Saskatchewan River Crossing Backcountry Route

Long before the Trans-Canada Highway carved through the Rockies, Indigenous peoples and fur traders used the Saskatchewan River Crossing as a crucial mountain passage. This backcountry route follows those original pathways, starting from the Icefields Parkway and winding through remote valleys via old outfitter trails and seismic roads. The route connects historical sites where David Thompson and other early explorers established trading posts, passing through some of the most pristine wilderness in the Canadian Rockies.

Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance 4WD and basic recovery gear for rocky sections and seasonal creek crossings. The route is typically accessible July through September, with permits required for overnight camping in national park boundaries. Fuel range is critical—carry extra jerry cans as services are 200+ km apart. This isn’t a technical rock crawl but demands respect for changing weather, wildlife encounters, and route-finding skills. The reward is accessing country most tourists never see, with incredible camping spots and the chance to follow in the tracks of Canada’s earliest explorers.