Ram Falls, AL - Canada

Ram Falls Forestry Airstrip is a small, grass-surface airstrip located in Clearwater County, Alberta, on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the foothills. It originated as one of many airstrips built and operated by the Alberta Forest Service to access remote areas of the province. The AFS abandoned most of these strips in the mid-1990s, and the majority have since become overgrown and unusable. Ram Falls, however, was taken over and is actively maintained by the Red Deer Flying Club, and remains a beautiful strip in great condition — though it is still listed as abandoned in some publications.

The strip sits just 300 feet from Ram Falls Provincial Park, making it a popular backcountry fly-in destination with the magnificent Ram Falls hike right at your doorstep. A campground is located directly across the road to the north.

Operations
The runway runs east–west (08/26), is grass-surfaced, and measures roughly 3,300 feet long by 100 feet wide. Landing and departure are permitted in either direction. A windsock is located on the south side of the airstrip near the button of Runway 26. An Alberta Forestry fuel tank is situated near the threshold of Runway 26, which helicopters use regularly for refueling — pilots are asked not to park in front of it.

Procedures
Circuits are flown on the north side of the airstrip. Runway 26 uses right-hand circuits, while Runway 08 uses left-hand circuits. Pilots should be aware of a slight dog-leg on final approach to Runway 26, which follows the river. For departures on Runway 26, turn crosswind (north) as soon as practical, following the Forestry Trunk Road, to avoid the sheep calving area which is noise sensitive.

Visiting pilots are encouraged to log their visits — including date, aircraft registration, number of aircraft, and strip conditions — to help maintain the access agreement with Alberta Parks. Reports can be submitted to ramfalls@outlook.com.

Warnings
- High Altitude Mountain Airstrip — Ram Falls requires appropriate aircraft performance and pilot experience. Pilots must carefully consider winds and density altitude before operating here.

- Wildlife — Grizzly bear activity has been reported in the vicinity. All visitors are strongly recommended to carry bear spray and be fully familiar with its use.