Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 940 Oldman River to Sheep River Headwaters
Southern foothills gravel at its rawest.
Pull out of the Oldman River valley heading north on Hwy 940 and you’re immediately in the thick of southern Alberta’s most underrated overland corridor. The road rolls through dense lodgepole pine before climbing into open ridgelines with jaw-dropping views east across the foothills to the prairie. Key waypoints include the Turner Valley Gas Plant historical area, the Sheep River Wildlife Sanctuary winter closure zones, and the raw ford at Gorge Creek where the road dips down hard before climbing again. This stretch of the Trunk Road sees enough logging traffic to keep it graded but not enough tourists to ruin the solitude.
The road is generally moderate — high clearance is mandatory and 4WD helps when wet since the clay-heavy sections turn to grease in rain. Mud tires are strongly recommended spring through early summer. Fuel up in Longview or Coleman before heading out — there’s nothing out here. Best run July through September before the October hunting crowds and before snow closes the higher sections. Cell service dies fast once you leave pavement. Dispersed camping is available throughout; watch posted seasonal restrictions inside the Sheep River Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a full-day drive minimum, done properly.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Wildlife |
| Length (miles) | 58 mi / 93.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Longview, Alberta |
| 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 | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this route, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this fine under normal conditions. Lifted rigs have more buffer if the road is rutted after rain, but it's not required. Skid plates are a smart idea given 93 km of raw gravel and embedded rock.
When does Hwy 940 typically open in spring, and is it passable into October?
The road generally becomes drivable by late June after spring melt, though sections can stay soft and rutted well into July in a wet year. October is hit or miss — early snowfall can close it fast. July through September is the reliable window.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp along this stretch of the Forestry Trunk Road?
No permit is required to drive Hwy 940. Dispersed camping on Alberta Crown land along the route is free and legal without a reservation. Stay off private land and respect any posted closures, which do occur seasonally for wildlife protection.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The roughest sections tend to be in the drainage crossings and shelf road portions near the upper Sheep River watershed, where the surface breaks up and loose rock appears. Nothing here is technical rock-crawling — the challenge is sustained rough gravel, potential mud, and water crossings that rise quickly after rain.
Are the water crossings bridged or are they actual drive-throughs, and how deep can they get?
Some crossings are bridged, but several are open fords, particularly on spur roads and near creek drainages. In normal summer conditions depths are manageable for a high-clearance rig, but after heavy rain they can rise fast and become genuinely dangerous. Check local conditions before you go — there's zero cell service on this entire route.
Trail track
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