Drumheller is a tourist destination in the heart of the Canadian badlands where the flat prairie fields transform into deep canyons that you can explore, walking in the very footsteps of the dinosaurs that used to roam here. Yep, Drumheller is home to the richest discoveries and collections of dinosaur remains in the world. Education and preservation of these extinct beings are at the forefront of what Drumheller is all about and its unique standing is embraced by the entire community.
After twenty-eight years of living only three hours away from this hidden gem, I finally did a day trip to explore all that Drumheller has to offer. Let me tell you – it was worth it! As someone who is mildly obsessed and very intrigued by all things dinosaurs, my inner child loved every second of my visit. Don’t worry if you’re not a huge fan of dinosaurs, the opportunities to explore the canyons and the stunning views make Drumheller a place for everyone.
HOW TO GET THERE
Drumheller can easily be done on a self-guided tour and the easiest way to get there is by car. As you drive from Calgary or Edmonton, you’ll be in for a real treat as you watch the landscape change from vast prairie land to enormous rock formations towering up from the ground on either side of you.
Calgary to Drumheller is a 1.5 drive.
Edmonton to Drumheller is a 3 hour drive.
Once you arrive in Drumheller, it’s up to you how you would like to spend your day. There are plenty of things to do for dinosaur lovers and nature lovers alike and today I’m going to share some of the top activities that you can do on your day (or weekend) trip.
ROYAL TYRELL MUSEUM AND INTERPRETIVE TRAIL
Our first stop of the day was the Royal Tyrell Museum, a museum dedicated entirely to the science of palaeontology. Here you can get up close and personal with the well-preserved dinosaur skeletons and fossils that have been found in the region, including the best preserved dinosaur ever found. And guess what? That best preserved dino is 112 million years old, making it not only the best preserved but the oldest.
Once you’ve learned everything you can about dinosaurs and the history of the local landscape, get outside and take a walk through the Badlands Interpretive Trail, a 1.4km loop.
HORSETHIEF CANYON
Horsethief Canyon is the first and most dramatic of two canyon hotspots in Drumheller. Its history is filled with intriguing stories of horse thieving outlaws who used these deep canyons as getaway routes over 100 years ago. Hidden well beneath the dirt, fossils continue being discovered in this area that date back 70 million years ago!
This spot can be accessed by anyone as spectacular views can be seen just a few meters away from the car park. For those of you with a little adventure in your blood, you can walk down the steep trail and find yourself down in the canyons below. Once I got down there, I could have spent hours exploring further and further into the canyon. There’s something about getting close to the dirt, exploring hidden nooks and crannies, and finding yourself with views you didn’t even know existed that gets my energy and enthusiasm way up. If you’ve got the energy and a decent pair of shoes, I would highly recommend going down as you can wander around the corner for even more views and search for little hoodoos. The canyon goes on for miles, inviting anyone with the curiosity to explore farther off the beaten track.
HORSESHOE CANYON
The second canyon that most visitors to the Alberta badlands end up visiting is the u-shaped Horseshoe Canyon. This stop on your day trip has the familiar maroon-striped canyon walls and makes for the perfect spot to do a little more hiking. Trails throughout this canyon are more defined and extend farther than its sister canyon over at Horsethief.
STAR MINE SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Just outside of Drumheller is a 117 meter long pedestrian bridge, suspended over the Red Deer River. It has become one of the most Instagrammable spots in the area and is a fun addition to your day trip if you’re not quite ready to go home yet. It’s gorgeous in the summer, with a dry, desert-like landscape on one end, lush green trees on the other, and the unique canyons out in the distance. Visiting in the winter? Don’t worry, it’s just as beautiful when the river is frozen white beneath your feet and the ground is covered by a blanket of snow.
DRUMHELLER’S LITTLE CHURCH
Have you ever been inside a church that holds 10,000 people – six at a time? This miniature white church sits along the North Dinosaur Trail, just past the Royal Tyrell Museum.
Originally built in 1968, the church has become somewhat of a novelty attraction for those driving by to stop and take a picture within the doorway or squished inside. As fun as it has become, there are actual services held here regularly!
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DINOSAUR
Here we go from the smallest church to the world’s largest dinosaur: the 86 ft. tall T-Rex standing guard over the town. You can see her from miles away and, if you wanted, you can climb all the way up into her mouth. 106 stairs will get you there, where visitors can stand inside the mouth of a T-Rex twelve people at a time. From behind her teeth, you can gaze out over the badlands and the river running through them.
Drumheller has been nicknamed the Dinosaur Capital of the World and even the Grand Canyon of Alberta. Thanks to its rugged landscape, significant history, and striking natural beauty, the badlands have become a tourist destination for local Albertans and travellers alike. Word of warning for all of my hiker/adventure friends: it isn’t recommended to go down into the canyons if it’s rainy or wet as they can be dangerous. But I imagine the rain would make the colours of the canyon walls stand out dramatically!