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Coaxial CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Okotoks Erratic

Mountain

A massive glacial erratic near Okotoks, Alberta-one of the largest of its kind in Canada. The site has short trails, interpretive signs and picnic spots.

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Okotoks Erratic essentials

Address: Located near the south bank of the Sheep River, just outside Okotoks, Alberta
Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
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When to Go

Best Time to Visit Okotoks Erratic

Accessible year-round; spring and autumn offer the best light and fewer people.

Spring
April-June · 0-15°C
Snowmelt and wildflowers in the prairie; river levels can be high
Summer
July-August · 15-25°C
Warm days and clear skies; busiest time for visitors
Autumn
September-October · 5-15°C
Cooler air and dramatic prairie light-often the best photographs

Weather & Climate near Okotoks Erratic

Climate

Okotoks Erratic's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 23°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 27 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
-16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -16° - -4° -16° 15 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
February - -13° - -1° -12° 16 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
March - -9° - 4° -7° 24 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
April - -3° - 11° 1° 33 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
May - 2° - 16° 7° 59 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
June - 6° - 20° 13° 102 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
July - 8° - 23° 15° 59 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
August - 8° - 23° 15° 57 mm - - 3.1 m/s - -
September - 3° - 18° 10° 51 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
October - -2° - 13° 2° 22 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
November - -10° - 3° -8° 17 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
December - -15° - -2° -14° 15 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Okotoks Erratic

Drive south from Calgary along Highway 2 to the town of Okotoks (about 30-40 minutes). From Okotoks town centre follow local signage to the Big Rock site near the Sheep River on the town’s western edge; limited parking is available.

Tips for Visiting Okotoks Erratic

  • Go at first light-Big Rock is quiet then and the low sun brings out its textures
  • Respect the site: do not climb the boulder; erosion and fissures make it unstable in places
  • Read the interpretive panel on-site to learn about the glacial journey that brought the stone south