Trail & Area Updates

Effective October 1, 2009
Trail or Area Forest Land Use Zone Details
  • Allstones Lake Trail
  • Waterfalls Creek Trail
  • Trails to Landslide Lake and Lake of the Falls
  • Kiska/Willson

Trails re-opened for equestrian use.

These trails will remain open to equestrian users until and including May 30, 2010.
Effective September 1, 2009
Trail or Area Forest Land Use Zone Details
  • Wapiabi Cave
  • Blackstone/Wapiabi

Wapiabi Cave is closed to use. Wapiabi Cave will re-open for use May 1, 2010.

Overnight camping inside the cave is not permitted. Bats are very active during the month of August.

Between August 1 and August 31 (inclusive), all visitors must leave the cave and be 100 metres (328 feet) away from the cave entrance one hour before sunset and one hour before sunrise.

Please ensure that you take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome to local bat populations. See:

White-nose Syndrome
Effective July 1, 2009
Trail or Area Forest Land Use Zone Details
  • Brazeau River Trail
  • Canary Creek Trail
  • Onion Creek Trail
  • Hummingbird Creek Trail
  • Trail to James Lake and Eagle Lake
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Job/Cline
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram

Trails are re-opened to off-highway vehicle and snow vehicle use.

These trails will remain open to off-highway vehicle use until March 15, 2010 and to snow vehicle use until April 30, 2010.
Effective May 1, 2009
Trail or Area Forest Land Use Zone Details
  • Clearwater Trail/Skeleton Creek Trail
  • Ranger Creek Trail
  • Whitegoat Trail/Littlehorn Trail
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Job/Cline
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram
 Trails are closed for off-highway vehicle and snow vehicle use. Will re-open for off-highway and snow vehicle use December 1, 2009.
  • Onion Lake Random Sledding Area
  • Ranger Creek Random Sledding Area
  • Scalp Creek Random Sledding Area
  • Sugarbowl Random Sledding Area
  • Kiska/Willson
  • Job/Cline
  • Upper Clearwater/Ram
 Random sledding areas closed to snow vehicle use. Will re-open for snow vehicle use December 1, 2009.

Practice responsible recreation

Many people visit the area during the spring season. Please respect your neighbors and the lands that we are all privileged to use. Practice responsible recreation so that you and all other users may enjoy your experience in the Bighorn Backcountry. See:

Remember the rules for motorized and non-motorized trail use

Heavy trail use can have a significant impact on the environment. Whether you taking part in motorized or non-motorized recreation, do your part to minimize your impact when out on the trails. See:

Also visit:

No one under the age of 14 years may operate an off-highway vehicle or snow vehicle unless accompanied by an adult. Please visit the Queen’s Printer website at:

Watch for wildlife

Black bears, grizzly bears and other wildlife live in the Bighorn Backcountry. Please exercise caution if you encounter any wildlife. See:

The Bighorn Backcountry map and brochure can be found in information kiosks located at the following areas:

  • Allstones Lake Staging Area
  • Aylmer Trail
  • Bighorn Dam
  • Blackstone River
  • Canary Creek
  • Coliseum Trail Staging Area
  • Crescent Falls Forest Recreation Area
  • Cutoff Creek Staging Area
  • Eagle Creek Forest Recreation Area
  • Eagle Creek/Scalp Creek Trail
  • Forty Mile Patrol Cabin
  • Hummingbird Staging Area
  • Landslide Lake Staging Area
  • North Ram River
  • Panther Forest Recreation Area
  • Pinto Lake Staging Area
  • Preachers Point River Access
  • Wapiabi Gap

Please contact SRD Lands and Range Management staff with any questions about safety and enjoyment or management of the area. For toll free access dial 310-0000 and enter the area code and phone number.

Posted: October 27, 2009