Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 734 Ram River to Blackstone Gap

The Ram River corridor north of Ram Falls Provincial Park is where the Forestry Trunk Road (Highway 734) earns its reputation. After leaving the falls parking lot, the gravel narrows and the traffic evaporates almost immediately. The route threads through open foothills grasslands and dense spruce stands, crossing the Ram River on a low-water ford that demands respect even in dry years. Blackstone Gap — the dramatic canyon-like pinch point where the Blackstone River cuts through an anticline ridge — is the geographic highlight, a landscape that looks like it belongs somewhere far wilder and more famous than Alberta’s eastern slopes.

This section of the 734 is passable by most high-clearance vehicles in good conditions, but the Ram River ford and a handful of cutbank climbs after heavy rain require 4WD. A moderately capable truck with all-terrain tires handles it fine mid-summer. Spring is a mess — wait until June at minimum. The nearest fuel and supplies are in Nordegg to the north or Rocky Mountain House to the east. Dispersed camping is wide open through this stretch. There are no permits and no fees, but you should carry a paper map — the road numbering through here is confusing and cell service is nonexistent past the falls.