Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 940 Coleman to Oldman River Headwaters
Livingstone Range solitude from Coleman south.
Drop south out of Coleman on Hwy 940 and you’re immediately in a different Alberta — wilder, emptier, and a long way from pavement logic. The route rolls through the Livingstone Range along the eastern flank of the Rockies, crossing the Oldman River multiple times before pushing toward the headwaters country near Racehorse Creek and Livingstone Falls. Racehorse Creek Provincial Recreation Area makes a natural pit stop, and the creek crossing there — while usually manageable — has swallowed under-prepared rigs in high water. Expect rutted two-track sections between the maintained gravel, tree blowdowns after storm season, and the occasional mudhole that earns its reputation.
This is moderate territory for a capable rig but it’ll punish an unprepared one. High clearance and 4WD are non-negotiable; an all-terrain tire setup handles the mixed gravel-dirt-mud surface well. No permits required for the Forestry Trunk corridor. Best run June through September — snowfall at elevation can arrive early in October. Fuel in Coleman before departure; no services south for 80 km. Cell service disappears past Racehorse Creek. Dispersed camping is permitted in the Green Zone alongside the road.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 52 mi / 83.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Coleman, AB |
| Land manager | Alberta Environment and Protected Areas |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | alberta.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler handle this without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD vehicle with decent clearance can run this route. The dirt and gravel surface is mostly straightforward, but ruts and soft sections after rain can catch low-clearance rigs off guard, so aired-down all-terrain tires are a smart call.
When does the road typically open in spring and does it close in winter?
The road is generally passable June through September. Spring melt can keep sections muddy or washed out well into May, and early fall snowstorms in the Livingstone Range can shut things down fast — check Alberta's 511 road conditions before you leave Coleman.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this section of the Forestry Trunk Road?
No permit is required to drive the Forestry Trunk Road. Dispersed camping is free on public land managed by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, but campfires may be restricted during fire bans — check current restrictions at alberta.ca before heading out.
What's the hardest section of the route and what makes it difficult?
The trickier sections tend to be near the water crossings and any low-lying clay stretches after rain — wet clay on this road gets genuinely slick and can pull a vehicle sideways. Nothing on this route requires a built rig, but if it's been raining hard, those sections will humble a driver who isn't paying attention.
Is there anywhere to top up water or fuel between Coleman and the Oldman River headwaters?
There is zero cell service and no services on this 83.7 km stretch — fuel up in Coleman before you go and carry more than you think you need. For water, the Oldman River headwaters and tributary streams exist along the route, but treat or filter anything you collect from them.
Trail track
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