Quebec Filming Permits on a Trail
A trail pass lets you ride an authorized trail; it does not automatically give you permission to film there. If you plan to record a Quebec ATV or side-by-side trip, the key is to identify who controls each location and ask before filming, especially for commercial projects, drones, or footage that includes other people.
A trail pass is not a filming permit
Quebec trail access and filming permission are separate questions. A trail pass may allow an eligible machine to use an open federated trail, subject to the applicable rules. It does not necessarily authorize a production crew, tripod, drone, roadside setup, or commercial shoot. The distinction matters even if you are already a club member or riding legally.
The person or organization to contact depends on where you intend to film. A route can cross land controlled by different parties, and permission for one stretch may not cover the next. A local ATV club may be able to explain who manages a federated trail or whether filming requests go through the club, a landowner, or another authority. Start with the relevant club or trail organization, and ask them to identify the right contact if they do not grant permission themselves.
| Filming situation | Who to contact first | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Federated club trail | The local club or trail organization | Whether filming is allowed, where, and under what conditions |
| Private land or a privately operated route | The owner or operator | Permission for the crew, equipment, vehicles, and planned use of the footage |
| Municipal land or a public road | The municipality or relevant local authority | Whether a permit or traffic-control arrangement is required |
| Park or protected area | The organization responsible for that location | Filming rules, restricted areas, and any application process |
| Crown land | The authority responsible for the specific land or activity | Whether separate authorization is required |
| Drone footage | The land manager and the relevant aviation authority | Land access, airspace, aircraft, and pilot requirements |
These are starting points, not a complete list of every possible approval. A trail may pass through several types of land, and the rules can change along the route. Ask for permission that identifies the precise location and activity rather than relying on a general statement that “filming is fine.”
If you are still planning the route, Quebec ATV Trails: The FQCQ Network can help explain the trail network, while Quebec Trail Maps and the iQuad App can help you plan where you intend to ride. Confirm current access and closures before the shoot; a map or pass does not guarantee that a trail is open on a particular day. Quebec Trail Passes Cover Every Club explains the scope of a pass, but the pass should not be treated as a filming authorization.
Work out what approvals your shoot needs
Before contacting anyone, describe the project clearly. A short personal video filmed from your own machine is different from a planned production with several riders, a crew, parked vehicles, lighting, or a paid client. The more a shoot changes normal trail use or involves other people’s land, the more important it is to get specific written approval.
Explain the scale and purpose
When you contact a club, landowner, municipality, or park operator, include practical details:
- The trail or area you want to use, with a map or clear route description.
- The date, expected duration, and approximate arrival time.
- The number of riders, machines, crew members, and support vehicles.
- Whether the footage is personal, promotional, editorial, or being made for a client.
- The equipment you plan to use, such as cameras, tripods, lights, or a drone.
- Whether you need to stop, stage equipment, park a vehicle, or temporarily occupy part of the trail.
- How you plan to avoid interfering with other riders and trail operations.
Ask whether permission covers only recording from a moving machine or also covers stationary setups, roadside filming, interviews, signs, buildings, and recognizable people. If the footage will be published or used to promote a business, say so. A permission granted for personal recording may not cover advertising, sponsorship, or other commercial use.
There is no single filming permit that automatically applies across every Quebec trail. Approval from a club may address its trail operations but not replace the consent of a private landowner or the requirements of a municipality. Likewise, permission to use a location does not automatically authorize a drone flight or roadside traffic control.
Get the terms in writing
A written approval can be a brief email, but it should be clear about what is allowed. Confirm the location, dates, activity, crew size, equipment, and any restrictions. Ask whether the approval can be withdrawn if trail conditions change or the shoot disrupts normal use.
For a larger production, ask whether the location manager requires proof of insurance, a safety plan, a deposit, or a formal application. Requirements depend on the location and project, so do not assume that a small crew is automatically exempt. If an approval includes conditions, make sure everyone on the crew understands them before arriving.
Also separate permission to film from permission to use other people’s image, voice, or property in the final edit. If riders, workers, or identifiable members of the public may appear, plan how you will obtain their consent or avoid using identifiable footage. A location owner’s approval does not necessarily settle a person’s privacy or image-rights concerns.
Treat drones as a separate activity
A land manager’s permission to film from the ground is not the same as permission to launch a drone. Drone operation can involve aviation requirements as well as local restrictions, and the rules depend on the aircraft, the pilot, the location, and how the flight is conducted. Check current requirements with the relevant aviation authority before planning aerial shots.
Ask the land manager whether drone takeoff and landing are allowed at the proposed site. Avoid assuming that an open trail or a wide clearing is automatically an acceptable launch area. A drone can distract riders, disturb wildlife, or create a hazard if it flies over people or vehicles. If you cannot verify that the flight is permitted and safe, leave the drone out of the plan.
Keep the shoot safe and out of the way
A camera plan should not compromise the ride. On a narrow or busy trail, stopping to reset a shot can block other users or create a collision risk. Film only where you can do so safely and lawfully, and do not ask riders to make abrupt turns, speed up, ride side by side where the trail is too narrow, or repeat a risky manoeuvre for the camera.
Build the shoot around ordinary trail conditions rather than trying to control them. Leave room for other riders, follow signs and closures, and yield when needed. A filming plan does not give the crew priority on a public or federated corridor. For guidance on sharing the route, see Quebec Trail Etiquette Locals Expect and Passing Safely on a Blind Corner.
If you need to stop for a shot, choose a safe location that does not obstruct the trail or block access for emergency or maintenance vehicles. Keep tripods, cases, cables, and other gear away from the riding line. Do not leave equipment unattended where it could become an obstacle or be mistaken for debris. If a trail is too busy or exposed for a safe setup, change the shot or choose another location with permission.
The machine and rider still need to meet the rules that apply to the ride. A camera mount does not excuse unsafe operation, and a camera operator should not encourage a rider to use a phone while driving. Secure equipment so it cannot come loose, interfere with controls, obscure the rider’s view, or affect the machine’s safe operation. Keep required papers and any applicable pass available; Carrying Papers on a Long Ride covers practical ways to organize documents on a trip.
For group shoots, name one person to coordinate with the trail contact and another to manage the crew’s movement. Brief everyone on the route, expected stops, closures, and what to do if other trail users approach. If a club or landowner gives special instructions, follow them even if they differ from your usual filming setup. Do not block signs, move trail markers, or create a temporary detour without authorization.
Plan for weather, closures, and changing access
A trail can close because of conditions or local decisions, and an approval for filming should not be treated as a promise that access will remain available. Check conditions close to the shoot date and contact the approving organization if the route changes. Quebec Trail Conditions Before You Go and Quebec’s Spring Thaw Closure explain why a planned route may not be usable when you arrive.
Have a backup location or a way to reschedule. If the crew arrives and finds a closure, follow it rather than attempting to film around it. Permission from a landowner or club cannot override a current closure or the rules of another authority responsible for the route.
Common mistakes to avoid
One frequent mistake is assuming that a trail pass, club membership, or machine registration includes filming rights. They serve different purposes. Quebec Registration and Trail Pass Together can help distinguish vehicle registration from trail access, but neither should be read as blanket approval for a production.
Another is asking only the person who manages the trailhead. The trail may cross other land, and the trailhead contact may not have authority to approve filming along the entire route. Share your planned route and ask who controls each segment. If the answer is unclear, narrow the shoot to the area for which you have confirmed permission.
It is also easy to underestimate what counts as a production. A small crew can still create an impact if it parks support vehicles, stops riders repeatedly, sets up equipment, interviews people, or publishes footage to promote a business. Be direct about the intended use and the way the shoot will operate. Do not describe a commercial project as casual personal filming to avoid asking the right questions.
Finally, do not assume that a verbal “yes” covers every use of the footage. Confirm whether the approval covers publication, promotion, sponsors, or future edits, and get separate consent from people who are clearly identifiable when appropriate. If the project is substantial, involves a sensitive location, or will be used commercially, consider getting advice from a qualified professional about releases, insurance, and contracts.
A reliable plan is straightforward: map the route, identify who controls each location, describe the shoot honestly, get permission in writing, confirm any separate drone or municipal requirements, and keep the crew from interfering with trail use. When access or authority is uncertain, pause and ask rather than treating an open trail as an automatic filming location.
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.
