Ghost River Off-Roading
Ghost River - An Adventurers Playground
Ghost River is a not so known are of the Canadian Rockies that sits just on the Prairie side of Lake Minnewanka, on the edge of the mountains. You travel down Highway 40 towards Nordegg and take the small dirt road turn off towards the Ghost River Valley. What seems like a regular old Mountain View prairie region of Alberta, quickly turns into a mountainous playground for those brave enough to enter.
You travel along a Ridgeline passing campground after campground feeling as though this bumpy dirt road will never end before you finally reach a steady downhill just before you feel as though you’ll run right into the mountains. Some recommend 4x4 Low on this downhill, however we never have an issue in just regular 4x4. This could well be due to my lack of 4x4 knowledge or more risk adverse people writing about this region.
after descending the steep trail down into the dry river bed, you find yourself in a true Albertan playground. Not restricted by any National or Provincial park rules you are able to drive, play shoot, set off fireworks or create fire pits where ever you so choose.
You may cross streams, bounce around on “the mound” as I affectionately call it which is purely just a small hill in the middle of the valley which is likely an island during high water season. Beyond the mound awaits another river crossing then another choose your own adventure style area which leads you all the way up to the back side of Lake Minnewanka.
We usually elect to remain in the dry river bed because we enjoy the wide open space, with no one around. Can camp in large groups and enjoy the freedom of smashing through rivers in our 4x4s.
Sunsets here are notoriously stunning, so be prepared with a composition before the colour hits as foreground can be hard to come by. I normally elect to take the drone up to get some more unique shots of the region. Flying up and over the trails towards Minnewanka I find is your best bet for good shots. Just be cautious about the wind.
Things to remember about this area:
This is Crown Land, so while there are no National or Provincial park rules, a good outdoors human will always practice leaving no trace, putting out their camp fires and removing all trash and food.
Wildlife are frequent in this area, from cougars, wolves and obviously many bears. So be cautious if you are tent camping not to allow any food in your tent and treat your camp site like any other mountain camp site.
This spot is many locals secret get away from the crowds in Banff and Canmore. So remember to be respectful, give people space and unless the area is completely deserted maybe keep the parties to a minimum.
Bring a spare tire. These roads are fucked. we blew a tire on one adventure out here, so be wary of stray nails, glass or sharp rocks.
