Camping safety, regulations and etiquette

Become familiar with camping equipment and come prepared for changes in weather to enjoy a safe camping trip. For additional information on campground regulations and etiquette please speak with the campground kiosk attendant or contact the Prince Albert National Park Visitor Centre.

Quiet hours

Quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. No excessive noise at any time.

Campfires

A fire permit is required to have a campfire at a campsite. Fires are permitted only in the fire pits provided. Only burn the wood provided at designated wood piles. Collecting and burning forest material from around a campsite is prohibited.

Pets

Pets are permitted in campgrounds but must be under physical control at all times and never left unattended.

• Campers must agree to abide by all campground rules and regulations as provided at time of registration.
• No person, parties from the same household or camping unit may occupy the same site for more than the maximum amount of 21 days in a season, except the Narrows where the limit is a month. When found to be in violation of this regulation, the permit will be subject to immediate cancellation.
• Unoccupied campsite - In the instances where a tent or trailer is unoccupied for 48 hours or a campsite is vacant for 24 hours, camping permits can be cancelled and equipment removed.
• Alcohol and cannabis restrictions at all front country campgrounds on all spring/summer long weekends. See the Prince Albert National Park Important Bulletins for more details.
• Campsite capacity is 6 persons (unless a family unit consists of adults with dependent children)
• One wheeled camping unit plus one tent, OR two tents allowed per site. Red Deer Campground sites must include one wheeled camping unit utilizing the services provided. No additional camping units are permitted on the oTENTik sites.
• Maximum Vehicles per site: 2 vehicles.
• All equipment and vehicles must be placed on the designated pad, not in the trees or on the roadway.
• Generator use allowed in frontcountry campgrounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. only and must be placed on the gravel pad. 
• A person may be registered to only one site at any time.
• Camping permits are non-transferable.
• Check out time is 11:00 a.m. the day of departure.
• Park staff may enter any site to check for unattended wildlife attractants and which may be secured by parks staff to reduce the public safety risk. Items not claimed within 48 hours will be considered abandoned. Food items will be disposed of and non-food items will be placed into the Lost & Found at the Visitor Centre.

• Maximum Length Stay:
  • To ensure a fair opportunity for all visitors to access specific sites and enjoy their camping experience, Beaver Glen, Red Deer, Sandy Lake and Namekus Lake campgrounds have a “Maximum 21-Day Stay” policy in effect. The Narrows campground has a “Maximum 30-Day Stay” policy in effect. Once the maximum nights on a specific site is reached, campers are welcome to register into a different site to continue their holiday in Prince Albert National Park.
• No person, parties from the same household or camping unit may occupy the same site for more than the maximum number of days in a season. When found to be in violation of this regulation, the permit will be subject to immediate cancellation.
• 24- and 48-Hour Details:
  • To ensure fair access to campsites, campsites must be occupied. A policy regarding unoccupied or vacant campsites is in effect. Campers are asked at time of registration to occupy the campsite they have paid for. In the instances where a tent or trailer is unoccupied for 48 hours or a campsite is vacant for 24 hours, camping permits can be cancelled and equipment removed.
• A campsite is deemed to be unoccupied where a tent or trailer has been unoccupied for a period exceeding 48 hours or has been removed from the campsite for a period exceeding 24 hours.

• Reservation System No-Show Policy:
  • All campers must register with park staff at the Campground Kiosk or the Visitor Centre to obtain their camping permit before entering the campground. The “No Show Policy” is as follows.
• No-Shows: Check-in in person is required when you arrive. If you have not checked-in at the campground by 11:00 a.m. the day after your scheduled day of arrival, and if you have not contacted the park to inform them of your late arrival, you will be deemed a “No-Show”. Your reservation will be cancelled, and your campsite will be made available to other guests.
• If you are deemed a “No-show”, you can claim a refund of all monies paid, less the original, non-refundable reservation fee and a penalty of your first two-nights of camping (if applicable) by calling the Park directly within 30 days of your originally scheduled departure date.
• Thirty days after your originally scheduled departure date all of your camping fees become non-refundable.
• From Victoria Day weekend to mid-June, and from Labour Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend, Red Deer campers may need to register at the Beaver Glen kiosk or the Visitor Centre.
• Accessible washrooms are available in Loop L at Beaver Glen and in Loops B and F at Red Deer.
• Parking for extra vehicles and trailers is available for campers during their stay at the campground. Please ask the Campground attendant to register your extra vehicle when checking in upon your arrival.
• Red Deer power consumption:
  • During warm temperatures, too much demand on the electrical system causes the power to go out. To help keep the system from becoming overloaded:
• Do not use multiple appliances at the same time (e.g., air conditioning unit, kitchen appliances).
• Only use air conditioners for short periods of time.
• Turn appliances off when away from your trailer (e.g., do not leave air conditioner running).
  Run appliances on propane to limit the power draw whenever possible.
• Report all power outages to park staff.

When traveling in the backcountry BE PREPARED FOR ALL EMERGENCIES! Backcountry travelers in all seasons should be self-reliant and fully prepared to deal with any mishaps that may arise on an outing. Visit the Prince Albert National Park Visitor Safety pages for information and tips on how to make each backcountry adventure safe and enjoyable.

For each visitor’s safety and the safety of others, practice safe camping and observe the following regulations:

• All overnight visitors must register at the Visitor Centre* in Waskesiu prior to departure. A park use permit will be issued and backcountry camping fees apply.
  * Campers may register for South Area Campgrounds at the Prince Albert National Park South Gate entrance on Highway #263
• Campers must agree to abide by all campground rules and regulations as provided at time of registration.
• All garbage must be packed out of the backcountry.
• Place tents only on the sand or gravel camping pad.
• Use bear caches for all animal attractants (food, garbage and toiletries).
• Use firewood provided. If not provided, firewood may be gathered from fallen trees and deadfall on the ground. Do not cut or remove material from standing trees.
• Pit toilets are located at the campgrounds and should be used for the disposal of grey water. Where pit toilets are not provided, grey water and human waste must be buried at least 70m from any trail or camping area. Toilet paper must be packed out.
• Where designated fire pits are provided, all fires must be contained therein and never left unattended.
• Water is obtained from the lake - boiling before use is recommended.
• A National Park fishing license is required by anglers. Available at the Visitor Centre, entry gates or any campground kiosk. Lake Trout endorsements are available only at the Visitor Centre in Waskesiu or at South Gate.
• Fish offal (i.e., waste) must be sunk in deep water, at a minimum 250 meters away from the shoreline, or, the approximate centre of the lake, in all park waters, except for Waskesiu, Namekus, Sandy and the Hanging Heart (excluding Crean) where designated fish filleting stations must be used.
• Generator use is prohibited in all backcountry campgrounds at all times.
• Before starting a trip, read the ‘Bear Country' brochure available at all park offices.
• Random camping is prohibited within 2 km of any public highway or designated campground, and 50 meters of any designated trail in Prince Albert National Park, and within 2 km of the shorelines of Waskesiu, Kingsmere, Bagwa, Clare, Lily, Ajawaan, Hanging Hearts, Crean, Sandy and Lost Lakes.
• For more information on safe travel in the backcountry visit AdventureSmart.ca