Clearwater County supports a variety of recreation and culture opportunities that promote healthy lifestyles or develop a sense of history and community.

The County partners with the Town of Rocky Mountain House in the provision of a wide range of recreation programs and the operation of the pool and arena within the Town. The County also supports the operations of the arena and ball diamonds in the Village of Caroline. Clearwater County is also home to three golf courses, Pine Hills located west of Rocky Mountain House, Canyon Creek located north of Rocky Mountain House and the Caroline Golf Course located north of the Village of Caroline.

In addition to the wide variety of outdoor and sporting opportunities, an equal assortment of cultural, historical and artistic opportunities are available through the various cultural and artisan organizations in the community.

Clearwater County is also home to the Rocky Mountain House Historic Site, a nationally designated historic site that recognizes the fur trading history of the area and its place in Canadian culture. Also in the County is the historic townsite of Nordegg, which includes the nationally designated historic minesite.

Clearwater County also supports the Rocky Mountain House & District Museum, the Caroline Museum and the Nordegg Historical Society, both of which celebrate the rich historical past of the Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater areas.

Clearwater County meets both the Banff and Jasper National Parks on its western edge. A solid management policy combined with wilderness areas and ecological reserves, makes it one of the top ten places in North America for viewing the flora and fauna as well as other sight seeing and eco-tourism opportunities.

Camping

Fishing

Hunting

Trail Riding

Cross Country Skiing

Tourism & History

Camping opportunities abound, with over 40 private or public campgrounds in Clearwater County.

Fishing is unsurpassed; sport fishermen can tackle: Dolly Varden, Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brook and Lake Trout or Rocky Mountain Whitefish.

Hunters have access to some of the finest big game in North America and the area has a number of professional guides and outfitters to make your expedition a successful one.

Trail riding opportunities, canoeing the lakes, rafting and kayaking the exciting white waters are very popular. Hiking is the key to reaching much of the full glory of this area. Various experiences are depending on the level of skill. However, be safe: be sure you have adequate information on the area you are entering.

Cross Country skiing is available in the winter, as are challenging opportunities for both the novice and experienced enthusiast. Snowmobile trail systems have been developed at the Chambers Creek area located 1/2 hour west of Rocky Mountain House. The staging area provides a warm-up shelter, toilets, parking lot and loading ramp.

Crafts of every kind are manufactured and displayed by local artisans. These works of art can be found at retail outlets and are exhibited at various community events. Many cultural events are held here such as Canada Day, Native Awareness Week, professional and amateur rodeos, David Thompson Days and Winterfest to name a few.

Two hundred years ago, the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company built trading posts near the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan rivers. The location soon became known as Rocky Mountain House.

It was more than a hundred years later that the first permanent settlers began arriving, around 1902, and another 10 years until the village of Rocky Mountain House was established, a year after the Brazeau coal mine and town of Nordegg were developed.

That long and colorful history was celebrated this past year with a series of Bicentennial events. Although the events were designed to commemorate the community’s history, it was just as much a celebration of what the area has become. There are a few regions in Canada as rich and diverse in natural beauty, resources, industry and culture as this area known as the West Country.

The unofficial West Country takes in an area extending along the eastern slopes and foothills of the Rocky Mountains roughly from Sundre to Edson. The heart of it is Clearwater County and the “capital” is Rocky Mountain House.

Clearwater County covers some 7704 sq. miles beginning a little west of Eckville, north of Sundre and extending west to the Banff Park Border and North of Rocky Mountain House, which has its own municipal administration, and a population of nearly 6,000. Both populations are growing steadily.