Okotoks

Okotoks is a town of 29,000 people (2023) in Alberta.

Okotoks Halal Explorer

Okotoks2009 - |A view of Okotoks; overlooking downtown and facing south

Okotoks is a town on the banks on the Sheep River, roughly 18 kilometers (11 mi) south of the City of Calgary. Okotoks has emerged as a bedroom community of Calgary.

History

The town's name is derived from "ohkotok" and the Blackfoot First Nation word for "rock". The name may refer to Big Rock and the largest glacial erratic in the Foothills Erratics Train, about 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) west of the town.

Before European colonial settlement, journeying First Nations used the rock as a marker to find the river crossing situated at Okotoks. The tribes were nomadic and often followed large buffalo herds for their sustenance. David Thompson explored the area as early as 1800. Soon trading posts sprang up, including one established in 1874 at the Sheep River crossing on the current Okotoks townsite. This crossing was on a trade route called the Macleod Trail, which led from Fort Benton, Montana to Calgary.

In 1879 and the area was the site of the killing of the last buffalo. Government leasing of land for one cent per acre ($2.47/km²) began in 1880. This created a major change in the region. The first settlers arrived in 1882.

A community grew up around a sawmill that was established in 1891, and it would grow in size. The last stagecoach stopped in Okotoks in 1891 when rail service between Calgary and Fort Macleod replaced horse-drawn travel. By 1897 the community name had changed three times: from Sheep Creek to Dewdney to Okotoks, assigned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The rail line is still a main line south to the U.S. border, but the last of the passenger service ended in 1971.

Okotoks has experienced three major flooding events, in 1995, 2005 and 2013. The 2005 event, which affected much of Southern Alberta, flooded virtually all lands adjacent to the Sheep River, including the central business neighborhood, were at least briefly flooded, with the most serious damage being inflicted to riverside pathways, parks and campgrounds. Okotoks was also affected by the 2013 Alberta floods.

The sawmill that was established by John Lineham along the Sheep River in 1891 operated for 25 years and was a major part of the local economy. At one time it employed 135 people, producing an average of 30,000 feet (9,000 m) of lumber per day. The growth of the Canadian Pacific Railway created a demand for railway ties and the mill helped meet that demand. Logs were brought down from the west via the Sheep River. The mill has long since disappeared but one building (one of the oldest remaining in the township) still stands. It houses a law office and restaurant.

Oil was discovered west of Okotoks on October 7, 1913. Okotoks became the supply centre. In its heyday, from 1913 to the 1960s, Okotoks was busy with horses, wagons, and transports hauling all types of equipment to the oil fields, and crude oil back through town to refineries in Calgary.

How is the Climate in Okotoks

Okotoks visitors can count on mild weather from Spring to late Fall, and 330 days of sunshine each year.

Travel to Okotoks

• By vehicle from 45 kilometers south of Calgary.
• Like other communities in the vicinity of Calgary, it is served by the Calgary International Airport. It has its own airport for private planes.

• On-it Regional Transit - $15 - Several buses from Calgary per day Monday to Friday leaving in the late afternoon. The return buses to Calgary leave early in the morning.

What to see in Okotoks

BigRockOkotoks01 1 - Big Rock glacier erratic

• The Big Rock - Okotoks Erratic - 50.705883, -114.076422 - Big Rock (glacial erratic) Bigrock - The largest known glacial erratic, being transported by an ice sheet about 15,000 years ago from what is now Jasper National Park

• Epcor Environmental Education Centre - To learn about the local ecosystem.

Since 1974, Okotoks has been hosting a collector vehicle auction in late May. It is the longest running collector vehicle auction in Canada.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Okotoks

Okotoks had 99 parks and over 85 kilometers in walking, hiking and biking trails,

• The MaxMan’s Mini Golf - 18-hole mini golf course.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Okotoks

Okotoksplaza - Olde Towne Plaza in downtown Okotoks

Halal Restaurants in Okotoks

• Big Sky BBQ Pit | 306016 15 Street E, Foothills MD 50.775009, -113.975902 Highway 2A and 306 Avenue E, 5 kilometers |0 north of Okotoks ☎ +1-403-938-0701 Opening Hours: 11am-10pm - Texas BBQ.

• Heartland Cafe - 46 McRae Street 50.725369 , -113.971564 ☎ +1 403-995-4623 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 8PM, Friday Saturday 11AM Monday - Qp10PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 3PM Dinner mains $20-32 - Excellent North American food in an old church.

• The Canadian Brewhouse | 625, 200 Southridge Drive ☎ +1 403 995-5735 Opening Hours: Monday - West 11AM–midnight; Thursday 11AM Monday - 1AM, Friday 11AM Monday - 2AM, Saturday Sunday 10AM Monday - 2AM Price
• The George Traditional House | 31 Southridge Dr #101 ☎ +1 403 938-5000 Opening Hours: Sunday Monday 11AM Monday - 10PM, Tuesday 11AM Monday - 11PM, West Thursday 11AM Monday - midnight, Friday Saturday 11AM Monday - 2AM Burgers $14-16, mains $14-18 - Pizzas, tacos, salads, sandwiches, outdoor fireplace.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Okotoks

Okotoks - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Okotoks, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Okotoks. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Okotoks and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Okotoks. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Okotoks. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inOkotoks: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Okotoks.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Okotoks: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Okotoks, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Okotoks.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Okotoks, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Okotoks, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Okotoks and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Okotoks, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Okotoks, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Okotoks without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Okotoks is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Okotoks.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Okotoks is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Okotoks, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Okotoks Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Harmony House Bed & Breakfast - 15 Westridge Crescent +1-866-995-0461 $115-135 - In a quiet neighbourhood, this Okotoks property offers full breakfast. All rooms feature 4-poster beds. Free Wi-Fi. Rooms at Harmony Bed and Breakfast are decorated in a Victorian style with dark wood furnishings. A family friendly garden and a wraparound patio with seating area are offered at this property. The common room features a piano. Special diets can be accommodated upon request.

• Okotoks Lion's Campground - 99 Woodhaven Drive ☎ +1 403 938-4282 - $40 per day with hookups, $25 for tents - 55 sites with full service hookups (30 amps), 6 tent sites (15 amps power). All sites have firepits. Dump station privileges are included with camping. Open from May 1st to October 1st.

• Best Western Plus Inn & Suites | 100 Southbank Road - ☎ +1 403 995-6265| tollfree=+1-800-780-7234 From $148 - Exercise facilities, Wireless internet connection in public areas, 100% smoke-free hotel, complimentary full breakfast, indoor pool, with waterslide, hot tub and is located adjacent to the pool, laundromat.

Travel Next

• The Bar U Ranch near Longview (Alberta) | Longview
• Through Black Diamond and Turner Valley into Sheep River Valley Park in Kananaskis Country.

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