Kananaskis — Upper Elbow River Canyon Road to Tombstone Backcountry Campground

The Upper Elbow River road in Kananaskis Country is the kind of route that filters out the tourists real fast. Departing from Elbow Falls and heading southwest on Forgetmenot Road and then Elbow River Canyon Road, you’re navigating a progressively narrowing track with the river on your left and raw limestone slopes rising sharply to the right. The road passes Cobble Flats, a broad gravel flat that’s a favourite horse-packing camp, before tightening further toward Tombstone Backcountry Campground — 28 kilometres of dirt, river crossings, and rocky shelf sections where the road barely accommodates one vehicle. The Elbow River crossings here are glacial-fed and can run thigh-deep in June runoff.

This is a Kananaskis Conservation Pass trail — you need the pass on your dash or you’ll get ticketed. High clearance 4×4 is the minimum; a lifted rig with a snorkel isn’t overkill in high water season. Best season is mid-July through mid-October when the river levels drop and the road dries out. No cell service past Elbow Falls. Water is available from the river but treat it. Dispersed camping is permitted at designated backcountry sites. The Opal Range views at Tombstone are serious — you’ll want a full evening here, not just a windshield pass-through.