Alberta’s 1-Kilometre Relocation Rule

If you’re camping on Alberta public land, the one-kilometre rule can sound like a simple way to extend a stay: move camp, then start the clock again. The details matter. This rule concerns where and when you can return to camp; it does not grant permission to camp anywhere or let you ride an OHV wherever you like. Here’s how to plan a compliant stay.

What the 1-kilometre relocation rule means

Alberta’s relocation rule is often summarized as: after camping at one location for the permitted period, move at least one kilometre away and stay away from the original location for the required time before returning. The commonly stated limits are 14 days at one location, a move of at least one kilometre, and 72 hours away before going back.

The important point is that moving your tent a short distance within the same camp area is not necessarily a meaningful relocation. The distance and time requirements are intended to prevent campers from treating one location as a permanent campsite by making a token move and immediately returning.

Use the rule as a planning minimum, not as a guarantee that a particular spot is available or suitable. Local land-use rules, closures, fire restrictions, recreation-area boundaries, and site-specific conditions can affect where you may camp. A move that satisfies the distance requirement does not override those other restrictions.

The relocation rule is about camping, not a roaming allowance for your quad or side-by-side. It does not authorize travel off an open route, create a new trail, or make a closed area accessible. Riders need to follow the applicable OHV rules independently. For the broader distinction between riding access and camping access, see Alberta OHV Trails: Riding Public Land and [Alberta Random Camping Rules Explained].

Planning question	What the rule generally means	What it does not mean
How long can you stay at one camp location?	The usual limit is 14 days in one location.	It is not permission to occupy any spot for 14 days.
How far must you move?	At least one kilometre from the previous location.	Moving a short distance around the same site may not qualify.
How long must you stay away before returning?	The usual wait is 72 hours.	You cannot return early just because you moved far enough away.
Does moving camp change riding rules?	No. Camping and OHV access are separate questions.	A new campsite does not open a trail or route.
Does the rule replace a camping pass?	No. A pass may be required where the pass program applies.	A pass is not permission to camp anywhere.

The relocation rule is most useful when you are planning a longer trip and want to avoid overstaying at one location. Before setting out, confirm that your intended area allows random camping, check the current requirements for the land you plan to use, and identify a genuine alternative camp at least one kilometre away. If you cannot find a lawful and suitable second location, do not assume you can simply stay put or move a few metres.

For a breakdown of the time limit itself, read Alberta Camping Limits in One Spot and Fourteen Days and Then Move. The relocation distance and waiting period are explained in more detail in Moving a Kilometre Away and Staying Gone Seventy-Two Hours.

Where the rule applies, and what it does not permit

The first question is not “How far do I need to move?” It is “Am I allowed to camp here at all?” The one-kilometre rule is not a general licence to camp on any public land. It does not replace land-use designations, posted closures, local restrictions, or the rules for a managed campground or recreation area.

Random camping rules apply to particular public-land settings. Some places may be open to random camping, some may have designated camping areas or other limits, and some may be closed to camping. A map, an old trip report, or a camp spot visible from a road cannot tell you by itself what is allowed today. Check the current information for the specific zone and location before relying on it. Checking a Zone Before You Go can help you build that check into your trip planning.

Also distinguish a random camp from a developed campground or designated camping area. A developed site may have its own stay limit and terms. The one-kilometre relocation rule should not be used to assume that you can reset a managed site’s limit by moving to another part of the campground. Follow the rules posted for that facility and ask the operator or land manager if the limit is unclear.

A camping pass is another separate issue. Where Alberta’s Public Lands Camping Pass program applies, meeting the relocation rule does not replace the pass requirement. Conversely, having a pass does not authorize camping in a closed area or excuse you from limits on how long you may stay. Check the land covered by the pass and the current requirements before leaving home. See Alberta Public Lands Camping Pass and Alberta Passes Required Year-Round for related information.

Facilities and sensitive areas can also affect where a camp may be placed. Keep the required distance from applicable facilities and respect signs, barriers, and closures. A camp that is one kilometre from your previous site may still be too close to a facility, inside a restricted area, or on land where camping is not permitted. The distance from facilities is a separate check, not part of the relocation calculation; see Alberta Camping Distance From Facilities.

The same separation applies to OHV access. A legal campsite is not automatically a legal place to ride from in every direction. Stay on routes that are open to your machine, obey signs and closures, and do not create a route by driving between camps. Alberta’s rules for riding public land depend on the area and route, not on how far your camp has moved.

Before you pack, confirm these separate questions:

1. Is camping permitted at the first location?
2. What stay limit applies there?
3. Is there a lawful second location at least one kilometre away?
4. How long must you remain away from the original location before returning?
5. Does a pass or another requirement apply to this land?
6. Are the trails or routes you plan to ride open to your OHV?
7. Are there current closures, fire restrictions, or other local conditions?

Answering each question separately is more reliable than treating “move one kilometre” as the whole rule.

How to plan a compliant move

A little planning makes the relocation requirement much easier to follow. It is particularly helpful if your trip depends on a trailer, a large group, or a riding area with limited places to camp. Choose a second location before you need one, and make sure it is lawful and practical—not merely a point that appears far enough away on a screen.

Choose a real destination, not just a distance

Start by checking that the second location is in an area where you may camp. Then confirm that the distance from your original location meets the required minimum. A route distance and a straight-line distance are not always the same, so do not assume that travelling one kilometre along a winding road means the new camp is one kilometre from the old one. If the applicable guidance does not say how to measure a borderline move, choose a destination comfortably beyond the minimum or ask the relevant land manager.

Avoid using a map measurement alone as proof that a campsite is available. A map can help with distance and route planning, but it may not show current closures, private land boundaries, active work, or temporary restrictions. Confirm the actual location on the ground and respect signs and barriers.

For a riding trip, plan the route to the new camp separately from the camp move. A route that looks direct may cross a closed area or use a trail that is not open to your machine. Follow designated or otherwise permitted routes, and do not cut across sensitive ground to make the move faster.

Keep track of dates and locations

Record the date you arrive, the camp location, the date you leave, and the location of the next camp. A simple trip log is useful if you are travelling with others or splitting a longer stay between locations. Save map pins or offline map references where possible, but do not treat a saved pin as a substitute for current land-use information.

The key is to track both parts of the requirement: the distance moved and the time away from the original location. If you leave the first camp and return before the required absence has passed, the move may not meet the rule even if your second location was far enough away. If you are unsure when the waiting period starts or ends in your circumstances, confirm the interpretation with the official source before relying on a close timing calculation.

Build in a margin. If your plan depends on arriving back at a specific point exactly when the minimum period has elapsed, a weather delay or route closure can make the schedule difficult to follow. A longer stay away, or a different lawful destination, can reduce that pressure.

Check the practical details before towing

A second camp has to work in real conditions. Consider whether your vehicle and trailer can reach it on an open, suitable route, whether there is enough space for your group, and whether the ground can support the setup without damage. A destination that meets a distance calculation but requires crossing a wet meadow, cutting a new track, or driving on a closed route is not a good plan.

For OHV riders, do not assume you can ride between the two camps just because the move is part of a camping plan. The route still needs to be legal and open to your machine. If the permitted route is unsuitable, use a lawful alternative or move your camp by an appropriate road route. Keep the relocation requirement separate from permission to ride.

Think about the group’s needs as well. A second location may have no nearby services, limited cell coverage, or a different approach from the first camp. Carry the supplies you need for the move, secure equipment for transport, and agree on the destination and route before the group separates. These are practical planning choices, not exceptions to the rules.

Do not treat a move as a reset button

The 14-day limit, distance requirement, and time away work together. Moving one kilometre and returning before the required absence is over is not a reliable way to comply. Nor should a series of tiny moves be used to create the appearance of changing locations while continuing to occupy the same camp area.

If you need to extend a trip, plan a genuine change of location and follow the applicable timing. If no suitable second location is available, the safer choice is to leave the area rather than assume that a nearby spot qualifies. [Alberta Random Camping Rules Explained] provides context on the broader camping rules that sit alongside the relocation requirement.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Treating the rule as permission to camp anywhere

This is the biggest misunderstanding. A distance requirement does not make a closed area open, turn private land into public land, or authorize camping in a managed site beyond its posted terms. Check the land designation and local rules first.

Moving only a short distance

A small shift within the same general campsite may not satisfy the purpose of the rule. Do not rely on moving a tent, trailer, or vehicle a few metres and calling the location new. Plan for a clear move of at least the required distance, and leave a margin if the measurement is uncertain.

Counting travel time instead of time away

A move can satisfy the distance requirement but still fail the time requirement. Track when you leave the original location and do not return until the required absence has passed. If your route takes you past the old camp, plan around that rather than assuming that a brief pass-through resets anything.

Confusing camping rules with OHV rules

The relocation rule does not mean you may ride wherever you want while moving between sites. Riders still need to follow area-specific access rules and stay off closed or unauthorized routes. Likewise, a trail being open to OHVs does not automatically mean camping is allowed beside it.

Assuming a pass covers every requirement

A pass, where required, addresses only the requirement it is meant to cover. It does not grant permission to camp in a prohibited place, exceed a stay limit, or ride an unauthorized route. Check the pass coverage and the separate rules for the land and activity.

Relying on old maps or trip reports

Public-land access can change. A route that was open on a previous trip may be closed now, and a campsite shown in a post or map may no longer be appropriate. Check current official information, watch for on-site signs, and be prepared to change plans if conditions differ from what you expected.

Forgetting about other people and the condition of the land

Following a time and distance rule is not the only part of responsible camping. Keep the site orderly, avoid damaging vegetation or soft ground, manage waste properly, and leave gates and barriers as found. Be considerate of other campers, land users, wildlife, and nearby residents. A technically compliant move can still be a poor choice if it creates damage or conflict.

A short pre-trip check can prevent most of these problems: confirm the land, check the current rules, identify a suitable second location, record your dates, and verify that your riding route is open. For broader campsite planning, [Camping a Kilometre Back From a Recreation Area] is useful when the proposed location is near a recreation area.

A simple example for a longer stay

Suppose you reach a lawful random-camping location and begin your stay. You should note the arrival date and location, then plan to leave before exceeding the applicable limit for that spot. If you want to continue camping in the area, identify another permitted location at least one kilometre away and make the move in a way that does not use a closed route or damage sensitive ground.

After leaving the original site, stay away from it for the required period before returning. Moving to the second location does not erase the time you already spent at the first one, and the new camp has its own conditions to check. Do not assume that a pass, a trail map, or the distance between sites settles every question.

If your group needs to return to the first location sooner, choose a different plan rather than trying to interpret the minimum narrowly. You might continue to another lawful camp, use a developed campground with its own rules, or end the camping portion of the trip. The best option depends on the land and current conditions.

If your original location becomes unavailable because of a closure, fire restriction, unsafe weather, or another change, follow the direction of the applicable authority and move to a place where camping is permitted. The relocation rule should never be treated as a reason to remain in an unsafe or closed area. Check current official information for the affected zone and make a fresh plan.

The rule is easiest to follow when you think in terms of separate locations and separate clocks: the stay limit at the first place, the distance to the next place, and the time you must remain away before returning. Keep those requirements distinct, and check the rules that apply to the land you are actually using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does moving one kilometre let me start a new 14-day stay?

The relocation rule is generally described as a move of at least one kilometre and remaining away from the original location for 72 hours before returning. It is not a way to avoid the requirement by making a token move. Confirm current rules for the specific area.

Can I return to my first camp as soon as I have moved one kilometre?

No. The distance and time-away conditions are separate. The commonly stated requirement includes staying away from the original location for 72 hours before returning.

Does the rule apply to riding an ATV or UTV?

The rule concerns camping location and duration. It does not grant OHV access to trails or land. Check the riding rules for the area and route separately.

Does a camping pass let me camp wherever I move?

No. A pass applies only where its program requires it and does not override closures, location restrictions, or stay limits. Check the pass coverage and local camping rules before setting up.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.