. Adults 18 and older random camping in this part of Alberta's Eastern Slopes require an Alberta Public Lands Camping Pass. The current cost (2026) is $20 for a 3-day pass or $30 for an annual pass.
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I picked this area on purpose. Besides knowing the Crown land around Crowsnest Pass fairly well, camping here meant we could wake up in the mountains and make Crowsnest Creek Falls our first adventure stop of the day before continuing toward British Columbia and Montana.
We left Calgary around 9 p.m. and rolled into the Crowsnest Pass area close to midnight. Even arriving in the dark, I knew there were places along these backroads where we could find somewhere suitable to stop for the night. I didn't want to leave Alberta in the dark, I am less familiar with British Columbia's Crown land locations.
The first spot I considered came with one very convincing reason to keep moving: an active grizzly bear research live trap ahead. Nope! We continued farther down the road, past Crowsnest Creek Falls, and found an open area that felt much better for our overnight camp.
By about 1:30 a.m., two little tents were up, the lights were on and we were tucked in for the night. After a slightly chilly but amazingly good sleep surrounded by the mountains and forest, we woke up, packed camp and headed back toward Crowsnest Creek Falls for our first stop of the morning.
Waterfall checked off, we continued west toward the Roosville, British Columbia border crossing to Montana.
It wasn't a campground reservation or a carefully planned overnight stay. It was a convenient patch of Alberta Crown land, two tents, mountain air and a waterfall waiting for us in the morning. Which is a pretty great way to break up a road trip.
Livingstone PLUZ Camping FAQ
Where is Livingstone PLUZ?
Livingstone Public Land Use Zone is located along Alberta's southern Eastern Slopes, including areas near Crowsnest Pass and the Alberta/British Columbia border.
Can you backcountry camp in Livingstone PLUZ?
Random camping is permitted in parts of the Livingstone PLUZ, but campers need to follow current access rules, closures and posted restrictions.
Do you need a camping pass?
Yes. Adults 18 and older random camping in this part of Alberta's Eastern Slopes require an Alberta Public Lands Camping Pass. The current cost (2026) is $20 for a 3-day pass or $30 for an annual pass.
I headed here because a photo I took years ago, that still holds as a favourite, was taken from down this trail near a pond. I initially headed here to set up camp. BUT a warning for an active grizzly bear research live trap made the decision...
I headed here because a photo I took years ago, that still holds as a favourite, was taken from down this trail near a pond. I initially headed here to set up camp. BUT a warning for an active grizzly bear research live trap made the decision easy. This was not going to be our campsite. We continued farther down the road before setting up for the night.
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PLUZ stands for Public Land Use Zone
Backroads, mountains and a little uncertainty are all part of arriving at a Crown land camping area after midnight.
23 August 2026
·
3 weeks ago
taken in
Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada
Backroads, mountains and a little uncertainty are all part of arriving at a Crown land camping area after midnight.
A string of tiny lights brightens the tent after a 1:30 a.m. camp setup in the mountains of southwestern Alberta. In the blackness of the forest, it gives us some visibility to anyone passing by.
23 August 2026
·
3 weeks ago
taken in
Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada
Sleeping gear, a lantern, bear spray and car keys. That was it. No food or scented items came into our tents while backcountry camping in Alberta bear country. And you certainly don't sleep in clothing that smells like food or cooking either!
The...
The...
Sleeping gear, a lantern, bear spray and car keys. That was it. No food or scented items came into our tents while backcountry camping in Alberta bear country. And you certainly don't sleep in clothing that smells like food or cooking either!
The lantern was there for obvious nighttime reasons, but the car keys were intentional too.
I brought two sets for the Jeep. My brother kept one set in his tent and I kept the other. If either of us heard something concerning outside during the night, we could trigger the Jeep alarm from inside the tent. Hopefully the noise would scare off an unwanted visitor, human or animal, while also immediately letting the other person know something was going on.
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The lantern was there for obvious nighttime reasons, but the car keys were intentional too.
I brought two sets for the Jeep. My brother kept one set in his tent and I kept the other. If either of us heard something concerning outside during the night, we could trigger the Jeep alarm from inside the tent. Hopefully the noise would scare off an unwanted visitor, human or animal, while also immediately letting the other person know something was going on.
Tucked into my sleeping bag after working 8 hours, driving 7 hours, and setting up a late-night backcountry campsite in Alberta's Livingstone PLUZ. It was a chilly summer night, I was glad I brought my toque!
23 August 2026
·
3 weeks ago
taken in
Crowsnest Pass, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, T0K 0E0, Canada
Two small tents set up in an open area of the Livingstone PLUZ for a quick overnight camping stop while travelling from Calgary to Montana.
I have multiple different kinds of tents. These tiny easy to assemble ones always come in the Jeep. Even...
I have multiple different kinds of tents. These tiny easy to assemble ones always come in the Jeep. Even...
Two small tents set up in an open area of the Livingstone PLUZ for a quick overnight camping stop while travelling from Calgary to Montana.
I have multiple different kinds of tents. These tiny easy to assemble ones always come in the Jeep. Even when I bring the bigger fancy ones. Sometimes you just need your tent up fast! One is from Canadian Tire, the other is from Bass Pro Shops. Both are small, compact, and easy to set up.
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I have multiple different kinds of tents. These tiny easy to assemble ones always come in the Jeep. Even when I bring the bigger fancy ones. Sometimes you just need your tent up fast! One is from Canadian Tire, the other is from Bass Pro Shops. Both are small, compact, and easy to set up.
Early morning sunlight reaches over the mountains after a quiet night of backcountry camping in the Livingstone Public Land Use Zone.
23 August 2026
·
3 weeks ago
taken in
Crowsnest Pass, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, T0K 0E0, Canada
A small waterfall tumbles through the forest along Crowsnest Creek while exploring the Livingstone PLUZ near Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. The best way to start another day before the next leg on our 10 hour road trip!
23 August 2026
·
3 weeks ago
taken in
Crowsnest Creek, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada
The next leg of our road trip was underway! We left Alberta behind and crossed into British Columbia, with our first mission being coffee in Sparwood. From there, the route would take us south through Fernie and Roosville before crossing into...
The next leg of our road trip was underway! We left Alberta behind and crossed into British Columbia, with our first mission being coffee in Sparwood. From there, the route would take us south through Fernie and Roosville before crossing into Montana, with the goal of reaching the Helena area by the end of the day.
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I love that you had to ask though. I have certainly learned a lot since moving from Ontario to Alberta! So I totally get where you are coming from. There is Crown land aka backcountry camping, in Ontario as well. Did a bit of that before I moved away.
And yes, I have absolutely run into bears. Multiple times. Always while driving or hiking. Thankfully have never had any come visit my campsites! Except one day I stopped to make lunch along a river and a black bear wandered close by. Once he saw he me left. And I have thankfully never needed to use the bear spray. So far, the bears I have crossed paths with just look at me, some longer than others, and then carry on a different way. There aren't too many that actually want anything to do with humans. Definitely the odd grumpy one out there though! Those ones would require bear spray... More ...