Rocky Mountain House is a town of 6,600 people in the Foothills region of Alberta, Canada.
Understand
Rocky Mountain House is approximately 77 km west of Red Deer at the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) and Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway). The surrounding Clearwater County's administration office is in Rocky Mountain House. Rocky Mountain House is the gateway to David Thompson Country, a wilderness recreational area that is west of the town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
History
The town's history dates back to the 18th century with the presence of British and Canadian fur traders during the westward Canadian expansion. In 1799, the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company established the Rocky Mountain House, the westernmost post on the North Saskatchewan. It was within sight of the Rocky Mountains, and Acton House fur trading posts. Trade with the local Aboriginal peoples continued until 1821 when the companies merged. They continued to trade until 1875 and closed the Rocky Mountain House post. The name of the settlement however remained. The Rocky Mountain House settlement also served as a launching point for many explorers such as David Thompson, in search for a passage west to the Pacific Ocean. Many travellers used this location as a stop on their way further west or northwest.
Get in
Rocky Mountain House can be accessed from Edmonton or Calgary by taking the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) to Red Deer, then going west on Highway 11. Rocky Mountain House is also accessible from the west via Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). It also has an airport for general aviation.
Get around
See
- Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, 52.361807°, -114.970479°. An archaeological site that contains the remains of several early 19th-century fur trade forts known as Rocky Mountain House. It is on the North Saskatchewan River. The designation refers to the remains of trading establishments built and occupied between 1799 and 1875 on the west bank of the North Saskatchewan River above its confluence with the Clearwater River together with an associated burying ground. 2019-02-11
- Rocky Museum, 5406 48 St, 52.382142°, -114.916252°, +1 403-845-2332. Summer: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su holidays 10AM-5PM; winter: M-F 9AM-5PM. 2019-10-08
Do
- Canyon Creek Golf Course, 52.463763°, -114.831580°, +1-403-845-5001. 2019-02-11
- Pine Hills Golf Club, 52.390365°, -114.990947°, +1-403-845-7400. 2019-02-11
David Thompson Country
- ATV Trails. There are numerous ATV trails west of Rocky Mountain House, accessible from Hwy 11 and the Forestry Trunk Road. 2019-02-11
- Biking. There are numerous mountain biking trails west of Rocky Mountain House. 2019-02-11
- Hiking. There are many different locations in the Rocky Mountain House area that are open to hiking. 2019-02-11
Buy
- Brick Road Collectibles, 4911 50 St, 52.373301°, -114.918828°, +1 403-418-6071. Tu-F 11AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. An eclectic collection of furniture, coins, comics, war history, sports memorabilia, celebrity autographs along with collectible toy brands including Tonka, Lincoln trucks, Wyandotte, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Dinky Toy, Fisher Price, Structo, Husky, Buddy L, Marx, Nylint, ERTL, Thistle, antiques & toys. 2019-07-04
- Twisted Barn, 404039 Range Road 72 (north of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 22 to Twp Rd 405A (Frisco Hall), east to Rge Rd 72), 52.471416°, -114.911600°, +1 403-845-5050. W-F 10AM-5PM. A country store well stocked with yarns and knitting supplies. Twisted Barn also offers homemade jam & tarts, farm raised chickens, to canned salmon. Giftware from bison wallets to hand woven rag rugs. 2019-10-07
Eat
- Grillers, 4819 45 St (Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge), 52.372018°, -114.910164°. Daily 5:30AM-19PM. Steakhouse, burgers, wraps, family restaurant, breakfasts. 2019-07-04
- McQueen's On Eleven, 5103 46 St, 52.376377°, -114.912360°, +1 403-844-4490. M-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. Panini, sandwiches, soup. 2019-07-04
- Cucina, 12A-5207 48 St, 52.378827°, -114.915683°, +1 403-844-2173. M-Th 11:30AM-2PM, 4-9PM; F Sa 11:30AM-9PM; Su 11:30AM-8PM. Korean & Italian cuisine. Vegetarian & gluten-free options. 2019-07-04
Drink
- Boomers Pub, 4939 50 St, 52.374201°, -114.918763°. M-W 3PM-midnight, Th-Sa 3PM-2AM. Pub and party place serving Bento boxes. 2019-07-03
Sleep
Camping
- Centennial Park, 5301 55 Avenue, 52.382902°, -114.924007°. 15 sites, not suitable for large units. 2019-02-11
- New Old Town Campground, 4302 62 Street, 52.363668°, -114.934763°, +1 403-844-4442. Bath house with flush toilets and showers. Fire pits, firewood and picnic tables. Nine cottages are also available for rent. 2019-02-11
Nearby
- Canyon Creek Golf & Camping, +1 403-845-5001. 61 sites. Fully serviced or with power and water only. No tenting sites available. 2019-02-11
- Cow Lake Recreation Area, +1 403-845-5851. 120 unserviced sites and 3 mini group sites with shelter. 2019-02-11
- Crimson Lake Provincial Park, +1 403-845-2330. 2019-02-11
- Horburg Provincial Recreation Area. Offers great access to the North Saskatchewan River for canoes and kayaks. There are also a few small campsites available that are quiet and well in the trees. Due to steep access road conditions, large units are not recommended. 2019-10-09
- Jackfish Lake Provincial Recreation Area, +1 403-721-3975. Small campground, with just a few campsites nestled in the forest by the lake. There is a boat launch and a pier. 2019-10-09
- Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, +1 403-845-2414. 3 tipis and 6 trappers tents oon raised platforms with period tables and chairs; 24 non-serviced RV sites and 12 non-serviced tenting sites. 2019-02-11
David Thompson Country
There are numerous camping options along the David Thompson Highway (Highway 11) corridor between Rocky Mountain House and Banff National Park.
Hotels & motels
- Alpine Motel, 4435 47 Avenue, 52.369933°, -114.908066°, +1 403-845-3325, rockyalpine@gmail.com. 2019-02-11
- Best Western (Rocky Mountain House Inn & Suites), 4407 41 Avenue, 52.360621°, -114.908531°, +1 403-844-3100. 2019-02-11
- Canalta Hotel - Rocky Mountain House, 4406 41 Avenue, 52.361485°, -114.909048°, +1 403-846-0088. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 2019-02-11
- Rocky Inn Express, 4715 45 Street, 52.371203°, -114.907977°, +1 403-845-2871, rockyinnexpress@shaw.ca. 2019-10-07
- Tamarack Motor Inn, 4904 45 Street, 52.373574°, -114.912934°, +1 403-845-5252, info@tamarackmotorinn.com. 2019-10-07
- Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge, 4819 45 Street, 52.371861°, -114.909814°, +1 403-845-2804, info@walkingeagle.net. 2019-10-07
Nearby
- Prairie Creek Inn, 73042 Township Road 380 (17 km south of Rocky Mountain House), 52.31222°, -115.0828°, +1 403-844-2672, theprairiecreekinn@telus.net. Bed and breakfast country inn. $200+ 2019-10-07
Connect
Go next
Continue west to David Thompson Country and Banff National Park.