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 |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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