# Rocky Mountain House

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 (48 mi) 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.

## See

* 52.361807-114.9704791 Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (6 km west of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 11A). 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. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.382142-114.9162522 Rocky Museum, 5406 48 St, ☏ +1 403-845-2332. Summer: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su holidays 10AM-5PM; winter: M-F 9AM-5PM. (updated Oct 2019)

## Do

* 52.463763-114.831581 Canyon Creek Golf Course (7 km north of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 22, then 7 km east on Hwy 12), ☏ +1-403-845-5001. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.390365-114.9909472 Pine Hills Golf Club (8 km west of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 11, then and 3 km south along Hwy 11A), ☏ +1-403-845-7400. (updated Feb 2019)

### David Thompson Country

* ATV Trails. There are numerous ATV trails west of Rocky Mountain House, accessible from Hwy 11 and the Forestry Trunk Road. (updated Feb 2019)
* Biking. There are numerous mountain biking trails west of Rocky Mountain House. (updated Feb 2019)
* Hiking. There are many different locations in the Rocky Mountain House area that are open to hiking. (updated Feb 2019)

## Buy

* 52.373301-114.9188281 Brick Road Collectibles, 4911 50 St, ☏ +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. (updated Jul 2019)
* 52.471416-114.91162 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), ☏ +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. (updated Oct 2019)

## Eat

* 52.372018-114.9101641 Grillers, 4819 45 St (Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge). Daily 5:30AM-19PM. Steakhouse, burgers, wraps, family restaurant, breakfasts. (updated Jul 2019)
* 52.378827-114.9156832 Cucina, 12A-5207 48 St, ☏ +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. (updated Jul 2019)

## Drink

* 52.374201-114.9187631 Boomers Pub, 4939 50 St. M-W 3PM-midnight, Th-Sa 3PM-2AM. Pub and party place serving Bento boxes. (updated Jul 2019)

## Sleep
### Camping

* 52.382902-114.9240071 Centennial Park, 5301 55 Avenue. 15 sites, not suitable for large units. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.363668-114.9347632 New Old Town Campground, 4302 62 Street, ☏ +1 403-844-4442. Bath house with flush toilets and showers. Fire pits, firewood and picnic tables. Nine cottages are also available for rent. (updated Feb 2019)

#### Nearby

* Canyon Creek Golf & Camping (7 km north on Hwy 22, and then 7 km east on Hwy 12), ☏ +1 403-845-5001. 61 sites. Fully serviced or with power and water only. No tenting sites available. (updated Feb 2019)
* Cow Lake Recreation Area (18 km SW of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 752), ☏ +1 403-845-5851. 120 unserviced sites and 3 mini group sites with shelter. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.4658-115.0463 Crimson Lake Provincial Park (7 km west on Hwy 11, and then 6 km north on Hwy 756), ☏ +1 403-845-2330. (updated Feb 2019)
* Horburg Provincial Recreation Area (31 km west of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 11, then south on Township Road 400A). 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. (updated Oct 2019)
* Jackfish Lake Provincial Recreation Area (52 km west of Rocky Mountain House on Hwy 11), ☏ +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. (updated Oct 2019)
* Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (7 km west on Hwy 11A), ☏ +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. (updated Feb 2019)

#### David Thompson Country

There are numerous camping options along the 172-kilometre-long (107 mi) David Thompson Highway (Highway 11) corridor between Rocky Mountain House and Banff National Park.

### Hotels & motels

* 52.369933-114.9080664 Alpine Motel, 4435 47 Avenue, ☏ +1 403-845-3325, toll-free: +1-888-845-5215, rockyalpine@gmail.com. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.360621-114.9085315 Best Western (Rocky Mountain House Inn & Suites), 4407 41 Avenue, ☏ +1 403-844-3100, toll-free: +1-800-780-7234. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.361485-114.9090486 Canalta Hotel - Rocky Mountain House, 4406 41 Avenue, ☏ +1 403-846-0088. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2019)
* 52.371203-114.9079777 Rocky Inn Express, 4715 45 Street, ☏ +1 403-845-2871, rockyinnexpress@shaw.ca. (updated Oct 2019)
* 52.373574-114.9129348 Tamarack Motor Inn, 4904 45 Street, ☏ +1 403-845-5252, toll-free: +1-877-845-5252, info@tamarackmotorinn.com. (updated Oct 2019)
* 52.371861-114.9098149 Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge, 4819 45 Street, ☏ +1 403-845-2804, toll-free: +1-866-845-2131, info@walkingeagle.net. (updated Oct 2019)

#### Nearby

* 52.31222-115.082810 Prairie Creek Inn, 73042 Township Road 380 (17 km south of Rocky Mountain House), ☏ +1 403-844-2672, theprairiecreekinn@telus.net. Bed and breakfast country inn. $200+. (updated Oct 2019)

## Go next

Continue west to David Thompson Country and Banff National Park.