Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 940 Sparwood to Oldman River North

The Hwy 940 Forestry Trunk Road through the Livingstone Range is Kananaskis Country’s wilder, less-managed cousin. This northern section from the Oldman River headwaters runs through some of the best foothills terrain in the province — tight valley bottoms flanked by limestone ridges, creek crossings that can turn into axle-deep slogs after any significant rain, and forest roads that peel off in every direction toward fire lookouts and old logging camps. The Oldman River itself is a named waypoint worth stopping at; the braided channels and gravel bars are classic Alberta foothills scenery and a good camp choice if you’re splitting the drive across two days.

This route is genuinely accessible to a stock high-clearance 4WD in dry conditions, but the clay-mud sections in the Livingstone drainage can become impassable even for lockers after prolonged rain — don’t underestimate it when wet. No permits needed. Fuel is available in Lundbreck or Cowley before you commit north. Best season is late June through October. Hunting season in fall brings increased traffic and some very motivated hunters on narrow two-track cutlines, so be aware of your surroundings. The payoff is legitimate mountain scenery without the Kananaskis crowds.