This 'rock solid' landmark in Alberta is the largest of its kind in the world
Wild Rose Country is well-known for its larger-than-life landmarks, but few are as impressive as ‘Big Rock,’ outside of Okotoks, Alberta.
Located less than one hour from Calgary, this incredible glacial erratic has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest, weighing in at 16,500 tonnes.
How did it get there?
While its size alone is incredible, how it ended up west of the town is just as fascinating.
According to the Government of Alberta, the enormous rock travelled hundreds of kilometres before finding its home.
“Big Rock was originally part of a mountain formation in what is now Jasper National Park,” they explained.
“During the last ice age – about 30,000 years ago – a large rockslide crashed debris onto the surface of a glacier that occupied the present-day Athabasca River valley, and this debris, including Big Rock, was carried out of the mountains on the glacial surface.”
As the ice melted, the boulder settled in the prairies and became a place of significance to the Indigenous Blackfoot people, who still share stories about the mass.
In fact, the name for the erratic is derived from their word for rock, which is “okatok.”
Want to check it out?
If you’d like to visit, you’re in luck because it’ll be hard to miss.
The rock is about the size of a three-storey apartment building, standing 9 metres tall, 41 metres long and 18 metres wide.
While there, please be respectful and do not climb on it.
Due to its importance, it was designated a Provincial Historic Resource with the hope that it will be enjoyed for years to come.
Enjoy and happy adventuring!
It’s one of a kind.
Big Rock Erratic – Okotoks, Alberta
Where: AB-7, Foothills County, AB (directions here)
